Book Study Group: Love Your Enemies by Arthur C. Brooks

Rev. John Beach, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saugus is hosting a book study group on Zoom each Sunday at 1 pm beginning on June 28th. The book the group will study is:

Love Your Enemies:  How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt  By Arthur C. Brooks

From Rev. Beach: “The pandemic and the murder of George Floyd have revealed much of about who we are as a people.   Some of us are surprised at what we have discovered about ourselves, and to others it has been painfully obvious for their whole lives.  Many of us live in social bubbles surrounded by like minded people and grow more entrenched in our perspectives.  We have lost both the desire and the ability to engage in meaningful conversation with those with whom we disagree.

Our disagreement has transformed into disgust towards those with opposing views.  When we have become so distrustful, it becomes incumbent upon decent people to re-establish lines of communication.  The police cannot do this. Those who have a vested interest in preserving the status quo will never do this. 

One small step I would like to take in re-establishing trust is to lead a Zoom study, supported by the Saugus Public Library, of the book  Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt by New York Times best seller Arthur C. Brooks.  We will be meeting each Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. beginning on June 28th. 

It is important that we realize that we will not always agree.  We shall indeed have heated arguments about matters that are extremely important to us.  It is important, as well, to refrain from falling into contempt, that is to say a visceral disgust towards those with whom we disagree.

For more information, I offer this brief video which provides an introduction to the book

I invite all interested persons to email me, and I will send you a zoom invitation.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.”

Peace,  John

The Rev. John Beach

St. John’s Episcopal Church

8 Prospect Street

Saugus, Massachusetts 01906

johntbeach@comcast.net

 


Published: June 24th, 2020

Author: Alan Thibeault