TRANSPARTISAN.NET
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From: Bruce S.
Date: Monday, October 13, 2008, 4:36 PM
Subject: Transpartisan.Net
ID: 265238

There is a gathering momentum for "transpartisan" approaches to politics. At the recent AGNT conference, Barbara Marx Hubbard spoke about the upcoming conference, being held in Colorado in February, for exploring and developing transpartisan approaches to American democracy.

http://transpartisan.net/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Event%20Description_Web&category=American% 20Citizens%20Summit

Her ideas on "the wheel" will be incorporated into this discussion.

http://network.transpartisan.net/

This afternoon, I've been exploring the Transpartisan web site, and composed a comment for their blog, in response to something written by their founder, Joseph McCormick.

Here's his message, and my comment.

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WHAT DOES TRANSPARTISAN MEAN TO YOU?

http://network.transpartisan.net/forum/topic/show?id=2175640%3ATopic%3A305

by Joseph McCormick

Based on conversations I've had over the past few years here's the definition I like...transpartisanship acknowledges the validity of truths across a range of political perspectives and seeks to synthesize them into an inclusive, pragmatic whole beyond typical political dualities. In practice, transpartisan solutions emerge out of a new kind of public conversation that moves beyond polarization by applying proven methods of facilitated dialogue, deliberation and conflict resolution. In this way it is possible to achieve the ideal of a democratic republic by integrating the values of a democracy -- freedom, equality, and a regard for the common good, with the values of a republic -- order, responsibility and security.

Reply:

Dear Joseph McCormick --

Thanks for putting this project together, and getting these essential elements into a clear and coherent framework, where they can grow. This is something we badly need, and some of us need to take the plunge, so I am glad you are doing it.

Just by way of replying to your comment (which, if I understand this site, has not yet received a reply), I do very much agree with your point of view -- in that yes, we need to do everything possible to "encourage a spirit of dialogue" in the context of American democracy. So, I do accept and enthusiastically support all the values you have included and listed -- here, in this comment, and on other pages of this "transpartisan" web site.

With my background in "interfaith", and stemming from years of work and exploration involving "what religions have in common" -- or maybe "the universal spirit expressed through (almost) any religion" -- I might want to add something to your definition.

Think about this. We have this huge issue in the USA -- stemming from "the Establishment Clause". And with good reason -- at least up 'til now. We do NOT want an official state religion, and we don't want a theocracy -- as per Iran, for example. BUT - does that mean that we must then necessarily be "a nation without spiritual guidance?"

It's a subtle issue. Does church/state separation mean we have to rely on secular humanism as a source of ethics and virtue in society, because any approach to "spirit" is inherently parochial, and must be disallowed in the public square?

I feel called to invite some deliberation of this issue. My feeling is: the entire transpartisan agenda and vision can be very much empowered and accelerated -- when this conjunction with universal spirit begins to be recognized and incorporated.

And, it seems to me -- this idea is in no way inconsistent with your proposal and definition -- because all of these concepts you are proposing -- can be understood as legitimate and even traditional expressions of what some of us might call "The Holy Spirit". If this is true, and can be shown clearly -- then, perhaps we are finding a way to introduce the power of the Spirit into our collective deliberations, without losing our ground in Deep Center...

Democracy: freedom, equality, regard for the common good
Republic: order, responsibility, security
Spirit: joy, grace, humility, co-creativity, collaboration, the genius of community....

It feels to me -- that adding this element of spirit -- fully connects us back to the energies of "the founding fathers" and the core vision that has made America great. Spirit HAS been a motivating driver in the evolution of American civilization -- and perhaps we are now beginning to uncover new ways to understand spirit, in ways that can be incorporated into secular and public affairs, without the distorting influences of some particular religion. Yes, this is a lot to ask for. But perhaps something like this is deeply inherent in "the American destiny". Combine the creative power of deep spirit with the balanced authenticity and inclusion of transpartisan politics, and we have a formula for an inspiring and transformative revolution in our national identity.

http://interspirit.net/spirit