Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2021)
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon competing visions of what it should look like and none of these have achieved a cultural consensus. It is not because we don9t believe in justice, but we have lost our rationale for it. And we have become logically inconsistent. Most would still mimic <All men are created equal.= But do we really believe that? The statement implies Creator/Designer 4 and pur- pose. If you wear a watch and I asked you if it was a good watch, you would say yes if it told accurate time. If you used your watch to hammer nails, you would probably say it wasn9t a very good watch. The watch has a pur- pose created by the designer. When it fulfills its purpose we all smile. If we too are created/ designed, finding our pur- pose would begin to provide a rationale for justice. What is good or bad behavior? What are the rules? What conse- quences should follow? What rewards? How do we create a just society? How do we help everyone to live justly and flourish? Where do we find answers to these questions? Current justice theories swing from an emphasis on individualism (you are totally the product of your individual choices) to collectivism (you are wholly the product of social forces and structures). Like all theories they have some value, but as extreme standalones they end up cre- ating guillotines and gulags Cultivating Community IN SISTERS Steve Stratos Columnist Whose justice? As we look back on our country9s beginnings, a majority of us would agree, the Declaration of Independence was founda- tional to the success of our nation. History confirms this consensus, assuring us that abiding by the self-evident truths that <all men are cre- ated equal= should help everyone in the pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness. We organized around these truths to create a just society. Creating a cultural consensus seemed to make sense. Today we face a consen- sus problem when it comes to justice. What is fair? How do you define human rights? What is justice? While call- ing for justice we have many 4 confusion and destruction. Similar to the watch being used as a hammer. If America9s justice sys- tem seems broken, maybe we need to go back to the watch- maker. All the individual parts, unique and perfect, are designed for a specific pur- pose. They serve the watch- maker9s desire for efficiency, freedom, and harmony. But to achieve this, all the parts must work together for a greater purpose 4 to tell the right time. Individualism is a beauti- ful thing, but it comes with responsibility. Like the inner workings of a watch, we humans need to work together to create harmony for the col- lective, the community. This is the beginning of justice and human flourishing. So maybe in going back to the Declaration of Independence, we can find some rationale for true equal- ity and justice 4 and for what made the American experiment work. Here we will not find a perfect society, but one that started with a good foundation. Let9s build on that foundation 4 not cancel it! Yes, we have work to do! But let9s do it purpose- fully, thoughtfully, lovingly, and justly. We have a Watchmaker! And every individual part is created perfectly for the right time! Steve Stratos is the pas- tor of Sisters Community Church. 9 High Desert Chorale ready to sing out Wish for some harmony in your life? It might be time to join the Sisters High Desert Chorale and make some joy- ful noise. The Chorale is set to begin rehearsals next month for music to bring in the Christmas season. The Chorale is a com- munity-based group of singers who gather to prac- tice then present concerts in December celebrating the holiday season. Singers of all ages and abilities are welcome to the group. These free concerts resume a Sisters tradition that sig- nals the start of the holi- day season for many local residents. The Chorale has been a longtime hallmark of cho- rale excellence in a town that embraces art in all its forms. Under the direction of Connie Gunterman and with accompanist Donna Moyer, the Chorale offers music that celebrates the Christmas sea- son and brings good cheer to all who attend. This year will be especially welcome to our community after quarantines created a <silent night= last year. Weekly Monday-night practices start September 20 at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Members of the Chorale ask that prospective sing- ers be vaccinated against COVID-19. Concerts will be held at Sisters Community Church on December 3 and December 5. For more information contact Connie Gunterman at 541-588-0362. Definitely the place to go in Sisters for HOUSEPLANTS! 243 N. Elm St. Sisters 541-549-8198 WE DELIVER! Serving th e Sisters, Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Areas Ponderosa Properties R E A L T O R S 541-549-2002 A N D 1-800-650-6766 P R O P E R T Y L LLC M A N A G E M E N T www. P onderosa P roperties.com 221 S. Ash St., Sisters The Locals’ Choice for Real Estate Sales Rad Dyer 541-480-8853 Kevin R. Dyer 541-480-7552 Debbie Dyer 541-480-1650 Carol Davis 541-410-1556 Catherine Black 541-480-1929 Shane Lundgren 541-588-9226 Greg Davidge 808-281-2676 Jackie Herring 541-480-3157 Guy Lauziere 541-410-9241 ABR, CCIM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Principal Broker CRS, GRI, Principal Broker GRI, Broker Property Management ABR, GRI, Broker CRS, Broker, Realtor Emeritus – 40 Yrs. Broker Broker Broker Broker