Dear reader,
In today’s issue:
Disproving Evolution: The Court Rules on Religion in Education
Modern Tribes: Is Interdependence the Root of Happiness?
The Supper Club: Strangers Combating Isolation
…intertwined with a little bit of poetry and photography.
Enjoy!
I don’t often write about law school (mostly because I think y’all don’t want to read about it. Fair.), but my “Religion and the First Amendment” course inspired a most interesting discussion this month…
DISPROVING EVOLUTION: The Court Rules on Religion in Education
The history of the intertwining of religion and the government in the United States is a fascinating one that extends from one extreme to the other.
In 1630, John Winthrop, a preacher for Massachusetts Bay colony, famously gave his sermon “A Model of Christian Charity” where he wrote that it was the duty of the new Americans to shine like an example to the world, a “city on a hill.”
However, centuries later in 1944, the Supreme Court case United States v. Ballard published that “man’s relation to God was made no concern of the state” and we should “answer to no man for the variety of his religious views.” This is a far cry from Winthrop’s sermon to the early Massachusetts colonists.
Today, the protection of our beliefs is absolute. The right to believe whatever you will is the only absolute rights enshrined in the Constitution through the Bill of Rights (amendments to the Constitution), despite what popular opinion might lead you to believe.
The government may, however, restrict practice that is dangerous or a threat to public welfare. What does this look like? Read more about the history of caselaw and religion in education in my most recent article: Disproving Evolution: The Court Rules on Religion in Education
The government will question sincerity of belief.
But it will not question the truth.
MODERN TRIBES: Is Interdependence the Root of Happiness?
Are we meant to be in tribes? In his book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, Sebastian Junger makes the argument that human beings are becoming increasingly isolated.
In countries like the United States, citizens value space, owning their own property; they choose to drive alone over utilizing public transit and are not inclined to ask for anything, even a cup of sugar from a neighbor. People ignore each other on the streets and even in the confines of the cramped subway or intimate cafe. And this is destroying mental health.
According to self-determination theory, there are three basic things a human needs to feel content:
They need to feel competent at what they do (competence)
They need to feel free and authentic in their lives (autonomy)
They need to feel connected to others (relatedness)
Notice that none of these are extrinsic values, like “have a house” or “financial independence.” In fact, a 2015 George Washington Law Review study surveyed over 6,000 lawyers and found that there was zero correlation between their happiness and income, with the lowest-income lawyers, public defenders, reporting significantly happier lives.
The Journal of Affective Disorders summarizes this issue as, “In effect humans have dragged a body with a long hominid history into an overfed, malnourished, sedentary, sunlight-deficient, sleep-deprived, competitive, inequitable, and socially-isolating environment with dire consequences.”
In fact, the times when people appear the most connected and unified is often in disaster. Junger cites lower crime rates following Louisiana hurricanes and Londoners coming together in communities during the anarchy following WWII bombings. Hardship reminds us of our common humanity.
Hardship reminds us of our common humanity.
I can attest, from my experience walking the Camino, everyone talked to each other, everyone walked together, and if someone was hungry, tired, or injured, we took care of each other. At one point, my foot gave out while I was walking (strained tendon), and I keeled over a bit. Two women who had been walking a ways ahead of me, back-tracked to help me out. In towns, pilgrims would regularly share necessities, buy each other cafe con leches, and loan walking sticks, hats, etc.
Perhaps people are meant to live with a tribal mentality. When we spend our time looking out for the other, we feel competent and connected.
What can you do?
Donate clothing to your parish or homeless shelters.
Talk to people on the streets. Don’t plug in earbuds, it’s astonishing how much technology makes good people disconnect from their surroundings.
Interact with people as you walk, from smiles and nods to conversations on transportation.
Work at a soup kitchen or volunteer; buy food for a homeless person.
Bring your friends food when they’re sick or offer to drop off groceries.
Drive someone to the airport. No one should ever need to drive themselves.
Give your friends gifts and write letters.
Pope John Paul II says that man can only find himself through a sincere gift of self. Maybe our society isn’t conducive to living within walking distance of those we love, but we can choose to give ourselves to strangers - nay, fellow humans - every day.
SUPPER CLUB: Strangers Combating Isolation
Isolation is clearly a problem. Having moved around a good bit, I’ve felt it and been inclined to isolate instead of pressing into local communities, but connection, as much effort as it takes, is so important.
To combat this plight, this past year I have been hosting dinner parties around Charleston, SC. The idea was born out of a similar “Supper Club” a friend of mine from Oxford was doing in England, where young adults could sign up via app to participate in large dinners with strangers.
Moving to Charleston, I noticed the culture has a massive social scene centered around going out to bars, but young adults are still feeling isolated. So many people I talked to expressed dissatisfaction in their personal lives and a craving to have deeper conversation.
So, I started my own, small Supper Club.
“A conversation is a dialogue & a dance”
For Supper Club, I wait until I have met around ten people, strangers to each other, but people who I think would enjoy each others’ company…
Then, I choose a restaurant. Typically, one with a quieter atmosphere, conducive to conversation, good drinks, and a large table (preferably rounded). These requirements are specific, but they help facilitate the evening. When creating an experience, a space for conversation, every detail matters.
Hand written invitations come next, containing the details of the evening, where to meet, and the rules.
The Rules are simple.
Formality: Attendees are encouraged to dress up. Formality adds gravitas to the evening, making everyone take each other more seriously.
No mention of work, school, or age: Immediately cuts out small talk. We’re here for a short time and for good conversation. Attendees are provided question cards with ideas for other things to discuss.
No phones at the table: Attendees are encouraged to be entirely present.
I won’t spoil all the fun here, in case you have the opportunity to attend. But the evening consists of a combination of drink recommendations, games, waiter-participation, and questions.
According to at study by the University of Oxford, “Communal eating increases social bonding and feelings of wellbeing, and enhances one’s sense of contentedness and embedding within the community.”
And yet, the same study reveals that the average adult eats 10 out of 21 weekly meals alone, mostly due to a busy schedule.
So, whether it’s planning your own dinner party, a weekly roommate dinner, or inviting a coworker along with you to walk to lunch on break, get out there and socialize. It’s good for you.
POEM OF THE MONTH
“The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.”
Emily Dickinson, on Fall…
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Trevor & Marissa’s Elopement in Brevard, NC. View the gallery here!
With love,
— Em
Let’s start a conversation:
Absolutely love. well done. you consistently inspire me with your musings Emma! cheers to cultivating connection and community!