The Gospel of Wealth

Verses 1-4; Translated from Neoliberal

was für eine Schweinerei!
Those who are fine!
dene wos ned guet geit

giengs besser

giengs dene besser

wos scho lang guet geit

those who fare badly

would be better off

would those fare better

that for long had been doing fine Continue reading “The Gospel of Wealth”

Wohlstands-Evangelium

Verse 1-4; Übersetzt aus dem Neoliberalen

was für eine Schweinerei!
Dene wos guet geit!
dene wos ned guet geit

giengs besser

giengs dene besser

wos scho lang guet geit

jenen, denen es nicht so gut geht,

ginge es besser

würde es denen besser gehen

denen es schon lange gut geht Continue reading “Wohlstands-Evangelium”

Bedingungsloses Grundeinkommen

Genug Heu für alle da! (photo credit: Jessica Jonker)

Die Idee eines bedingungslosen Grundeinkommens, wie es zur Zeit in der Schweiz oder in Kanada zur Diskussion steht, ist meines Erachtens ein relativ hilfloser, ökonomischer Ausdruck für die Tatsache dass jeder Mensch Würde hat und deshalb wichtig ist.

In einer Gesellschaft, die so dominiert ist von einem Weltbild der Wirtschaftlichkeit und Effizienz, in welcher menschliche Werte nebensächlich und zweitrangig werden, und in welcher unsere Umwelt und die Schöpfung bloss als ausbeutbare Ressourcen erachtet werden, braucht es wieder einmal einen Gedankenanstoss – so utopisch dieser scheinen mag – um uns in Erinnerung zu rufen, dass alle Menschen Solidarität und gegenseitige Rücksichtnahme brauchen um leben zu können.

Basic guaranteed income

Genug Heu für alle da!
There is enough for everyone! (photo credit: Jessica Jonker)

The idea of a basic guaranteed income, as it is being discussed right now in Switzerland or in Canada, is in my estimation a relatively helpless, economic expression of the fact that each human being has dignity and thus is important.

In a society, in which the paradigms of economy and efficiency are so dominant, in which human values become secondary considerations, and in which our environment and the creation are degraded to exploitable resources, we need another thoughtful hint – as utopian as it may seem – to remember that we as human beings need solidarity und mutual respect in order to live.

Enjoying the wealth – Das Geniessen von Wohlstand

Allium ursinum (Bärlauch; Wild Garlic) in the monastery garden at Rapperswil. This unassuming green is a welcomed addition to the early spring diet, providing a source of enjoyment and well-being for those who set out to harvest it.
Allium ursinum (Bärlauch; Wild Garlic) in the monastery garden at Rapperswil. This unassuming green is a welcomed addition to the early spring diet, providing a source of enjoyment and well-being for those who set out to harvest it.

Die deutsche Übersetzung folgt weiter unten.

Let us celebrate the beginning of spring, the season of fresh greens and hope. The thoughts on wealth were inspired by a comment on the story of the ascetic in the palace.

Celia shared her thoughts to the story: “People with wealth often feel guilty about being wealthy because there are so many in this world who live in poverty. Therefore, they cannot enjoy the wealth that they have because of those who have not. But what Love says is this: Enjoy it but do not be attached to it. We are invited to indulge in the luxuries that life has to offer but we need to remember that it does not really belong to us and therefore, we must be prepared to walk away from it, give it away and/or let it go at any time.”

There is much truth in her observations. The ascetic in the story never made any judgement on the wealth of the powerful. Nonetheless, I am very reluctant to endorse the enjoyment of wealth in such universal terms. Continue reading “Enjoying the wealth – Das Geniessen von Wohlstand”