Dec 15, 2007
Following Jesus in A Culture of Fear: Ch 2
The second chapter, titled Fear and the Moral Life, starts with the question: what does fear do to us? The answer to this question has its beginnings in the moral nature of fear as fear is a basic emotion which isn’t morally neutral (this is not to say fear is bad, but that it, like all other strong emotions has a moral edge to it). A culture of fear plays off of these emotions in a rather morally dubious way. Rather than putting fear into its appropriate place (reaction to a temporary threat) it becomes the lens through which we see the world (we are constantly in danger). And essentially, our drive for self-preservation becomes our means of self-destruction.To further expound on the morally dubious dilemma created, an ethic of safety becomes the common bond in cultures plagued by fear. Being morally dubious, ethics of safety (1) cast suspicion on everything (the stranger seises to become our neighbor), (2) creates a need for a preemptive fight response (an innocent electrician is shot in the head because he looks like a terrorist), and (3) cause accumulation of that which makes us secure (rationalization for greed).This basically sums what I got from chapter two. Now, onto the study questions…
- How are fears taught in our society?
The home is the first place anyone will learn fear. Generally speaking, kids will take on the fears of their parents (and other relatives) starting from an early age. More and more though we live in a culture shaped increasingly by media. The first chapter of the book talks about fear selling and media outlets have mastered this art. Also the speech and actions of public officials guide the fears of communities.
- Do you or those around you live by an ethic of safety?
Now is an interesting time to answer this question in Norman, plagued as we were by ice and the looming threat of snow. Walking into [walmart][1] or [target][2] makes this ethic visible (particularly the accumulation piece in those stores). The other pieces (as well as accumulation) I see visible in how Americans approach the world (generally speaking, suspicion is cast on all Arabs, the whole war on terror preemptive fighting, and the pressure to accumulate wealth weighs quite heavy — I couldn’t count on my fingers the number of conversations I’ve had about this supposed need).
