Problems and Solutions

I live in the movement called the Evangelicals.

I have always rebelled against my own and yet need to belong to it.

I have both loved and been frustrated with my own.  I have loved and needed my own people, respecting and wanting to be a part, and yet seeing all too much that isn't right.

A lot of people are in my boat, I suppose.  I hear complaints and frustrations, anger and disagreements people make about their own groups, their own churches, and their own nations.  How many times I have heard "If everybody would only live like they should...."  And like me, their frustrations have more to do with disappointments and inabilities to reach certain status or acceptance within the group.

We are all going to have our disagreements and frustrations with our own groups and more with other groups.  We're all going to want to change things for the better and be frustrated with things that don't seem right.

Some will take strong stands, find followers and "buck the system."

I think most will cling to simple black and white problems and answers.  Some even make their living by selling simple solutions to complex issues, convincing the simple minded that they and they alone know the answers.

Some will have worked through the issues and come up with possible and real solutions, but their answers will be too complex, too difficult, or simply too unpopular to find others who will have the power to make the changes needed.

Occasionally, someone or some group comes along and is able to make the necessary changes for society.  But, people will be people.  In the end, people return to their same behaviors and same prejudices.

There is a French saying, "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."  It means, "The more things change, the more its the same thing."

I have a brilliant friend who happens to be an Anarchist.  He can argue anybody under the rug because he is smart and a great debater.  During one of our long discussions about society and politics, it occurred to me that he had marvelous insight into what was wrong with society, but had nothing to say about solutions.

Although my friend never said it, the undercurrent solution he held to was there all along - it was the same solution that I hear the Republicans say.  Let us control everything and society will reach its golden age.

I don't buy it.