SAMCRO

I've found a new soap. Soap opera, that is. FX's new series Sons of Anarchy is simply tailor-made for me. It's a drama about 1% bikers based loosely on Hamlet.

How can I lose?

The answer is that I can't. The show is exceedingly well done. And after seeing the very intriguing season finale in the basement of my in-laws' house, I have a few thoughts on the show.

First, I'm not going to fill space here with plot spoilers or fillers. Go to the FX website for more information on SAMCRO, or better yet, watch the series as soon as you can. Be aware there is a lot of violence, some very brief nudity, and as much language as you can fit on cable. In the case of this particular show, none of this is gratuitous. Knowing some of these folks as I do, it is simply an accurate view into the lifestyle. In fact, it's pretty mild in some places.

What I will say is that they know their subculture. I know some of these people. Yes, there are bikers out there that live this way. No, most of us do not. We call them 1%ers for a reason!

The power of that subculture is what intrigues me most about the show. This is a culture with real dynamics, in a literal sense of the word. Their culture is extremely manufactured, and they 'll be the first to say so. They work hard to create that culture, to engineer the boundaries, and the keep those boundaries intact. The have seen the power of the insider/outsider boundary, and make no apologies for that boundary.

I think we who are active in the process of discipleship resonate with this. We see the socialization process in discipleship as embracing a new boundary in our lives. As we become more and move enveloped in the Kingdom ethnos we see a boundary drawn between us and those around us. We see ourselves as distinct and separate, even though we inhabit the same world.

SAMCRO carries with them on their backs the signs that they are not part of the non-biker world. They stand out as separate and distinct. As should we.

Welcome, and a few head's-up...

*sigh* I'm a blogger now. I don't know if that makes me any more relevant than I was 45 seconds ago, but it makes me feel more relevant, and that's the postmodern thing do do.

I hope to update this weekly, and to sharpen my focus as I go. I also encourage suggestions, so if there's something you want me to bring up here, by all means fire away.

A few head's-up - I encourage dialogue and debate. I thrive in conflict. I also dislike rude postings, so let's work together and try to keep things civil, shall we? The Web has encouraged more debate and less civility than perhaps any other invention of mankind. Let's try to improve that second part, ok?

That means avoid the personal attack, be willing to restate and take responsibility for your own words, and basically just try to be nice to each other for a while. Even when you disagree.

I'm currently pondering a review/response to a few films, one TV series, and a Scriptural debate that's been bugging me for some time.

Give me some time and I'll see which one sifts to the top.

Be Good...