LET’S DO THIS – NEW THOUGHT AND AMERICAN POLITICS, Part 4

 

SHOULD CSL GO TO NASHVILLE? Here are my two cents.

The United States has seen a number of state governments propose so-called “religious freedom laws” during the past several months (LINK), some of which have been signed into law. These laws are aimed at two areas, small businesses whose owners or employees find it objectionable to serve certain classes of people, and the use of public restroom facilities by transgendered people. Legislation similar to this has been occurring for some time (LINK), although it is the most recent laws are somewhat different – they are in response to the recent Supreme Court case allowing marriage equality (LINK).

A number of New Thought spiritual communities serve the states where the legislation has been most recent, which so far includes but is not limited to Indiana, Tennessee (pending), Georgia (vetoed), Virginia (vetoed), North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama. As it happens, the Centers for Spiritual Living has scheduled its 2017 Spiritual Living Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

Whatever CSL leadership does, they will surely be primarily guided by spiritual principles. In this case, I think that includes holding the highest vision for all concerned and seeing those in CSL who are charged with making this decision in the highest possible regard.

“Never forget that social justice is what love looks like in public” 

~ Cornel West

If the decision is to hold the convention in Nashville, then everyone concerned will have some personal decisions to make. Obviously about attending or not, but perhaps more importantly is the mental/emotional atmosphere in which that is done. And then, regardless of the organizational decision to be there or not, we have a decision as to what, if anything, we choose to do regarding the issue of the legislation in Tennessee and in other places that is harmful to those in the LGBT communities. Is the path to be one of spiritually motivated social action? These bills, especially the current variety that are being presented in dozens of states (LINK), are part of a larger attempt to get the Supreme Court ruling overturned and to further marginalize members of the LGBT communities. Let’s not kid ourselves about that. So this is more than simply “cherry picking” locations to boycott. It is sending a message to a larger audience than in any place where there are sympathies for such discriminatory laws.

“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth.”

~ William Faulkner

As for myself, I am personally choosing not to travel to any state that has enacted legislation that discriminates against LGBT people in this manner (and actually, the laws in Tennessee and Alabama at least, extend well beyond those communities). That is my choice, and I do not hold anyone else to the same choice. A larger concern is for the general spiritual and physical welfare of the United States at this time. And what is happening here is also happening, in ways similar and different, around the globe. How do we learn to develop ways to respect and honor (or at least tolerate) one another? This is especially true in the current political climate in the U.S. where we are challenged to be the best versions of ourselves.

Personally, I do not see how Centers for Spiritual Living can elect to hold the convention in Tennessee. Even if the governor vetoes the bill that has been passed, members of the LGBT communities, who are part of our spiritual family, will be, at minimum, exposed to an emotionally hostile environment. The idea that by attending, we can somehow change the hearts and minds of such a large number of people is simply not proven by experience. We can probably have a larger impact by the news that our dollars will not be coming to any state whose laws discriminate in this manner.

What CSL can do is to find ways to support the local member communities in these states who chose the path of spiritually motivated social action. That might mean funding, or sending others to participate in social action of one kind or another. Or it might mean engaging in intentional social media campaigns in support of equality for all. There is much to do. Individual spiritual communities from other states may decide to provide similar support.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

– April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr: Letter from a Birmingham Jail

It is true that our impact is not the biggest issue here. The safety, emotional and physical, and well-being of our members is first and foremost. I do not see that as negotiable. I treat for the highest and best outcome for all.

 

Copyright 2016 – Jim Lockard