{"id":4470,"date":"2015-09-11T06:10:42","date_gmt":"2015-09-11T12:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/paperbacktheology\/?p=4470"},"modified":"2019-09-10T14:35:10","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T20:35:10","slug":"what-we-lost-on-911-was-our-sense-of-security-it-never-came-back-what-took-its-place-was-fear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/paperbacktheology\/2015\/09\/what-we-lost-on-911-was-our-sense-of-security-it-never-came-back-what-took-its-place-was-fear.html","title":{"rendered":"What We Lost on 9\/11 Was Our Sense of Security, & It Never Came Back. What Took Its Place was Fear."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"nyny.001\"<\/a>When we awoke on that morning\u00a0we all knew\u00a0we were basically safe & sound. When we went to bed, we all knew\u00a0we were\u00a0not. It was an illusion to be sure, but until 9\/11 Americans really thought we were secure\u2026 we\u00a0were safe & sound.<\/p>\n

The most enduring impact of SEP 11 2001 was the loss of any sense of security. It was gone, and it really hasn\u2019t come back.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s so incredible is that it happened to everybody, and it happened at exactly the same moment. Our sense of security<\/em> vanished, and what filled the vacuum\u00a0was fear.<\/em><\/p>\n

So much of what has transpired since that day has been as a result of our fear, and\u00a0our collective attempt to regain that sense of security:\u00a02 wars, the Patriot Act, surveillance, data gathering, drone warfare\u2026 for heaven\u2019s sake we created a whole new department of of government called Homeland Security<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The word security\u00a0has taken on great significance since 9\/11.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year & heard\u00a0Brian Zahnd point out that, when you travel the word and visit holy sites, you are often asked to remove your shoes. It\u2019s a sign of reverence. If you visit an ancient Muslim mosque or Hindu Shrine or Buddhist<\/a> temple, you\u2019ll be asked to remove your shoes.\u00a0But the only place in America they ask you to take off your shoes is when you\u2019re going thru security.<\/p>\n

Security is now holy ground in our society. We will do nearly anything to reestablish the illusion that we are all\u00a0safe & sound.<\/p>\n

We need security, because without it the fear\u00a0takes over.<\/p>\n

Insecurity cause epic problems\u00a0for the people of God throughout the bible.\u00a0Insecurity caused Cain to kill his brother Abel. Insecurity caused the people\u00a0to band together at Babel to build a fortress tower for safety. Insecurity caused Abraham to sleep with his handmaid, Hagar. Insecurity caused some of the Children of Israel\u00a0to beg Moses to take them back to Egypt. Insecurity caused Israel to beg God for a king to rule over them.<\/p>\n

Insecurity makes us fearful and then we act foolishly.<\/p>\n

In the scriptures, we find a God who is deeply opposed to any attempt by nations or persons to try & accomplish our own security, because\u00a0God wants us to look to him for our security. It\u2019s easier said than done, but that\u2019s the gig for the Christian.<\/p>\n

On SEP 21, three weeks\u00a0after the collapse of the twin towers, a benefit concert was held to raise money for families of victims.\u00a0George Clooney organized it (because who can say no to George Clooney?) Two performances have stuck with me, because they chose songs of lament. Springsteen did, \u201cMy City In Ruins,\u201d and Sheryl Crow did \u201cSafe & Sound.\u201d (video below) I think it was the most important thing that happened that night. Crow named the insecurity we all feel when we can\u2019t keep those around us, or even ourselves, safe and sound.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a great live performance of the song.<\/p>\n