It is what I do when my lesser nature – my Ego, my fragile, undifferentiated Self – decides to take control. I “other” others. The recent violence in a LGBTQ nightclub, followed three days later with more violence in a Walmart, is happening to others, at least that is what I tell myself. I can post an indignation, I can rant against gun culture, I can blame any number of things – but all of this is “othering.” And all I have done is separated myself from others, which is simply self-righteousness wearing another mask.
I other others in politics.
I other others in religion.
I other others according to socio-economic categories.
I other others along racial, ethnic, sexual, and gendered lines.
I other others by intellect, by abilities, by capacities.
Shall I go on with this confession?
Let me appeal to you, my other, and invite us to a better way of being and belonging. Philosopher/Theologian Martin Buber writes: “The true community does not arise through peoples having feelings for one another…but through, first, their taking their stand in living mutual relation with a living Centre, and, second, their being in living mutual relation with one another.” (I and Thou, p. 45)
Until we see ourselves in others – in the broken places as well as the whole – we will continue to walk perilously among the shards and fragments of brokenness. Sooner or later we too will succumb to the wounds born out of the violent othering.
With Advent quickly following Thanksgiving, it is timely to point out that Jesus was born during a violent othering. Throughout his life Jesus attempted to live with the “Thou” of others, including Samaritans, women, children, Roman centurions, and the demon-possessed. Jesus died because he became other to others, and the Imperially empowered had no room for such otherness.
Today in a world saturated by violent othering, may we remember and live alongside Christ, who othering with others, even when some think they have this Prince of Peace all to themselves.
Gratefully,
Greg
This is so timely and so needed. Thank you, Greg. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Amy.
Hi Greg, your thoughtful comments are all appreciated. Good perspective. I read Buber’s great I and Thou as part of a class in college. Still resonates. You imply in the last paragraph that the church participates in othering when refusing to accept that those outside their circle are “in a living mutual relationship with [the] living Centre” (I think Buber used that word broadly for God, but did not use the word “God” because of how immediately that word conjures sectarianism.) You also said, correctly I think, that Jesus was executed for threatening to upend a social power structure that was based on othering, contrary to the modern trend to explain why Jesus died (…”for your sins,” substitutionary atonement). Together, those threads suggest that the church needs dismantle any imagined barriers to belonging. Agree. How then does the church continue to express its own particular tradition of belonging to God and experiencing that we are God’s beloved? What do sacraments and creeds mean when we see all the other Thou as connected to the Centre as we are?
Coffee time.
Whew! What other am I to others? I want/need to be better for/to others.
Throughout my 79 years, those in the church have been the strongest voices to call for isolation from others. It has been only in the last 20 or so years that I have found Christian leaders calling for the church to include others. Some of my greatest joys in the church have been to have known Glen Money, Todd Ware, Royce McNeill, and especially Greg Deloach. These men of God have amazed me with their call to include others of which I am one. Thank you, my brothers in Christ.
Very thoughtful and timely statement. If we could walk in the sandals of others or be on the outside looking in for one day, attitudes would change to acceptance and inclusion. It’s such a broken world , we can’t solve all of the wrongs out there , but we can make a difference in our small corner. Remember the old man walking on the beach and throwing the stranded starfish back in the water ? We can make a difference with one at a time. Think of you and Amy often. Hope you have wonderful holidays. Toni
Thank you, very thoughtful blog post! We wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving and Advent season.
Thank you for this very prudent message, Greg. Appreciate your writings.
Bless you with your kindness. Grateful that our lives included one another.