Larry Jordan

Jul 27, 2022 by Larry Jordan, in Politics

I'm haunted by a recent conversation with a close friend, who said, "I care about myself. I care (a little bit) about my family and friends. I really don't give a sh*t about anybody else." At least, he was honest. When I listen closely, I hear a lot of friends, who describe themselves as "good Americans" or "good Christians," say the same thing, albeit with a bit more subtlety.

When someone says, "We need to take care of our own," what are they saying about our responsibility to anyone outside of our tribe? IMO, our politics of personal responsibility and our theology of personal salvation have led us to a dark, disconnected, divided place. This cuts across politics and religion. I know folks on both sides who give a sh*t, but my conservative friends, who preach personal responsibility, are more likely not to give a sh*t.

(Your experience may be different, but when I was conservative, I didn't give a sh*t, either.)

I know atheists and believers who give a sh*t, but my religious friends, who preach personal salvation, are more likely not to give a sh*t.

(Your experience may be different, but when I was religious, I didn't give a sh*t, either.)

I think of myself as "spiritual, but not religious," and we could have a long conversation about that, but in a nutshell, if you are spiritual, then you give a sh*t, regardless of your religion. (Yes, some folks are spiritual AND religious.) I try to love everybody, and if I'm not one of the first people you call when you're in trouble, then you don't know me very well.

But, I don't try to like everybody, which means that if you don't give a sh*t, I don't seek you out. Call me anytime. I don't hate, and I don't judge, and this is about me, not about you, but I'm seeking out people who give a sh*t, and I'm avoiding people who don't give a sh*t.

FWIW, I believe that we only get one shot. There is no afterlife. There is no reincarnation.
FWIW, if I'm wrong, I won't be too wrong, because I give a sh*t, which is all that matters.
IMO, the reward for being spiritual is living a connected life in loving relationships with people who give a sh*t.
IMO, the penalty for not being spiritual is living a disconnected life in transactional relationships with people who don't give a sh*t.

Choose wisely. Life is short.

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