Posts
Awesome video - the guy expresses his thoughts about the extreme right, and pretty much nails how I feel right now:
Frank Schaeffer on Rachel Maddow
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Cartoon - State sponsored religion
In case the image doesn't appear, it can be found here:
http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/menkengods.jpg
Whenever someone says we need to have state sponsored religion, or prayer in schools, just think of this cartoon, and if possible show them. Ask them what they would think if their kid were forced to pray to Zeus, Elvis, Jupiter, or Saturn.
When they say that would be wrong b/c those gods aren't the "real" God, ask them why their belief is worth more than their neighbors, and remind them of the first amendment and how it states "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion". Also, remind them that Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, was for the separation of church and state, and at times was called an non-christian by his political advesaries, while James Madison, the father of the US Constitution, helped draft the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which disestablished the Church of England, and disclaimed any power of state compulsion in religious matters. If the primary authors of the two founding documents of this country worked and fought for the seperation of Church and State, how can we now have state sponsored religion?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Impact
So often we think an individual cannot bring about much lasting good. That one person alone is not strong enough to bring change. Well, one example came today in an article about the late Ted Kennedy.
The article details the story of Kennedy working to get a family out of the USSR because of a very ill child, Jessica. Kennedy succeeded, and today Jessica Katz has committed herself to helping others.
What a legacy.
The article details the story of Kennedy working to get a family out of the USSR because of a very ill child, Jessica. Kennedy succeeded, and today Jessica Katz has committed herself to helping others.
Inspired by Kennedy's life of public service, Jessica Katz works at finding housing for the homeless in New York City. She says she has no choice but to look after those less fortunate than she is, because Kennedy proved to her how much it means, and that it can work.
What a legacy.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Self-Preservation vs. Sacrifice
Right now, I'm struggling with one characteristic that seems to be innate in all Americans, and perhaps all people: self-preservation. Most recently this has been brought to the forefront by the health care town halls and media coverage. In particular, I have been saddened by the Christians who (at least somewhat rightly) claim that the Church and community organizations should step up and take care of those who do not have health care coverage and decry any efforts for change at a government level.
From where I sit, we, as Christ followers, should be advocating to our government and other organizations on behalf of those under-served individuals as well as providing aid. It should be obvious by now that our current healthcare system is horribly broken. Even people with health insurance often have difficulties paying medical bills or fighting with insurance companies to cover what their doctors have determined to be the best treatment for them. That says nothing of the poor or the uninsurable who are left on their own.
Understandably, many people are scared that they'll lose their coverage. I myself am terrified that I might not be able to get the medications that I have been so fortunate to receive under a very good health plan. Were I uninsured or insured differently now, my life would be very different. At the same time, I know that without my privilege (education, job, spouse, socio-economic class), I would not be receiving the quality health care and medications I receive now. There are millions of people who are denied the ability to have a relatively healthy life just because they were not born into privilege.
All this brings me back to the Bible. Matthew 16:24-26 to be exact. I particularly like the phrasing of The Message:
That's tough to take. We want the best for ourselves, but Christ calls us to care for others as much as we care for ourselves. In modern parlance, we should care for the homeless guy on the corner as much as we care for our spouse, our brother/sister, our friends. Most of us would sacrifice a lot for our family and friends, but not a total stranger, let alone a total stranger who is other, different from us.
Bishop Willimon puts it beautifully in his post Thinking Like Christians about Health Care:
Where is the love for our neighbors, the compassion for the poor, the ill, the least of these? If you disagree with the current proposals, offer up alternative solutions that are viable. Go volunteer with an organization that is making a difference.
It's hard to swallow that knowledge, but an article about Community United Methodist Church in Florida really hit home for me.
From where I sit, we, as Christ followers, should be advocating to our government and other organizations on behalf of those under-served individuals as well as providing aid. It should be obvious by now that our current healthcare system is horribly broken. Even people with health insurance often have difficulties paying medical bills or fighting with insurance companies to cover what their doctors have determined to be the best treatment for them. That says nothing of the poor or the uninsurable who are left on their own.
Understandably, many people are scared that they'll lose their coverage. I myself am terrified that I might not be able to get the medications that I have been so fortunate to receive under a very good health plan. Were I uninsured or insured differently now, my life would be very different. At the same time, I know that without my privilege (education, job, spouse, socio-economic class), I would not be receiving the quality health care and medications I receive now. There are millions of people who are denied the ability to have a relatively healthy life just because they were not born into privilege.
All this brings me back to the Bible. Matthew 16:24-26 to be exact. I particularly like the phrasing of The Message:
24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matthew 16:24-26, The Message)"Self-sacrifice is the way"
That's tough to take. We want the best for ourselves, but Christ calls us to care for others as much as we care for ourselves. In modern parlance, we should care for the homeless guy on the corner as much as we care for our spouse, our brother/sister, our friends. Most of us would sacrifice a lot for our family and friends, but not a total stranger, let alone a total stranger who is other, different from us.
Bishop Willimon puts it beautifully in his post Thinking Like Christians about Health Care:
Our concern should not be to protect our entitlements but rather our Jesus-assigned concern is, “Am I happy with my neighbor’s health care?”
Where is the love for our neighbors, the compassion for the poor, the ill, the least of these? If you disagree with the current proposals, offer up alternative solutions that are viable. Go volunteer with an organization that is making a difference.
It's hard to swallow that knowledge, but an article about Community United Methodist Church in Florida really hit home for me.
Then came the decision by Community United Methodist Church: To do the most good, they decided, their church needed to close — and reopen as a sanctuary for the poor and homeless of Pasco County. (St. Petersburg Times)Dying so that others might live. That's powerful stuff.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Christian Nation Letter (Part I):
(Response to a letter a teacher sent to Pres. Obama)
I recently received an email where the bulk of content was a letter reportedly to have been sent from a teacher to the POTUS, Barack Obama. This letter has struck a nerve with me - on both my Liberal and Capitalist (conservative) viewpoints.
Before we get to the letter and my response to the ideas in it that disturbed me (which I'm sure will cause some to flame me), I'd like to bring a few things to the readers attention:
- This post should be in no way construed as support for the current or past administrations. I have issues with both (actually I have issues with just about every politician these days).
- I attended college on an ROTC scholarship - as such, I was enlisted in the reserves. Were it not for a medical discharge (which btw - I fought, and even had surgery, which due to complications almost cost me my life, in order to not be discharged), I would probably still be in the military. I believe in standing up for those that can't stand up for themselves, and would give my life for someone else. Someone once asked me about how the vets returning from Vietnam were treated, being spit on, etc, affected how I felt about the possibility of giving my life, and being treated like that. My response then, as it is now, is that while I wouldn't like being spit on (who does?), and it would anger me, the fact of the matter is, it is the right of protesters, or anyone, to disagree and take actions as long as they don't endanger others. This disagreement I welcome. This I will die for. In my opinion, this is one of the things that makes America great. To quote Voltaire "I do not approve of a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it."
- I love my country. This is my country. This is your country. This is our country. Is it perfect? No! But just as with parents & children, husbands & wives, etc. the relationships are never "perfect", but that doesn't detract from the love one has for the other.
Here is the letter that was in the email. Following it will be Part I of my response:
Full disclosure - I do not know if this was a real letter or not, and it did have a name and personal contact info at the end - however I will not publish that as I have not verified the validity of that information
Part I: Response based on MY Walk/Relationship with Christ
Full disclosure - I do not know if this was a real letter or not, and it did have a name and personal contact info at the end - however I will not publish that as I have not verified the validity of that information
"
IF THIS TEACHER HAS THE NERVE TO SEND THIS, WE SHOULD HAVE THE NERVE TO FORWARD IT. SHE WILL PROBABLY LOSE HER JOB. DO WE AMERICANS HAVE THE NERVE TO STAND BEHIND HER, IF WE AGREE, OR DO WE JUST LET HER AND OTHERS LIKE HER CARRY OUR LOAD? INTERESTING QUESTION?
This 4th grade teacher has said it all, & she was brave enough to attach her name to it.
April 17, 2009
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally. You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans & the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States .. NOT to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States, telling Europeans that we are arrogant & do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War & the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the U. S. does not consider itself a Christian country? Haven't you read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics & the principles governing this country (at least until you came along) come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia. You didn't show Great Britain, our best & one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia .. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can’t find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don’t want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey ... You offended our dead & every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What’s the matter with you? I am convinced that you & the members of your administration have the historical & intellectual depth of a mud puddle& should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers & the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Sen. Dodd, Rep. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, & the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it. What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven’t said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't! Executives at Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie & Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million - not a bad take. Who authorized that & why haven’t you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now?
I resent that you take me & my fellow citizens as brain-dead & not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing & we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do & say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every real American
P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around' ............. PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST.......it's past time for all Americans to wake up!
"
Part I: Response based on MY Walk/Relationship with Christ
- First I would like to address the tone of this letter. I can tell the author of the letter is frustrated and wants to rail against the administration. There is nothing wrong with this, and I can sympathize with their frustration. In fact, railing against an injustice or immoral thing be a very Christian thing to do in the right circumstances. One only needs to look to the example Jesus provided. In John 2:13-16, we see Jesus doing just that:
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!"
However, this letter also seems to have traits of personal attacks and contempt:"Are you brain dead?" "Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?" "I am convinced that you & the members of your administration have the historical & intellectual depth of a mud puddle & should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you" "I resent that you take me & my fellow citizens as brain-dead & not caring about what you idiots do"
These do not sound like the rightous indignation Jesus was using in the Temple to me...does it sound that way to you? - Jesus not only taught us, but demanded that we love, and not just those that we can easily love, but our enemies as well:
Matthew 5:43-47 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
However, as the quotes noted above show, this letter does not show the love that Christ compels us to show everyone. - The letter also is under the misconception that the US is a Christian nation, when it is not (see points below and Part II of my response). While it is true that Christianity represents the largest demographic in the US, it is also true that the number of those w/"no religion" (aethist, agnostic, etc) is growing, while Christianity is slipping.
Getting back to the point of Christianity being the largest demographic for a moment, that means Christians should speak out for those that can't or don't have the "power" we do (yes, that means Muslims, aethists, Jews, Buddists, among others). We see this in Matthew 25:37-40:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
- An argument can be made that Jesus was for seperation of Church and State:
- In John 18:36, we see Jesus stating "My kingdom is not of this world"
- In Matthew 22:18-22 we see Jesus dealing with the issue of taxation, by asking for a coin, and then asking whose image is on it. When told "Caesar's", Jesus replies "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's". Jesus is definately establishing a difference between the Church (God) and the State (Caesar)
- God never intended his Nation to have a King (President) other than him. If you look in 1 Samuel, you will see that God begrudingly gave the Israelits a king, but before doing so, He gave them warnings it would not be good. How can we have a Christian (Godly) Nation when we have a King (President) that is not God? The simple answer is we can't. We can hope that our King (President) follows the teachings and morals of Jesus and God, but at the end of the day, it is a man (that is not Christ), that is ruling over our nation, therefore our nation cannot truly be "Christian" or "Godly".
Up Next: America is a Christian Nation (non-biblical/reglious response)
Power and Equality - by Bart Thau
"Wherever men hold unequal power in society, they will strive to maintain it. They will use whatever means are convenient to that end and will seek to justify them by the most plausible arguments they are able to devise. Nevertheless there are possibilities of increasing social justice through the development of mind and reason.”
Reinhold Niebuhr, Moral Man and Immoral Society
The more we think about ourselves and our relationship to one another, the more kind we must become. Does this sound irrational to you? Or is it only that you ascribe sinister motives to everyone else. Why not hope in the goodness that is in another human being. Why not even act as if you believe your neighbors motive is not simply greed and self gratification? His actions could be based upon the same confused morality that you and I try to apply to our lives in the most rich and hedonistic society on earth.
"Social Justice" is not just another anti-capitalist, anti-establishment, anti-American concept. In fact it is not necessarily anti-anything. In fact social justice at its core is based upon one very basic truth...that all men are created equal. AHA! So it is a very "American" concept...free market, capitalistic, and all that? Maybe this is where the paths in the woods start to diverge.
Equality of man is not license for come what may. It is not a definition that says...o.k. I'm equal to you and you to me...so you get what you get. I have no responsibility for you. Your failures are your own; your success is your own... You are equal to me, so if I exceed you in wealth, power, and status, that is your fault, not mine. If you are hungry, tired, naked, and abused, well that is yours to bear.
So, we have to consider, that even though my environment (my parents, my skin color, my religious persuasion, etc...) has favored my "success" in the measure of this society and economic system, my success creates even greater responsibility for me to bring equality to my world. Should I now reward the lazy, no good, useless minions that can't seem to work a five day week? Yes, and I should look deeper than the stereotypes and the casual studies to find the injustices that put a person in a down-trodden position. At the end of this search, I guarantee that I will find injustice.
While we all may be created equal, we have also created ways to make life very "un-equal" for some. We have also created many systems that make life in this society a whole lot easier for others.
Why are minorities the highest percentage of the prison population? Because they're born to be criminals? Why do land-locked countries have lower GDP and lower wages? Why does the African continent have higher instances of poverty than the rest of the world? Because these people are just stupid, corrupt, immoral? The entire race??? There is injustice in this world. Just because we are the haves, and others are the have-nots...doesn't mean we are right and blessed, and they are wrong and cursed.
Our material "blessing" is our curse because we have become numb to the things that really matter. The capital that we should be spending is our time. The investment vehicle with the greatest return is relationships...and not just with those like us, or who can get things for us. Relationships that are mutual, loving, and full of respect and hope are priceless. And, whether we like it or not, we are "in relationship" with everyone else in this world. What we do affects one another. The effect is magnified by the amount of time we spend with others. And time, is something we all have in equal supply. How we spend it can be dictated and controlled by our own actions and the actions of others.
Our effect and the effect of others upon us is inescapable. But, it can be beautiful, if we use it for the right purpose. Figuring out that purpose brings us back to the Niebuhr quote above. The mental exercise he prescribes has purpose...it can change the world, by changing you.
Reinhold Niebuhr, Moral Man and Immoral Society
The more we think about ourselves and our relationship to one another, the more kind we must become. Does this sound irrational to you? Or is it only that you ascribe sinister motives to everyone else. Why not hope in the goodness that is in another human being. Why not even act as if you believe your neighbors motive is not simply greed and self gratification? His actions could be based upon the same confused morality that you and I try to apply to our lives in the most rich and hedonistic society on earth.
"Social Justice" is not just another anti-capitalist, anti-establishment, anti-American concept. In fact it is not necessarily anti-anything. In fact social justice at its core is based upon one very basic truth...that all men are created equal. AHA! So it is a very "American" concept...free market, capitalistic, and all that? Maybe this is where the paths in the woods start to diverge.
Equality of man is not license for come what may. It is not a definition that says...o.k. I'm equal to you and you to me...so you get what you get. I have no responsibility for you. Your failures are your own; your success is your own... You are equal to me, so if I exceed you in wealth, power, and status, that is your fault, not mine. If you are hungry, tired, naked, and abused, well that is yours to bear.
So, we have to consider, that even though my environment (my parents, my skin color, my religious persuasion, etc...) has favored my "success" in the measure of this society and economic system, my success creates even greater responsibility for me to bring equality to my world. Should I now reward the lazy, no good, useless minions that can't seem to work a five day week? Yes, and I should look deeper than the stereotypes and the casual studies to find the injustices that put a person in a down-trodden position. At the end of this search, I guarantee that I will find injustice.
While we all may be created equal, we have also created ways to make life very "un-equal" for some. We have also created many systems that make life in this society a whole lot easier for others.
Why are minorities the highest percentage of the prison population? Because they're born to be criminals? Why do land-locked countries have lower GDP and lower wages? Why does the African continent have higher instances of poverty than the rest of the world? Because these people are just stupid, corrupt, immoral? The entire race??? There is injustice in this world. Just because we are the haves, and others are the have-nots...doesn't mean we are right and blessed, and they are wrong and cursed.
Our material "blessing" is our curse because we have become numb to the things that really matter. The capital that we should be spending is our time. The investment vehicle with the greatest return is relationships...and not just with those like us, or who can get things for us. Relationships that are mutual, loving, and full of respect and hope are priceless. And, whether we like it or not, we are "in relationship" with everyone else in this world. What we do affects one another. The effect is magnified by the amount of time we spend with others. And time, is something we all have in equal supply. How we spend it can be dictated and controlled by our own actions and the actions of others.
Our effect and the effect of others upon us is inescapable. But, it can be beautiful, if we use it for the right purpose. Figuring out that purpose brings us back to the Niebuhr quote above. The mental exercise he prescribes has purpose...it can change the world, by changing you.
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