tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762252064403930159.post3908627908939505013..comments2018-11-22T04:39:38.872-06:00Comments on Sing Over Me...: No Easy Answers...Maureen Carroll Sebek http://www.blogger.com/profile/17457142544477838261noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762252064403930159.post-9835775670044395642012-03-18T12:58:14.564-05:002012-03-18T12:58:14.564-05:00Maureen...you are absolutely correct about the ine...Maureen...you are absolutely correct about the ineffectiveness of engaging in intellectual debates that do not lead to action. If their discussions were bringing about awareness that led to action, I think that would be a positive outcome. However, if these debates only lead to stubborn resistance regarding actions of any kind that alters from each parties proposed solutions, then that is a problem. I attended a movie night yesterday evening at a friend's house where one of the characters said, "There are two kinds of people in this world: talkers and doers. It's the doers that make a difference." So true. All of our talking (including my own) means nothing without living it out.Shannon Wallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09381524906955498373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762252064403930159.post-38764076679196791952012-03-18T12:23:08.835-05:002012-03-18T12:23:08.835-05:00Hi, Shannon - Thanks for your very thoughtful comm...Hi, Shannon - Thanks for your very thoughtful comments. I very much appreciate your input. I am beginning to wish we actually could sit down together once a week and have a "real" discussion of these issues that are so compelling in our day! There was so much in this chapter that warrants further discussion. Here's a bit of what I thought regarding the issues highlighted in the questions.<br /><br />I do appreciate the different voices coming from the "liberal" vs. "conservative" camps. However, I do believe we have to find common ground on which to agree so that we can move forward in actually dealing with the problem. I think it is likely very true that this division hinders our success and plays into the hands of the traffickers. The lack of patience that Ruchira Gupta reveals for the debating between the two sides, is, I think, very valid. She is in the trenches with the actual victims and as such, has a real life perspective that cannot be over-valued. Her voice needs to be heard loud and clear and is sometimes muffled by the "intellectual exercise" of engaging in debates that do little or nothing to resolve the issue, but feeds the egos of those who are engaged in the world of academia. There is a time and a place for such debates. And then there is a time to stop the talk and walk the walk. Jesus had little patience for the Scribes and Pharisees who loved to engage Him in debates about the law, but who did little to love the people they were supposed to care for. They took a great deal of pride in their intellectual superiority over the people, while the people were dying under their very eyes. Jesus had little time or patience with this. He called them "whited sepulchers". A stinging rebuke from the God of all Compassion...<br /><br />Much more I could say, but, for now, I'll leave it at that. Except to say, your closing comments about the need for God's intervention is so true and so necessary for us to know and act upon in leading us to pray and pray and pray some more. That is so much where I was coming from in my comments about putting on the full armor of God that we might stand. Without Him, we can do nothing. This is evil and to try to resolve it without the Lord is folly of the highest degree...Maureen Carroll Sebek https://www.blogger.com/profile/17457142544477838261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1762252064403930159.post-40836385308571441032012-03-17T11:58:51.563-05:002012-03-17T11:58:51.563-05:00As a Christian, I find it hard to embrace the idea...As a Christian, I find it hard to embrace the idea of the legalization and regulation of something so perverse and contradictory to God's plan. However, I am not sure what course of action needs to be taken in countries that view the women in these brothels as less than human, similar to the African slaves you mentioned. I thought Sweden's plan implemented some creative ideas that seemed to have positive results by punishing the buyer instead of the seller. This would definitely protect girls who are forcibly offering their sexual services. I do not think there is any easy solution.<br /><br />As far as divisions among liberals and conservatives regarding any issue, the benefits that can arise from these include seeing more than one point of view. When you have differing ideas, there can be a middle ground found where compromise allows the most important factors to prevail. What would I do? I would look at both extremists' claims and attempt to offer a solution that acknowledges the potential difficulties on both sides of the issue.<br /><br />On Page 28, Nick is criticized by a native Indian for “interfering” in Indian affairs. Among other things, he accuses Nick of “Your stance...smacks of the Western missionary position of rescuing brown savages from their fate.” My opinion of this remark is that it's absurd. I will reply with by quoting the fictitious Dr. Quinn from the show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. In one of the episodes either the Indians or the black people were being legally mistreated. The reverend was defending his lack of protest because of the laws set forth by the government. Dr. Quinn says to him, "Reverend, I thought you answered to a higher law." I think her statement sums it up perfectly in that as humans, we have a primal obligation to protect life that supersedes any land boundaries.<br /><br />As far as getting to the grass roots, my opinion is that there is a purpose for every rung of an issue's ladder. There are those that do the field work who report it to those at the next level who ensure that the issue is a priority in raising awareness. Once the awareness is raised, some people will donate money in an effort to support those in the field. And, some of the awareness will spur some to get involved at the original grass roots level. It's all important. Are there times when too much talk occurs and not enough action? Sure. <br /><br />The opening story infuriated me in that the border patrol guard spoke with such hypocrisy and literally could not see that. I think the problem of sex slaver is of such magnitude that only God can guide any intervention and success. We can actively raise awareness and attempt to change the beliefs regarding the enslavement of young girls (and boys) for sex, but only He will be able to change the hearts of those that choose to engage in such atrocities. However, we can all ask Him what our part is in this war.Shannon Wallshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09381524906955498373noreply@blogger.com