The Theology of Blame from Safety Science

Listening to two theological amateurs and ‘safety science’ people talk about: atonement (I’m not a Jew), ritual, repentance, ‘spiritual need’, ‘spiritual resilience’, confession (I’m not a Catholic), learning and forgiveness is not something I would recommend to anyone. This was recommended to me, so I listened to this podcast by Dekker and Conklin, and I won’t get back those 33 minutes of egocentric ‘goop’. Neither have written about anything on this matter listed above and certainly have little expertise in theories of learning, theology or resilience.

I won’t supply the link to the podcast because it is simply more belly button gazing from zero theological expertise skirting around the edges of what they don’t know.

What this podcast tells us is that Safety qualifies one to be an expert in everything, even though Dekker in his theology on suffering confesses he is no theologian.

The podcast (that I would recommend to no-one), is a ‘safety podcast’ apparently about Dekker’s book on blame. Conklin waxes ecstatic about this being Dekker’s 14^th book? I released my 14^th book this week (https://safetyrisk.net/book-launch-everyday-social-resilience-being-in-risk/ ). What’s the big deal? That’s right, we are in the Conklin world of ego-centric safety worship.

At one stage of the podcast, we even have the suggestion that Dekker, now a chaplain, qualifies with entry into crisis situations! What with spiritual counsel? From safety science? That mocks faith?

I wonder how further Safety Differently can go when it has no stated methodology or ethic/ontology of being? I wonder when the Safety Science Lab might amalgamate soon with a theological college and make the circle complete?

For those who are interested in a real theology of blame, repentance, justice, forgiveness etc. perhaps a good dose of a real theologian Walter Bruggemann (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxJld8cdScw&t=15s) on Justice or restorative grace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVH0jIpMVJU) might be a better start.

There are a host of great theologians worth listening to on: atonement, ritual, repentance, ‘spiritual need’, ‘spiritual resilience’, confession, learning and forgiveness but none of them have any interest in safety. My favourite is Jacques Ellul theologian of 44 books, a few more than 14.

If you like, SPoR has workshops series on a Theology of Risk (https://cllr.com.au/product/theology-and-risk-unit-18/) started 10 years ago with full video series etc. In this video series you will learn about a theology of grace, repentance, forgiveness and justice, but not from the agenda a safety. The series is a radical, positive and constructive approach to thinking about the nature of fallibility (never mentioned by Dekker or Conklin).

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Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions

Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)

• Understanding the Nature of Performance and HOP - October 5, 2024
• If You Want to Know About Mental Health, Don’t Ask Safety - September 30, 2024
• Its all About Behaviours - September 20, 2024
• I Wasn’t Thinking Mr Spock - September 20, 2024
• The Seduction of Drift in Safety - September 20, 2024

PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.