tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post4291847504582372845..comments2023-10-26T09:33:13.107-05:00Comments on Jesus and Empire: An Imperial-Critical Perspective: The Enthronement of a New Emperor: Reflections on the so-called InaugurationRob G. Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04614387523998960402noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post-54466267741485833542009-03-01T15:39:00.000-06:002009-03-01T15:39:00.000-06:00Rob, I just wanted to say that I appreciate this p...Rob, I just wanted to say that I appreciate this post. I have been thinking and rethinking how imperialist America is, and even how in the past, people believed at one point in time, that empire building was wrong. Just look at William Jennings Bryan. Too bad he has been vilified. Keep up the good work, my friend.Rodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14847912389789698622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post-65990098479234922592009-01-22T13:39:00.000-06:002009-01-22T13:39:00.000-06:00I think, then, the question begs to be asked: is t...I think, then, the question begs to be asked: is the presidency (any presidency) salvific in any way? If yes then how and why, and if no, then why? I think there are numerous AIDS victims in Africa who would think of the Bush presidency as salvific, especially in the "socially grounded way" you referenced. Then the question becomes, if yes, then can we identify a more rather than less salvific president. <BR/>If salvation in this sense, is seen in individualistic terms, than I think the some will certainly see some elements of salvation within the policy, and (especially in the recent inauguration) the public even itself. <BR/>If it is seen in communal, or larger, terms, the difference in salvation becomes larger, and the policies reflected in the management of each executive office has more importance in the discussion, I think.dallasjghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833476340104415993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post-57488061987144220512009-01-22T13:19:00.000-06:002009-01-22T13:19:00.000-06:00Dallas, your points are well taken. And frankly, I...Dallas, your points are well taken. And frankly, I appreciate you making them. I would like to clarify several things. Firstly, while I believe the ceremonial activities are eerily similar to the Roman practice in the ancient world, I do not mean to imply that I naively "parallel" the accounts as though "this is that." Rather, my primary objective, which may or may not have been as clear in my post, was to observe the religious function of the ceremony to the average citizen, who may not critically reflect on the imperial power differentials and colonial concerns inherent in the political act. Somehow in our political process, it seems to me, the "president" has become something of a benefactor/savior figure, at least to some. Not salvific in an ontological, transcendent religious way, but in a socially grounded way--namely, similar to the modes by which Julio-Claudian Caesar's were portrayed as bestowing blessing, joy, and euaggelion at their accession, bringing peace to the world and harmony for all humanity (i.e. the Priene Calendar inscription being an amazing example of this type of move). Therefore, if I may, I would like to refocus the discussion on the **function** of the inauguration process within the socio-political atmosphere of the time. How was Obama portrayed? What did this event mean? Where, if anywhere, does the civil, nationalistic affection end and a religious affection begin with respect to Obama and his rulership?Rob G. Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04614387523998960402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post-74529723089793345322009-01-22T13:04:00.000-06:002009-01-22T13:04:00.000-06:00maybe i should've put that you "misunderestimated....maybe i should've put that you "misunderestimated."dallasjghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833476340104415993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1561908395439263053.post-58979658349846917162009-01-22T13:02:00.000-06:002009-01-22T13:02:00.000-06:00i think you underestimate the actual difference th...i think you underestimate the actual difference that policy makes in the making and remaking of power struggles within the real world. for instance, the constantinian take on the marriage of religious and civil power is completely reworked, equaling a different type of power dynamic completely in The City of God, meaning that while the powers did interact after augustine they were separate and competing powers, one sometimes having more control than the other, but different nonetheless. president obama's initial changes have been very real in reshaping the power dynamic within our setting (see: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/01/obama-delivers.html), regardless of an 80 million dollar price tag (also, how much revenue did d.c., maryland, etc generate from the inauguration?dallasjghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05833476340104415993noreply@blogger.com