As someone who is not religious, I've lived the truth of this quote multiple times over the past 30 years.
”When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.” – Patrick Overton
Regarding white evangelicals, I wholeheartedly agree. You put it into words, but I've been coming around to the idea in my own work that, very precisely, there is no good fruit left in these people or institutions, if it was ever there. Any "good" a person does within them is a good that can be done much better and greater somewhere else.
It's been interesting watching how Trump supporters this time around are getting shunned in a way that is, I think, more pointed than in 2016. It feels very matter of fact, like a Band-Aid is being ripped off. "You voted for him? Cool, that's one less person who comes to Thanksgiving every year." No protracted, emotional fights, just "Bye." And I've seen and heard some reactions from those Trump supporters, and it seems to be shocking and stinging them in a way they've never experienced. And to that I say good. We all have to learn how to be told "no" at some time or another.
So I agree that perhaps the only hope for any of these people and institutions is to actually experience being calmly shunned by people who say, in no uncertain terms, "You go to church where? Sorry, I don't worship/fellowship/break bread with Nazis." It may be the only hope for some of them to ever figure that they're the bad guys.
Certainly this election broke me in ways the other two did not, because of Jan. 6. It shouldn't have taken an attempted coup to wake people up, but the attempted coup certainly should have done the trick. I am aghast that this wasn't immediately disqualifying for every single American of any kind.
I LOVE this sentence “And I leaned on writers who had the courage to put ideas out into the world that helped me realize I had been looking at the God of the universe through a tiny pinhole.” AMEN 🙏
I met you on that crazy funny video because JVL posted the link!! And now I'm here :) I'm just a touch worried that you are leaving HERE but that's not correct, RIGHT?! If I have to travel the web to find you elsewhere, I certainly will :)
But what if the person or group you should be leaving are family members and you’re elderly and need their help? And what if there’s absolutely no support group to help you leave?
New Jersey. On a barrier island with very few people around this time of year. In a very Red county. My 3 closest friends are miles away and around my age, so not interested in departing from anything. My older daughter, who voted for Kamala, trusts that God has a plan. She wants me to swear off politics for my own mental health.
This is brilliant and timely Holly - and Departure is exactly the theme we need for the year to come. I so look forward to your wisdom and wisecracks and to walking out many doors together in the year ahead.
I’m going to do that terrible thing where I recommend a book I haven’t yet read, but have you come across Emily P Freeman’s “How to Walk out of a Room”? It is about this theme exactly.
Your favourite/influential author list overlaps considerably with mine.
I've agreed when it comes to the White Evangelical American Church in general we're no longer hoping to turn the "ship" around. We've been radioing the bridge to the captains and officers that they're heading for the iceberg but they've decided their positions and wealth are worth running the ship into idolatry and self-righteousness for the next generation or two. We're now calling to people looking for the life rafts that there are safe places to land and we'll be there to fish them out of the water.
Your 'Departure …' post is exactly why I want to be connected to your work. You 'hit the nail on the head'-- This 'current' Christian Nationalism heresy has been around for a long time-- too long. I grew up in all through the 60's, although for me it was just the 'normal Christian culturalism' and it's effect then, although not as outwardly visible, not so 'in your face,' was still pretty devastating. Even more, your work offers solid inspiration for finding creative ways to engage with the Ongoing Mess... Thanks.
I look forward every day to what you have to say. In one sitting you can make me laugh out loud, shed a tear, and see things so clearly that we’re smothering me. You have the gift. Departures seems so obvious and necessary to me …. Now..
How wonderful to feel there is Something we can do!
As someone who is not religious, I've lived the truth of this quote multiple times over the past 30 years.
”When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.” – Patrick Overton
I'm very happy to be your real life friend. ❤️
Regarding white evangelicals, I wholeheartedly agree. You put it into words, but I've been coming around to the idea in my own work that, very precisely, there is no good fruit left in these people or institutions, if it was ever there. Any "good" a person does within them is a good that can be done much better and greater somewhere else.
It's been interesting watching how Trump supporters this time around are getting shunned in a way that is, I think, more pointed than in 2016. It feels very matter of fact, like a Band-Aid is being ripped off. "You voted for him? Cool, that's one less person who comes to Thanksgiving every year." No protracted, emotional fights, just "Bye." And I've seen and heard some reactions from those Trump supporters, and it seems to be shocking and stinging them in a way they've never experienced. And to that I say good. We all have to learn how to be told "no" at some time or another.
So I agree that perhaps the only hope for any of these people and institutions is to actually experience being calmly shunned by people who say, in no uncertain terms, "You go to church where? Sorry, I don't worship/fellowship/break bread with Nazis." It may be the only hope for some of them to ever figure that they're the bad guys.
Certainly this election broke me in ways the other two did not, because of Jan. 6. It shouldn't have taken an attempted coup to wake people up, but the attempted coup certainly should have done the trick. I am aghast that this wasn't immediately disqualifying for every single American of any kind.
Same here Holly
I totally agree Evan.
I LOVE this sentence “And I leaned on writers who had the courage to put ideas out into the world that helped me realize I had been looking at the God of the universe through a tiny pinhole.” AMEN 🙏
Me too. What a gift!
I met you on that crazy funny video because JVL posted the link!! And now I'm here :) I'm just a touch worried that you are leaving HERE but that's not correct, RIGHT?! If I have to travel the web to find you elsewhere, I certainly will :)
Oh no way! I love this platform!
But what if the person or group you should be leaving are family members and you’re elderly and need their help? And what if there’s absolutely no support group to help you leave?
I don't have answers. I have stories. Sometimes you can't leave.
Where do you live Bonnie?
Posted a reply but don’t know where it went. Have to stop now.
I will email you Bonnie. Tomorrow.
New Jersey. On a barrier island with very few people around this time of year. In a very Red county. My 3 closest friends are miles away and around my age, so not interested in departing from anything. My older daughter, who voted for Kamala, trusts that God has a plan. She wants me to swear off politics for my own mental health.
This is brilliant and timely Holly - and Departure is exactly the theme we need for the year to come. I so look forward to your wisdom and wisecracks and to walking out many doors together in the year ahead.
I’m going to do that terrible thing where I recommend a book I haven’t yet read, but have you come across Emily P Freeman’s “How to Walk out of a Room”? It is about this theme exactly.
Your favourite/influential author list overlaps considerably with mine.
You have strategically counselled a retired pastor (almost 40 yrs!) with this piece and I bless you for doing so!!
Oh Pastor Tim, i feel unworthy of this word 😭❤️ bless you for your work.
I've agreed when it comes to the White Evangelical American Church in general we're no longer hoping to turn the "ship" around. We've been radioing the bridge to the captains and officers that they're heading for the iceberg but they've decided their positions and wealth are worth running the ship into idolatry and self-righteousness for the next generation or two. We're now calling to people looking for the life rafts that there are safe places to land and we'll be there to fish them out of the water.
Yes, what you said, yes.
Your 'Departure …' post is exactly why I want to be connected to your work. You 'hit the nail on the head'-- This 'current' Christian Nationalism heresy has been around for a long time-- too long. I grew up in all through the 60's, although for me it was just the 'normal Christian culturalism' and it's effect then, although not as outwardly visible, not so 'in your face,' was still pretty devastating. Even more, your work offers solid inspiration for finding creative ways to engage with the Ongoing Mess... Thanks.
I look forward every day to what you have to say. In one sitting you can make me laugh out loud, shed a tear, and see things so clearly that we’re smothering me. You have the gift. Departures seems so obvious and necessary to me …. Now..
How wonderful to feel there is Something we can do!