On the Absence of Dialogue
We need to talk.
But before we do that, we need to create safety.
In order to create safety, we need to not judge.
In order to not judge, we most often need to let go of the idea that “I” am right. Or, in its subtler, nastier form that disguises itself as righteous thinking: that “I” know what the Bible says about xyz and most importantly, I know how God feels about xyz.
Yeah, that’s going to be tough. But we really, really need to talk. About many, many things. And maybe in some cases, we need to stop talking.
This is assignment number one for the Virtual Qahal. How do we break down the judgment reflex in our churches? I think it has to be a process, more of an erosion brought on by experience than a Jericho-esque shakedown. But what do you think?
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Yes, we need to talk.
Every time I teach a class I’m amazed at the unwillingness to have honest discussion. In our tradition we are soo conditioned to give “Church” answers that we can never comfortably have a discussion in which we address things for which we do not have set answers. It’s frustrating.
I think the church answers could be a combination of factors.
We don’t want to be judged by others by giving an unexpected answer.
We don’t want to think of our faith outside of the comfortable box we’ve put it in.
We’re not provoked by the lesson/questions in the first place. Sometimes that’s the listener’s fault. More often, I think it’s lazy teaching/leading.