A revelation today. My son, nearly nine, has expressed a new life aspiration, to be a soldier! I'm shocked to the core.
"Because so many people are dying!" And he wants to help. Not for King and Country. Not in the killing, he wants to help. There's something noble in this. To Fight, to Protect, to Defend!
I hadnt thought through any desire to be in warfare or a battle with any sense of justice any sense at all of a positive putcome, surely there must be sometimes. Or is liberation usually just a transfer from one tyranny to another?
Can a combatant be a subversive peacemaker?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Secular Sunday
We had a secular Sunday today just like the majority of our neighbours. Slept in, had a brunch of baguette and scrambled egg and ham, filter coffee, just eased into the day, glided around the house. Then all of us out for a family swim after walking the dog along the Clyde for a little stretch. (Just to be clear we swam in our local pool not the Clyde!) After that a very late lunch in IKEA; the ultimate secular temple.
It was wonderful and one of the most restful Sabbaths of long while. Why should this be so? Obviously the novelty factor, then the absence of pressure, the lack of challenge. But I'm wondering what else. Why would anyone give that up to go and be part of a church worship service?
It was wonderful and one of the most restful Sabbaths of long while. Why should this be so? Obviously the novelty factor, then the absence of pressure, the lack of challenge. But I'm wondering what else. Why would anyone give that up to go and be part of a church worship service?