Christine Smith's Blog

Thoughts on dialogue & (lowercase) christians, republicans & libertarians

“I hardly know an intellectual man, even, who is so broad and truly liberal that you can think aloud in his society. Most with whom you endeavor to talk soon come to a stand against some institution in which they appear to hold stock, — that is, some particular, not universal, way of viewing things. They will continually thrust their own low roof, with its narrow skylight, between you and the sky, when it is the unobstructed heavens you would view. Get out of the way with your cobwebs; wash your windows, I say!” – Thoreau, Life Without Principle.

A most rewarding aspect of attending Cato University (in addition, of course to the highly informative lectures from some excellent scholars) was the dialogue between attendees.  We had no “cobwebs” getting in the way of our communication.

Most places I go and the people I speak with remind me of another of Thoreau’s observations in Life Without Principle, “Just so hollow and ineffectual, for the most part, is our ordinary conversation. Surface meets surface. When our life ceases to be inward and private, conversation degenerates into mere gossip. We rarely meet a man who can tell us any news which he has not read in a newspaper, or been told by his neighbor….”

At Cato University, rather than “surface meets surface” it was “depth meets depth.”

But Cato University was so different!  Here discussion of ideas flowed.  After lectures, during breaks, while dining, and at receptions and other social gatherings attendees were often discussing issues and ideas.  Rather than “surface meets surface” it was “depth meets depth.”

That was because none of us thrust “some particular, not universal, way of viewing things: upon any other.”  We focused on shared premises, so as to develop thoughtful (and oftentimes entertaining) conversation.  It was always enjoyable!  For example, a friend posed a question at a table of several, qualifying it with the prerequisite we were all little “c” christians, and as all nodded, he proceeded with his point of discussion.

I had never heard the word “christian” used that way before…and the more I pondered it the more I liked it.  Actually, I liked it immediately.  For to engage in truth with others requires certain premises to be acknowledged and agreed upon for the sake of discussion and understanding (while differences,if any, are set aside).  That’s the way to effective dialogue.

The lowercase “christian” concept is one I relate to.  In fact, as I think back on my life, for so many years it would have been a quick way to describe myself (not a member of any church for most of my life, I always told people that I believed in the love Jesus taught, to distinguish myself from practicing any particular religion but not rejecting the premise of living one’s life with goodwill toward others).

And although Catholicism (especially the writings of Catholic mystics being meaningful) is my faith, I still maintain that mine is a spiritual practice far more than a religious one.  I distinguish between the spiritual and the religious.  Often, I think religion can be the way one comes to a deep spiritual path or it may enhance their life. The religious aspects of Catholicism have enhanced my understanding, this I am aware of, but the spiritual focus of my life has always been present.

Letting conscience be the guide

It is my own conscience, not any church pronouncement or “rules”, which determines my choices in life.

In other words, I concern myself with the “way” I spend my life as Throreau would express it, but not in any regard to what anyone else may think about or judge it, including the Church.  In all matters of life, I consider all factors, and then make my decision as to what I believe is personally right for me.

Thus, when in mixed company, such a designation as the lowercase “c” allowed for us all to proceed with an intellectual and ethical dialogue without becoming caught up in our possible differences, rather we all understood a basic meaning, a way of life based on certain ethics upon which we all agreed, so that we could go from there in our talk together.

Lowercase “l” “r” & “c” libertarians, republicans. and christians

It’s just like lowercase “l” libertarians and lowercase “r” republicans.  It makes sense.  As I consider it, ironically, most lowercase “l” and “r” libertarians and republicans I’ve met adhere to principle to a much greater extent than many of their uppercase counterparts, and I have often sadly seen it’s the same with “Christians” and “christians,” with those most loudly declaring their religiosity often some of those who are most far from the loving principle upon which it is based.

My personal emphasis is placing my priority on principle above all. Principles I hold and believe manifest in my work, friendships, as well as in my faith and politics, which makes everything I do a labor or expression of love.

Principle guides every expression without thought to whether it be well-received, approved of, or compensated by others. I cannot say “I know” anything, only that I believe.  As such, I truly appreciate being around others who also forgo egocentric debates in favor of learning and sharing.

“Let us consider the way in which we spend our lives.” – Thoreau, Life without Principle

I really enjoy being around people who value true communication.

I learned a great deal from my many conversations with others at Cato University.  And more than anything in those conversations, I loved listening to others and their perceptions and experiences.  What a joy it was to be with those who are “so broad and truly liberal” (liberal in the classical sense), for conversation brought us together with good dialogue and ample exchange of ideas.  The ethical and political premises we shared allowed us to proceed to learn from one another.

Give me lowercase christians, libertarians and republicans to discuss things with as they (whether they choose to affiliate or not with any organization) are most capable of true communication as no institution takes priority over their own judgment and conscience.

So indeed let’s as Thoreau wrote,  “consider the way in which we spend our lives,” living in ways encompassing truth, love, humility, and thereby fostering rewarding conversation, learning, and friendship.