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Showing posts from 2009

Fellowship - advancing Genocide Awareness and Political Participation

In the past few months I (Marty) made application to work directly with the Genocide Inervention Network - and am wonderfully delighted that my specific application has resulted in me being named as one of 20 Carl Wilkens Fellows for 2010! I have *no* doubt that I will be a stronger leader intervening and educating about issues of Genocided as a result of work with GI-Net! And I anticipate continued colloboration with GI-Net in our extended efforts towards eupan in the Oklahoma City area - and to any and all interested partnerships! I view this opportunity as something that is unique to me, but *for* all of us already involved in the efforts of the Eupan Global Initiative! On a personal note, while there are several issues of this fellowship that I am enthusiastic about - I am particularly excited to be trained in training toward social change at a more direct political level, particularly discerning some of the "ins-and-outs" of working with federal policy/legislature

Archbishop Tutu on COP 15

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is being held right now in Copenhagen. Leaders from across the world are meeting to discuss climate change. Undoubtedly, there are at least some people from all the Earth's nations have some sort of hope or dream attached to this conference, whether that would be for the conference to debunk the myth of climate change or to provide a foundation to building a more sustainable world. Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared some words that I think bear repetition and reflection: What do you think? How do you respond to this "call" from Tutu? Desmund Tutu invites the world to think about making peace with the planet. How do you respond to the idea of global citizenship? Comment below and tell us what you think. Toward eupan . ~ stephen vandervort

What if ?

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The following image appeared in the USA Today, December 7th, 2009 - by Joel Pett. What if ? What if a more friendly, favorable, kind, gracious, compassionate, beneficient, stable, structured, harmonious world *is* available? Isn't it worth trying? Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Thanks Especially !

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Thanks *especially* to Stephen Vandervort for many things he does in helping lead and direct those of us involved in eupan ! Stephen is pictured here, beside me, at our Public Screening of Pray The Devil Back to Hall. Toward eupan ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Hope to see you tonight!

Oklahoma city's exclusive viewing of Pray The Devil Back To Hell . 1900 hours - doors open. 1930 hours - film begins. Program you GPS to arrive at: 6729 NW 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008 Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Human Rights Awareness Week - @ SNU

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Join the efforts of campus leaders at SNU. Details here:

Help Us Share!

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Our screening of Pray The Devil Back to Hell is coming soon. If we can provide you with electronic files that you might print/share/email to your friends, colleagues, peers - we would be happy to do so! Please contact us at eupanglobal (at) gmail (dot) com or mmichelson (at) snu (dot) edu and we will get you what you need. Also, we have access to print a limited number of flyers or postcards for those who have need! Toward eupan! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Human Rights Watch - The Empire State Building

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While my scheduled travel to NYC included intentional plans from weeks ago to meet at the U.N. with staff from the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, I was surprised by another unique opportunity while in New York City. I had the opportunity to get special access to the offices of the organization, Human Rights Watch . While I had known about this organization and the impact of their work from far away - of course I was able to learn more about what happens in their offices - including opportunity to speak with personnel about their role in the New York City office. They were established in 1978 and have been advocating in positive ways for some 31 years! The picture posted here gained me access to the Empire State Building - without having to pay to get the "tourist" view again this time! That was nice an added bonus (the free view!) to the already nice opportunity to meet with personnel working with Human Rights Watch! Towards eupan ! ~ marty alan michelson,

U.N. Visit

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A couple of pictures from a wonderful lunch in the Delegates Dining Room at the U.N.! Also, a snapshot at the end of my time with Steve who had coordinated my visit through the Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. Toward eupan !

The U.N. ( United Nations ) & Columbia University

I'm typing out a quick blog entry from a campus computer at Columbia University in New York City! I'm here tonight for a lecture. Had opportunity to meet with representatives at the U.N. today dealing with Genocide. Also had a wonderful private tour of the facility (in and among plenty of other public tours, of course!) Nice lunch. Great day to be in NYC! Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Looks good?

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Do you see anything that needs to be added/edited to this poster before we publish and print? If so, please advise! Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Meetings @ the Capitol and Downtown OKC

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A successful day toward eupan efforts! I met with Randy Swanson at the State Capitol! I learned much and have several new persons to meet and work with as an extension of that meeting! Additionally, I met with the Program Director at the Ronald J. Norick Library in Downtown OKC to confirm our public screening of Pray The Devil Back to Hell in the "46th Star Auditorium." We have our contracts in hand to screen Pray the Devil Back to Hell for Monday, November 30th at the Herrick Auditorium at Southern Nazarene University at 7:30 p.m.(Located on Old Route 66 at 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany OK 73008 ). The downtown library screening will take place Sunday afternoon, 2:00 p.m. on March 28th, 2010. We will be providing public information in the way of flyers and posters for each event soon! Here is a picture of Randy and I in the entry-area for the State Senators at the State Capitol. Toward eupan ! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Senator Glenn Coffee - toward eupan!

In anticipation of work to take place on our genocide efforts - including forthcoming travel to the U.N. - I have scheduled a meeting with Randy Swanson at the State Capitol for this week. The meeting agenda I have requested includes how Oklahoma Senators are apprised of issues relating to global violence in the form of Genocide. Randy Swanson is part of the Senate leadership staff as Majority Leadership Communications Director. Swanson directs media, press and public outreach activities for Coffee and the Senate’s Republican leadership team. For the first time in the state’s history, Republicans have the majority in the Oklahoma State Senate. " Glenn Coffee is a businessman and attorney who is the first Republican in Oklahoma history to serve as President Pro Tempore, the top leadership position in the Oklahoma State Senate. Coffee is also the longest-serving Republican leader in the Senate. In 2008 Republicans made history by winning their first-ever majority in the Oklahom

Eupan and Peace

I have been asked recently how eupan is different from any other "peace" movement. I offer the following as a reflection. First, in some fundamental ways we are not trying to do something "new" for the world. Second, we recognize there are good "groups" out there doing many good things towards "peace" and reconciliation and justice. Third, we are not trying to "do more" or "do better" than any other group that exists and we applaud all groups working toward peace/reconciliation. Fourth, we certainly do want peace in the world, so, we bear resemblance with any "peace" movement. Fifth, more than "justice" or "peace" - we want to see something that is more akin with uniting justice and peace. (Nicholas Wolterstorff authored Until Justice and Peace Embrace which has similar themes.) Peace can be viewed as "merely" the absence of war or violence. And we certainly hope for this, want thi

November 30th, 2009 - possibly March 2010!

We have a confirmed screening of PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL for Monday Night, November 30th. This viewing is hosted and paid for by the Eupan Global Initiative and is open to the public! The event will take place at the Herrick Auditorium, located on 39th Expressway (Route 66) in Bethany. Address is: 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008. Time will be announced later - and we will be doing more advertising - so hopefully you will see more details in and around Oklahoma City. Also, we have a likely 2nd screening of the Movie in association with the Downtown Ronald J. Norick Library in Oklahoma City - which will take place in conjunction with Women in History Month (March 2010) - anticipating Genocide Prevention Month (April 2010). And that will be *very* appropriate since the women in the history of Liberia, it seems, brought an end to violence that could have become a genocide! If you have interest in joining our efforts towards advancing "the good for all" - we

Genocide

Good things are happening toward advancing our projects! I have scheduled a personal meeting in the "Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide" at the U.N. in NYC! (I will be there in Mid-October - specifically at the U.N. on Thursday, October 15th!) We have had an initial meeting with the two persons within the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System of libraries - one meeting about our April 2010 Genocide effort and a second meeting coordinating toward the possible public screening of the film " Pray The Devil Back to Hell ." The film is not *precisely* about Genocide, but it involves the unique role of women who forcefully but non-violently prevented mass slaughter and violence in the country of Liberia. More news and details to come later! Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Thinking about recycling and genocide . . .

One of the realities for the leadership team working with the Eupan Global Initiative has to do with attempting to discern what *specific* tasks or goals we want to achieve. There is so much that can be done towards making the world "good for all" that it is difficult to narrow-in on a few issues. But, here is a list of two *specific* things that the leadership of EGI wants to focus in on in. (1) Recycling and practices of recycling in our local community remain - well, "behind the times." And, more than just being "behind the times" - we are cognizant of the fact that recycling is a practice that people develop as a habit over time. Hence, the urgency of helping people make conscious decisions to recycle instead of "just throw it all away" becomes something that will be a long-term commitment. As a result, we will continue to work in the next few weeks and months - toward helping our local community focus on recycling efforts. But, we w

Today - September 21st - is PEACE Day!

Here is a day worth noting! Welcome to Peace One Day! Person by person, piece by piece, we can make peace by peace . Toward eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Sustainability On Film - in Oklahoma City!

My wife and I - along with family and friends - have participated in many great events at the Oklahoma City Museum of Modern Art over the past several years. What a delight that they are presenting a September 2009 series on "Sustainability." They note: As our economic, social and environmental activities become increasingly integrated on a global scale, the human species faces unprecedented challenges. In the wake of the groundbreaking documentary An Inconvenient Truth, filmmakers have been examining the complex issues facing our species and planet: climate change, dwindling natural resources, population growth, economic crises, and political conflict. Along the way humans are finding innovative, simple solutions from growing their own food, to green building, to developing new forms of renewable energy. These films explore how we meet our needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Join us Sunday after the final screening for

Jubilee = Good!

The idea of releasing persons or nations from unbearable debt is an important concept. To this end, please be aware of a local conference (for Oklahomans) that will educate - and perhaps inspire - toward greater understanding. Jubilee USA You are invited to join Jubilee USA Network for a day of inspiring speakers, educational workshops, and advocacy training sessions on international debt relief as a tool to fight global poverty. The conference will feature a leading African civil society advocate along with national and local experts and advocates on global hunger and poverty issues. The conference will explore the potential of debt relief to fight poverty in poor countries, and the biblical Jubilee call for debt cancellation and right relationships among peoples and nations. The conference will also include skill-building workshops on effective advocacy and building a global justice ministry in your church or community. Join us to broaden your understanding of our place in the wo

Access to clean water

What goes through your mind when you reach for the water faucet at home? If I am getting a drink, I'm usually thinking about how good it is going to taste. If I am cleaning something in the house, I always know that the most versatile cleaning agent is within a few feet of me. If I'm starting a load of laundry, I'm usually thinking about how I don not enjoy doing my laundry. But really, do thoughts of war, price-gouging, or making a day-long trip in the elements ever enter into your thinking? The website www.foreignpolicy.com usually has engaging material from the international world featured on a daily "quiz." Take a look at the quiz from June 22nd , as it especially puts perspective on the ways in which water is handled across the world: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/21/the_fp_quiz What "good" can be found when people are waging war over one of the most plentiful resources found on Earth? What "good" can be shown by those of u

Praise for Students!

If I were making a list of “Top Ten Most Distressing/Depressing Events to Study in the World” – Genocide would be on the list. (I wonder what else I would include in my Top Ten List. How about you? What are the Top Ten Most Distressing/Depressing Events in World Today?) That being said, in our commitment to eupan, if I were to list a “Top Ten Most Encouraging/Exciting Events in the World” – Student Involvement and Student Initiative would be on the list! Really! As a University Professor who has worked with college students for over a decade, I can testify to the incredible power of students who get motivated to act. Students – sometimes out of sheer determination and strength of will – apart from having money, resources, capital or even “all the information” – do more than those of us with more money, more resources, more capital and more information. Hooray for student led initiatives!! Here are a couple of links for student led initiatives that have effected and continue to eff

Four is better than one.

I have had opportunity to travel to a few different states over the last few months – spending time at a variety of locations from campgrounds to conference centers. The past three weeks, in particular, I have had the opportunity to be on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Every place I visit has trash receptacles, waste baskets, dumpsters, refuse containers. Human persons generate “trash” – a large volume of it from a variety of sources. Of course this is true. Every place has containers to deal with this human reality. But, only a few of the places I have visited have clear containers and prepared intentional plans for some form of recycling. Where I have been for the past three weeks, at Calvin College – my observation is that in every campus hallway – in all campus buildings – they offer – side-by-side, not one, but four options for disbursing of one’s trash. At each location where a receptacle is offered – there is the option for me to disburse my tras

Eupan meals.

I had the privilege of reading Contagious Holiness, Jesus Meals with Sinners this morning. The text is authored by Craig L. Blomberg in the series published by InterVarsity Press entitled New Studies in Biblical Theology. The book probes and in-depth discussion of what it means to understand meals and fellowship in the old testament and new testament. The book takes into consideration the Greco-Roman context for when the text of the Bible came together, and more importantly, how Jesus was himself a participant in the culture of the Greco-Roman society, though Jesus himself was clearly Jewish alongside many of those who followed him. It is not the intention of this simple blog entry to parse out all of the various dynamics that Blomberg achieves in his full text, but instead I want to pick up on a simple aspect of Jesus as table fellowship. In my immediate situation, as part of my professional work, I have been participating in a seminar dealing with issues of genocide in the modern

Churches & Christianity guarantee nothing . . . ?

Is it possible that Christianity as a way of life in the world means nothing? While the efforts of the Eupan Global Initiative are not exclusively Christian - and while members of our effort to advance eupan do not need to advocate any specific religious perspective - it is true that I am Christian. And I want to believe that being Christian and being a part of a group of people in the the church matters. But, sometimes, it does not matter. And that pains me - and it pains David P. Gushee. In the text Genocide in Rwanda: Complicity of the Churches? - Gushee has an essay entitled: 'Why the Churches were Complicit: Confessions of a Broken-Hearted Christian." Among other things he writes: Rwanda was the most heavily Christianized country in Africa. Christian churches, seminaries, schools, and other instituations were sprinkled throughout the land. [L]ong study of the Holocaust, and now fresh study of the Rwandan genocide, has led me to the heartbroken realization that t

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

The phrase "Reduce - Reuse - Recycle" have been around for quite a few years as a sort of "mantra" for thinking about how we use goods and resources and how we need to be wise stewards of the resources provided to us. The leadership team within the Eupan Global Initiative is considering various avenues through which we can effect both local and global change. In the suburbs of Oklahoma City is an old "Route 66" town known as Bethany. Bethany offers trash service two days per week - but has no recycling efforts. In fact, in our experience, trying to recycle is actually a difficult task because recycling services are very limited in the entire city of Oklahoma City. The Eupan leadership team is making plans to start with our local community to effect and change the way *this* local community trashes the environment. It seems likely to us that the local city governance could change one of the two trash days into a recycling day. In this way, the city w

Overcoming Evil

According to James Waller, page xiv (Preface) in his text, Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing : "Throughout human history, social conflict is ubiquitous. Wars erupt naturally everywhere humans are present. As Winston Churchill said, "The story of the human race is war. Except for brief and precarious interludes there has never been peace in the world; and long before history began murderous strife was universal and unending." Since the Napoleonic Wars, we have fought an average of six international wars and six civil wars per decade . On average, three high-fatality struggles have been in action somewhere in the world at any moment since 1900. The four decades after the end of World War II saw 150 wars, involving more than 60 member states of the United Nations, and only 26 days of world peace - and that does not even include the innumerable internal wars and police actions. Buried in the midst of all our progress in the twentieth

Eupan may start in your backyard

We planted a garden several weeks back. I do not even remember when we planted for sure. We spent time today working it. Perhaps 6 total "man" hours were involved today. But, the mystery is that over the past several weeks - in incremental moment and times, the work of creation has been doing its work. While I believe in God - and uniquely believe in who God is made known in the person of Jesus - I like the language of Jesus in parables concerning gardens, soil, seeds, and harvest. In a parable of Jesus in Mark's Gospel, Jesus relates the following - which I have chosen to render in "my own translation" simply for consideration and pause - adding periods to slow down our reading: It is also like this with the Kingdom. A man scatters seed. On the earth. Night. Day. He sleeps. He wakes. The seed sprouts. The seed grows. He does not know how. By itself. The soil produces. Grain. First the stalk. Then the head. Then the full kernel in the head. As soo

We kill . . .

By our anthropocentric bias, it seems evident that many world crises are anthropogenic, perhaps leading to our anthropocide - and certainly the extinction of some species within the biosphere. We can change our ways. Will we? ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

I pray . . .

I strive to be a person who effects, embodies, and lives toward eupan . It is not easy. I may, in fact, be a horrible model or example of it - and I am certainly no exemplar. Today I am reminded of the reality that individual persons continue to perpetuate and extend violence in our world. In the name of justice, sometimes violence is effected. I pray for many people; parishioners, kids, family members, criminals, students, administrators, politicians, sinners, saints, doctors, teachers, wives, husbands, addicts, lawyers - and the list could go on. I strive to be a person who effects, embodies and lives toward eupan . . . but sometimes prayer is easier. Praying for people is easy. Actually living out goodness, especially towards those who perpetuate and extend it, is much more difficult. So, I pray. I pray that God will help me to effect eupan . Prayer is easier than embodiment. Embodying goodness takes more work than prayer. But, I will continue to pursue prayer - and embodied go

Our consumption of "Fuels from Hell"

On page 32 of his book, Hot, Flat and Crowded , Thomas Friedman writes "To put it another way, the Industrial Revolution gave a whole new prominence to what Rochelle Lefkowitz, President of Pro-Media Communications and an energy buff, calls 'fuels from hell' -- coal, oil, and natural gas. All these fuels from hell come from underground, are exhaustible, and emit CO2 and other pollutants when they are burned for transportation, heating and industrial use. These fuels are in contrast to what Lefkowitz calls 'fuels from heaven' -- wind, hydroelectric, tidal, biomass, and solar power. These all come from above ground, are endlessly renewable, and produce no harmful emissions." This reminded of a June 26, 2008 post from a brilliant friend, James K.A. Smith on his blog , which I will cite below (with permission). If we are committed to eupan , we must consider ways in which we consume goods and resources for our good, that “take away” from the good of others. We

Eupan starts in local communities - in Bethany Oklahoma @ Southern Nazarene University, too!

At Southern Nazarene University, we are pleased to announce the formation of Student Government's Task Force for Campus Stewardship and Sustainability! This group will dedicate themselves to having their voices heard regarding practices of sustainability that affect students today, and students of the future! If you have an interest in being on this Task Force? Membership is OPEN to ALL!, the first meeting is Wednesday, April 15th at 2:00pm, at SNU, in the Student Life Conference Room located in the Webster Commons. by Stephen Vandervort posted by Marty Alan Michelson

Oklahoma City Opportunity towards eupan!

The Oklahoma Society for Science and Faith (OSSF) is pleased to announce the Ecological and Environmental Ethics conference to be held on the Southern Nazarene University campus on April 23 - 25, 2009. Keynote speakers include Dr. Larry Rasmussen, Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth and Dr. Laura Ruth Yordy. I have the privilege of serving on the Board of the OSSF and have read written works by each of the authors and am certain the conversation and reflection will be worthy of your time. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

We need better models - and need to be better models

I have returned from a week of teaching in Costa Rica - in the Cloud forest located in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca mountains in the midst of a precious ecosystem. One of many observations I came home with has to do with simple practices of "reduce, reuse, recycle." We lack good models for reducing, reusing, and recycling. (And, particularly in Oklahoma, in my observation.) While I was with undergraduate and graduate students, professors and parents who work in the midst of the laboratory environment in Costa Rica, I noted that they reuse and recycle - well, everything! From writing on pages across the entire line (ignoring those faded pink lines that leave white space) - to printing on the back side of every piece of paper - to composting all food and sorting through all tin, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and more - I came home with a model that I can pick up on whereby I might learn to practice better the issues of care and concern for my own, per

The Natural Step

Passing along information here as I continue to learn. The size of the problem equals the size of the opportunity The Natural Step is an international not-for-profit organisation [sic] dedicated to education, advisory work and research in sustainable development. Since 1989, we have worked with thousands of corporations, municipalities, academic institutions and not-for-profit organisations [sic] that have proven that moving strategically toward sustainability leads to new opportunities, reduced costs, and dramatically reduced ecological and social impacts. The Natural Step Framework is a proven, scientifically robust model that helps organisations [sic] make pragmatic decisions to move toward sustainability. We research the science of sustainability and link it to real world applications. We create dialogue about the opportunities and challenges in building a sustainable future. We are accelerating change toward sustainability. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Monday, April 6th - Public Presentation

The Eupan Global Initiative will host Dr. Dennis Siegfried for a public presentation on Monday Night, April 6th. At 6:00 p.m., Dr. Siegfried will be presenting in the S.T. Ludwig Religion Building around the theme: "Environment and a Christian Perspective." Professor Dennis Siegfried is a faculty member in the biology department at Southern Nazarene University (SNU). He is extremely involved in the operations of Quetzal Education Research Center (QERC) and in its education and research missions. Dr. Siegfried holds the Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma and is a member of several scientific communities, including the Academy of Evangelical Scientists and Ethicists, the American Ornithologists’ Union, and the Ecological Society of America. For more information, see www.savegre.co.cr/qerceng.html and southernlight.snu.edu/QERC/ The presentation will last approximately 60 minutes and will be followed by a time for public Questions and Answers. Please direct any questions

Thrilled about violence?

I am not thrilled about violence. But I am thrilled to take note of an exciting opportunity for me, personally, and for future options for the Eupan Global Initiative . I have been selected to be among other scholars in considering issues of violence and the church. The Seminar I am now making plans to attend (based on the announcement of my selection today!) is part of the Calvin College series of Seminars in Christian Scholarship. The seminar focus includes: “Deliver Us From Evil: Genocide and the Christian World” will explore the role of the church as a social institution, with institutional actors, and how it shapes a culture in which genocidal violence may occur and how it responds to such a culture both during and after the genocidal violence. Over a three week period, participants will critically examine the role of the Christian churches in 20th century genocide and the subsequent consequences for Christian thought and practice in the contemporary world. Embedded throughout

Which is more violent?

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Crucifying Jesus or indebtedness in quantities that are this excessive?

Garden in the East

In the context of the story of origins narrated in the Bible, it all starts with a garden. One way to frame the story of God, most briefly is that Creator creates creation. The idea of Creation and the quality of that creation - namely, "good" - is a core idea to the foundation of eupan and the Eupan Global Initiative . I have commented briefly elsewhere that one of the first distortions of Creators "good" creation arrives in the violence of Cain. Another interesting feature of the story of origins as found in Genesis (in the Bible), lies in the fact that as distortions in creation began to pervade the story, the story also indicates in subtle ways that persons move further and further "east" of God's garden. (See Genesis 4:16, 11:2, 29:1) It does seem to be the case that the story of creation demonstrates in geography as well as in orientation, that people "move away" from God's garden. To the extent that we can, metaphorically, get

Embodied Forgiveness

Every few months I get the opportunity to teach a class on Biblical and Theological perspectives for understanding human personhood. For me, this means we have to talk about relationships since human personhood is fundamentally relational. I get the opportunity to teach L. Gregory Jones' text entitled Embodying Forgiveness . Jones argues that violence does not have to be our master. He articulates a cruciform way of discerning the world, whereby we understand that God in the person of Jesus offers an example of how to make forgiveness happen. This forgiveness is not cheap or "therapeutic" but "costs" Jesus something, and costs us something too. Perhaps I will have more to say about it later. We need more models and better models of embodied forgivness. We need exemplars of how to overcome the patterns of violence in our world. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

1 million, 1 billion - What difference does it make?

I was reading God Gardened East by Louis Ruprecht the past few days. In the opening chapter he tells a story about an experience he had, meeting with a Philosopher while he was in Athens, Greece. The Greek Philosopher critiqued the American (Louis) for his failure to understand numbers. "The problem with you Americans," he noted with a sad smile, "is that you don't know how to count." Eyebrow arched, and a little defensive, Louis asked him what he meant. "You lack patience," he explained. "You don't take the time to think what numbers mean." The Greek Philosopher went on to note that, in his purview, most Americans do not understand the difference between a million and a billion . Louis would quip to the Greek Philosopher that he did know the difference - "Three more zeroes." The Greek Philosopher failed to laugh. One million seconds, the philosopher patiently explained, is roughly ten days long. Do you know how many days ar

I spun off on this one . . .

The other night I was up late reviewing data/facts/statistics on issues of Global Climate Change for some work I'm doing on issues concerning Global Stewardship. I do not know how or where, but I "came across" links to SPIN farming. I spent too many hours perusing the ideas connected to SPIN farming and the persons in various parts of the country that are SPIN-ing. If I could slow down from too many "irons in the fire" in my life right now, I would love to SPIN here close to home. I have this grand vision of students from campus wanting to "dig in" to the efforts - perhaps on land right here around campus. But, then, I remember that they would probably rather eat in the cafeteria. So, what is a SPIN garden, you ask . . . well, SPIN stands for S-mall P-lot IN-tensive. SPIN-Farming is a non-technical, easy-to-learn and inexpensive-to-implement vegetable farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in s

Google harnesses the world's ideas for good.

Helping the World. Google has used its access to a World Audience to generate ideas for making the world a better place. That can't be bad. Google's Project 10tothe100 ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

Non-Violence for all, from now until forever. Is it possible?

“People try nonviolence for a week, and when it ‘doesn’t work,’ they go back to violence, which hasn’t worked for centuries.” —Theodore Roszak The quote listed above is starkly tragic. Tragic in its truth. Our mimetic desire - our rivalry - or desire for more and more and more and that which the other possesses ultimately dispossesses us of our own lives and our own peace. Violence comes so naturally to us. But, it so naturally consumes us, as well. Early in the narrative of stories in the Bible, Cain acts in violence to dispossess Abel. When I teach from the text (in Genesis 4), I express to my students that at some level this is the “first story” of “life in the real world.” Whatever or wherever “Eden” “was” in Genesis 1-3, it is presented as a protected place. In the first story of life separated from Eden, Cain’s destruction of his brother – fratricide – demonstrates that the earliest persons in this tradition – the earliest humans in the “real world” of life – choose violenc

The Death Penalty still brings death . . .

Death Penalty Abolition An execution vigil is planned to pray for the life of Darwin Demond Brown and his victims on January 22 at 5:30 pm in front of the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion (820 NE 23rd). The gathering is a peaceful protest to acknowledge that every life is valuable and that capital punishment is not a healthy alternative in our society. ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

The NEW YORKER and International Justice Mission

The New Yorker has just published an excellent piece on Gary Haugen and the International Justice Mission . And here : And here : And here : More justice for more people brings eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

National Geographic commissioned Universal Declaration

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In the December 2008 issue of National Geographic I viewed an intriguing presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which just turned "60." Certainly something every person committed to eupan should review. Links to the National Geographic commissioned presentation, by Oliver Uberti, can be found in below. The image I am presenting is Oliver Uberti's orginal that has been edited by a person who highlighted portions for their own purposes. I am certain all images are copyright Oliver Uberti and/or National Geographic . Check it out here : And here : It would be nice if the Declaration could find fulfillment in our world soon. Eupan is committed to working toward its fulfillment - for eupan . ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d

This blog is not a tree . . .

On my immediate "reading" list is the following title: Cradle to Cradle . The book looks and feels like a book - but it is not a traditional book, since, for example, you can freely read it in the rain! It reinvents the idea of books in a different way than the Kindle Wireless Reader or other e-platforms for book-reading. Pages 5 and 6 of the book offer this: "This book is not a tree." "It is printed on a synthetic "paper" and bound into a book format developed by innovative book packager Charles Melcher of Melcher Media. Unlike the paper with which we are familiar, it does not use any wood pulp or cotton fiber but is made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers. This material is not only waterproof, extremely durable, and (in many localities) recyclable by conventional means; it is also a prototype for the book as a "technical nutrient," that is, as a product that can be broken down and circulated infinitely in industrial cycles— made

Are we system(at)ically imprisoned to violence?

I had intended to spend a few moments today commenting on the forthcoming inauguration of our new U.S. President, Barack Obama. While I am excited for his leadership, I am leery of power brokers in politics, because the proverb of history seems true. "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Further, promises do not guarantee actions. And, even President Obama's best hopes and intentions will be framed within a political system of persons and power and nations that will undoubtedly frustrate any goals he may have. But I digress . . . . I had intended to blog about "Gitmo" or Guantanamo Bay and the President's reported intentions to close it quickly after his inauguration. (I realize sometime soon I need to learn how to include links in these blog posts - I will learn.) I had intended to offer some reflection on the "system" of incarceration generally, prisons, "correctional facilities." I had intended to take some time

Possible Logos / Images for Eupan . . . in development

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In no particular order/rank: (1) (2) (3) (4) Thanks to L.V. for the great thoughts and contributions! ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

My daily reading

My daily reading includes the blog of "Bikehiker" the Reverend John Hay, Jr. I've requested permission to share his words here. Gil Bailie has done work with the ideas of Rene Girard, which have been central in my formative thought in dissertation work. But, I can not match the clarity of poetic skill that John Hay, Jr. demonstrates. Here, with permission, Bikehiker . Friday, January 09, 2009 THE CORNER WE'VE TURNED Once again, "justifiable" retaliatory violence vainly imposes its deathly will NEW SITUATION, OLD STORY. Last January, Kenya erupted in a convulsion of ethnic violence. This January, Israel attempts to quash--"once and for all"--rocket attacks launched by Hamas from Gaza. Never mind that hundreds of innocents have perished. And the wars and suicide bombings in Afghanistan and Iraq continue with no end in sight. Each snuffed-out life cries out in testimony. I share the following reflection out of my appreciation Gil Baillie's book

Starting small . . . .

I was sharing with a new student the "vision" behind the Eupan Global Initiative . Admittedly, like most agencies, consortiums, or groups, we have started small. We may never grow into anything "big." I talked to the student about two (of several) websites I frequent often. Those websites are associated with Sojourners and the Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information . Sojourners developed from student conversations in the early 1970s and IPCRI emerged with the late 1980s Intifada. Both are now "large" "agencies" that advocate in significant ways. Will the Eupan Global Initiative ever grow "as big" as Sojourners or IPCRI? Well, quite frankly, I have no idea. But, I don't really care. If we can effect "good" for even a few - and inspire "good" for all - we will have done something. Ghandi once said: “We are constantly being astonished at the amazing discoveries in the field of violence. But

Psychology of Peace

I've been asked to sit in on a special seminar this Spring semester, including readings on the Psychology of Peace. This is being coordinated by a fellow faculty member at SNU who is a Ph.D. in psychology. The professor has has been working with others in our local community (OKC area) to allow for conversation among various faith traditions - our local Interfaith Alliance. I look forward to learning more about this area of study! I wish I could apply the psychology of peace to the current outburst of violence in Israel/Gaza! Having spent many weeks in this area of the world, I long for and pray for their peace - may good be extended for all! So much to learn, so many books to read, and so few hours in the day! =) ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.

2009 Progress

As we move into 2009, I am happy to announce that the Eupan Global Initiative is making progress! We have a scheduled meeting of the current Board of Advisors today, January 2nd, 2009. LV has been working on creating a logo for Eupan - cool ideas already working with guns and their violence being transformed to olive branches of peace! Plans for the immediate New Year will include an Open Meeting for any persons in the Oklahoma City Area to participate with us in viewing and responding to the Laura Waters Hinson Film "as we forgive." Dates, Times, and Location to be announced though it is expected that the event will be hosted in coordination with the Southern Nazarene University School of Theology and Ministry, likely in the S.T. Ludwig Religion Building located on campus. Peace ~ ~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.