Parable of the sower communi
Parable of the sower - communiCommunity - Parable of the Sower
"In Christ, we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12.5). The bible directly describes and defines community; it is human's innate need to bond together, providing the basis of a community. In a religious sense, a community can be described as the interaction between a group of individuals. All communities need distinguishing factors that not only unite the members in thought but also in action. Rituals and agreements within a community are traits that provide just that; they help characterize and unite the group within the organization.
In Octavia Butler’s novel, Parable of the Sower, she creates a surreal world in which a community joins together to fend off harsh and frightening realities of the world outside the walls. A community, itself, should provide security, trust and honesty, and more importantly, happiness. “This is a small community, [they] all know each other here. [They] all depend on each other. [They’re] not very social, [they] mind their own business” (p 31).
One apparent aspect of the ritual of banning together against catastrophes is that it not only draws the group together physically, but it also has a tendency to bond them emotionally. A community joins together when there is a threat to disrupt the peace and comfort that a group setting provides.
The adult men and women put the fire out with garden hoses, shovels, wet towels and blankets… Kids [Lauren’s] age helped out where [they] were needed and put out any new fires…The very old people watched the little kids and kept them out of the way, and out of trouble (p 28).
Society offers few chances for this level of participation, which intensifies the feeling of belonging. The strength offered by a group of people is easier than standing alone.
Individuals would fall apart...
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