Week 7: Globalization and the Church
I really enjoyed the discussion from this past Sunday's class. Talk about being "over committed" is really hitting home for me, too. Even though I am "only a student", I find my life becoming frazzled and my relationships becoming fragmented.
LeMonde's group discussed the 2nd quotation and echoed this in the large group discussion: "...we've heard it all... it takes a lot of willpower to change... it is so difficult for the McWorld youth..." to change and not let modern culture dictate the terms of our lives.
From all groups, the consensus seems to be: "It is difficult to live out Christ as the center." What are your thoughts and reflections? I don't believe that things are that hopeless, but enough about my idealistic thoughts and beliefs - what are yours? What are some things in your life that are pointing towards a full (ie not watered down) AND practical expression of your faith? Do share! I definitely want to know more about the living out of a rich and exciting faith.
Just a reminder to everyone in the class that your "homework" is to find an article to bring to class. Look actively for an article about people working positively as "change-agents" in the world.
If you need to refer to the handouts for the July 7th class, they are available here (in PDF). I will be keeping an archive of all handouts, so you can always check here for them. There are several articles on this web site, too - your resources, so check them, if you need to.
Another item: we will be starting on time next class, so please encourage each other accordingly. Thanks!
Something to meditate on as you go through the week:
Think prayerfully about your purchases through the week: food, entertainment, and services. Consider: Where is your money going? What can you do to be a better steward of God’s money?
Scripture for thought this week:
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6:6 (NIV)
So go and "preach the Gospel all the time [and] if necessary use words," in this fashion (St. Francis of Assisi).
peace,
dan
Comments
Does anyone have Lucy's correct email address? If you do, please send it to me, so I can correct it on the mailing list.
thx,
dan
Posted by: Dan | July 10, 2002 1:50 AM
As I was entering the Go Train station this morning, I caught a glimpse of this intriguing headline from the National Post: "Globalization cures poverty: study." My interest was piqued enough that for my morning break, I went to the nearest newstand to buy the paper (even though I could've waited until I got home to read the article online). I also thought it was great timing for our homework this week! ^_~
While the headline alone made me stop to think about all my beliefs on globalization, the article (which can be found through this link:
http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?id=7D0DFAD8-D129-40D8-A94C-D5D2FD9E0CC2) provided me with "facts" to mull over.
I found it interesting that while one group of economists prepared this study and came to the conclusion that globalization alleviates poverty, another group of economists (described as "left-leaning") opposed this optimistic view of globalization, claiming that the data had been skewed to reduce the actual ambiguity of the statistics. The disagreement between the different groups of economists supports what I've learned in history: the importance and necessity of evaluating sources. I tend to agree with the "left-leaning" economists, as I'm highly skeptical of data that presents such clear-cut conclusions, especially in economics, which seem more likely to be as ambiguous as the "leaners" suggest.
Posted by: Mel | July 10, 2002 5:59 PM
Mel's article can be found here (in PDF).
Also, here's another article:
Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz accuses the agents of U.S. economic policy - the U.S. Treasury, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank - of having subverted the process of globalization for many years, turning it into a one-way street that benefits only the developed world.
For full feature, go to http://www.sundayherald.com/25987 or find it here (in PDF).
Posted by: Dan | July 11, 2002 11:26 AM