Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

The Boys

My sister Heather sent along some new photos of my nephews. Dylan is above. Devin and Ian are below.

Those Damn Liberal Judges

Judge refuses to halt gay marriages in Multnomah County, Oregon.

More good news from the Rose City!

Guantanamo Bay Draws Church Concern

Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches USA, joined today with 9/11 families and human rights groups in calling for better treatment of prisoners held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay.

….we are not here to make any claims about their guilt or innocence. We are here because the principle of due process under the law also is being held prisoner on Guantanamo. We are determined to protect and defend this fundamental right. Without it, no one can be assured of fair treatment under the law. Without it, any one could be arbitrarily stripped of the human dignity that God confers on all people.

To that end, the National Council of Churches, on January 14, joined many other religious, legal and human rights organizations in filing an amicus brief in this case. Today, with these and other organizations we continue to challenge the startling and dangerous assertion that the United States’ government can sidestep judicial review while holding people outside our nation’s sovereign territory. The attempt to create a land beyond the law, where people are without rights, is troubling in the extreme.

Human Rights Watch has been monitoring the situation in Guantanamo Bay, but no human rights observers are being allowed to witness the military trials being held at the prison camp.

“The Defense Department wants to control who can talk to the journalists covering the trials,” said Wendy Patten, U.S. advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The Pentagon has imposed a gag rule on defense lawyers, who can only speak to the press with the military’s permission. Now it wants to shut out experienced trial observers who could provide the public with independent analysis.”

Human rights need to apply to everyone – even those we see as the enemy.

Another Dog Day

We napped, read, ate (I went to worship). Hugo and Hazel fought over bones. It's been a nice Sunday.

It Is Not The Process That Matters

Debate over Multnomah County, Oregon's decision to let gay and lesbian marriages take place seems to have settled into three arguments:

1. Gays and lesbians should never be married.

2. The process for making the decision was flawed and the politicians should be held accountable for their mistake.

3. This was an important civil rights decision.

Some people seem to cross over between arguments two and three.

Most of my adult life has been spent working on civil rights issues: expanding voting rights, fighting expansion of police powers, working to make housing a human right rather than a gift of privilege.

Opponents of civil rights always question the timing. You’re moving too fast! This will hurt the cause in the long run!

Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote about the “process question” this way in his Letter From A Birmingham Jail.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct-action campaign that was "well timed" in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word "Wait!" It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This "Wait" has almost always meant 'Never." We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

I’m one of those people who don’t like to wait. Like King, I hear “Wait” and I know that it almost always means never – whether the question is racial justice, economic justice, or legal justice.

People of good faith can disagree on whether the timing was right or not. But if you believe in equality – if you believe in justice – then the Multnomah County Commissioners should be receiving praise instead of criticism.

They did something rare and noble in the cause of justice.

They didn’t wait.

(The Rev. Paul Davis from Portland's First Congregational United Church of Christ)

5 Planets: 1 Wife

Liz is very excited over the news that later this month five planets will be visible from Earth.

All five planets that can be visible to the naked eye will appear together in the evening sky later this month in a viewing opportunity that won't be matched for 32 years.

Going in order from west to east, the cast of planetary characters will be Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. All but Mercury are already visible. The winged messenger is the most elusive of the five, being so close to the Sun that it never gets very far above the horizon, and always only near dawn or dust.

Keep on the look out.

Clergy Rally To Support Multnomah County Weddings

Basic Rights Oregon has released a list of clergy who will perform gay and lesbian weddings in Multnomah County. You can find the information here. Over 30 clergy attended a press conference on Friday to show support for Multnomah County's decision.

At Keller Auditorium, about 30 Portland-area clergy members announced their support for gay marriage. As weddings were performed around them, the cluster of pastors, rabbis and ministers professed their desire to counterbalance religious leaders who oppose gay unions or said they will sue to block marriage licenses for gay couples. Clergy from denominations that officially oppose gay marriage, including Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists, showed their personal support for gay marriage by standing alongside those from traditions that embrace gay unions, including the United Church of Christ, Metropolitan Community Church and Unitarians.

Liz's 19 Week Photo

Here is Liz's 19 week photo. We try and take a new picture every two weeks to keep track of all the changes. Everything went great at our pre-natal check-up on Friday. The twins are growing everyday. Liz is still feeling and looking great.

A Little Bush Humor

My seminary colleague Craig Jan-McMahon sends this along.....

It's Dishonest Dubya.

Good for a nice laugh.

Methodist Church: No Weddings At All

Here’s one that I missed (and found thanks to WWP):

A United Methodist Church is Missouri will no longer hold weddings. The decision was made because national United Methodist policy prohibits gay and lesbians weddings. Rather than discriminate against gays and lesbians Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City is canceling all weddings to stand in solidarity with those who cannot marry.

William Sloane Coffin Tonight On PBS

One of my heroes is The Rev. Dr. William Sloane Coffin – the former Yale Chaplin, civil rights marcher, and advocate for nuclear disarmament. Back when I was a student at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon (around 1987) Rev. Coffin came to speak and my advisor, Dr. Russell Dondero, arranged for me to talk with Coffin about my desire to one-day become a minister.

Dr. Coffin will be interviewed tonight on the PBS program “NOW with Bill Moyers.”

"People in high places make me really angry — the way of corporations now are behaving, the way the United States government is behaving," Coffin says. "What makes me angry is that they are so callous, really callous....When you see uncaring people in high places, everybody should be mad as hell."

Today, even though doctors say he has only a short time to live, Coffin is continuing to listen and speak out on God and religion, on tolerance and faith, and on world events and politics. Renowned for his role in the civil rights movement and as a vocal opponent against nuclear weapons proliferation, it is a belief in faith as a force for resisting evil that continues to drive his commitment to global peace and social justice.

My understanding of Christianity is that it underlies all progressive moves to implement more justice, get a higher degree of peace in the world," he tells Bill Moyers. The impulse to love God and neighbor, that impulse is at the heart of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. No question about it — we have much more in common than we have in conflict."

Check local listings and tune in to hear a great man.

Update: Read my 29, 2004 interview with William Sloane Coffin by clicking here.

Matt Blunt for Governor Gun Control Protest

Tonight Missouri citizens rallied outside a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Blunt in an effort to get Blunt to agree he'd buck his own party and work to overturn a new concealed weapons law if elected. Voters in Missouri had defeated a proposal to allow concealed weapons, but Republicans in the legislature overrode the voters and changed state law to allow concealed weapons.

Liz, working with Missourians Against Concealed Weapons, organized the protest. The Blunt campaign and the owners of the venue where it was held – Orlando Gardens – called police and at least 8 patrol cars and a police helicopter showed up. The police were helpful and willing to negotiate a move to a near-by location across the street, but by that time all the media had their story about Blunt’s anti-gun control agenda and we decided to head home.

(Liz talking with police)

(Peaceful protesters - including me - Photos taken from KMOV)

Visit The Brady Campaign to learn more about how together we can reduce gun violence in America.

9/11 Families Angry Over Bush Ads

Families who lost relatives in the 9/11 attacks are reacting in anger to commercials for George W. Bush’s campaign for President. The ads show images of Ground Zero and fire fighters removing a body.

"Families are enraged," said Bill Doyle, 57, of New York, who is active in several Sept. 11 family groups. "What I think is distasteful is that the president is trying to use 9/11 as a springboard for his re-election."

"It's entirely wrong. He's had 3,500 deaths on his watch, including Iraq," said Doyle, whose 25-year-old son Joseph died at the trade center.

9/11 families are particularly upset over Bush’s reluctance to testify before the independent commission investigating the attacks. How upset are people?

Ron Willett of Walnut Shade, Missouri, said he was disgusted when he saw the ads. Willett, who lost his 29-year-old son, John Charles, when planes hit the trade center, said he is now so upset, "I would vote for Saddam Hussein before I would vote for Bush."

Among the families that have come forward are Republicans, Democrats and Independents, according to CNN. The fire fighters union has already endorsed John Kerry.

Portland Clergy Help Wed Gays & Lesbians

Multnomah County’s decision to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples has Portland’s religious community divided. The same was true during the Measure 9 campaign in 2000. However, more and more clergy are supportive of same sex marriages.

The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross, senior minister at Portland’s First Congregational United Church of Christ, helped perform some of those ceremonies yesterday. She told me this morning that it was a wonderful and celebratory atmosphere. The Rev. Paul Davis, who serves as the church’s associate minister, is helping to perform services today. The Rev. Susan Leo from Bridgeport United Church of Christ has also been performing ceremonies. So have The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell and The Rev. Thomas Disrud from Portland’s First Unitarian Church.

The media is reporting how angry Christians are over the Multnomah County decision. Maybe the real story of note is how many people of faith are supportive. Twenty years ago – or less – you wouldn’t have seen ministers dropping everything to rush off and perform gay weddings. We’re living in a better world.

Defend Social Security

United Church of Christ Action Alert

Last week, Federal Reseve Chairman Alan Greenspan told Congress he supports sharply reducing this nation's long-standing commitment to Social Security. He argued that Congress needs to make room for the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and other federal budget shortfalls by cutting spending on Social Security. Twenty percent of all recipients of Social Security rely on it as their sole source of income. Call on the President and Congress to protect and enhance Social Security for those who have paid into the system their whole lives, not cut benefits and privatize the system.

Click here for more information or to send an e-mail or fax in support of Social Security.

Had An Abortion Recently?

John Ashcroft and the Bush Justice Department might want to review your medical records. Subpoenas have been issued for doctors and hospitals that perform abortions in a clear effort to harass opponents of the so-called Partial-Birth abortion ban.

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice stands with the hospitals and physicians that are resisting this unconscionable intrusion into the most intimate matters of an individual’s life. Enormous pressure is being placed on these hospitals and physicians and we support them in their courageous and principled refusal to submit until the legal proceedings run their course.

Ashcroft is seeking medical records of women who have had second or third trimester abortions. Doctors opposed to Bush abortion policies have been specifically targeted. The Justice Department is claiming that “no doctor-patient privilege exists under federal law protecting patients from public disclosure.”

Multnomah County Takes Strong Stand

I’ve been on the phone this morning with church and political leaders in Oregon concerning the historic Multnomah County decision to allow same-sex marriages. My friend Kate Lore, social justice director at Portland’s First Unitarian Church, reports that clergy from her congregation are on the streets performing wedding ceremonies. The Rev. Paul Davis at Portland’s First Congregational United Church of Christ tells me a celebration is being planned for Sunday at my home church (details to follow). Earlier I left messages of support for Diane Linn, Serena Cruz, and Maria Rojo de Steffey on the Multnomah County Commission. I’ve worked with all three and they should be commended for their courage. Basic Rights Oregon is planning a mass wedding later today. Paul told me that today Oregon was liberating the institution of marriage from a concept that once simply meant property rights into a concept founded simply on love. Amen. I'll also note that Charlie Hinkel, the lawyer who reviewed the county's decision, is also a United Church of Christ minister and has acted as my attorney when I worked at Portland's First United Methodist Church.

John Edwards: A Big Future Ahead

John Edwards ran a great campaign for President. No candidate spoke more about important issues like poverty. Yes, he'd make a great vice-president. But I'd rather see him as the next attorney general. America owes him a big thank you for his contribution to this race.

Gays & Lesbians Marry In Multnomah County

Starting today Multnomah County, Oregon will begin issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. This follows San Francisco’s historic decision to do the same. Read all about it from Worldwide Pablo.

worldwide pablo: Bring it on

What If It Was a Gay World?

Click here to watch the commerical.

Change Is Coming To America

It is time to rally behind the winner. John Kerry will carry the banner in the campaign to change America and defeat the court-appointed incumbent. The Massachusetts senator supports the progressive agenda: expansion of health care programs, projects to build affordable housing in healthy communities, and a foreign policy based on multilateral goals where human rights take precedence over economic interests. His own life story will help drive the campaign. All our opponents can do is throw out divisive issues like gay marriage in an attempt to divide Americans over social issues. We can fight that fight and win.

Clergy Leadership Network Online Newsletter

The Clergy Leadership Network sent out their first online newsletter today. It is posted below. You can sign-up to get copies of the newsletter on the CLN site.

The Clergy Leadership Network technology train has finally pulled out of the station! And the exciting news is that our train is headed to Cleveland, OH for a National Clergy Gathering May 16-18, 2004. Don't miss it! We will gather together to receive information, inspiration and influential messages from religious leaders. We will begin the conference by inviting the City of Cleveland to join with us in worship, music and sharing the message of CLN. We will hear from the Democratic Presidential Candidate! We will provide workshops and briefings on a vast range of topics to give you information and tools for active involvement in the Presidential Election 2004. Rev. Dr. James Forbes of Riverside Church in New York City will close the conference on Tuesday at noon. Other speakers and events will be posted as they are confirmed. Visit www.clnnlc.org/gathering for online registration and for up-to-date news of the conference events.

Now for those of you who have been patiently awaiting news of what's happening at CLN:

HOW FAR WE'VE COME

- Media coverage has been phenomenal! Over 30 print news stories and 50 plus Internet news stories followed our launching Press Conference. We have been covered by The New York Times, The Associated Press, Knight-Ridder, Religious News Service, ABC News, The Atlanta Constitution, The Lexington Herald-Leader and The San Francisco Chronicle, SRN News and The Washington Post as well as Christian Century, Newsweek, Boston Phoenix, DisciplesWorld, Church & State, and even The Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD). We have been featured on TV programs from Al-Jazeera TV to The O'Reilly Factor. We have been guests of radio talk shows in Washington, Louisville, Lexington, San Francisco, New York, Chicago and other cities.

- Membership Success: New members continue to sign on daily from across the U.S. with members from as far as South Korea and Paraguay ("We heard...You give us hope!"). CLN has received $20,000+ in gifts (averaging a little over the basic $25) from membership sources alone! While our support is overwhelmingly clergy there are a sizable number of laypersons signed on as well. An affiliated CLN unit focusing on seminarians is being developed. The initiative has come from seminarians themselves. Visit the website often to watch progress on the seminarians' unit.

- National Committee and Staff Development: Visit the website to meet new National Committee members who have joined us and several more who will be joining us in the coming weeks. We have added a full-time intern, Greg Mancini, in our Washington office. We have begun to use volunteers in numerous ways including: entering the database material, helping with the website and developing plans for fund development through e-mail and direct mail.

HOW FAR WE HAVE TO GO

- In order to bring about National Leadership Change, we need YOU! The development of state and local CLN groups is essential to the future and success of our mission. We will organize committees in the 19 swing states first, but we must develop networks in all states to accomplish our mission. Voting impact by moderate and progressive religious community members occurs only at the precinct level. That is where we have to be and that means your involvement on the local level. Please stay alert for news from your State Chair or local Key Contact person.

- The National Clergy Gathering in Cleveland will be an excellent opportunity for state and local members to receive training, briefings and excellent tools for local organizing. We hope to see you there!

- The ongoing cost of running a national organization requires continued financial support of a stable and growing membership. Please give more when you are able and direct friends and family to our online giving.

At our January meeting of the National Committee, National Committee member Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson expressed the need for a CLN/Rainbow-PUSH relationship to be instrumental in reclaiming the commitment to social justice by both White and African-American clergy. At a time when personal adjustment and prosperity "theologies" are infecting religious leadership, we cannot compromise the integrity of religious voices. Rev. Jackson reminded us, It is "easy to love God; the problem is loving our neighbors." "It is not about black and white, but wrong and right."

Thank you for waiting patiently for this first CLN Membership Alert from us. The days have been full. In summary, there is much to do. Clearly we have become well established in a short time. Our work remains urgent: exerting public influence grounded in religious commitment to God's justice and God's inclusive care for all humanity.

May the blessings of God in these days fall gently and generously upon you all. And, remember, YOU are Clergy Leadership Network. The Network doesn't exist without you. Direct your friends to our website and our new online membership registration. Look for news about state and local committees. Make plans with friends and family to be in Cleveland on May 16-18th and stay tuned for the exciting future of CLN.

Human Rights Watch Warnings

Human Rights Watch has issued two important statements in recent days.

Their report on Haiti's rebel leaders details the violent nature of the new rulers.

As the backgrounder explains, former members of the disbanded Haitian Armed Forces (Forces Armées d’Haiti, FAd’H) have been mobilizing for about three years near the border of the Dominican Republic in central Haiti. In that region, over the past year, bands of 30 to 100 men have been harassing police, killing government supporters, taking over towns temporarily, and recruiting supporters. On July 25, 2003, they reportedly killed four members of a Ministry of Interior delegation that visited the area. Human Rights Watch also described tensions within the rebel coalition, which suggest possible power struggles to come. In Gonaïves, for example, local gang leader Butteur Métayer shares power with former paramilitary Jean Tatoune, the man who led a 1994 massacre targeting Métayer’s family.

Another report released just today details how gay men in Egypt, a strong US ally, are arrested and tortured - just for being gay.

(Cairo, March 1, 2004) -- The Egyptian government continues to arrest and routinely torture men suspected of consensual homosexual conduct, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The detention and torture of hundreds of men reveals the fragility of legal protections for individual privacy and due process for all Egyptians.

“The prohibition against torture is absolute and universal, regardless of the victim,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “Accepting torture of unpopular victims—whether for their political opinions or their sexual conduct—makes it easier for the government to use this despicable practice on many others.”

The 144-page report, “In a Time of Torture: The Assault on Justice in Egypt’s Crackdown on Homosexual Conduct,” documents the government’s increasing repression of men who have sex with men. The trial of 52 men in 2001 for the “habitual practice of debauchery”—the legal charge used to criminalize homosexual conduct in Egyptian law—was only the most visible point in the ongoing and expanding crackdown.

Happy Birthday, WWP

Today is the birthday of Worldwide Pablo (better known as Paul Nickell). Happy birthday, Paul.

A Coup In Haiti?

US Representative Maxine Waters is charging that US forces kidnapped Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide as part of a US-backed coup. The State Department and Defense Department immediately denied the charge.

Aristide has contacted Waters, Rep. Charles Rangel, and Randall Robinson (the former head of TransAfrica) and told them that American officials arrived at his home and forced him to leave. Rebels, many of whom are part of the military that Aristide disbanded after assuming the presidency, have been attempting to take control of the country for weeks. In the past, the military had supported US corporate interests in the tiny Caribbean nation and routinely killed political opponents and church leaders.

Those rebels are now largely in control of Haiti.

18 Weeks and Counting

This morning we had another ultrasound. Both babies are doing well. They're both the same size (a very good sign) and growing.