I Think I'll Quit Watching The News...

Every day brings more head-shaking developments for those of us who believe that turning back the clock to "Make America Great Again" is not only counter-productive but disgraceful.  This isn't just about promoting one political party over the other.  This is about the future of freedom, democracy, and a strong, unified nation.  We are, after all, supposed to be the United States of America.

During the years I worked on Capitol Hill introducing groups of inquiring people to policy-makers, researchers, think-tankers, journalists, lobbyists and other advocates, and activists in my role directing the work of a seminar program I met scores of people representing various viewpoints. Some from opposing sides were compelling, some were clearly partisan, some were inspiring, and some were downright offensive, but that's who we are as a people.  And together we can "move the ball forward," as the phrase goes, each contributing his or her insights, wisdom, and experiences.  Together, we craft our shared life into something reflective of the vision of our Revolutionary Founders.

At least, that's how it's supposed to work, and how I believe the RF intended for it to work. Lately, though, it's not working, and it's getting worse all the time.

Here's a question to ponder:  What is the "greatness" of America that needs restoring?  Perhaps the underlying question relates to what "un-did" this "greatness."

To me, it's all about power and wealth.  Those who have them always fear losing them.  Those who don't have them, seek them.  This presents a clash that lately has taken on, let's say, "biblical" proportions.

As women, ethnic minorities and others who are not White, male, and heterosexual find their voices and make strides in the power/wealth struggle those at the top of the heap (mainly White male heterosexuals) do whatever they can to counteract, even tamp down those who begin to slip the shackles that hold them back from the abundant life intended by God for all of Creation. (Ah, now we're starting to get to the biblical proportions of our little exercise)

We live in times that include the fomenting of suspicion and fear of Muslims.  We live in times that include reactionary attempts to prevent certain immigrants from becoming part of our immigrant-based populace.  We live in times that include a "shoot first and take names later" mentality when it comes to African-Americans (or to call the police when African-Americans engage in common, ordinary activities. just because they're black).  We live in times that include efforts to take away women's ability to control their own bodies and health.  We live in times that include "Christians" discriminating against LGBTQ folks because their "lifestyle" violates the religious liberties of said "Christians." We live in times when guns, and campaign contributions from the NRA, are more precious than the lives of our fellow citizens and their children.  We live in times that include admiration for dictators and despots while giving the finger to our democracy-practicing allies.  You can fill in the rest.  It can get depressing to enumerate what we wake up to every day.

Today's example is Attorney General Jeff Sessions announcing the establishment of a "Religious Liberty Task Force."

Sessions, who already is in trouble with his own church, the United Methodists, stated that “we have gotten to the point where courts have held that morality cannot be a basis for law; where ministers are fearful to affirm, as they understand it, holy writ from the pulpit; and where one group can actively target religious groups by labeling them a ‘hate group’ on the basis of their sincerely held religious beliefs”

Sessions claimed all religions would be protected against discrimination.  He also quoted The Boss, who said, "We'll be saying 'Merry Christmas' again."  Personally, I have no confidence that this Task Force will be a positive, life-affirming endeavor.

I take issue with Sessions' claim that "ministers are fearful to affirm, as they understand it, holy writ from the pulpit."  First of all, if the "ministers" to whom he refers preach a message of oppressing those who are different, they DO NOT understand "holy writ."  And certainly, there are far too many ignoramus preachers seeking a wider following by showing how much judgment and wrath they can heap on people seen as "less than" in various ways.

"Hate group" is a valid description of such groups headed by those with these "sincerely held religious beliefs."  I have no doubt as to the sincerity of these beliefs.  Unfortunately, the only underpinnings they have are those related to self-service and power-seeking.  The Bible constantly is twisted to justify one's prejudices.

There is nothing wrong with wishing someone "Happy Holidays," especially if you do or do not know whether that person celebrates differently from you.  And, no one is stopping anyone from saying, "Merry Christmas."  The only inhibitor to that is respect for the dignity of another person's traditions.  If the Task Force seeks to codify "Merry Christmas," it defeats its own stated goals.

Why do we put up with all of this?

I wrote to my senators and representative expressing my disgust with the direction of our nation, but, of the two who responded, one simply disagreed and the other sent a letter about something else entirely.  No surprise here, given who these guys are, but I didn't want to not be on record about what I see as a destructive manipulation of our common future.

Maybe some want to go back to "the good old days."  Life was simpler.  There weren't so many complications.  It was Great!

Unless you weren't White, male, "Christian," heterosexual, observed diverse traditions, or otherwise were excluded from the dominant culture.

Two Baptists, Two Revelations

Once in an Elders meeting at a church of which I was the pastor we went through the usual sleep-inducing agenda, avoiding real spiritual matters, as usual, when at the end of the meeting one of the married couples in the group pulled out a flyer.  It promoted an event of some sort that was geared toward homophobes.

The saintly wife of the couple declared, "I don't know what to say to gay people."

The unspoken response in my head was, "How about extending a friendly hand and saying, 'Hello, my name is (Mrs. Ethno Centric).  Welcome to our church!'"  But, since I didn't think she could handle that, I did not say it aloud.

She and her husband went on to display the flyer and suggested we promote the event among our church membership.

No longer was silence an option for me.  I pointed out the rogues gallery of white males pictured on the flyer:  Newt Gingrich, Donald Wildmon, James Dobson, and others, and said something to the effect, "These guys are all homophobic, so what are they going to do?  Tell us how evil gay people are?"

"Well, I, uh..."

I continued.  "You know, these guys and much of the Religious Right basically are aligned with the Republican Party.  They spout views and opinions that are reflective of the party, which is predominantly anti-gay.  And there is nothing inherently Christian about them."

"I didn't know that," Mrs. Centric replied.

The other elders elected, as usual, not to share any thoughts, and the meeting soon came to a conclusion.  It wasn't too long afterwards that the Centrics withdrew from the church.  My being OK with that wasn't quite in line with The Purpose Of The Church (that is, "Get all the members you can so we can pay the bills and keep the doors open."), but then, there were numerous aspects of the church that I found it difficult to abide.

The Ethno Centrics, I later was told, began attending First Baptist Church.  I'm sure they were much more at ease there.

Anyway, this all came to mind when I read there was a recent Non-Meeting of the Minds between two prominent Baptists:  Jimmy Carter and Franklin Graham.

In an interview, Jimmy Carter concluded a few remarks by suggesting that Jesus would approve of gay marriage.  Franklin Graham, it turned out, begged to differ.  In fact, he went so far as to say that not only would there be no Holy Approval of such an abomination, but God wants to kill Gays.

Now, whatever one thinks of gay marriage (and I personally favor it), it seems to me that Graham went too far in his assertion.  To be clear, whether he intended it or not (you decide!), Graham was granting permission, even giving incentive, for violence against gay people.

Jesus, whom both of these Baptists likely would agree is the Son of God, spent an awful lot of time tending to those considered "unclean" according to the dictates of his own faith tradition:  the sick, women having their periods, women in general, adulterers, even dead people.  He is nowhere quoted in the Bible, nor do any of his reported actions suggest, that he was anti-gay.  In fact, it is entirely a non-issue.

Graham quoted some texts used to promote homophobia among "true believers," but his interpretation not only is questionable, but seems to me to contradict the nature of God that comes across as a general trend throughout the whole of scripture.  Plus, he appears to be silent on a lot of other "sins" that might cause some of his Republican buddies to sweat.

I can see how Graham's stated views would make him popular among a particular political base, and I can understand that his proclamations (not only anti-gay, but anti-liberal and anti-Democrat) would lead to a bump in donations to his "ministry."  But perhaps an intervention or even institutionalization would be more appropriate for someone so dedicated to hate and violence while claiming the name of Christ.

And really, one of the first things that popped into my head when I initially read about all of this was that the only people Jesus seemed to have serious disagreements with were officious, hypocritical, self-serving religious "leaders."

Although, he is not quoted as suggesting they should be put to death.

Knees and Fists: Hope Dies Last

The following was inspired by an interview with Malcolm Jenkins that appeared in the May issue of The Atlantic.  Jenkins plays football for the Philadelphia Eagles, and while he hasn't taken a knee during the National Anthem prior to his games, he and other Eagles players have raised their fists.

Players who kneel or raise fists have been characterized as "unpatriotic" and worse by many football fans and observers who do not understand the nature of their protest, or who are threatened by minority voices questioning and challenging the injustices of our society.

Malcolm Jenkins and many other NFL players do not simply protest injustice.  They are raising money and working to address the divisions and inequalities in American society.  Jenkins has started a foundation for such matters and has recruited numerous other players, black and white, and solicited funds, even from the NFL itself.

If you have not seen the May issue of The Atlantic, it is a simple matter to look up Malcolm Jenkins and his foundation online to learn what really is behind the NFL anthem protests and what those protesting are doing in response.

Thoughtlessly criticizing, caricaturing, name-calling, belittling, and condemning people who actively seek a better, more just society is a long-standing American practice.  Thank goodness for Malcolm Jenkins, his cohorts, those who have risked much in the past, and those who will risk in the future that all people may be treated as though they really were "created equal."

Here is what I wrote:

KNEES AND FISTS:  HOPE DIES LAST                                 

All of our nation’s excesses on display

For three hours on Sunday afternoon:

Militaristic glory;

Suffocating Consumerism;

The hunger for Violence;

We’re Good, You’re Evil;

The Vicarious Thrill of Beating, Humiliating, and Ridiculing The Other.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise, remove your hats and direct your attention to the 50-yard line and join the great

Country and Western vocal star

As we Honor America by singing our National Anthem!”

But taking a knee as our Civil Religion is practiced

Before millions In the National Television audience?

Raising a fist as we roll out our Icons

For misty-eyed and lumpy-throated worship?

That’s Blasphemy!  That’s Unpatriotic!  That’s Ungrateful! That’s Un-American!

Knees were taken in Southern cities five decades ago as dogs, fire hoses

And hatred bore down.

Fists were raised as Olympic gold was awarded in Mexico City in 1968

As disproportionate ranks of Blacks and other expendables

Fought and died in Vietnam. 

Knees are taken and fists are raised today as Injustice still plagues these United States, As our prisons overflow (don’t worry, we can always build more!),

As those who are sworn to enforce emphasize the Force (deadly, though it is).

Knees are taken and fists are raised

In the Hope that the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

One day

Will live up to its self-assured and self-proclaimed Identity and Promise.

Hope drives, motivates, comforts, inspires, emboldens. 

Hope, as it is said, “Dies Last.”

But like the glaciers and rivers

That carved Majesty into our landscape, Hope plods and drags,

Tapping the fearful and the paranoid on their shoulders

Rather than slapping their faces.

Those who embrace it wait,

Often suffer,

Find themselves vilified,

And disappear before its fulfillment.

But it moves. 

Hope moves. 

Hope carves. 

Hope transforms.

Although not usually on Sunday afternoon

During those three hours

When our Nation’s Excesses

All are on display.