In the age of castles and fortresses, a young boy was born inside a great castle. Nathan was raised with the belief that the castle inside of which he lived was absolutely impregnable from all attacks. As a young boy walking around the walls and noting how thick and tall they were, he could well believe that absolute truth.
Link to the rest of the article.
Which group do you identify most with in this story? Why? What do you think it will take for all of us under the banner of Christianity to fight less and listen more?
We've been discussing this article on The Ooze, and I thought it would be an interesting topic for this blog as well. In that thread I brought up a group of people that the author seemed to miss:
Those of us who leave the castle and don't return with a cannon. Some of us are very happy to wander in the woods especially when the fighting grows more fierce than usual.
Looking forward to your thoughts on this topic.
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I think I feel more like Nathan. I would feel like one foot with the castle and one foot with the soldiers. Being in Nathan's shoes, I could see the perpective from both sides. I had been one of "those" within the castle, and certainly, felt attacked. Having stepped outside of those walls, though, I definately understand what I could be missing. I can understand the urgency to show others what they too, could be missing.
I think I would try to convince the soldiers to hold back some, not be so forceful. Maybe discuss a way to connect with those within the walls in a gentler way. Show compassion and understanding, especially, for those who had defended this castle for a long time. Understand that gentleness, and a less overwhelming approach might accomplish more, and certainly provoke less resistence. There are certainly good things about this castle that should be preserved. Much of which indirectly contributed to the system and power of the army outside of the walls. I would remind the soldiers that we may be powerful now, but there certainly will be a time in the future where even stronger weapons will overshadow our own. We may want to treat these castle dwellers the way we would want to be treated in the future.
I would try to convince the castle dwellers, that they might need to reconsider how the defense and rebuilding of the castle is done. Obviously the defense capability of the castle has taken a direction that was not originally forseen. In knowing that however, the castle doesn't necessarily need to be abandoned and torn down, but maybe rebuilt in a way that those involved feel secure, protected, but able to view and see the changing world around them. A process that both sides would have knowledge and experience in.
Thanks for posting. I thought it was a good read and curious how others relate to the story.
Michele