I'm sitting here watching the latest Star Wars release, Episode III. Though I do prefer the originals, this episode does have something to contribute to our discussion of "the grey." In it Annikan, who was once our famed hero, goes through his transformation into Darth Vader (sorry if I ruined it for you). For Annikan/Vader the transition is quick and definable. Though he struggles with himself he moves from one side to the other. He must make a choice. The choice is quite clearly black or white. Will he move to the dark side, or will he remain true to the Jeti? You know the answer.
I saw some of myself in Annikan's story. So many times I find myself making decisions that are black or white. My opinion on issues may be grey but my actions mustn't be. In each moment, each time I am confronted with a choice, I must choose black or white. This is what complicates the grey areas even more; and thus, purposes the existence of this blog.
For example: in terms of politics, Christianity does not require party allegiance (or at least it shouldn't). One Christian can vote Liberal, another Conservative, and still another NDP. In fact, one Christian can vote for all three parties in his/her lifetime and not place his/her faith in jeopardy. Though the issue of politics is grey, the voting process if very black and white. One cannot place a grey vote; one is forced to choose. Just like Annikan. Just like me.
But when will I choose white and when will I choose black? That is the question. We can discuss how grey an issue is until we are blue (or grey) in the face; but we still must choose black and white when we live it out. If we feel politics are grey we must still vote one way or another. If we see alcohol as grey we must still decide when and when not to drink. Etc, etc, etc. And the real, down-to-earth, practical, and grass-roots question becomes: When is a grey issue black and when is it white?
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6 comments:
Sometime its even worse that black white or grey
Sometimes we have to choose between green, yellow, blue or orange!!!!! AAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!! ;-/
do or do not.
there is no try.
Ok. What if we understand morality in terms of virtue. Virtue is the mean between excess and lack. Virtue is the balance between two poles.
So the virtue of generosity is the balance between stingines and giving everything alway recklessly such that your family starves.
In this way, achieving the right shade of grey is the sign of true moral wisdom.
The virtuous person is the one who lives in, or on, or near the mean.
Takers?
Ed, it strikes me as rational but I haven't thought it through too well. Also, I'm not sure if Jesus Christ would be virtuous using your definition... and that would be problematic.
Ya. It's Aristotle basically.
Problem is it doesn't fit with Creation - Fall - Redemption. Doesn't fit perfectly with the idea that God is on a mission to save the world.
I pressuposes the world as it is, not a fallen world. That the world is an eternal order, not a sick creation.
It seems to me Christian ethics must always begin at the cross and with the gospel preached. But like you say, I'm not sure Jesus followed Aristotle's advice.
In this way there will seem to always be a public civil ethic, and a distinct Christian ethic.
Hey there... just found your blog by way of -the pilgrim-'s. Great stuff here!
I love your take on the black, white, and gray issues of life. I have struggled with another angle on the same subject. Namely, how honest is it to 'cast our vote' for white or black when our opinion is actually gray?
I'm finding that many times, living in the gray is the most genuine and honest thing I can do.
When does acting one way while feeling or thinking another become dishonest or hypocritical? I have an old entry about it here if you want to check it out.
Cya 'round!
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