I don’t think it would be too far from the truth when I say that many of the readers of these DMs are worried about the legitimation of cruelty that has become so apparent in the last few months — or maybe years.
For example, I hear on the news that the German government is determined to help the reconstruction of Gaza and is equally determined that none of its money should go to the “martyrs’ pensions” that the Palestinian authority has announced, because that woud mean helping terrorism.
But such pensions obviously do not benefit Hamas combatants, because they are dead. They go to their widows and orphans. So what the German government is actually saying is that they want to punish grieving families, the only reason being that their husbands and fathers were criminals.
What difference can you find between the statement by the German government and the provoking of the Gaza famine, which Israel did in the past few months? Since when has collective punishment become a staple of Western politics? And why is that legitimized?
Catherine Connolly has been elected as president of Ireland. She is described as an anti-establishment candidate. What that means in practice is simply that she speaks forcefully against the genocide in Gaza, and such a platform apparently got her elected — and with a landslide!
A friend of mine commented on a post I made on Connelly by pointing to the streak of antisemitism in Irish culture. I know nothing about it, so I can’t comment on it. If a sociologist were to show me that antisemitic sentiments in the electorate were part of the reasons why she won, I would be saddened, but not shocked.
What shocks me is that my friend does not state clearly that while he does not agree with her politics, obviously, we need somebody in power to speak against the current genocide.
The owner of a café where I was having lunch last week was talking about cruelty to animals, and she adamantly maintained that she is moved to compassion much more by a suffering animal than by Palestinian children. Why?
I have also overheard several conversations here in Italy — and even participated in some — where the basic consensus was that the Sumud Flottilla was a stupid idea and protesting wars is unhelpful anyway. These people were not even convinced that the big protests of the last few weeks in Europe were instrumental in bringing about the present precarious truce. It’s pretty obvious to all European political analysts — even though the conservative ones talk about it less — but not to a lot of people in the streets. Why?
I believe we urgently need answers to these whys. There is surely a component of fear, as well as a component of a white supremacist mindset. Perhaps there is something else, which I would like to understand. But I know that an answer to these whys is urgent. I cannot have a working spirituality, a direction in life, unless I understand and confront the cruelty that is surrounding me with an appropriate response.
See Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh.
And Fox, Trump and the MAGA Movement as the Anti-Christ.
And Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest.
And Fox, Prayer: A Radical Response to Life.
And Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox: Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation.
Banner image: “Resist Hate.” Sign at Fourth of July protest in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Photo by Cynthia Greb. Used with permission.
Queries for Contemplation
What do you think are the deep reasons for the legitimation of cruelty? What can you do to eradicate the seed of it from your soul?
Related Readings by Matthew Fox
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
From the Foreword: If there was ever a time, a moment, for examining the archetype of the Antichrist, it is now…Read this book with an open mind. Good and evil are real forces in our world. ~~ Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Conversations with the Divine.
For immediate access to Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE.
To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE.
To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE.
Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download.
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
Prayer: A Radical Response to Life
How do prayer and mysticism relate to the struggle for social and ecological justice? Fox defines prayer as a radical response to life that includes our “Yes” to life (mysticism) and our “No” to forces that combat life (prophecy). How do we define adult prayer? And how—if at all—do prayer and mysticism relate to the struggle for social and ecological justice? One of Matthew Fox’s earliest books, originally published under the title On Becoming a Musical, Mystical Bear: Spirituality American Style, Prayer introduces a mystical/prophetic spirituality and a mature conception of how to pray. Called a “classic” when it first appeared, it lays out the difference between the creation spirituality tradition and the fall/redemption tradition that has so dominated Western theology since Augustine. A practical and theoretical book, it lays the groundwork for Fox’s later works. “One of the finest books I have read on contemporary spirituality.” – Rabbi Sholom A. Singer
Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation
Authors Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox encourage us to use our talents in service of compassion and justice and to move beyond our broken systems–economic, political, educational, and religious–discovering a spirituality that not only helps us to get along, but also encourages us to reevaluate our traditions, transforming them and in the process building a more sacred and just world. Incorporating the words of young activist leaders culled from interviews and surveys, the book provides a framework that is deliberately interfaith and speaks to our profound yearning for a life with spiritual purpose and for a better world.
“Occupy Spirituality is a powerful, inspiring, and vital call to embodied awareness and enlightened actions.”
~~ Julia Butterfly Hill, environmental activist and author of The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman, and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods
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12 thoughts on “On Cruelty”
I am indeed saddened to read that our president elect Catherine Connolly, who has the courage to speak truth to power and on behalf of ordinary right minded people calls out genocide for what it is, can then be accused of being antisemitic. Genocide is genocide and it is happening on our watch. Our common humanity calls us to have a heart of care and compassion for all, extending above and beyond our small minded labels of politics, race or religion.
It seems to me that one would need to have a strong sense of personal superiority or hatred /fear towards others to enable a lack of compassion especially for children. The antidote to this I believe is to acknowledge ‘that of God’ in every person. (However you define God).
As I see it, the main three reasons for the legitimation of cruelty are:
1) The objectification of the “other,” including Nature, minerals, plants, animals, humans included. In Martin Buber’s words, the prevalence of “I-It” transactional relationships at the expense of “I-Thou” relationships. Another way to put it is “the disenchantment of the world”. In such a world, “leaders” are replaced by “dealers”.
2) The desensitization resulting from sensory overload coupled with the blurring of the boundary between “real” and “virtual”. We are increasingly relating to sequences of 1’s and 0’s: I much prefer thanking Gianluigi than 01000111 01101001 01100001 01101110 01101100 01110101 01101001 01100111 01101001
3) The subconscious (but real and painful) fear and anger associated with the intuition that after the “glorious thirty” and the subsequent “shameful fifty”, the current world order is unsustainable and we are running out of time. In that sense, the legitimation of cruelty is a form of “cornered tiger” syndrome.
I fully concur with Daniel. An excellent appraisal of the situation, especially the “cornered tiger” syndrome. We’re entering a world of “each to their own” with a complete breakdown of society, at least as we knew it.
Thank you Daniel for your insight. I am deeply saddened that our world seems to function on greed, selfishness and apathy. Will it ever change? Personally, I don’t think it will change until people’s consciousness evolves to see All as One, and that everything is connected.
Humanity’s consciousness evolving to choose: peace not war, homes not drones, gardens not guns, food not bombs, justice not inequality, love not apathy, inclusion not otherness, curiosity not indifference, knowledge&understanding not fear.
Unfortunately, many political leaders have promoted fear, indifference, otherness, apathy, inequality and that bombs, guns, drones and war are the answer to our global problems.
Also, it saddens me that the leaders of so many faith communities have created huge community of “guilty bystanders”.
The plight of the Palestinian people is about humanity. The cruelty is everywhere, and will remain until humanity evolves.
Otherness and Objectification is a place to start. Encourage people to walk in another person’s shoes. Encourage them to be curious.
Have a peace-filled day! Jean
Our humanity is still evolving in Our awareness/consciousness of the Sacredness and Oneness of All evolving Creation in All physical/nonphysical spiritual dimensions within, through, and among Us of the Divine Flow of LOVE~WISDOM~CREATIVITY~HEALING~TRANSFORMATION~BEAUTY~JOY~COMPASSION~
LOVING DIVERSE ONENESS… in the Sacred Process of the ETERNAL PRESENT MOMENT…
COMPASSIONATE COSMIC CHRIST~BUDDHA CONSCIOUSNESS….
I think the legitimization of cruelty is because of the lack of direct experience of it personally. I experienced Nazi bombing as a child in England in World War II. One doesn’t forget. The success since World War II of preventing it in the West makes it abstract and unreal to many people – like something seen on a TV screen, and cruelty on TV has become routine. Also the quantity of it at the moment is overwhelming, so self-preservation by not seeing is protective. I think Israel and many Jews who support Gaza have a siege mentality resulting from WWII and don’t see Gaza as genocide. People who have animals as pets can relate to them more easily than people. Churches all too often do not know how to talk to people raised without spirituality as I was and many now are.
I feel that animal cruelty is very connected to cruelty to humanity. We are all in need of Liberation from greed, avarice, old ideas of individualism.
I care about all oppression because as is said “All Oppression is Linked.”
Animal Liberation is human liberation.
Does that make sense to anyone else?
The way we treat animals is strange: yes we love 💕 our dogs but we eat the other animals, pigs, chickens, cows who are all sentient beings like our dogs.
And before they are eaten they suffer torture in “factory farms.”
Why does it feel that there’s a great darkness in the world that wasn’t there before? I feel it these questions are very subjective so it is hard to know whether it’s just my experience or it’s a true universal experience but the fact that fascism is being embraced and people are saying things like empathy is a sin. These things are new. The “why” seems complicated. It’s I think caused by resentment. Our political and economicideologies are failures it seems. Without spirituality we are a doomed species and our politics become rancid.
I suspect study was coloured by the fact that animal lovers assume humans will naturally get more sympathy & help than animals, so they feel more for the “underdog.” St. Francis: “If you have any men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellowman.” Domestic violence shows cruelty to animals indicates cruelty to humans in the home. At the front of my classroom was the rule: Respect, courtesy & kindness to people, animals &the earth. They are intertwined. There are outlier people who are animal fans, but support cruelty to certain groups of humans. There are also humans who think that love is somehow finite, & that all help should exclusively go to humans, as if tomorrow we suddenly threw out all concern for animals, stopped all efforts at rescue, welfare & kindness, magically there would be reams of love for humans. The modern movement of child welfare, giving children rights was started by people in the animal welfare movement in the early 1900’s in the US & England, it was not started by those who think humans first& only. It is common sense to put a higher value on human life, but people who truly understand love know this from the poet Samuel Coleridge: “He prayeth well, who loveth well, both man, and bird and beast. He prayeth best, who loveth best, all things both great and small. For the dear God who loveth us, He made & loveth all.”
I agree 100% with Damian Maureira.
As hard as it is to be on our beautiful Mother Earth at this time, I completely trust in the Divine Creator’s plan in WAKING US UP, as a whole species! My perspective is we are seeing the last desperate attempts of this male dominate greed, controlling engery burning out, but not without going through great pain and suffering. You have to completely tear down the old, for something new to come in. Yes Christ/Buddah consciousness, seeing that EVERYTHING is connected and Sacred is coming.
I still go to my protests, no more amazon, support at the grass root activities, signs in my yard saying Power without a conscience is a savage weapon, and yes I get angry, sad, grieve. Most important though is feeding my spirit with TRUST, all the wonderful and inspiring wisdom that I can participate in.
“You can’t make sense out of senselessness”
Dalai Lama
IN LIGHT AND LOVE!!
Shine, Shine, Shine ✨️✨️✨️
I think that what we are seeing in the U.S. and other places is the total depravity of which John Calvin and other Protestant reformers spoke. I think that it is not inevitable, but it is the potential darkness in every single one of us, in my opinion. And I do not think that it is anything new. The cruelty of tyranny down through recorded history is well documented. Biblical scholars speak of the utter cruelty toward any dissent in the time of Jesus. Crucifixion was common. Roman “games” pitted prisoners against lions and other wild animals. The religious wars were brutal. The 20th century was one of the darkest in history for the genocides of Armenians, in Germany the wholesale slaughter of homosexuals, Gypsies, and disabled people in a test of the killing gas that would be used in the full Holocaust, the slaughter of millions of their own peoples in Russia and China, and so on. The concept of a benign higher power has been lost along the way, and only our steadfast faith in the power of love and the actions we take to serve others will save us. In my opinion.