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Four Tests of a Scapegoat - Gracearchy with Jim Babka 166
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About this episode
Is every alleged criminal in the dock a scapegoat? How can you tell when someone actually is a scapegoat? In the immediately previous episode (165), Bill asked Jim if Fauci is a scapegoat. Jim said no, but he also sensed that his reasoning was insufficient to answer Bill's pressing question. What are the timeless standards? This episode IS NOT ABOUT ANY ONE PERSON - not limited to the current headline. It's timeless. You'll be able to repeatedly apply it to future social conflicts. Oh, and Bill catches Jim off-guard. Jim learns something new, right in front of you! You'll learn things too, if you tune in.
Primer: Rene Girard explains that religions, nations, and states are founded on sacrifice - the sacred murder of someone who possesses partial or complete innocence. That person is the scapegoat. The grossly oversimplified version (go watch episode 88) goes like this...
Desire is modeled.
An imitator covets.
Rivalry ensues.
The contagion spreads; an angry mob forms.
Violence breaks out. There might even be a war.
The scapegoat is blamed for the violence and killed.
Peace returns, so the scapegoat becomes sacred.
Taboos and rituals arise so the community can avoid repeating the war.
If Girard is right, then this process has profound implications to sociology, theology, and plain old politics.
SHOW REFERENCES
88: René Girard: The Founding of Religion and State https://youtu.be/dL8Err6K778
The Rene Girard Playlist at YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLop5COwTfeX727RXjBsStfIcnDcieZZzi
121: Daryl Davis Pt 1, Biography of his work: https://youtu.be/Yu-j3zvD2o8
122: Daryl Davis Pt 2, Fighting Racism with Grace: https://youtu.be/ceL600_kQi0
165: Is Anthony Fauci Just a Scapegoat? - https://youtu.be/Q4OUSUhXP0o
CHAPTERS
0:00 The relevance of sin
1:03 Theme
1:36 Purpose - Four ways
3:28 Girardian caveats
5:05 Sacrifice, It is finished
6:28 That's not very graceful
9:08 Non-Culpability test
11:38 De-mythologizing sacred violence
13:20 Motive Check test
20:46 Rivalry test
23:57 Catharsis or Reflection
26:17 Who are my victims?
35:21 The Desires that lead to violence
39:32 Restoration or Vengeance? test
42:34 Putting it all together
CREDITS
Bill Protzmann is your moderator.
This episode is sponsored by Zero Aggression Project. https://zeroaggressionproject.org/
Thank you to Randy Garbin for our amazing episode thumbnails: http://randygarbin.com/
We are grateful to Sergio at https://www.youtube.com/@KeysofMoonMusic for our intro theme.
► https://www.patreon.com/user?u=10500501
or
you can purchase his music on BandCamp:
► https://keysofmoon.bandcamp.com/
► If you have any questions please feel free to write to Sergio at: [email protected]
Be grace-full to each other.
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