New Book Study

Those who heard Doug Hicks present his newest book, “Money Enough” at our church on March 21st are aware of the challenges he presents especially to people of faith.

His low key, self-effacing style disarmed us while he reviewed the inequities and inconsistencies of our culture which are alarming.

Hicks’ claims deserve a closer reading which would scrutinize his assumptions. Accepting his theses “carte blanche” is not advisable, since in fact he is calling for a revolutionary change in the way we live as individuals and as a society.

De-bunk, salute, or just call him “ridiculous” as he himself teased us to do, we cant ignore him.

So I ask those who are not faint-hearted to join in a chapter by chapter book study beginning April 7th at an hour that you find convenient. Nine chapters, nine weeks of hot discussion of “Money Enough”. Doug has offered to hear us out as we look for flaws or celebrate our agreement with his arguments.

I admit, that reading a book like this together in whatever size group we can come up with will greatly enhance my understanding of these issues. The same will be true for you also.

The senior editor of Time Magazine claims that “Money Enough” is an ideal guide for our times. “Our times” includes the greatest financial mess in our lifetime. It’s that important!

Nuclear Tipping Point - April 18

Today's terrorist attack in Moscow, and last week's agreement on a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia underscore the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide. As I mentioned in January, I ordered a new DVD on the subject from the Nuclear Security Project, and it arrived today. With any luck, President Obama and President Medvedev will sign the new treaty on April 8, in Prague.

The DVD is called Nuclear Tipping Point. It has an introduction by Colin Powell, and features George Schulz, Henry Kissinger, Bill Perry, and Sam Nunn, who wrote the amazing editorial in 2008, "Toward a Nuclear-Free World", in the Wall Street Journal. Michael Douglas narrates, and there are appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Please come to our showing of the film on Sunday, April 18, at 6:30 pm.

Style and Substance

Here's a post from Chuck:

A review of author Doug Hicks’ lectures about his recent books, “Money Enough” and “With God on All Sides”.

Doug Hicks’ presented three separate talks in two days on March 21 and 22. What impressed his audiences was not only the content of his chosen subjects but the way he “handled” those topics.

On Sunday, speaking at Bath Church, he addressed the hot issue of our personal and collective priorities when it comes to our resources, including money. Those who expected an “in your face” lecture on how wasteful and misdirected we are both publicly and personally, were surprised at how the truth can be told without rancor.

Those of us who had already read his “Money Enough” knew that Doug’s views on the economy, environment, and our spiritual well being ring true and are challenging. Listeners to the author talk about these lively subjects could hardly believe it could also be, of all things, entertaining.

Doug is no Ralph Nader in the pulpit. Sarcasm is not his style. I call it, “Indianapolis Culture.” Hicks is from that part of the country where people are taught to be civil even when dealing with emotion laden matters.

The ability to hit the mark without jabbing a finger in your face is a rare gift today. To audiences used to brash “coastal culture (New York City)” delivery from the lectern it is refreshing to see how effective a Midwestern, low key style can be.

How to be self effacing and actually funny while dealing with hard facts and harsh reality is a rare gift. This talent was again revealed with an entirely different audience at the University of Akron. Hicks spoke on the need for interaction and linkages between faith traditions and cultures to over 60 scholars students and individuals with strong religious and non-religious convictions. Once again, he won converts to his broad views of going beyond tolerance to understanding between diverse adherents. His delivery was winsome even to devout secularists in the room who probably would just as soon permanently dismiss all mention of religion.

And then in the evening of the same day, another unique assembly, this time with over 120 representatives of almost every faith group in NE Ohio gathered to hear Dr Hicks. His examples for overcoming the clashing of devout and diverse religious adherents were delivered with grace and wit.

The one staple challenge included in each of his talks was the request that if anyone had to leave in the midst of his speech, “Please do not depart quietly. Just yell out, This is RIDICULOUS, as you leave.”

I suspect that such a scene intentionally provided a well planned contrast to Hicks’ laid back, Indianapolis style.

Douglas Hicks is Professor of Leadership Studies and Religion at the University of Richmond Virginia an ordained Presbyterian minister and an author of several books on ethics and pluralism.

Form Follows Dysfunction

Thanks to Karen for bringing this article, by Jeremy Biles, to our attention. It's from the Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School. The article describes an art installation at the Chicago Cultural Center, of Christine Tarkowski’s work entitled “Last Things Will Be First and First Things Will Be Last.” It's a timely (given our recent visit from Douglas Hicks, and Michael Moore's DVD release of Capitalism: A Love Story) look at the financial idolatry of American life. "Do not cooperate" is the message the author of the article sees in the work.

Texts without Context

Here's an interesting article in the New York Times about the effect of digital media, social networking, and the like on our culture. It's relevant to our ongoing discussions on civil discourse and the lack of a center in American political life. There's a good survey of recent books on the subject; it makes a contribution to understanding how the internet's democratizing and empowering effects also lead to mediocrity, pandering to the lowest common denominator, poor intellectual rigor, and polarization. Those of us who've embraced the internet will find it disturbing!

John Perkins to Speak in Hudson

John Perkins, the famous civil rights activist, will be speaking at the Hudson Community Chapel on March 11 at 7:00 pm. Here's the announcement, and here's the Wikipedia article/bio.

The Coffee Party USA

Thanks to Carol for drawing our attention to The Coffee Party. It started as a Facebook page on January 28, and has 92,876 fans currently. There's a webpage with a blog, an interesting political position polling tool called the Sphere, and national media attention. They stand against the Tea Party movement, and in favor of a functional government marked by cooperation and effectiveness. They're insisting on civil discourse and engagement, and have designated March 13 for nationwide meetings. The whole thing was started by Annabel Park, a photographer and filmmaker who lives in DC.