“Inside
Job”
I have to tell you that I like
movies. Not any movie, I have some dignity, but I like to watch movies with
popcorn and soda in hand. A friend of mine, after an interesting conversation,
recommended I watch Inside Job. Well, last evening I sat down to watch it with
my wife. After about 45 minutes, she had to leave the room and I had no
interest in my popcorn and soda. If there ever was a movie that would prove we
no longer live in a souled nation, it was this movie.
It also
reminds me of a sermon I offered before the recent crash that contrasted
capitalism, Christianity, and democracy, or at least the ways they have been
playing out in the United States. At that time I stated that often the ruling
power in this trinity of American virtues was capitalism. Often, as a nation,
we say that we are entering international conflicts to spread democracy but,
underlying that public persona, economic concerns are at the core. I do not see
us planning to enter dictatorial or communist countries where we are happily
trading. If democracy was truly the driving force, we would hear of our strict
and strong demands on Saudi Arabia and China, for example, to make their
governments democratic. Cash trumps conscience. Dividends and golden parachutes
erode what remains of our democracy.
There are any number of passages from multiple religious texts that relate to the way money and the love of money cuts us off from each
other, from God, and the blessings God gives to a compassionate people and
nation. After watching the movie, it was clear that those who are controlling
the financial markets do not have a soul-based ethic as their “inside
job.” Because you can read the religious texts easily enough, I want to offer
something that was sent to me through the internet. It may not be from who it
is proposed to represent but I believe the words have value and certainly
relate to a soulful way of life. It’s called
Gandhi’s 7
Dangers to Human Virtue
1) Wealth
without work
2) Pleasure
without conscience
3) Knowledge
without character
4) Business
without ethics
5) Science
without humanity
6) Religion
without sacrifice
7) Politics
without principle
I now have a greater respect for the OWS movement. However,
I believe true change can only come about after we let compassionate souls “occupy” our
hearts and our decisions.
Just sayin…..
