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Building Character, continued 06/28/2024 |
[FROM THE ARCHIVE: 8/4/2020]
Instead of putting the 10 Commandments in every classroom–a silly and unconstitutional and unimaginative idea—we are proposing that we reflect on the “10 C’s” as a shared value system. We are currently addressing the “C” called Character. Character is about committing to values, values that count. |
"Value-free” education is a ruse. Value-free education leaves people unprepared to question one’s society and its economic, racial or gender values. Value-free education takes for granted that our culture is fine as it is and needs no criticism. |
This is why marching in the streets after blatant injustice is a form of “higher” education. It is higher because it is about values that matter. Black Lives Matter, the women’s movement, LGBQTIA movement, Extinction Rebellion—all these |
“You must find a way to get in the way. You must find a way to get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble.” — Congressman John Lewis, 2014 Emory University Commencement |
responses to our culture are telling us about values. Therefore, about character which is about our living out our values. First, having some; next, living them out. Like John Lewis did. Or Sister Dorothy Stang did, who was martyred in the Amazon for standing up for the peasants and
indigenous peoples and defenders of the forest versus powerful groups who want the land and forest for their own private profiteering, even when they hired assassins to gun her down on a dirt road in the forest. That is character. That is committing to values that matter. Still the abuse of the rainforest
continues, and at an accelerated pace. The struggle does not end; each generation has to rise to the occasion. Just as the struggle for voting rights that almost cost Lewis his life, still goes on. The “supreme” court diced the very Voting Rights Act that Lewis almost died for—and that King and others did die for. Ernest Becker talked about a “great abyss at the heart of modern life.” He goes on: |
Columbia University reinstated Gaza Solidarity Encampment Palestinian flags. Photo by عباد ديرانية on Wikimedia Commons. | This is the heart of man [and woman], the
heart of education, the heart of the social problem, Morality. This is also what has been smoldering underneath all discussions of what |
the university should be and do; although only a few have dared to say it. John Henry Newman did, and frankly called for knowledge of the true relations of things, knowledge as philosophy, knowledge for right choice. David Korten names that right choice as a choice in favor of Earth
Community with all that entails, including true democracy and an economic system that works for everyone and all creatures, not just a chosen few. Morality is also about aesthetics and beauty. |
What is uglier than injustice? What is uglier than an innocent man having his life snuffed out by police officers? What is uglier than the destruction of an ancient forest, of a mothering elephant, of the mind of a youngster whose lung capacity as a baby was |
“I’m sorry we have failed you.” Black Lives Matter memorial to George Floyd. Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash |
restricted by polluted water or air, the killing of youngsters by youngsters because despair has taken over their souls or their neighborhoods? Injustice is just plain ugly. And justice is beautiful—isn’t that one reason we were moved by the story of John Lewis’s life? It was a
beautiful life. Character does that, it makes manifest the beauty and nobility in us all. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human, pp.143-145.
See also, Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Postdenominational Priest, pp. 353-359.
Banner Image: Getting in the way: Polish protestors chain themselves to
logging machinery to protect the Puszczy Białowieskiej forest during breeding season. Photo by Greenpeace Poland on Flickr.
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Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE
to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Queries for Contemplation |
What are you deepest values that you want at this time to commit your life to? How beautiful are they? How are they deepening your character? |
The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human
The A.W.E. Project reminds us that awe is the appropriate response to the unfathomable wonder that is creation… A.W.E. is also the acronym for Fox’s proposed style of
learning – an approach to balance the three R’s. This approach to learning, eldering, and mentoring is intelligent enough to honor the teachings of the Ancestors, to nurture Wisdom in addition to imparting knowledge, and to Educate through Fox’s 10 C’s. The 10 C’s are the core of the A.W.E. philosophy and process of education, and include: compassion, contemplation, and creativity. The A.W.E. Project does for the vast subject of “learning” what Fox’s Reinvention of Work did for vocation
and Original Blessing did for theology. Included in the book is a dvd of the 10 C’s put to 10 video raps created and performed by Professor Pitt.
“An awe-based vision of educational renewal.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice. |
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Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition)
Matthew Fox’s stirring
autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment.
“The unfolding story of
this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.”
—Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox has created a narrative, for every parent and grandparent, both spiritual
and scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, Author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a wondrous and enchanting view of
creation and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, Author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478
Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
Join Matthew Fox and 11 other speakers for a 6-week course on Cosmic Water: The Radical
Roots of Mystical Christianity hosted by Advaya.Life (Matthew speaks on June 18). Tuesdays, May 28 - Thursday, July 4, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT Register HERE (for 10% discount use code FOX-WOW) |
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Prayer: A Radical Response to Life in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, July 18, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "Preserving Things in the Good" at the Unity of Walnut Creek Earth Day worship service held on April 21, 2024. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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