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Being a little short on time for composing a usual entry, I share these tidbits, from various sources, but compiled in the current Christian Century:
A Columbia Business School professor who administers personality tests in his classes was worried that a student who got the maximum score on the narcissism scale might find the results distressing. But then he heard the student exulting to a classmate, "I aced the narcissism test—I got every single question right!"
A priest in Italy, accused of running a beauty contest for nuns, has decided to call it off. He says he was misunderstood: he wasn't about to parade nuns wearing bathing suits. He was interested in judging their "interior beauty"—their spirituality, social awareness and charity. Still, external beauty shouldn't be ignored. "Being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun," he says. "External beauty is a gift from God, and we mustn't hide it"
Asked what she thought of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said, "If it was good enough for the founding fathers, it's good enough for me." Palin might be surprised to know that the Pledge was written not by the founding fathers but in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Christian socialist and Baptist minister, with the intent of pledging support for poor and excluded Americans. And the phrase "under God" wasn't added until 1954 during the cold war with the officially atheistic Soviet Union.
Before the Democratic National Convention held its final session in an outdoor sports arena, Stuart Shepard of Focus on the Family posted an online video asking conservatives to pray that God would send down "abundant rain, torrential rain, urban-and-small-stream flood-advisory rain" on Obama and his supporters. After receiving complaints, Shepard took down the video. The weather turned out to be ideal that evening. Elsewhere on the religion and weather front: liberal filmmaker Michael Moore jested that when Hurricane Gustav led to the postponement of events at the Republican National Convention, it was God's way of showing disapproval of the Republicans.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...
It seems there is some innate human need to identify or create an enemy. Perhaps it is a means by which to elevate the self somehow.
On a basic level, sports fans sometimes are obsessive not only in their loyalty and love of a favorite team, but also in their hatred of a specific rival team. In baseball, this is true in the case of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Some folks are pretty virulent in their disdain for the sports rival. It’s funny and frightening at the same time.
I recall joking once that because a good friend of mine was unhappy with a mutual acquaintance, I had to be mad at him, too. As a loyal friend, it was up to me to unite against the enemy. My friend was right, and the other guy most definitely was wrong. And inappropriate. And misguided. And rude. And ugly.
When the Soviet Union fell apart, it took the wind out of the sails of those in our country who blamed it for all the evils in the world. The Soviet Union disappeared, but international tensions, problems, and challenges did not. Finding a new enemy was inevitable.
In an article about how the economy is gaining momentum as a priority issue for voters of varied political and faith persuasions some of the folks quoted framed the discussion in terms of values: being mindful and compassionate of the poor, and resisting the temptations of greed and materialism.
In the midst of all of that was a statement by Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, which plays to conservative Christians. Perkins, according to the article, claimed that his constituency links abortion and gay marriage to the economy, and he said, “As there’s a breakdown in the family and the family weakens, it’s only logical it will hit Wall Street. A nation cannot be strong just because of a financial structure alone. It has to have strong families and values.”
Thanks for clarifying that, Tony. Is that like Pat Robertson’s assertion that Hurricane Katrina was God’s response to a scheduled Gay Pride March in New Orleans three years ago? If only homosexuals would choose to be heterosexuals instead, and women facing deeply threatening issues and choices would decide against having abortions, then American families would be strong, our values would be “right,” and the economy would be prosperous?
We have our enemies identified! I’m surprised he didn’t mention brown-skinned immigrants.
What about heterosexual sexual predators, both men and women (another female teacher was in the news here in Florida today for her “affair” with a 15 year-old male student)? What about people who are so immature and selfish they are incapable of growing into a life-long, loving relationship with the person they married? What about the insidious pressures of marketing on the minds of our children? What about the aspirations to affluent lifestyles? What about the demands of the workplace, requiring more and more time devoted in pursuit of profits for the employer at the expense of quality relationships between parents and children. What about absentee parents? What about latch-key kids, and the reality that so many of our children are being raised by hired strangers?
I would think that a research council concerned with families might devote some time and attention to these kinds of pressures that threaten healthy families.
But, perhaps they hit a little too close to home. Perhaps the enemy is harder to define in those cases. Perhaps the enemy resides within.
On a basic level, sports fans sometimes are obsessive not only in their loyalty and love of a favorite team, but also in their hatred of a specific rival team. In baseball, this is true in the case of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Some folks are pretty virulent in their disdain for the sports rival. It’s funny and frightening at the same time.
I recall joking once that because a good friend of mine was unhappy with a mutual acquaintance, I had to be mad at him, too. As a loyal friend, it was up to me to unite against the enemy. My friend was right, and the other guy most definitely was wrong. And inappropriate. And misguided. And rude. And ugly.
When the Soviet Union fell apart, it took the wind out of the sails of those in our country who blamed it for all the evils in the world. The Soviet Union disappeared, but international tensions, problems, and challenges did not. Finding a new enemy was inevitable.
In an article about how the economy is gaining momentum as a priority issue for voters of varied political and faith persuasions some of the folks quoted framed the discussion in terms of values: being mindful and compassionate of the poor, and resisting the temptations of greed and materialism.
In the midst of all of that was a statement by Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, which plays to conservative Christians. Perkins, according to the article, claimed that his constituency links abortion and gay marriage to the economy, and he said, “As there’s a breakdown in the family and the family weakens, it’s only logical it will hit Wall Street. A nation cannot be strong just because of a financial structure alone. It has to have strong families and values.”
Thanks for clarifying that, Tony. Is that like Pat Robertson’s assertion that Hurricane Katrina was God’s response to a scheduled Gay Pride March in New Orleans three years ago? If only homosexuals would choose to be heterosexuals instead, and women facing deeply threatening issues and choices would decide against having abortions, then American families would be strong, our values would be “right,” and the economy would be prosperous?
We have our enemies identified! I’m surprised he didn’t mention brown-skinned immigrants.
What about heterosexual sexual predators, both men and women (another female teacher was in the news here in Florida today for her “affair” with a 15 year-old male student)? What about people who are so immature and selfish they are incapable of growing into a life-long, loving relationship with the person they married? What about the insidious pressures of marketing on the minds of our children? What about the aspirations to affluent lifestyles? What about the demands of the workplace, requiring more and more time devoted in pursuit of profits for the employer at the expense of quality relationships between parents and children. What about absentee parents? What about latch-key kids, and the reality that so many of our children are being raised by hired strangers?
I would think that a research council concerned with families might devote some time and attention to these kinds of pressures that threaten healthy families.
But, perhaps they hit a little too close to home. Perhaps the enemy is harder to define in those cases. Perhaps the enemy resides within.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Here's One For The Values Voters
I remember back in 1969 when Neil Armstrong took a “giant leap for mankind” and stepped onto the surface of the moon, there were some who did not believe it really happened. In their view a conspiracy between NASA and others in the federal government led to a staged event.
Some still deny that the Holocaust ever occurred during World War II, when millions of Jews and other expendable people were exterminated by Hitler’s Nazi regime. I haven’t figured out that one, given eye-witness accounts, photos, and other evidence and artifacts filling Holocaust museums around the world.
In today’s world, the reality of global warming and climate change is not acknowledged by everyone, even among those in very high places. Whether their heads are buried in the sand or somewhere else, change is happening all around.
One example recently reported involves Pacific Islands with very low land levels. Majuro Island and other atolls are threatened by increasing storms, the resulting crop and ocean reef damage, and rising ocean levels. Residents suffer the effects on food production and fish availability, and face the potential loss of their land and homes. As one person describes the harsh realities, climate change is “the most important issue facing the Pacific region because it has an impact on all aspects of our lives.”
Efforts are underway at Pacific Theological College to raise awareness and provide education. Programs are being designed to assist people in caring for the earth and the environment. Leaders of the college assert that everyone has an obligation to be involved. Feleterika Nokise, principal of PTC, maintains that in “revisiting attitudes and examining the relationship between the issue and theology we can ascertain the meaning of values associated with honoring and caring for God’s world.”
Folks attending my church denomination’s General Assembly next summer will have a chance to hear more about this, as Nokise will be one of the featured speakers.
Hopefully, among the several thousand Disciples gathered in Indianapolis for the assembly, no one will be in denial regarding this critical reality.
Some still deny that the Holocaust ever occurred during World War II, when millions of Jews and other expendable people were exterminated by Hitler’s Nazi regime. I haven’t figured out that one, given eye-witness accounts, photos, and other evidence and artifacts filling Holocaust museums around the world.
In today’s world, the reality of global warming and climate change is not acknowledged by everyone, even among those in very high places. Whether their heads are buried in the sand or somewhere else, change is happening all around.
One example recently reported involves Pacific Islands with very low land levels. Majuro Island and other atolls are threatened by increasing storms, the resulting crop and ocean reef damage, and rising ocean levels. Residents suffer the effects on food production and fish availability, and face the potential loss of their land and homes. As one person describes the harsh realities, climate change is “the most important issue facing the Pacific region because it has an impact on all aspects of our lives.”
Efforts are underway at Pacific Theological College to raise awareness and provide education. Programs are being designed to assist people in caring for the earth and the environment. Leaders of the college assert that everyone has an obligation to be involved. Feleterika Nokise, principal of PTC, maintains that in “revisiting attitudes and examining the relationship between the issue and theology we can ascertain the meaning of values associated with honoring and caring for God’s world.”
Folks attending my church denomination’s General Assembly next summer will have a chance to hear more about this, as Nokise will be one of the featured speakers.
Hopefully, among the several thousand Disciples gathered in Indianapolis for the assembly, no one will be in denial regarding this critical reality.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
It Just Doesn't Add Up
On television there is a “reality” program called “Last Comic Standing,” in which contestants pass through rounds of competition to win a prize. After each round, the field of comedians narrows until finally only one remains, claiming the status described in the title of the show.
Sometimes I wonder if people of faith might be engaging in a similar competition. One has to search far and wide to find “news” of the church/synagogue/mosque that is adding positive value to the community in which it is located and beyond. Most of the reports appearing online or in other media outlets remind us again and again of the ways believers separate, divide, alienate, ostracize, and judge.
Among Christians, there are thousands of denominations and groups, with more division occurring all the time. When all the winnowing and sorting out finally ends (presumably when God finally runs out of patience), will there be one Christian left who got it right? Or will the one, true, perfect church finally exist, but have such a small membership that it cannot be sustained? (Certainly, there will be no pastor, because we don’t do anything right.)
Throughout the world, people from various religions and spiritualities spend an inordinate amount of time pointing out the errors of those who differ, or even engage in strategies to eliminate them.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming proportion of people in the world try to survive on the equivalent of a dollar or two a day; HIV-AIDS is wiping out the populations of villages and regions; hunger and related diseases claim the lives of 30,000 people daily; heads of state and their governments are quick to commit troops to war, either to back up threats, head-off perceived threats from others, or protect and maintain wealth and resources; and, greed, materialism, and selfishness energize the “winners” and suffocate the losers.
The Bible is used to oppress rather than as a source of “words of life.” God’s name is taken in vain by preachers and others with political and/or social agendas. The church is seen as a fortress, keeping out those who are wrong, evil, and undesirable, rather than as a sanctuary in which God’s spirit may be found and experienced, leading people to a relationship with the One who grants, defines, and sustains life.
But, then, nobody’s perfect. And so many who insist on the importance of their faith end up denying it by their actions.
As the need for God’s presence, truth, and grace in our lives and in the world seems to intensify, we choose to take matters into our own hands.
These articles and others inspired my mood: One Two Three
Sometimes I wonder if people of faith might be engaging in a similar competition. One has to search far and wide to find “news” of the church/synagogue/mosque that is adding positive value to the community in which it is located and beyond. Most of the reports appearing online or in other media outlets remind us again and again of the ways believers separate, divide, alienate, ostracize, and judge.
Among Christians, there are thousands of denominations and groups, with more division occurring all the time. When all the winnowing and sorting out finally ends (presumably when God finally runs out of patience), will there be one Christian left who got it right? Or will the one, true, perfect church finally exist, but have such a small membership that it cannot be sustained? (Certainly, there will be no pastor, because we don’t do anything right.)
Throughout the world, people from various religions and spiritualities spend an inordinate amount of time pointing out the errors of those who differ, or even engage in strategies to eliminate them.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming proportion of people in the world try to survive on the equivalent of a dollar or two a day; HIV-AIDS is wiping out the populations of villages and regions; hunger and related diseases claim the lives of 30,000 people daily; heads of state and their governments are quick to commit troops to war, either to back up threats, head-off perceived threats from others, or protect and maintain wealth and resources; and, greed, materialism, and selfishness energize the “winners” and suffocate the losers.
The Bible is used to oppress rather than as a source of “words of life.” God’s name is taken in vain by preachers and others with political and/or social agendas. The church is seen as a fortress, keeping out those who are wrong, evil, and undesirable, rather than as a sanctuary in which God’s spirit may be found and experienced, leading people to a relationship with the One who grants, defines, and sustains life.
But, then, nobody’s perfect. And so many who insist on the importance of their faith end up denying it by their actions.
As the need for God’s presence, truth, and grace in our lives and in the world seems to intensify, we choose to take matters into our own hands.
These articles and others inspired my mood: One Two Three
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