Freedom and Constraint

On December 17th we discussed freedom and the worldly constraints upon it. Everywhere we looked, there seemed to be some limiting factor on the things we'd rather be doing. Churches and parents lay down moral conditions, business and governmental co-institutions regulate our actions and, perhaps most significant, economic imperatives rule our lives.

Food, clothing, housing and the vast array of things we think we need require our money and time, and so our freedom. Although much of this is inevitable, our wasteful, overworked culture amplifies the effect. It was asserted that the American worker labors nine more weeks per year than his European counterpart.

One in the group said that democracy is an illusion unless it encompasses economic structures. This may be why many of us considered places such as New Zealand and the countries of Scandinavia to be more free than the U.S. Their open, secure and homogenous societies have freely adopted the welfare state.

Freedom seems to be in the mind of the possessor. Some differed as to the legitimacy of government surveillance and internet censorship in the face of terrorism. Freedom of choice is great but what if others controlled what choices were to be had? Soldiers may have the self-determination trained out of them. And they may willfully act in ways that no completely free person ever would.

So the effect of militarism on a people will be our next topic. We know that those attacked can suffer terribly but does an aggressor society not also lose something when war becomes the way? Blood, treasure, the limbs and souls of those who return, what is our final cost? Join us, 3 PM, January 7th at the City Café as we calculate the collateral damage of war.

Science and Religion

Having picked such contentious subjects, we should not be surprised that we had a contentious, but good natured discussion on December 3rd. We viewed science and religion, morality and knowledge in different ways, comparing and contrasting. There was a common regret that people often use religious intent to arrive at immoral outcomes. Dogma has been used to justify war and slavery, and principled opposition to the plan B contraceptive could well mean more abortions. But it is not always clear cut. Although end-time theology actually advocates environmental degradation, there is a growing green movement in many churches. One in attendance referred to Noah as the first conservationist.

We compared the philosophies of faith and objective inquiry. Some suggested that religious thought stifles critical investigation, to the detriment of progress. But it was also asserted that a belief system is essential to the art of being human. We imagined the food pills and cyborg-like wombs of a science dominated world, stripped of nonessentials. It seemed that most of us are happy to maintain a balanced spiritual, yet inquisitive humanity.

Of course being human means being flawed and we spent some time discussing the selfish vanities of our kind- all of our kind. We were provided with tales of malicious dealings within the halls of science and we debated the scope and motives behind charitable giving by religious and secular groups. And politically, some had first hand accounts of faith-based discrimination.

It seems no matter what position you take in this world there is somebody or bodies intent on exposing the error of your ways. Deep down, we are insecure about our beliefs and many find solace in the ridicule of competing ideas. When the zealous create alliances and dominate a society, independent thinkers become an endangered species. Next time, we'll explore personal liberties within the social constraint. The law says we are free but social pressures still enforce the "rules". Do you feel completely free? How important is it for a culture to have accepted mores? Is America the freest place and is it getting better or worse?

Come join us Sunday, December 17th 3 PM at the City Café as we speak freely about this and undoubtedly more.