The FP Interview: "Broken Strings, Missing Notes" Author Larry J. Eriksson

The FP Interview: Author Larry J. Eriksson

FP: Who is Larry J. Eriksson?

LE: I live with my wife, Karen, in Madison, Wisconsin. We have two married children and four grandchildren. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and worked for more than 35 years in the corporate world as an engineer, manager, officer, and director. Throughout my professional career, I have been active in a variety of leadership roles within our church and community. Since 1998, I have worked as an independent consultant in management and technology as well as a writer and speaker on a variety of business and social justice issues. I am a member of Advent Lutheran Church which is a partner with the Community of Hope United Church of Christ congregation in the Madison Christian Community.

FP: Why should people buy your new book, “Broken Strings, Missing Notes: Strengthening Democracy and Seeking Justice in a Nation Out of Tune”?

LE: My book presents a unique holistic view of the political, economic, and religious conflicts that have emerged since the 2000 elections and suggests new ways to restore harmony to a nation torn apart by conservative extremists and religious fundamentalists. Progressives would find this book valuable -- both for their own reading as well as to jump-start conversations with others who are not aware of the degree to which our current national leaders have turned their backs on our country's guiding principles and distorted our religious traditions.

FP: How did you come up with the title “Broken Strings, Missing Notes"?

LE: About four years ago, depressed by the election of George W. Bush, I began taking violin lessons and soon realized that a well-tuned violin can serve as a useful metaphor for a healthy democratic society. And so, the "broken strings" represent the damaged democratic processes revealed by the 2000 and 2004 elections as well as the lives damaged by the failures of our society to meet the needs of all of its citizens. The "missing notes" reflect our lost memories of the past as well as the inability of all citizens to participate fully in our life together. The violin serves as a metaphor throughout the book and ties together its various themes.

FP: What are the "guiding fictions" that you discuss in the book? Can a nation have dangerous "guiding fictions"?

LE: I have adopted a concept presented by Nicholas Shumway, in his book The Invention of Argentina, in which he suggests that a nation's success often depends on its ability to formulate a broadly accepted set of aphorisms that he describes as "guiding fictions." They are fictional in the sense that they are not literally true, although there must be some truth behind them. And perhaps more importantly, guiding fictions represent what the nation values and hopes to achieve. For the present, they encourage compliance with societal norms and structures. For the future, they encourage a spirit of reform and renewal. In the United States, our guiding fictions include such phrases as "all men are created equal" and "America is the land of opportunity." At face value, these statements are demonstrably false. They are fictions that were never literally true and probably never will be. For example, although our Constitution contains legal protections that apply to all members of society regardless of their social rank or wealth, many citizens fail to receive full access to the rights that it claims to guarantee. In addition, although our country remains in many ways a land of opportunity for many people, the opportunities often come at great sacrifice and are not equally available to all. Nonetheless, there is considerable truth in both statements, and they continue to inspire our nation to do a better job.

Our country has usually endorsed guiding fictions that serve to unify rather than divide, to endorse fundamental human rights, and to support our democratic processes. Some examples include "every vote counts" and "the American Dream." They have united and inspired our nation towards greatness. Their simplicity and appeal have also captured the imagination of many others throughout the world. Some common American aphorisms are less than inspiring. These include "father knows best," "trust me," "it's for your own good," and "might makes right." These aphorisms are more about power and control than inspiration. In evaluating new guiding fictions or principles, we need to ask ourselves several questions. Will these principles lead to a healthier, more just and sustainable society? Will they unite or divide? Will the future be more open or closed? Some of our national leaders have recently endorsed the dangerous guiding fiction that "God is on our side." There is little factual basis for such a claim and rather than inspire our country, it tends to encourage an arrogant confidence that can lead us down the wrong path.

FP: What does it take for new and positive guiding fictions to emerge?

LE: They should have a balance between truth and inspiration. Statements of the naked truth are often uninspiring pessimism. Successful guiding fictions include a degree of inspiring overstatement. On good example from the civil rights movement is "one man (person), one vote." Another more recent example is the title of the book by Hillary Clinton "It Takes a Village" (to Raise a Child). Both examples reflect reality and inspire us towards improving our electoral processes in the first case and building healthier communities in the second.

FP: You write that “a healthy political opposition is essential to a strong democracy.” How can we improve what you call the “immune system” of a healthy democracy? What is the role of progressive people of faith in offering up a healthy and positive opposition?

LE:Our nation's "immune system" includes the various institutions and processes that serve to protect us from the misuse of power by our government. These include the media, the political opposition, the judiciary, and our elective processes. Today more than ever, we need to strengthen and diversify our societal immune system. This includes encouraging independent voices and meaningful opposition from the media, political organizations, labor unions, churches, and educational institutions. It requires an independent judiciary. It also requires regular, fair, and open elections. People of faith need to not only participate in this process through progressive religious organizations, but also by working within progressive secular institutions in our democracy.

FP: Late in the book, there is a very moving section where you describe how you were able to free yourself from your own “guiding fictions,” your conservative Christian background and outlook. Would you tell us about that transformation?

LE: Many years ago, during my freshman year at Northwestern University, I encountered students, professors, and a minister at our Lutheran student center who challenged my politics, my belief in a literal Bible, my basic assumptions about life. I learned theological distinctions and nuances that were new to me. At first, I resisted these challenges to my personal beliefs. I was a successful debater in high school and enjoyed a good argument. However, as time went on, I found it increasingly difficult to reconcile my early beliefs with my rapidly evolving knowledge of the world. For awhile, I felt trapped between either having to forsake what I regarded as my essential identity or closing my mind to what I was learning. When I least expected it, a transformation occurred. Late one night, while walking back to my dorm, it suddenly occurred to me that I could change my views without losing my personal identity. My spirituality did not depend upon a literal interpretation of the Bible. It was like a cloud had lifted. From that evening forward, the world was a different place.

FP: What does this tell progressives about reaching and converting people from more conservative backgrounds?

LE: Whenever we present new ideas to people, we need to recognize that transformative change is threatening. One way to minimize the threatening nature of progressive ideas to those from conservative or fundamentalist backgrounds is to help them understand that they can change without losing their personal identity. One approach is to use language that is familiar to them. This means that when we speak to business folks, we must be able to talk about our progressive values within the context and language of business -- production, efficiencies, profits, investments, and income. When we speak to political leaders, we need to speak of our founding documents and political history. When we speak to conservative Christians, we must use a theological context and religious language to communicate our values. A excellent place to begin is with the Gospels since they express progressive values in a context that conservatives can appreciate and understand. Once progressives and conservatives come to see that the Bible can be read to support both perspectives, it may be possible to move beyond citing Biblical proof texts and pursue the broader meaning beyond the words.


FP: Who are your favorite thinkers and writers in the area of politics, religion and theology?

LE: I read a great deal on a highly diverse of subjects by many different authors. Among my favorite theological figures are Joseph Sittler (particularly for his careful use of language), Paul Tillich, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I have also enjoyed more recent books by Arundhati Roy (particularly for the personal force behind her writing), Joan Chittister, Ursula LeGuin, and Azar Nafisi, among many others.

FP: Many people feel frustrated by both the perception of religious people and with the reality of the Bush Administration, how can they best overcome these feelings and present a positive alternative?

LE: As I discuss in my book, we should work for cooperation rather than legalism, pluralism rather than exclusivism, and consensus over confrontation. We need to reclaim the prophetic language and vision of the Bible. We need to speak out for political, economic, and social justice without excuses or apologies. We need to form coalitions between those who share a concern for peace and justice both in the church and in secular society. Progressive people of faith need to be role models for the society that they hope to change.
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NOTE:

Broken Strings, Missing Notes...strengthening democracy and seeking justice in a nation out of tune by Larry J. Eriksson. First Edition; 5½ x 8½; 384 pages; ISBN 0-9721875-1-0; $16.95; Fall, 2005. Books may be ordered from Quarter Section Press, 6105 Fairfax Lane, Madison, WI 53718. Please include $3.00 shipping for each book. For Wisconsin orders, please include 5.5% sales tax on price of books and shipping. Make checks payable and mail to Quarter Section Press, 6105 Fairfax Lane, Madison, WI 53718.