
1. Original Sin, Part 63: The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
Prior essays have shown how Original Sin can be understood as the
scapegoating process, which has led to massive suffering among humans and
nonhumans. It helps little to avoid scapegoating certain individuals while
countenancing the scapegoating of other individuals. Doing so invariably
leads to widespread scapegoating in times of crisis. Let us to return to the
Garden of Eden story, which helps us understand the scapegoating process
and, perhaps, will help us find ways to transcend this universal human
tendency.
It is remarkable that the forbidden fruit comes from the tree of knowledge
of good and evil. One would expect that this knowledge would be necessary
for morality, which in turn could promote just treatment of other
individuals. I think knowledge of good and evil is a double-edged sword. On
the one, it does generate the possibility of ethical behavior. On the other
hand, it goes hand-in-hand with the knowledge there are multiple
possibilities in the future. The choices we make impact our life experiences
and those of others. This recognition allows us to be both hopeful and
fearful about the future. Fearfulness, for example about changes in health,
wealth, or social status, encourages us to take measures to try to protect
ourselves against both the vicissitudes of life and the inevitability of
declining health.
Aware that there are perils that threaten well-being, we tend to hoard
resources and take measures to protect ourselves against possible enemies.
These activities invariably lead to scarcity and victimization. Scarcity and
victimization in turn activate the scapegoating process, which justifies and
promotes violence and injustice. There was no violence in the Garden of
Eden, where God had instructed Adam, Eve, and all creatures to eat only
plant foods and even the plants themselves were not killed. Knowledge of
good and evil made Adam and Eve fearful of the future and inclined to harm
others to protect themselves.
Adam and Evil were banished from the Garden. It could not be a utopia if
occupants were fearful of the future. Next week, I will consider what Jesus
said about this.
Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.
2. Activist Feedback
Winter Jam Jacksonville, January 11, 2019
Booklet total: 250
The volunteer reported that leafleting went very well. She arrived early and
the lines were already long and winding. "It was really cold and people were
huddled together, I think the cold made them less receptive but most were
eager to try the Primal samples and agreed to take the booklets. All in all,
I consider it a success because I handed out quite a few leaflets and many
people seemed genuinely interested." She plans to distribute the remaining
booklets on her own.
Winter Jam Tampa, January 12, 2019
Booklet total: 1,200
A team of five volunteers reported the Tampa WJ was a great experience. They
shared it was a fun afternoon of volunteering where "lots of seeds of
compassion were planted."
Upcoming Activist Opportunities
Contact Lorena atlorenavalenziveg@gmail.comif
you can help. Winter Jam in particular is great venue. Be the voice for the
voiceless!
02/10/2019 OK, Tulsa
Winter Jam 2019
02/10/2019 IN, Indianapolis
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
02/14/2019 PA, Reading
Winter Jam 2019
02/15/2019 PA, Pittsburgh
Winter Jam 2019
02/16/2019 OH, Cincinnati
Winter Jam 2019
02/21/2019 MS, Tupelo
Winter Jam 2019
02/21/2019 FL, Jacksonville
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
02/21/2019 VA,
RichmondCasting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
02/22/2019 TN,
KnoxvilleWinter Jam 2019
02/23/2019 MA, Springfield
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
02/23/2019 NC, Greensboro
Winter Jam 2019
02/24/2019 VA, Norfolk
Winter Jam 2019
02/28/2019 MO, Springfield
Winter Jam 2019
02/28/2019 OH,
ToledoTobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/01-02-19 VA, Fairfax
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/01/2019 LA, Bossier
City Winter Jam 2019
03/02/2019 OK, Oklahoma City
Winter Jam 2019
03/03/2019 TX, Austin
Winter Jam 2019
03/08/2019 TN, Nashville
Winter Jam 2019
03/09/2019 KY,
LouisvilleWinter Jam 2019
03/09/2019 PA, Pittsburgh
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
03/10/2019 TN, Chattanooga
Winter Jam 2019
03/10/2019 MI, Grand Rapids
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/14/2019 AR, North Little Rock
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/15/2019 SC, Columbia
Winter Jam 2019
03/15-16/19TX, Grand Prarie
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/16/2019 NC, Asheville
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
03/16/2019 GA, Atlanta
Winter Jam 2019
03/22/2019 NC,
RaleighWinter Jam 2019
03/23/2019 WV,
CharlestonWinter Jam 2019
03/23/2019 PA, Pittsburgh
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/24/2019 SC, Greenville
Winter Jam 2019
03/24/2019 IL, Peoria
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
03/27/2019 NY,
AlbanyTobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour
03/28/2019 MO,
SpringfieldMercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
03/29/2019 TN, Memphis
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
03/29/2019 PA, Philadelphia
TobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/29/2019 IN,
IndianapolisWinter Jam 2019
03/30/2019 PA, State College
Winter Jam 2019
03/30/2019 FL, Jacksonville
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
03/30/2019 OK, Oklahoma City
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
03/31/2019 OH,
ColumbusTobyMac Hits Deep Tour
03/31/2019 OH, Cleveland
Winter Jam 2019
04/04/2019 AZ, Glendale
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
04/05/2019 CA, Los
AngelesMercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
04/06/2019 IN, Indianapolis
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/12/2019 MN, Minneapolis
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/13/2019 OR, Portland
Mercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
04/14/2019 SD, Sioux Falls
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/18/2019 SC, Greenville
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/19/2019 NC,
RaleighCasting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/25/2019 MI, Grand Rapids
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
04/26/2019 OH,
CincinnatiMercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
04/27/2019 MO, St. Charles
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
05/04/2019 FL,
OrlandoMercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
05/05/2019 FL,
TampaMercy Me Imagine Nation Tour
09/26/2019 WA, Spokane
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
09/27/2019 OR, Portland
Casting Crowns Only Jesus Tour
Tabling
02/24/2019 FL, Bonita
SpringsSWFL Vegfest
03/02/2019 FL,
Jacksonville8th Annual Northeast Florida Veg
Fest
03/09/2019 FL, Tallahassee
North Florida Vegfest
03/23-24/19 CA, North Hollywood
Vegan Street Fair
03/27/2019 FL,
Orlando2nd Annual Vegfest @ UCF
03/30/2019 IN, Indianapolis
INDY Vegfest
03/30-31/19 WA, Seattle
Vegfest
03/31/2019 FL, Sanford
Health Fest
04/06/2019 TN, Nashville
Nashville Vegfest
04/06/2019 TX, Austin
Texas Vegfest
04/14/2019 Al, Birmingham
Alabama Vegan Fest
04/28/2019 MI,
NoviMichigan VegFest 2019
05/04/2019 CA, Santa Clarita
SCV Veg Fest
05/05/2019 CA, Encino
Los Angeles VegFest
05-18-19/19 NY, New York
NYC Vegetarian Food Festival
05/18/2019 OH, Cincinnati
Cincy VegFest 2019
05/18/2019 OH, Cleveland 2019
Cleveland VegFest
06/07-9/19 MO, Kansas City
VegFest KC 2019
06/08/2019 PA,
PhiladelphiaVegFest
06/09/2019 NC, Asheville
VegFest
07/20/2019 CT, Hamden
5th Annual Compassionfest
07/27-28/19 CO, Denver
VegFest Colorado
07/27/2019 WA, Spokane
Spokane VegFest
08/10-11/19 IL, Lisle
Veggie Fest 2019
08/15-25/19 NY, Camp Walden
Woodstock Fruit Festival
09/08/2019 NY, Albany
Albany Vegfest
09/22/2019 MI, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Veg Fest
11/09/2019 GA, Duluth
Atlanta Veg Fest 2019
11/10/2019 AZ, Tucson
VegOut!Tucson Vegan Food Festival 2019
3. All-Creatures.Org Ministry