“The idea that everybody gets what they deserve -good people get good things, and bad people get bad things – sounds like such a wonderful idea at first glance. But when you think about it, if it’s really true that we are all flawed and we all make mistakes, it means that we all need to be punished. So the state of fairness is where everyone is punished. That view of reality is sobering. Justice can’t be an end in itself.”
Scholar and author Charles Inouye discusses his book: The End of the World Plan B: A Guide for the Future.
Link to “The End of World Plan B”
Thanks! Charles Inouye’s synthesis of Buddhist and Mormon possible resolutions in a return to compassion really resonates with where I find my own blend of spirituality and urge to reach out to others. For example, my New Year’s resolution was to try to feel more deeply the love of God myself and to help others to feel it and be comforted by it. I was also fascinated with your reaction in terms of wanting to stick with demands for social justice. All three of my own adult kids are angry with the LDS church in very similar terms. I was also in my 20s-30s, but by my 40s, I was beginning to turn to where I am now. Maybe a generational question. Maybe also a reflection of what is religious and what is social? My own activism turned toward a lot of work for digital and social inclusion, away from trying to reform the church.
Joe – what is digital and social inclusion?
Loved this Gina. Having just listened to “Beyond Religion” by the Dalai Lama and the Pope Francis book “The Name of God Is Mercy” Charles Inouye feels right in line with these great devotees of Godly compassion. And he intelligently threads LDS theology into this notion. I vote Charles to be a guest speaker at the next General Conference. Thanks to both of you.
A favor: Can you have one of your kids do your intro again? I thought that was the best.
Haha Jay! They will only be too happy too! It was a lovely interview and Charles is brilliant and much needed in Mormonism today.
I loved this interview and want to read Charles’ book because of it. There was a moment where an “editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune” was mentioned and it made me curious. Can you tell me what it was? Thanks Gina, I love your interviews.
Thanks so much Sara. Its a terrific book – it really is.