The Intelligent Christian
Self-Similarity
Self-similarity is, in my view, one of the most powerful analytical tools to come along in a lone time. As we upgrade our mathematical metaphors with the previous covered aspects of complexity theory, we can tuck self-similarity into our bag of tricks.
A quick web search will provide a lot of information about self-similarity in mathematics. However, to save time, let me suggest you either draw or just imagine a square. Then, divide a line vertically through the mid points of two opposite sides and do the same with the other two opposite sides. Keep doing this with each of the smaller squares and you will soon see self-similarity.
Every one of the smaller squares, no matter how small, is self-similar to the original larger one.
You can do the same thing with an equilateral triangle.
We can use self-similarity as an updated mathematical metaphor to upgrade our tools of perception. In other words, self-similarity can help us see things clearly and not be fooled by the old shell game.
Moving from mathematics to sociology and theology, we retain the factor that within a system we may find small and large versions of the same thing. It helps to think of branching on a tree. The very smallest branches are self-similar to the largest branches.
This is scaling. Self-similarity over different scales. Applied, for example, to male dominance we can see similar characteristics operating at different scales in different systems. However, here we are actually looking at the same system, not different systems. This is where we shift our focus, as in The Bumblebee Book.
And we see through The Gentlemen's Agreement . So, no, we don't agree to see what is not there and not to see what is there.
With male dominance, we most certainly see that wherever men dominate women they are in the same system. Obviously, trafficking in women is not on the same scale as dominating women in a church environment - but it is in the same system.
Once we see the domination of women on different scales, and determine we won't participate in the domination, we can return to the initial conditions of Christianity. That is, we remind ourselves that Jesus has something to do with Christianity and that the servant is not, and may not be, greater than the Master.
Self-similarity helps us see things clearly. That enables us to direct our energies more appropriately. It also, and this is very important, provides us with a powerful tool for our personal self-critical exercises.
For women, it illuminates the path to enslavement. For men, it illuminates the path to dominance.
Once we see these paths we can say to ourselves, 'Don't go there!'
Jesus is Lord
'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.'