Since when did Glenn Beck become an expert on theology? He has "accused" President Obama of espousing "liberation theology", which Beck demonstrates he doesn't understand, by describing it as "oppressor and victim" having nothing to do with Christianity. I think he'd better read the Gospels again, and see how much Jesus had to say about the responsibility that those who have enough, have for those who have too little. Jesus had much to say about the responsibility of the rich toward the poor. By the way, this is social justice, which Beck says has nothing to do with Christianity and everything to do with Marxism.
Since Jesus came long before Karl Marx, perhaps Marx himself, in spite of himself, had something to do with Jesus (if not Christianity). I don't know whether the President espouses liberation theology or not. He has been private -- perhaps too private -- about his personal beliefs. But he is a member of the United Church of Christ, and the UCC does pay attention to social justice, so maybe he does lean toward liberation theology. I know that I do. And in my understanding, that's a whole lot closer to what Jesus was all about, than are the tenets of civil religion, at least as practiced by my American compatriots. Jesus had a whole lot more to do with a preferential treatment of the poor, and with ministry to the poor, widows, orphans, and the sick and disabled, than he did with the right to bear arms and free enterprise and capitalism.
Jesus had a lot to say about the rich and the poor. And he also had some things to say about divorce that sound very harsh to 21st century American ears. He commanded love, not hate, even toward enemies; he advocated turning the other cheek instead of fighting back; he showed great reverence toward life but I can't remember anything he ever said about abortion, and I know he never said a word -- at least that's been recorded in Scripture for us -- about homosexuality.
I cannot for the life of me understand why so many people seem to be taken in by Mr. Beck and those who have aligned themselves with him. Especially so many who call themselves Christians. I know that different people of good will may differ, even on understandings of how to interpret the Scriptures. But the idea that God is only concerned about how we feel toward God and not how we act toward our fellow human beings is not one that I get from the Bible, and I don't understand how any thinking person can find that in Scripture. And maybe that's the answer: any thinking person...
Mr. Beck's D.C. rally, and much of what I understand he has had to say on his tv and radio programs, scare me. May God help us all.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Mosque Madness
I am having trouble holding my temper hearing all the fervor about the Islamic Center proposed to be built in Manhattan. I live in fear that someday people will be up in arms about where Presbyterians choose to build a church. President Obama's words last Friday night were "spot on" -- we in this country supposedly believe in freedom of religion, and that means all religions, not just mine or yours.
I'm also having trouble with the idea that the site chosen is "at ground zero" or "within the shadow of the former Twin Towers." It's two blocks away, for heaven's sake! Even the World Trade Center wasn't tall enough to cast that long a shadow!
I always have trouble with people who purport to love and support the Consitution and the values upon which our nation was founded, but who want to curtail the rights of others. It's nothing short of hypocritical -- very much like those who talk of "small government" but who want to dictate who a person may love, and what reproductive rights a woman may exercise. I do wish that the President hadn't seemed to backtrack on his comments on Saturday morning.
There is also this: the claim that "ground zero" is a "sacred site" because it is the burial place for so many. Within those two blocks I understand are strip clubs and porn shops. I think those should be shut down long before an Islamic community center should be made to build elsewhere.
The endless political wrangling over everything has wearied me, and I become ashamed of my own beloved country, and my fellow Americans. Freedom isn't just for you and me. It's for all of us who claim America as our nation.
I'm also having trouble with the idea that the site chosen is "at ground zero" or "within the shadow of the former Twin Towers." It's two blocks away, for heaven's sake! Even the World Trade Center wasn't tall enough to cast that long a shadow!
I always have trouble with people who purport to love and support the Consitution and the values upon which our nation was founded, but who want to curtail the rights of others. It's nothing short of hypocritical -- very much like those who talk of "small government" but who want to dictate who a person may love, and what reproductive rights a woman may exercise. I do wish that the President hadn't seemed to backtrack on his comments on Saturday morning.
There is also this: the claim that "ground zero" is a "sacred site" because it is the burial place for so many. Within those two blocks I understand are strip clubs and porn shops. I think those should be shut down long before an Islamic community center should be made to build elsewhere.
The endless political wrangling over everything has wearied me, and I become ashamed of my own beloved country, and my fellow Americans. Freedom isn't just for you and me. It's for all of us who claim America as our nation.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Really Retiring
Well, I've done it: gone to the social security office and applied for retirement. I should be getting those social security checks and pension checks fairly soon. I'm warming up to the idea, and this past week as I wasn't working I cleaned house (NOT my favorite thing!) and did some organizing of papers and "stuff." I still have some organizing to do, but when that's done there will just be cleaning, and then? I have several ideas of things I want to do with my time, but haven't settled on which ones will most occupy me. Getting back to making baskets, and taking more time to practice my dulcimer are two of those things. I also plan to do some more volunteering -- more than my once-a-year stint at Old Songs Festival in Altamont, NY. I'd like to help out with fund drives at my favorite public radio station, WAMC, and perhaps volunteer to read stories to children, either at the public library or at the local elementary school. That's the part of teaching that I miss.
There's also Caffe Lena who are always looking for volunteers. We were there Friday night for a concert by the Jamcrackers, Peggy Lynn, Dan Duggan, and Dan Berggren. They are among my favorite traditional musicians, along with John Kirk, Trish Miller, Rick Bunting, Susan Trump, and Christopher Shaw and Bridget Ball.
But for now, I'm taking my time. I have one preaching "gig" coming up, and there's still the possibility of a part-time pastorate. I'm going to try to be patient as I wait for some divine guidance as to what directions to take. I'm not ready for a rocking chair yet!
There's also Caffe Lena who are always looking for volunteers. We were there Friday night for a concert by the Jamcrackers, Peggy Lynn, Dan Duggan, and Dan Berggren. They are among my favorite traditional musicians, along with John Kirk, Trish Miller, Rick Bunting, Susan Trump, and Christopher Shaw and Bridget Ball.
But for now, I'm taking my time. I have one preaching "gig" coming up, and there's still the possibility of a part-time pastorate. I'm going to try to be patient as I wait for some divine guidance as to what directions to take. I'm not ready for a rocking chair yet!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
A potpourri of thought
I've been doing some more thinking about retirement. The latest is that I think I will be applying for social security as well as pension. I will be of "FRA" (full retirement age, in social security parlance) in less than a year, after all. And I'm anticipating the independence of not working full-time. I know that finances will be tight, but then they've been tight for as long as I can remember, so what's new?
It's been awhile since I have had more than a couple of weeks without preaching on a Sunday morning, and I'm looking forward to listening to somebody else's sermons. Sometimes, anyway. I don't think the Holy Spirit is through with me yet.
Of course the endless topic of speculation the last few days has been Chelsea Clinton's wedding downstream in Rhinebeck. I must say that every time I see pictures of Chelsea and Bill Clinton together, with the father-daughter bond that they obviously enjoy, I get a bit teary. It's that old parent-child tenderness that used to make me teary watching certain situation comedies (Father Knows Best, My Little Margie, and other oldies like that) even when I was a child. Part of it comes from missing my own father, after 26 years, and my own mother, after 36 years... to think that I have now lived to be four years older than my mother at her death is amazing to me. I'm sure that Hillary and Chelsea also have a close relationship, but the father-daughter thing is different.
I never gave my Dad the opportunity to escort me down the aisle. He would have been proud. But he was proud of me, anyway -- and let me know it while I was in seminary, after a first career as a teacher. I'm so grateful he was more forthcoming with praise after I reached adulthood than he had been when I was growing up. We grew into a close and loving relationship, for which I'm thankful.
So ... I'm sure that when I see a picture, finally, of Bill Clinton escorting Chelsea in her wedding dress (so much speculated upon!), I'll shed a few more tears: for tenderness, for Daddy-daughter affection, for all the years I've spent without my Dad and Mother. Such is life. But there are so many unhealthy parent-child relationships that I can only thank God for Chelsea's and Bill's, and for my parents' and mine.
It's been awhile since I have had more than a couple of weeks without preaching on a Sunday morning, and I'm looking forward to listening to somebody else's sermons. Sometimes, anyway. I don't think the Holy Spirit is through with me yet.
Of course the endless topic of speculation the last few days has been Chelsea Clinton's wedding downstream in Rhinebeck. I must say that every time I see pictures of Chelsea and Bill Clinton together, with the father-daughter bond that they obviously enjoy, I get a bit teary. It's that old parent-child tenderness that used to make me teary watching certain situation comedies (Father Knows Best, My Little Margie, and other oldies like that) even when I was a child. Part of it comes from missing my own father, after 26 years, and my own mother, after 36 years... to think that I have now lived to be four years older than my mother at her death is amazing to me. I'm sure that Hillary and Chelsea also have a close relationship, but the father-daughter thing is different.
I never gave my Dad the opportunity to escort me down the aisle. He would have been proud. But he was proud of me, anyway -- and let me know it while I was in seminary, after a first career as a teacher. I'm so grateful he was more forthcoming with praise after I reached adulthood than he had been when I was growing up. We grew into a close and loving relationship, for which I'm thankful.
So ... I'm sure that when I see a picture, finally, of Bill Clinton escorting Chelsea in her wedding dress (so much speculated upon!), I'll shed a few more tears: for tenderness, for Daddy-daughter affection, for all the years I've spent without my Dad and Mother. Such is life. But there are so many unhealthy parent-child relationships that I can only thank God for Chelsea's and Bill's, and for my parents' and mine.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thoughts on marriage and weddings
Last week my denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had its biennial General Assembly. The assembled ministers and elders (in equal numbers -- that's an important piece of our polity) made a large number of decisions, some of which give guidance to local congregations and clusters of congregtions called presbyteries, and some of which have more authority for the congregations. Some of their decisions now go to the presbyteries for ratification. In that latter category is a proposed change in our Book of Order to eliminate wording that some of us have always regarded as badly written as well as restricting marriage to "one man and one woman" and elevating sexual sins above other sins when discerning whether someone is able to be ordained as a minister, an elder, or a deacon.
I don't know what will happen in the presbyteries. I am in favor of the new language for a number of reasons. And that's not the decision that I'm most concerned about today. The decision that occupies my mind right now is the one General Assembly made to study the question of same-sex marriage, which effectively leaves ministers who reside in states where marriage equality is the law of the land in limbo -- the state says that these marriages are legal, but the church says that a congregation may not celebrate marriage between two people of the same gender. Which means that those who have been baptized and nurtured in a congregation may not have their most important relationships blessed by the very congregation that knows and loves them best.
I am not now, nor have I ever been, married myself. At this point in my life such an event is extremely unlikely. But I have observed many, many marriages from outside those relationships -- and those include a few same-gender marriages. I have observed some very healthy, spiritual, and loving marriages -- both heterosexual and homosexual. I have also observed many that seemed to me unhealthy, stifling, and destructive relationships. Same-gender marriage is no threat to heterosexual marriage -- heterosexuals have done a fine job of denigrating the spriritual nature of marriage without any help from their GLBT brothers and sisters!
For a long time now I have believed that the churches, synagogues, and mosques should get out of the business of being agents for the state when it comes to marriage. I think that, as is true in other nations, marriage ceremonies should all be conducted by the state, along with the marriage license, and that religious institutions may then decide which marriages merit the spiritual blessings of the congregations. I would leave this to the individual congregation, but then I have been existing happily as interim pastor with an American Baptist congregation for the last nineteen months ... so this particular portion of my plan wouldn't work in my own denomination. And I realize that this would not solve the problem for all ministers in states where same-gender marriage is legal but their denomination will not bless these unions.
My plan would also mean that one of the banes of my existence as a pastor, couples who want church weddings but who want no other part of the church, could be told that church weddings are only for those who are church members, because they demonstrate a congregation's love for, support of, and blessing toward a couple whom they know and love. I hope that it would also mostly eliminate the phenomenon that has grown exponentially since I entered the ministry 26 years ago: that of small attendance at the actual wedding ceremony and huge attendance at the reception -- the PARTY -- afterwards.
It seems to me that those -- especially politicians -- who yell loudest against "gay marriage" are often those who thumb their noses at the sacred nature of the marriage vows by betraying those vows in adultery. I think Jesus had something to say about such hypocrisy.
I don't know what will happen in the presbyteries. I am in favor of the new language for a number of reasons. And that's not the decision that I'm most concerned about today. The decision that occupies my mind right now is the one General Assembly made to study the question of same-sex marriage, which effectively leaves ministers who reside in states where marriage equality is the law of the land in limbo -- the state says that these marriages are legal, but the church says that a congregation may not celebrate marriage between two people of the same gender. Which means that those who have been baptized and nurtured in a congregation may not have their most important relationships blessed by the very congregation that knows and loves them best.
I am not now, nor have I ever been, married myself. At this point in my life such an event is extremely unlikely. But I have observed many, many marriages from outside those relationships -- and those include a few same-gender marriages. I have observed some very healthy, spiritual, and loving marriages -- both heterosexual and homosexual. I have also observed many that seemed to me unhealthy, stifling, and destructive relationships. Same-gender marriage is no threat to heterosexual marriage -- heterosexuals have done a fine job of denigrating the spriritual nature of marriage without any help from their GLBT brothers and sisters!
For a long time now I have believed that the churches, synagogues, and mosques should get out of the business of being agents for the state when it comes to marriage. I think that, as is true in other nations, marriage ceremonies should all be conducted by the state, along with the marriage license, and that religious institutions may then decide which marriages merit the spiritual blessings of the congregations. I would leave this to the individual congregation, but then I have been existing happily as interim pastor with an American Baptist congregation for the last nineteen months ... so this particular portion of my plan wouldn't work in my own denomination. And I realize that this would not solve the problem for all ministers in states where same-gender marriage is legal but their denomination will not bless these unions.
My plan would also mean that one of the banes of my existence as a pastor, couples who want church weddings but who want no other part of the church, could be told that church weddings are only for those who are church members, because they demonstrate a congregation's love for, support of, and blessing toward a couple whom they know and love. I hope that it would also mostly eliminate the phenomenon that has grown exponentially since I entered the ministry 26 years ago: that of small attendance at the actual wedding ceremony and huge attendance at the reception -- the PARTY -- afterwards.
It seems to me that those -- especially politicians -- who yell loudest against "gay marriage" are often those who thumb their noses at the sacred nature of the marriage vows by betraying those vows in adultery. I think Jesus had something to say about such hypocrisy.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Contemplating Retirement
I'm applying for retirement, not because I want to stop working, but because I want to continue working but not full time. I need the pension, since I'm still paying on the mortgage on my house. Still, this will be a big move. I just saw Ringo Starr on television, talking with Diane Sawyer on his 70th birthday. He said when we're in our twenties we never think we're ever going to be as old as 70. Well, I'm not there yet, but I do wonder sometimes how I ever got to be as old as I am!
I have a list of things I want to do after retirement: volunteer on fund drives for my favorite radio station (WAMC in Albany), offer my services to the local public library and/or elementary school to read to children (and listen to the children read), get back to basket weaving, spend more time playing my dulcimer and my piano. Friends who are retired, though, say that their time gets filled with many other things. So maybe the adventures I discover after retirement will be surprises. That's okay too.
Reaching a milestone like retirement makes me wonder at life's brevity, its meaning, what I might do to make a difference with the time I have left. I have been a teacher and a minister, and I know I've affected many other people's lives. I constantly have the feeling that I haven't done nearly as much as I might have, but it's hard in the midst of life to know how it has all stacked up. I guess all I can do is keep trying, and keep praying that I'll continue to grow in grace and in faith, as long as I live.
I have a list of things I want to do after retirement: volunteer on fund drives for my favorite radio station (WAMC in Albany), offer my services to the local public library and/or elementary school to read to children (and listen to the children read), get back to basket weaving, spend more time playing my dulcimer and my piano. Friends who are retired, though, say that their time gets filled with many other things. So maybe the adventures I discover after retirement will be surprises. That's okay too.
Reaching a milestone like retirement makes me wonder at life's brevity, its meaning, what I might do to make a difference with the time I have left. I have been a teacher and a minister, and I know I've affected many other people's lives. I constantly have the feeling that I haven't done nearly as much as I might have, but it's hard in the midst of life to know how it has all stacked up. I guess all I can do is keep trying, and keep praying that I'll continue to grow in grace and in faith, as long as I live.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Worship today
This morning the FOCUS Churches of Albany (something like Fine Old Churches United in Service) had a union worship service at one of our member churches, Israel A.M.E. While I don't think I'd be comfortable with this brand of worship as a steady diet, it was certainly a joyous, Spirit-filled time. Only two hours, which in the Black church tradition isn't excessive.
The other FOCUS churches are Emmanuel Baptist, where I'm currently Interim Pastor; First Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian (both PCUSA congregations), Trinity United Methodist, and Delmar Reformed. Delmar is a suburb of Albany, and the other churches are all in the Center Square neighborhood of Albany, which is just up the hill from the Capitol building.
FOCUS runs a breakfast program in winter, a "computer for kids" program in summer, and a food pantry all year round. In general, FOCUS ministries aid the hungry, homeless, and poor of the neighborhood.
Albany is a small city (called "Smalbany" by some), but it has all the problems of cities of all sizes. There are other churches in the city, too, that are doing much-needed ministry. But the churches can't do it all. And I am convinced that the purpose of government really is in part to "promote the general welfare" of all citizens. The rub, of course, is how to do this when revenues are limited. I don't have all the answers; if I did, I'd be running for office, or at least writing lots of letters to the legislators and the governor -- and the U.S. Congress and Senate and the president... but I do think that too many get away with too little in taxes.
Ah well. This morning at Israel, the tithers were invited to bring their tithes forward first, before the rest of the worshipers. There were a lot of them! I wonder ... I doubt that anyone in that worship service this morning is a millionnaire, and I wonder how many millionnaires tithe to churches or to charities. If more of all of us tithed to help out the "least of these" all would be better off.
Let the people say, "Amen."
The other FOCUS churches are Emmanuel Baptist, where I'm currently Interim Pastor; First Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian (both PCUSA congregations), Trinity United Methodist, and Delmar Reformed. Delmar is a suburb of Albany, and the other churches are all in the Center Square neighborhood of Albany, which is just up the hill from the Capitol building.
FOCUS runs a breakfast program in winter, a "computer for kids" program in summer, and a food pantry all year round. In general, FOCUS ministries aid the hungry, homeless, and poor of the neighborhood.
Albany is a small city (called "Smalbany" by some), but it has all the problems of cities of all sizes. There are other churches in the city, too, that are doing much-needed ministry. But the churches can't do it all. And I am convinced that the purpose of government really is in part to "promote the general welfare" of all citizens. The rub, of course, is how to do this when revenues are limited. I don't have all the answers; if I did, I'd be running for office, or at least writing lots of letters to the legislators and the governor -- and the U.S. Congress and Senate and the president... but I do think that too many get away with too little in taxes.
Ah well. This morning at Israel, the tithers were invited to bring their tithes forward first, before the rest of the worshipers. There were a lot of them! I wonder ... I doubt that anyone in that worship service this morning is a millionnaire, and I wonder how many millionnaires tithe to churches or to charities. If more of all of us tithed to help out the "least of these" all would be better off.
Let the people say, "Amen."
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