I've scanned the status messages of my Facebook friends this morning (see below). If we were in a room together, we'd probably get along fine. (I have thoughtful and fascinating friends, of course.) But this ideological divide is distressing. Because it's ideological.
Marx understood ideology as a system of thoughts and beliefs constructed by one class seeking to project it onto society as a whole in order to gain control. In other words, ideology is about wielding thoughts and beliefs to get or keep power.
When the conversation turns ideological, the real economic question -- unlimited wants vs. limited resources -- is obscured. As a journalist, I grew weary of ideologues. How can I now be a pastor, Christian and citizen who doesn't live by ideology but by grace and hope?
* * *
The status of my friends:
"Finally! HCR is really beginning. The haters lose."
"Will the government cover the sickness I feel over the passage of this health "reform" bill? Did I wake up in a different country?"
"Those phone calls, letters, and contributions feel like they mattered. Thrilled to hear the news about Health Care Reform Bill passing in Congress!"
"Expected a nasty morning rush hour, what with all the Army tanks and black helicopters after last night's health care vote."
"Victory"
"Really?"
"Why did the health care legislation take a whole year of "epic struggle"? What can we do to improve our legislative process and political system?"
"Both John Lewis and Bart Stupak deserved more respect. Shame."
"Sign the Repeal ObamaCare Pledge and help elect true conservatives this November who will repeal President Obama's health care takeover."
"I feel like my team just won the Super Bowl!!!"
I get the struggle and the question. Good luck with that. I take solace in the fact that ideologies change and change and change. Grace and hope are ever consistent through all of our changes and confusion and grasping.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that!
ReplyDelete