This reluctance to examine hatred has taken on the character of a superstition. It is a subject that is taboo unless there is some extraordinary social crisis – such as war – involving the mobilization of all the national resources of the common life to meet it. There is a conspiracy of silence about hatred, its function and its meaning. Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman It is Good Friday. The time to break the silence surrounding hatred is now.... Read more
The pattern of deception by which the weak are deprived of their civic, economic, political, and social rights without its appearing that they are so deprived is a matter of continuous and tragic amazement. The pattern of deception by which the weak circumvent the strong and manage to secure some of their political, economic, and social rights is a matter of continuous degradation. A vast conspiracy of silence covers all these maneuvers as the groups come into contact with... Read more
In a society in which certain people or groups – by virtue of economic, social, or political power – have dead-weight advantages over others who are essentially without that kind of power, those who are thus disadvantaged know that they cannot protect themselves, and that they cannot demand protection from their persecutors. Any slight conflict, any alleged insult … may bring down upon the full weight of naked physical violence. Even in such a circumstance it is not the fear... Read more
Why is it called "Good Friday"? Didn't something terribly bad happen on that day? Join Lindsey and Adam as they discuss the implications of "Good Friday." Read more
Editor’s Note: Every Wednesday at 10:30 am CT, Adam and Lindsey host a live Girardian Virtual Bible Study following the Sunday lectionary on the Raven Foundation Facebook page. We invite our listeners to join the conversation with comments and questions. I take some notes to help me prepare… and share them with you to help you do the same! This is the Girardian Virtual Bible Study preview! “Crucify him!” Several years ago, a friend of mine told me that as much as she... Read more
In the same way Jesus wept over the great city of Jerusalem, Jesus weeps over Washington DC because as a nation we refuse to recognize the things that make for peace. Read more
The masses of men live with their backs constantly against the wall. They are the poor, the disinherited, the dispossessed. What does our religion say to them? … It is utterly beside the point to examine here what the religion of Jesus suggests to those who would be helpful to the disinherited. That is ever the nature of special pleading. No man wants to be the object of his fellow’s pity. Obviously, if the strong put forth a great... Read more
Welcome to the Girardian Virtual Bible Study! Each week we explore the lectionary passage with the help of René Girard’s insights into human relationships. We hope you enjoy this installment of the GVBS. Join us next week at 10:30 am Central on the Raven Foundation Facebook page for the live show. The show notes and video recording are below. This week’s episode explores Palm Sunday, Year C, Psalm 118:1-2 and 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40. Introduction Palm Sunday. Is this the most subversive Sunday of the... Read more
The world cried Bring Back Our Girls when Nigerian girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani tells of the girls and their captors in "Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree". Read more
Editor’s Note: Every Wednesday at 10:30 am CT, Adam and Lindsey host a live Girardian Virtual Bible Study following the Sunday lectionary on the Raven Foundation Facebook page. We invite our listeners to join the conversation with comments and questions. I take some notes to help me prepare… and share them with you to help you do the same! This is the Girardian Virtual Bible Study preview! Hosanna, Hey Sanna, Sanna Sanna Ho… Sanna Hey, Sanna Ho-san-ah! Hey JC! J-C! You’re alright by... Read more
Teaching Nonviolent Atonement
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