Tag Archives: authority
the greatest enemy…
Question everything…especially authority.
We now live in an age of fake news, consistent and uncontrollable lying from the highest office in the nation and supposedly intelligent political leaders opening denying the scientific claims and clear evidence of climate change. Blind belief in anything has become more dangerous than ever before.
We need to question everything, and that includes our own beliefs. But, Einstein is absolutely correct. Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of the truth.
“Ray Buchanan founded Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) and retired in 2015. Comments made on this site are the sole expression of the author, are not made on behalf of the organization, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.”
the Holy Family today
Here is a powerful statement of faithfulness. This is art that is challenging power while proclaiming the Gospel. I am inspired that there are believers like the #nakedpastor who still have the courage to speak the truth to those in authority and remain true to the call of Jesus in our lives.
#BLOTUS would not allow Jesus and His parents into the United States today, even if they were fleeing for their lives. Drumpf knows the danger the Christ child is to his administration’s views and wishes.
I have hidden behind walls of barbed wire and concertina in Vietnam. It can make you feel safer. But, the thing to remember is that walls hold you in just as much as they keep others out. And I, for one, don’t like being a captive.
our problem
I first became aware of Howard Zinn when I came home from my humanitarian assessment trip to Iraq before the Second Gulf War. His voice was one that could not be ignored in it’s opposition to the cacophony of lies and half-truths trumpeted by the US administration for the need to invade Iraq. His fearless attacks against the rampant stupidity being promoted won him a place as one of my favorites.
I was surprised and delighted to find that Zinn is also a favorite of Willie Nelson. As I was reading Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, I came across this powerful quote.
Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of leaders…and millions have been killed because of this obedience….Our problem is that the people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity and war and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves…and the grand thieves are running the country. That’s our problem.
Zinn is right. We are mostly like sheep and far too obedient for our own good. There is no righteousness in allowing evil to flourish and remaining silent in the face of injustice. Never doubt that authority always needs to be questioned, sometimes confronted, and when necessary…even disobeyed.