Sibylline Wisdom

The SIBYLLINE ORACLES are theological writings of pagan, Jewish, and Christian origin.  They were written between the second century BCE and the fifth century CE.  The following are SO 2.319-24:

THE EARTH WILL BELONG EQUALLY TO ALL,

UNDIVIDED BY WALLS OR FENCES.  IT WILL

THEN BEAR MORE ABUNDANT FRUITS SPONTANEOUSLY.

LIVES WILL BE IN COMMON AND WEALTH WILL

HAVE NO DIVISION.  FOR THERE WILL BE NO POOR

MAN THERE, NO RICH, NO TYRANT, NO SLAVE. 

FURTHER, NO ONE WILL BE EITHER GREAT OR SMALL

ANYMORE.  NO KINGS, NO LEADERS.  ALL WILL

BE ON A PAR TOGETHER.

Apart from the wisdom, justice, peace, and compassion of these oracles, these remarkable oracles are the outcome of the combined wisdom of three traditions: pagan, Jewish, and Christian.  I do not think any of the traditions "sold out" the core of its tradition.  Indeed, the meaning of the SO expresses the character of each tradition.

Two points to consider: 

1) The above SO provide a vision for the preferred direction of national purpose. There is an equality, a common life sense, a power in the hands of everyone, an all for all sense that is community nurturing.  Call it SHALOM.  Eden in Genesis reflects this vision.  When ISAIAH speak of the "wolf shall lie with the lamb", we have a vision of the SO.  Jesus' Sermon on the Mount exudes this spirit.  

This vision is crucially helpful for addressing the inequality in our national and global realities. The social and political inequities between the global north and south are glaringly painful to behold.  Within the north, the similar inequities exist between the growing division among the ultra-rich, the middle, and the lower classes.  Furthermore, the arrogance of the rich and powerful, the corporate priority of profit over people, the influence of greed over generosity, beg for a correction.  The SYBYLLINE ORACLES  provide correction.

Our American political gridlock can also benefit from taking the SO to heart.  Our representatives are elected to move us towards this goal.  Partisan ideology is meant to provide balance not inaction. America at its origins was not intended to be a society of survival of the fittest.  America is a nation where all people are to have an equal chance at creating a future of hope and fulfillment through honest labor, common rights, and adherence to common law, in the quest of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".  America is to be a state of being where the people can all have enough for family and community, which will lead to national and global good.

2)  If the SO can evolve from three somewhat competing traditions, our political parties can also combine traditions to form a common POLITICAL ORACLE, with the point being not to dominate and smother the other, but to combine the best of their ideology which nourish the common good. There is something to be said for the Republican virtues of individualism, initiative, freedom from too much regulation, a respect for states' rights, smaller government, and reasonable taxation.  Similarly, the Democrats' focus on the proper place of government, concern for the common good, we're in this together, higher taxes for the sake of service for all, the need for strong regulatory control, and a heart for the minority, are vital for our national well-being.  Both are committed to a strong military, family values, and both have shades of the other party.

America is a democracy, a cauldron of diversity, where you can win with 50.1%. But this does not mean that the views and lives of the other 49.9% are invalid.  Even though the balance of influence is tipped, the other side must still be honored.  ALL are Americans, ALL are citizens of the world, ALL are created in the Image of God.

Hence, the wisdom of the SIBYLLINE ORACLES: Together, seeking the common ground, taking the best from each other for the sake of the country and the world, and writing a common political and economic oracle.  Defeating and dominating the other side breeds destruction and despair.  We are all losers.  Just take a look around.

Hear ye, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Tea Partiers, Occupy Wall Streeters!  The reality is that you each have good ideas at your core.  Take the best for the sake of the the ALL.  Share your power, practice humility, give and take.  The future of the nation and world are at stake.

Peace!