Trust in the System[s]

    In whom do we trust? What systems, beliefs, governments, people, institutions, do we trust and put our faith in? I just watched the last episodes of "The Chosen" last night with much of my family. We are snowed in, safe from the cares of much of the world, this weekend, like...

    Thousands of citizens of Iran who were killed or jailed in the last few weeks, fed up with their meager, economically savaged lives. About five thousand dead, with maybe many thousands of others detained. Iran is not in a happy way.

    Nor is Ukraine, nor Sudan, nor Russia, really. Venezuela is better off now, we think, despite all the hub bub of the overnight removal of their strong man and his woman. Maduro and Cilia Flores.

    Meanwhile, in the United States, we are struck by cold water and snow and ice, some have died from that, but sadder still, because of aggrieved feelings by many, there are two protestors killed in a week, plus quite a few detainments that are disturbing, of toddlers or small kids of five years. Senators and governors and others are opposed, against these rather draconian measures to remove illegals.

    There are many protests around the country, including locally, with the kids at our schools.

    Religiously, many of us posit faith and trust, hope and confidence in Jesus Christ. The Chosen series sums up a lot of those beliefs and hopes. Then there are our churches and organizations, the institutions of our holy practices and beliefs. How do we work and function within our societies?

    Our work places, neighborhoods, clubs and sports groups.

    Our taxes and law enforcement and justice systems, the ways that we pay for education, how we work, what we wish to work towards... Building up wealth and retirement savings. Planning, executing our life plans.

    How do we build it? In what do we put our efforts and hopes?

    Are we philanthropic? What do we give to charities and others? Adultery commandments help us stay married, this is true for most, yes? The institution of fidelity, of not lying, not taking others' lives or property.

    In who and what do we trust? How do we maintain our goals and standards? Can we trust ourselves? Can I trust my family? My neighbors? The local police and medical personnel? The firefighters?

    The military, the local school boards, administrators and teachers? Civilian drivers and other people in traffic? Can we trust systems to keep our planet in order? Environmentally? Orderly, clean?

    Can we be trusted to do the right things, and look out for ourselves now and into the future?

    Discuss.