“What life have you, if you have not life together? There is no life that is not in community, and no community not lived in praise of God.”
(T.S. Eliot: choruses from the play The Rock) “Then he turned to thanksgiving and remembered, with profound awareness, that he had great cause for thanksgiving, and that for many things. He took them one by one, giving thanks for each, and praying for each person that he remembered.” (Cry, the Beloved Country: ch. 36, p. 309) A theme one might extract from this novel is that community is an essential part of life. Without it, not only is the individual lost, but the family and even a country will break down. Bureaucracy cannot replace it. The novel depicts various groups of people (blacks, whites, poor, rich, religious, secular, children, adults, men, women) who are all longing for community: to belong. We see that it’s Stephen Kumalo’s faith community that lifts him up from complete despair. Why is community so important? Who or what is your community? How do you plan to remain in that community (or find a new one) when you graduate and move out on your own?
5 Comments
Nathaniel Haan
4/22/2024 12:31:42 pm
Community is probably one of the most important things in our earthly lives. Community is what keeps a person grounded. Community is a group of people that someone can depend on and relate to. When someone feels alone one of the best things they can do is find a community that helps them feel heard. My communities are my sports teams, my friends groups, and my family. I know in my future life I will always stay in contact with my family. I hope to remain in contact with as many of my close friends as I can, and I know in college that I will always have a community of sports teams because I am going to continue to play. The communities around me and in my life have done so much to help me and keep me going, and I know I will have to find and establish myself in more communities going into college.
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William LF
4/22/2024 03:19:19 pm
Genesis 2:18 "And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." God created us to be social creatures. Right now I am not apart of any community, and I am not currently looking for one. I don't go to a church that shares my faith, and I don't play any sports as of now. I don't really talk to my blood relatives often, or my friends when I'm outside of school. I might look for a community after I switch schools.
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Fernando
4/22/2024 03:48:28 pm
Community is a huge part of someones life it is where people usually make their friends and build their heritage. Your community is where you come from and where you are raised and with what people you are raised around. I don't plan to live in the same community in the future i plan to move out straight out of college not very far away but to a nice community where my job is close to. I plan to live in a big community that is very clean and nice.
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Elijah Trostel
4/23/2024 06:39:14 pm
A community is a body of people in a persons life that surround, support, and strengthen him. The Church, for instance, is a community, and as such, we are required to do the things listed beforehand to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. A community is so important mainly because it gives a member of the community a sense of belonging and strength. A community really brings forth the "Divided we fall, united we stand" mentality with it. My community is probably my classmates. We have all known each other for at least 3.5 years or longer. One of our teachers once compared us to a "band of brothers." I don't know if my classmates feel the same way, but I can easily see what they meant. I am sad that some of my classmates are leaving, and I truly hope that it doesn't break our community apart. I will miss them, and always keep the memories that we have made as a community together.
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Peter Caldwell
4/24/2024 02:57:14 pm
Community is important for many reasons. Accountability, your family and friends can help guide you through difficult situations and help you stay in line. Comfort and support, your community can help you when you are in need and be there for you when you fall. They are good for companionship and whether we like it or not we are social creatures are made for being with others.
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Non-Western LiteratureGuidelinesThe whole purpose of this assignment - whether you're reacting to an idea, sharing your own story, or analyzing the reading - is to discuss the ultimate issues of life. With that in mind, make sure that you: Archives
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