Tonight the president of the United States will address the American people and announce - as he promised during the 2008 campaign - that he has ended combat operations in Iraq. Over 90,000 U.S. troops have returned home. Another 50,000 troops remain to support the new Iraqi government. These remaining troops are scheduled to return next year. 

The Iraq War was one that never should have been fought. It was sold to the American people with elaborate lies from President Bush, Vice-President Cheney, and their Administration. Over 4,000 young American men and women and countless Iraqi civilians died in a conflict that could have been and should have been avoided. President Bush's false claims that Iraq was involved with 9/11 and had weapons of mass destruction brought about one of America's darkest foreign adventures. 

The National Council of Churches USA (NCC) and nearly every other Christian body in the United States - with the notable exception of the Southern Baptists - argued against ever invading Iraq. At the time, NCC endorsed a statement made by the U.S. Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops that read in part:

"... war against Iraq could have unpredictable consequences not only for Iraq, but for peace and stability elsewhere in the Middle East. The use of force might provoke the very kind of attacks that it is intended to prevent, could impose terrible new burdens on an already long-suffering civilian population, and could lead to wider conflict and instability in the region. War against Iraq could also detract from the responsibility to help build a just and stable order in Afghanistan and could undermine broader efforts to stop terrorism.”

Our worst fears came true. We can be thankful that Barack Obama used his voice during that period to oppose the war and as president has now ended combat operations - and begun a process to bring all troops home. The future for Iraq, however, remains uncertain. Years of oppressive rule by Saddam Hussein have been followed by war that killed countless civilians and political unrest. The United States will have to retain a humanitarian responsibility to the people of Iraq for generations. 

Perhaps we can learn from this lesson that pre-emptive war should never be an option for this nation. As Christians, we must continue to speak out against war whenever possible but with the tragic recognition that sometimes there may be no other course in the most extreme circumstances. War in Iraq, however, was never a moral imperative. President Obama should be applauded for the steps he has taken. 

As we leave Iraq, it is also important that we re-examine our role in Afghanistan. The moral issues there are deeply complicated and a national conversation over our involvement is critical at this moment of history.

We have waited way too long for the war in Iraq to end.  It has been a long struggle.  I spoke about the war in Iraq and the Christian responsibility for addressing this conflict at Portland's First Congregational United Church of Christ in 2008:

I have a confession to make: I lack some discipline in my spiritual life (actually in many other parts of my life as well, but let's focus on just this one area for now). Prayer doesn't come naturally outside of a church setting and I'm haphazard in reading Scripture (though I tear through books on theology and history). Yes, every day at 4pm my IPhone beeps with a reminder about the coming day's lectionary readings and sometimes I actually read them. The Still Speaking Devotional, available from the United Church of Christ, is a great resource delivered each day right into your e-mail box. But I currently have over 42,000 e-mails in my inbox and I obviously don't have time to read everything. 

All of this has a point, if you're wondering. I'm enjoying Solo, Eugene Peterson's work billed as a "Uncommon Devotional." It is based on Peterson's modern translation of Scripture. Each day you read one piece of Scripture (Peterson provides the option of expanded reading in case you wonder about the context and I nearly always do so I keep my Harper Collins NRSV Study Bible handy) and asks you to reflect on what you read using the ancient practice of lectio divina (divine reading), a practice that I first became familiar with when taking homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. It is a meditative, prayerful reading of Scripture best described as a "slow, contemplative praying of the Scriptures."  This is the practice that I begin with when writing sermons.  Click here for an article from Beliefnet.com for additional information on lectio divina. 

I highly recommend the book. Pastors are not immune to neglecting their own spiritual development and this book has provided a much need boost for me. I will say, however, that I regret that the translation offered by Peterson doesn't use more inclusive language and there are times I find his meditative suggestions unhelpful. Nothing is perfect, however, and any faults are overcome by a useful and readable work the use of which has become a nightly ritual for me.

Glenn Beck keeps attacking the president's faith.  The Washington Post reports:

During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," which was filmed after Saturday's rally, Beck claimed that Obama "is a guy who understands the world through liberation theology, which is oppressor-and-victim." 

"People aren't recognizing his version of Christianity," Beck added... 

Beck, on his Fox News show last Tuesday, said that liberation theology is at the core of Obama's "belief structure." "You see, it's all about victims and victimhood; oppressors and the oppressed; reparations, not repentance; collectivism, not individual salvation. I don't know what that is, other than it's not Muslim, it's not Christian. It's a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ as most Christians know it," Beck said.

What his remarks show are that 1) he doesn't understand Liberation Theology 2) that Beck has no understanding of the president's faith and just makes up stuff as he goes along.

My UCC colleague The Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite writes today:

President Obama is a Christian, and a fairly typical United Church of Christ sort of Christian at that. On June 23, 2007, then candidate Obama spoke to the United Church of Christ General Synod in Hartford, CT. I was there at that church event, and his speech on a "Politics of Conscience" has resonated with me ever since. Obama's is uniquely a UCC kind of faith, where we say "to believe is care, to care is to do." It's also a somewhat intellectual faith, also typical of the UCC. Obama admits that he didn't "fall out" (i.e. topple over because one is moved by the Holy Spirit) when he walked down the church aisle to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. "I didn't fall out in church, as folks sometimes do. The questions I had didn't magically disappear. The skeptical bent of my mind didn't suddenly vanish. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth and carrying out His works. But my journey is part of a larger journey - one shared by all who've ever sought to apply the values of their faith to our society."

Faith and works together. This is Obama's Christian faith. President Obama's beliefs seem in the mainstream for a United Church of Christ member, though more in the Reformed tradition of the UCC than the Congregational. That's why he likes Reinhold Niebuhr so much.

David Brooks' column in the New York Times is still the best text for capturing why Obama likes Niebuhr so much, and indeed, why Obama is a Christian Realist like Niebuhr and not a follower of Liberation Theology. It's all about the approach to evil.

Brooks writes that "out of the blue I asked [Obama], 'Have you ever read Reinhold Niebuhr?'" The tired candidate disappeared and Obama became animated. "I love him."

Brooks wants to know why. What does Obama take away from Niebhur's writing? "'I take away,' Obama answered in a rush of words, 'the compelling idea that there's serious evil in the world, and hardship and pain. And we should be humble and modest in our belief we can elimiate those things. But we shouldn't use that as an excuse for cynicism and inaction. I take away...the sense we have to make these efforts knowing they are hard, and not swinging from naïve idealism to bitter realism."

Liberation theology, as I have written, begins with critical consciousness, the insight into the way in which the exploitation of the vulnerable is hidden in pious and nationalistic rhetoric. It then moves to a compelling and indeed quite idealistic (though not naïve) vision of human justice that is not postponed until the next world, but realized, if only partially, in this world.

Obama is just more of a realist than the liberation theologians. He has a more critical view of human nature and its possibilities, both for good and for ill. He is, in a startling way, very much a Niebuhrian Christian realist. It matters that we know that about Barack Obama.

Click here for the full story.

Opponents of the president - who question not just his birthplace but also his faith - seem to be more overt today in their racism than during the 2008 campaign.

As I noted earlier this week, The American Spectator's loyal readers left a serious of racist remarks and other comments tinged with religious bigotry on on yet another article questioning the president's faith.  I've already published a few examples of those comments but here are some additional remarks concerning the president from The American Spectator's website left in the same ugly spirit:

• One thing I can say with 100% assurance; Obama is NOT a Christian. His actions speak loud; he is the anthesis of everything Christ taught. Obama is a disciple of Satan who is the "father of lies". Obama is wrapped up in black liberation theology, Marxism, Islam, deception, anti-Americanism, an advocate of murdering children through abortion, thuggery, criminality, immorality, corruption, and an extremely pathological liar.

• You do realize that if he is in fact Muslim it would be perfectly acceptable for him to lie about his faith and intentions by the doctrine of al-Taqiyya? Such has been used by Muslims since the seventh century to confuse, confound and divide their enemies.

• Everybody knows that all black people are perfect. Therefore, anyone who criticizes a black person about anything can only be a racist. What could be clearer?

• And when it comes to Our Lord and Savior Barack Hussein Obama - whose very existence is perfection itself - it is simply astonishing that some people don't see a god; they see an incompetent, ignorant, bigoted, angry, petulant, puerile, tyrannical piece of shit.

• Obama's genetics aside, his behavior invites a lot of questions and thus curiosity and scrutiny. His apologia to the Muslim ( and rest of the world ) his remarks about the GZ Mosque, his hostile policies towards Israel, and his background of connections with radical and even terrorist types make one feel suspicious. I don't know if Obama himself knows who he is. But on any given day he could grow beard like Karx Marx or perhaps wear full Imam regalia with Koran on his right and Das Kapital on the Left hand. The this is not a coincidental.

Like I said, there is just a lot of hate on the right.

Here's another example:  this time from an anti-gay blog that can now be fairly labeled as racist as well.

From the Gay Christian Movement Watch:

On Wednesday, an unusual gaggle of  “leaders across the ideological spectrum”  released an open letter type statement rebuking anyone who questions the so-called “faith” of the Saviour of the United States (SOTUS). The Democratic party aligned media agency hired by the “70 prominent religious leaders” contends that anyone who questions whether Barack Obama is a real Christian is misrepresenting his faith.  The letter wanted to make the point that [the president's] faith isn’t a political matter. I beg to differ.

What’s even more outrageous is the demand to prohibit the free speech rights of any American who may question Obama’s religious teleprompter faith.

“…we urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.”

Among the signatories: Bishop TD Jakes, Brian McLauren, Kirbyjon Caldwell and Rev. Chuck Currie...

People have a legitimate right to question any president’s public declarations of  the religious nature. Why is Obama exempt? Over and over he’s preached to the nation, lectured us on what the bible says ( from his progay-black liberation theology point of view), and couched his unpopular policies behind cherry picked scriptures.  He has, without question, done much more for the religion of death and violence (Islam) while sabotaging and deriding his own so called faith. And so, we are not supposed to question whether its right or wrong? We’re just supposed to shuffle our feet, give a big watermelon grin and pray for his continued success?

A "big watermelon grin..."  That's not even veiled racism. It's an obvious attempt to invoke a racist caricature of African-Americans.  Check out this doctored photo of the president available on the internet:

 

(Update:  It has been pointed out to me in an e-mail tonight that the author of the Gay Christian Movement is a man named DL Foster, an African-American who says that he experienced "deliverance from homosexual sin almost 20 years ago."  It is particularity tragic that a black man would seek to reinforce a caricature of African-Americans.  Furthermore, The American Psychological Association has noted you cannot turn gays into straights.  As Rev. Foster attacks gays and African-Americans, one can't help but be reminded of the recent news that Ken Mehlman, the chairman of George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign that played on anti-gay bigotry, came out this week as gay.  There were, of course, some African-Americans who opposed the civil rights movement.  We can only speculate on the motives of such people but I see no reason to do that here.  That fact remains that Rev. Foster pedals hateful rhetoric whatever his personal motivation might be.)          

Rhetoric like we're hearing today from those on the far right is meant to undermine the legitimacy of Barack Obama's presidency but also to divide Americans based on race and religion.  We've seen a lot of this and the Tea Party movement has been at the forefront of fostering such division.

Last summer, as the debate over health reform raged and town hall meetings deteriorated into near brawls, the National Council of Churches issued a statement urging civil discourse.  The statement speaks to today's national mood as well:

Individuals cannot express their best hopes and acknowledge their deepest fears within a climate of intimidation and character assassination, and all too often this climate is the product of racism and xenophobia.  Too much is at stake for the good of our society for us to continue down this dangerous path.  The essential nature of our national compact, to enfranchise the views of all, is imperiled in a hostile and suspicious environment. In this moment, then, we call the members of our churches, our political leaders, and all people of good will to somber reflection on the ways we might restore dignity and civility to our national discourse both as a matter of social ethics and to bolster the highest traditions of democratic process.

The prophet Isaiah (1:18) declares God’s message to the people to “Come let us reason together”. This injunction might serve us well in the present moment.  Reason, (yakah), in this passage does not refer to a dispassionate meeting of the minds but, rather calls for convincing, persuading and presenting a case for a point of view. Vigorous, principled debate advances our thinking and clarifies the challenges before us. Respect for neighbor strengthens the fabric of our communities.

Let us then, as a people, draw from our deepest traditions of faith and heritage to gain a renewed sense of community marked by honesty and mutual respect. Let our moments of rigorous debate be tempered with a profound sense of the dignity and worth of each person. Let us debate ideas on their merits and exercise restraint in expression of our own best conceptions. Such a disciplined dialogue holds great promise, honoring our differences and confirming our perception that we are a people joined in our mutual aspiration to live the lives for which we were created. 

Let us as member churches and brothers and sisters of other living faiths model the civility to which our sacred texts command.  Throughout its history, the conciliar ecumenical movement has provided a common venue for persons to express and debate differing viewpoints in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Let us make clear to ourselves and others those marks of civility that represent the best of our faiths and that can serve as foundational to rigorous, honest public discourse for the common good.

Obviously, we must speak out against racism and against those who would seek to use race or religion to divide the American people.  Such means to achieve political ends cannot be tolerated.

The test that we face in the face of such hatred and racism is how we respond.  Christians must always we concerned not just with justice but also for the need for reconciliation because justice is just a far off dream if we remain divided.   

Katherine and Frances with Governor Kitzhaber 

This afternoon Liz and I were among several co-hosts for an event benefiting John Kitzhaber's return to the Governor's office. 

Related Post: Why I'm Supporting John Kitzhaber 

The turnout was great (particularly for late August when so many other events were planned).  Governor Kitzhaber spoke in some detail about his positions on economic development, education and poverty (when prompted to do so by a certain UCC minister in attendance).  You can see why his opponent - a nice guy who has never held office or created a single job - doesn't want to debate.  John Kitzhaber knows his stuff.

We want to thank our many friends who attended today. Please show your support for his campaign by clicking here.

Check out the photos:   

I had the chance this week to talk with Michael B. Dougherty of The American Conservative, a publication started by Pat Buchanan, about comprehensive immigration reform and other issues on Bloggingheads.tv.  Take a look. 

Five years after Hurricane Katrina, 100,000 New Orleanians have yet to return

On the fifth anniversary of Katrina, survivors and advocates praise work of humanitarian agencies

Reprinted from Church World Service

NEW YORK and NEW ORLEANS -- Five years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, survivors and those working on their behalf say work is far from finished in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. But they are emphatic that what progress has been made is in great part due to the support, funding and labor of the U.S. faith community and of humanitarian agencies like Church World Service. 

"If it weren't for the volunteers and agencies who assisted me, I don't know where I would be," said Gloria Mouton, 62, a retired government employee, whose home in New Orleans East was among those repaired by volunteers from across the U.S. during the 2009 CWS Neighborhood New Orleans ecumenical project.

While saying that the city "is nowhere where it should be five years later," with many areas still dotted by empty or overgrown lots, Mouton praised the efforts that allowed her to return to her home after two years of living in Georgia with family as she waited to return to New Orleans. "This is home, where I want to be," she said, adding that the work of volunteers "came out real nice."
 
In restoring Mouton’s and other homes, CWS worked in partnership with the local New Orleans long-term recovery organization the Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, and with volunteer teams coordinated by 10 of CWS U.S. member denominations providing the labor.  "I never realized there were that many people such big hearts," she said.

Another survivor, Christopher Weaver, 48, a self-employed cook, agreed, and praised the efforts that allowed him to return to his home in New Orleans East.

"There are people who showed me a new way of life," he said of the work of volunteers and CWS-supported agencies that repaired his residence. "It was powerful to see these things happening."

"The faith community was remarkable. Absolutely remarkable in every way they could be," said Ellenor Simmons, who helps oversee long-term recovery projects for the United Way of the Greater New Orleans Area.
 
From individual churches who opened their doors to shelter survivors to faith-based humanitarian agencies and regional long-term recovery organizations, the faith response saved lives, say those who have worked tirelessly in the five years since Katrina and Rita hit the region.

"Absolutely," said Jessica Vermilyea, the Louisiana-based state director for Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response. "It saved families. If it hadn't have been for that response, I don't know what would have happened."
 
Church World Service’s multi-tiered response has continued over the long haul. Initial emergency relief included shipments of CWS Blankets, Hygiene and School Kits; organizing for long-term recovery work; and focusing on spiritual and emotional care.
 
Thousands of people received CWS kits in the days following the disaster. Later, thanks to a collaborative effort between CWS and Habitat for Humanity International, nearly 700 families were able to return to their repaired or rebuilt homes – an accomplishment that won Church World Service and HFHI the Award for Excellence in Long-Term Recovery Partnership from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
 
Since the 2005 disaster, Church World service has administered three major international grants, helped schools and youth programs in Louisiana and Mississippi recover, and helped establish and train dozens of long-term recovery groups in readiness for the next disaster. 
 
Not all the hurricane recovery work is done. There are still people in the region living in temporary housing. While there is still a sense of remarkable rebuilding overall, life is not what it was. "There is a 'new normal,'" Simmons said.
 
Still, enough are back in homes for Simmons' United Way colleague, Benita Corley, to praise the combined efforts of local, regional and national organizations.
 
"We could not have done it without y'all," she said. "Church World Service was a real blessing for us. The clients didn't know who gave us the money to do our work, but we do."
 
Bonnie Vollmering, CWS associate director for domestic response, returned the compliment. 
 
"Five years later, long-term recovery groups continue to assist people with unmet needs," she said. "If it was not for the collaboration of those local, regional and national long-term recovery organizations, many individuals would not be living in safe, sanitary and secure housing. It’s been our pleasure to work with local partners in helping people return to their homes.”
 
Other highlights of the CWS response:

• CWS partnered with Terrebone Readiness Assistance Coalition to help build five of the first-ever Louisiana Lift Houses, a sustainable housing solution for living on coastal land. Built for economy, ecology and to withstand hurricane-force winds, the Lift Houses handily survived the real-world test of Hurricane Gustav in 2008.
• The agency supported more than 30 new community recovery organizations to manage cases and coordinate volunteer and skilled labor for home rebuilding.
• CWS sponsored Interfaith Trauma Response Trainings workshops to assist clergy and other caregivers who responded to the disaster.

How to help

Contributions to support the life-saving work of Church World Service may be made online or by phone (800.297.1516), or may be sent to your denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515, Attention: Pakistan floods. 

NCC presents an NBC special on August 29;
'Coming home' five years after Katrina struck

Today The American Spectator, a conservative publication, posted an article that again questioned the president's faith:

Why does a significant chunk of the American electorate think Obama is a Muslim? Let's count some of the reasons: he speaks of his "Muslim roots," says he hails from "generations of Muslims," was born to a line of Muslim males and given by them an Arabic name, went to a Muslim school in Islamic Indonesia, speaks glowingly of Islam whenever he gets the chance, holds a Ramadan dinner in the White House, tells his NASA head to turn the space agency into a Muslim outreach program, and last but not least insults doctrinal Christians routinely.

Of course, these charges are either outright false or taken out of context. I went over and posted as a comment on The American Spectator's article the letter issued yesterday by over 70 religious leaders - conservative, moderate and progressive - defending the president's faith as a Christian. Take a look at some of the responses that came in from readers of The American Spectator to that letter:

• That President Bozo is "clearly a committed Christian" is simply not in evidence.

• How can a narcissist like Obama worship any Higher Power other than himself? His words and deeds speak louder than any third party's attempt to rehabilitate an obvious Secular Humanist with a deep and abiding love for Islamic culture and values.

• I noticed the top name on the list was T.D. Jakes. I believe he is a well known "black" minister so I would assume without checking that many more on the list are as well. I suppose they're just protecting "the brother".

• The man whose water you are carrying is the most radically pro-abortion president, ever. In the Illinois legislature, he usually voted "Present," except for abortion--when he always voted in favor. I fail to see how any of so-called "social conservative" clergyman could support this ignoble, untruthful, untrustworthy man.His religion is a matter of debate because he and his media sycophants have made it so.

• His name is Muslim, he grew up in a Muslim church and with Muslim fathers and still thinks the call to prayers is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. He supports Islam against Christianity whenever there is a conflict. Please don't believe you are so important that you know what his faith is because he says its Christian. I will bet not one of the people who signed this letter ever ministered a sermon to this President.

• Dear Rev. Chuck: You and the rest of obama's spitoon-carriers are working overtime these days aren't you?

• Just like the lame stream media, you and your social justice posse are a bunch of hacks. Words are cheap, especially from this administration; his actions speak volumes. Wake up preachers! Stop enabling this fraud who definitely does not have America's or Christians values as a top priority!

• I would remind you Rev. Currie that a horde of so called “Christian” theologians flocked to Adolf Hitler because of his overt “good deeds” while turning a blind eye to how those “good deeds” were ultimately paid for and by whom. You strike me as one of those “fools” that couldn’t see the Forrest for the trees in the 1930s. Whatever Barrack Obama’s faith is, if any at all, it has not substance to what the teachings of Christ are. Not a bit. The last time I looked Rev. Currie the teachings of Marx and any flavor of Fascism aren’t compatible with Christianity and those that defend such have no legitimacy in such matters. It wouldn’t be the first time a charlatan has taken members of the “church” leadership for gain. It wouldn’t be the first time the “church” leadership has been the doorman for the devil’s work either. Which is Rev. Currie, are you blind or just deaf?

I could list more comments but you get the idea.  For some on the far Right the president is either a communist, a socialist, a radical Muslim, or Hitler.  Take your pick.

In the end, it is hate.  Pure hate.  Fueled by racism and religious bigotry.

What will be the ultimate outcome as those on the right stoke the fires of hatred?  Pray for reconciliation and understanding in our great nation.    

Beck Has Urged Followers To Quit "Social Justice" Churches; Dr. King Was A Social Justice Preacher

Glenn Beck will be holding a rally this week at the Lincoln Memorial - on the anniversary of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech - with headline speaker Sarah Palin.

The Washington Post reports:

Beck said in a recent broadcast that he did not intentionally choose the "I Have a Dream" anniversary for his rally - but that he believes the coincidence is "divine providence."

"Whites don't own Abraham Lincoln," he said. "Blacks don't own Martin Luther King. Those are American icons, American ideas, and we should just talk about character, and that's really what this event is about. It's about honoring character."

The event will be filled with irony as Beck and Palin stand against so many of the values Dr. King preached about.  Beck told his radio program listeners on March 2nd:

“I beg you, look for the words ‘social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. Social justice and economic justice, they are code words.”

“Am I advising people to leave their church? Yes! If I am going to Jeremiah Wright’s church,” he said, referring to President Obama’s former pastor in Chicago. “If you have a priest that is pushing social justice, go find another parish. Go alert your bishop.”

Beck would have hated Dr. King, who preached in 1966 a sermon entitled Guidelines for a Constructive Church:

This morning I would like to submit to you that we who are followers of Jesus Christ, and we who must keep his church going and keep it alive, also have certain basic guidelines to follow. Somewhere behind the dim mist of eternity, God set forth his guidelines. And through his prophets, and above all through his son Jesus Christ, he said that, "There are some things that my church must do. There are some guidelines that my church must follow." And if we in the church don't want the funds of grace cut off from the divine treasury, we've got to follow the guidelines. (That’s right) The guidelines are clearly set forth for us in some words uttered by our Lord and Master as he went in the temple one day, and he went back to Isaiah and quoted from him. And he said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me (Yes, sir) to preach the gospel to the poor, (Yes, sir) he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, (Yes) to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." These are the guidelines...

...the church, if it is true to its guidelines, must preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Yes, sir, Make it plain) You know the acceptable year of the Lord is the year that is acceptable to God because it fulfills the demands of his kingdom. Some people reading this passage feel that it’s talking about some period beyond history, (Make it plain) but I say to you this morning that the acceptable year of the Lord can be this year. (Yes) And the church is called to preach it.

The acceptable year of the Lord is any year (Amen) when men decide to do right.

The acceptable year of the Lord is any year when men will stop lying and cheating. (Amen, Make it plain)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when women will start using the telephone for constructive purposes (Yes) and not to spread malicious gossip and false rumors on their neighbors. (Right)

The acceptable year of the Lord is any year (Any year) when men will stop throwing away the precious lives that God has given them in riotous living. (Make it plain)

The acceptable year of the Lord (Yes) is that year when people in Alabama (Make it plain) will stop killing civil rights workers and people who are simply engaged in the process of seeking their constitutional rights. (Make it plain)

The acceptable year of the Lord (Yes) is that year when men will learn to live together as brothers. (Yes, sir)

The acceptable year of the Lord (Yes) is that year when men will keep their theology abreast with their technology.

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when men will keep the ends for which they live abreast with the means by which they live. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year (That year) when men will keep their morality abreast with their mentality.

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year (Yes) when all of the leaders of the world will sit down at the conference table (Make it plain) and realize that unless mankind puts an end to war, war will put an end to mankind. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord [clap] is that year when men will beat their swords into plowshares, (Yes) and their spears into pruning hooks: and nations will not rise up against nations, neither will they study war anymore. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year (That year) when men will allow justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when we will send to Congress and to state houses of our nation (Yes, sir) men who will do justly, (Yes) who will love mercy, (Yes) and who will walk humbly with their God. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year (Yes, sir) when every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain will be made low; the rough places would be made plain, and the crooked places straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when men will do unto others as they will have others do unto themselves. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when men will love their enemies, (Yes) bless them that curse them, pray for them that despitefully use them.

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when men discover that out of one blood God made all men to dwell upon the face of the earth. (Yes)

The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess the name of Jesus. And everywhere men will cry out, "Hallelujah, hallelujah! The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah!"

The acceptable year of the Lord is God’s year. (Yes)

These are our guidelines, and if we will only follow the guidelines, we will be ready for God’s kingdom, (Yes) we will be doing what God’s church is called to do. We won’t be a little social club. (Make it plain) We won’t be a little entertainment center. But we’ll be about the serious business (Yes) of bringing God’s kingdom to this earth.

It seems that I can hear the God of the universe smiling and speaking to this church, saying, "You are a great church (Glory to God) because I was hungry and ye fed me. You are a great church because I was naked and ye clothed me. You are a great church because I was sick and ye visited me. You are a great church because I was in prison and ye gave me consolation by visiting me." (Yes, sir) And this is the church that’s going to save this world. "The spirit of the Lord is upon me (Yes) because he has anointed me to heal the broken-hearted, to set at liberty them that are captive, (Amen) and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

Beck and Palin would term such preaching as "communism" or "socialism."  Beck would have told people to leave Dr. King's church because he preached "social justice".  

Martin Luther King III wrote today in The Washington Post about his father:

Throughout his life he advocated compassion for the poor, nonviolence, respect for the dignity of all people and peace for humanity.

Although he was a profoundly religious man, my father did not claim to have an exclusionary "plan" that laid out God's word for only one group or ideology. He marched side by side with members of every religious faith. Like Abraham Lincoln, my father did not claim that God was on his side; he prayed humbly that he was on God's side.

He did, however, wholeheartedly embrace the "social gospel." His spiritual and intellectual mentors included the great theologians of the social gospel Walter Rauschenbush and Howard Thurman. He said that any religion that is not concerned about the poor and disadvantaged, "the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them[,] is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial." In his "Dream" speech, my father paraphrased the prophet Amos, saying, "We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

The title of the 1963 demonstration, "The Great March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom," reflected his belief that the right to sit at a lunch counter would be hollow if African Americans could not afford the meal. The need for jobs and shared economic prosperity remains as urgent and compelling as it was 47 years ago. My father's vision would include putting millions of unemployed Americans to work, rebuilding our tattered infrastructure and reforms to reduce pollution and better care for the environment.

Palin and Beck dishonor Dr. King's memory and the Christian faith with their rhetoric and their rally.

Related Post: Listen to my sermon from January 2010 - If You're Out There: A Sermon Honoring The Life and Ministry of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - here:

Download FUMC 1-17-10

(some browsers - like Firefox or Google Chrome - will allow you to simply click on the link and listen...otherwise click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose “Save Target As” and save to your desktop or other folder – once downloaded click on the file to listen).

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Photo credit:  Life, Paul Schutzer.  Portrait of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at 'prayer pilgramage for freedom' at Lincoln Memorial, 1957.

Maybe so.

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Faith is not a political issue

As Christian leaders— whose primary responsibility is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our congregations, our communities, and our world— we are deeply troubled by the recent questioning of President Obama’s faith. We understand that these are contentious times, but the personal faith of our leaders should not be up for public debate.

President Obama has been unwavering in confessing Christ as Lord and has spoken often about the importance of his Christian faith.  Many of the signees on this letter have prayed and worshipped with this President.  We believe that questioning, and especially misrepresenting, the faith of a confessing believer goes too far.

This is not a political issue. The signers of this letter come from different political and ideological backgrounds, but we are unified in our belief in Jesus Christ.  As Christian pastors and leaders, we believe that fellow Christians need to be an encouragement to those who call Christ their savior, not question the veracity of their faith.

Therefore, we urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.  And we join with the President in praying that God will continue to bless the United States of America.

Signed,

Bishop T.D. Jakes
Pastor and CEO
Potters House

Ronald J. Sider
President
Evangelicals for Social Action

Rev. Sam Rodriguez
President
National Hispanic Leadership Conference

Dr. Joel Hunter
Senior Pastor, Northland: A Church Distributed

Jim Wallis
President and CEO
Sojourners

Luis Cortes
President
Esperanza

Stephen Monsma
Paul Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics
Calvin College

Miroslav Volf
Director, Center for Faith and Culture
Yale Divinity School

Donald Miller
Author

Brian McLaren
Author/Pastor

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Thirteenth Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Kirbyjon Caldwell
Senior Pastor
Windsor Village United Methodist Church

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
General Secretary
Reformed Church in America

Rev. Peg Chemberlin
President
National Council of Churches

Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Dr. David P. Gushee
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics
Director, Center for Theology and Public Life
Mercer University

Dr. William Shaw
President
National Baptist Convention USA

Dr. Richard Hamm 
Executive Director
Christian Churches Together in the USA

Cynthia Bolbach
Moderator, 219th General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk

Office of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Linda Valentine
Executive Director
General Assembly Mission Council
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Dr. James C. Perkins
First Vice President
The Progressive National Baptist Convention

Rev. Gabriel A. Salguero
Lead Pastor, The Lamb’s Church of the Nazarene
Executive, The Latino Leadership Circle

Noel Castellanos
CEO, Christian Community Development Association

Vincent J. Miller
Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture
Department of Religious Studies
University of Dayton

Terrence W. Tilley
Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Professor of Catholic Theology
Chair, Theology Department
Fordham University, Bronx NY

Nicholas P. Cafardi
Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law
Duquesne University School of Law

T. Michael McNulty, SJ
Justice and Peace Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Steve Schneck
Director
Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies
The Catholic University of America

David Baak
United Church of Wayland, MI

George B. Telford
Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rev. Chuck Currie

Rev. Jeff Johnston

There has been much moaning and groaning in Oregon from business leaders about taxes recently - particularly since the passage of Measures 66 and 67.  But as Rich Rodgers notes (via Steve Duin) a group of business leaders have issued a report showing that Oregon's business taxes are the "lowest in the West."  Duin reports:  

"As an investment advisor, I see clients move to Washington to save on the income tax," Tony Arnerich said. "You're an Oregonian all your life and suddenly taxes become a philosophical burden and you run to Washington. That's a good example of how my generation morphed from 'We the people' to 'Me the people.'"

Even Oregon's so-called "moderate" business leaders at the Oregon Business Association seem to have taken a dive off the reality cliff.  

"5 Myths About Homeless Schools" Reinforces Real Myths; Ignores Evidence, Studies

The progressive website Change.org - a great site that lifts up important issues - went way off course this week when they published an article entitled "5 Myths About Homeless Schools" that defended separate schools for students experiencing homelessness. 

Writer Natalie Wendt says in the piece that she speaks on "behalf of teachers in low-income public schools everywhere." But that isn't true. The National Education Association has opposed separate schools. That position is shared by the NAACP, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and the National Association for the Education of Homeless Youth and Children. 

In her article, Ms. Wendt ignores the facts, the studies and civil rights law related to education in her piece.  I assume based on her postings that Ms. Wendt is a good person with a big heart.  But she clearly doesn't have a grasp on good practices in education or public policy as it relates to this area.

Why are separate schools bad? The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has noted:

"These “schools" are usually located in shelters or churches, and resemble the one-room schoolhouse of early rural America. They typically fail to provide the same curricular and extra-curricular activities as regular public schools; they may not be staffed by certified teachers; they often group children together in multi-age, multi-grade classrooms; they usually fail to provide the same services and resources as regular public schools; and they may violate health and safety codes. Because most separate schools cannot provide the same educational services as are provided in regular public schools, homeless children risk falling behind their peers academically. When these children return to regular public schools, they may not receive credit for their work in a separate school, thus forcing them to repeat a grade or take additional classes in order to graduate."

Barbara Duffield, the policy director of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Youth and Children, has said:

"No separate school is a model for homeless children. In fact, federal law strictly prohibits school segregation by housing status because separate schools are considered a harmful educational practice. Segregation deprives children of the resources, structure, and stability of a mainstream school environment. Furthermore, we have learned over the years that model homeless education programs are those that keep children stable in their schools of origin, remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success, and afford homeless children and youth every opportunity to participate in school activities. We also have learned from those communities who had separate programs and then transitioned to an integrated model; these communities report being able to provide more comprehensive services to more children in an integrated setting."

Educators, civil rights organizations and advocates for children experiencing homelessness have all come to the conclusion that separate schools are ineffective based on study after study that show that children in separate schools suffer and don't, well, learn. The most recent studies, conducted on the well-known homeless-only Pappas School in Phoenix, AZ, compared test scores among students there with students who were homeless that had been mainstreamed into Phoenix's public schools. At every grade level and in every subject the students at the Pappas School scored substantially lower than homeless kids in public schools.  In her article, Ms. Wendt seems to minimize the importance of a formal education for children experiencing homelessness.  But as President Obama has noted, a solid education is one of the best anti-poverty tools we have.      

We have one of these separate schools right here in Portland - the Community Transitional School. Multnomah County, ignoring the wisdom of federal law, helps fund the program but the school, since it is private, is not required to meet state standards and Multnomah County, tragically, does not hold the school accountable for how well students are educated. (Unless there have been recent radical changes in their contract with Multnomah County) there are no real measurable goals the school is required to meet. In effect, there is no real accountability for how public dollars are being spent on this program.

These separate schools could play a valuable role if instead of trying to provide the primary education for children - a goal they clearly cannot meet - they instead used their passion, energy and good intentions to provide after school programs and other supportive services that supplement the work being done by public schools.   

In the end, Change.org has done a great disservice by promoting the old failed idea that separate is equal in education.  We've known since before Brown vs. Education that such an argument is morally flawed.     

Rev. Chuck Currie - Oregon Coalition on Housing and Homelessness from The Rev. Chuck Currie on Vimeo.

The decision by a U.S. district judge to grant a preliminary injunction that prohibits the use of federal funding on embryonic stem cell research is unfortunate. Support for such research has divided some in the faith community but many believe the research to be consistent with Christian ethics. The United Church of Christ adopted a resolution in 2001 in favor of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research under the rational that “Jesus set an example, by his ministry of healing and caring for the sick and disabled, challenging us to follow his example by supporting the healing and caring ministry in our own day.” President Obama last year overturned a ban on such research imposed by then-President George W. Bush early in his first term. Embryonic stem cell research has the potential to unlock cures for conditions like “diabetes, spinal cord paralysis, heart disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer, MS [multiple sclerosis], Lou Gehrig's disease and other fatal, debilitating diseases," said Jim Ramstad, a Minnesota Republican U.S. House member during Bush's tenure. Many conservative "pro-life" leaders in Congress, such as Orrin Hatch, support embryonic stem cell research. It is important that the research move forward and that the legal challenges be dispensed with quickly.

 

Join people of faith in support of the freedom to worship.  Stop the War on Prayer.

Religious bigotry is simply un-American. But we are seeing it today. 

  

CBS News reports on this video:

In the video, posted by "lefthandedart," members of the crowd can be heard chanting "no mosque here," partially in the direction of an African-American man walking through the crowd. The man is wearing a white Under Armour cap that appears to given some members of the crowd the impression that he is Muslim. 

The man becomes frustrated, asking why the protesters are yelling at him and complaining that they don't know his opinion on the issue. Another man can be heard yelling something like "run away, coward." 

"I'm not even Muslim, but I've got my beliefs about this mosque," the African-American man tells a man who seems to be trying to calm him down. At that point, a protester in a blue hardhat confronts the man; other protesters quickly step in to separate the two. The "no mosque here" chant begins again. 

Later in the video, a man can be heard yelling, "he must have voted for Obama," while another appears to be complaining about media coverage. At another point, someone can also be heard yelling "Mohammed's a pig, Mohhamed's a pig" as the African-American man talks, after which a woman can be heard saying, "you don't need to say that." 

We are a better people than this.

Related Link: Critics Of President’s Remarks On NYC #Mosque Ignore Cherished American Values Of Religious Freedom and Tolerance

A powerful (and morally correct) statement from U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley:

....many mosque opponents argue, just because it can be built does not mean it should be. They say it would be disrespectful to the memories of those who died on 9/11 to build a Muslim facility near the World Trade Center site. I appreciate the depth of emotions at play, but respectfully suggest that the presence of a mosque is only inappropriate near ground zero if we unfairly associate Muslim Americans with the atrocities of the foreign al-Qaidaterrorists who attacked our nation. 

Such an association is a profound error. Muslim Americans are our fellow citizens, not our enemies. Muslim Americans were among the victims who died at the World Trade Center in the 9/11 attacks. Muslim American first responders risked their lives to save their fellow citizens that day. Many of our Muslim neighbors, including thousands of Oregon citizens, serve our country in war zones abroad and our communities at home with dedication and distinction. 

Some have also argued that the construction of the mosque would hand a propaganda victory to Osama bin Laden. I think the opposite is true. Al-Qaida justifies its murder by painting America as a nation at war with Islam. Celebrating our freedom of religion and Muslim Americans' place in our communities is a blow to al-Qaida's ideology of hate and division. We strengthen America by distinguishing, clearly and unequivocally, between our al-Qaida enemy and our Muslim neighbors.

Full story.

Related Link: Critics Of President’s Remarks On NYC #Mosque Ignore Cherished American Values Of Religious Freedom and Tolerance

MSNBC:

Republican candidate for governor Carl Paladino said he would transform some New York prisons into dormitories for welfare recipients, where they could work in state-sponsored jobs, get employment training and take lessons in "personal hygiene."

Paladino is a wealthy Buffalo real estate developer.  At least he wants his program to be voluntary (for now anyway).

We should consider finding Mr. Paladino a voluntary facility where he can be locked away for mental health counseling.  His remarks aren't just offensive but also plan loony.  When America is at her best we seek to reduce levels of poverty not lock people up because of their economic status - a status often caused by bad economic policies like the ones followed by George W. Bush and the Republican Congress that drove up poverty levels after years of decline during the Clinton-Gore Administration. 

Those disastrous policies are the reason our nation is still in crisis.  It will take the U.S. years to dig out of the hole they dug.       

Politico's Ben Smith says this fellow has a good chance of becoming the GOP nominee.

I remember a time not so long ago when GOP leaders like Bob Dole and Mark Hatfield worked to help people escape poverty and homelessness.    

Thankfully, New Yorkers seem inclined to put Andrew Cuomo's competence and experience to work in Albany. 

Hate Crime Legislation Needed To Protect Oregonians 

The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) released a report this week - Hate Crimes Against The Homeless America’s Growing Tide of Violence - showing a troubling increase in hate crimes directed at people experiencing homelessness. Their report (with data from 1999 - 2009) shows that Oregon ranks 3rd in the nation for the number of reported acts of violence. Ten deaths in Oregon were recorded over the period and 27 non-lethal (though violent) attacks were reported. 

The reported brutal deaths included that of Herbert "Pac-Man" Taylor Bishop, 56, who was killed in 2009. Michael Andrew Baughman, 22, and Ryan Eugene Casch, 22, were arrested in the murder. "The men viciously beat Pac-Man to death with blunt objects. According to witness accounts the duo went into the park 'looking for someone to beat up.' Both men testified to attacking the Pac-Man in a drunken rage. Each man received a twenty-five year sentence," states NCH's report. 

This new data argues that Oregon needs a hate crimes provision in state law to further protect those that are homeless. Florida, Rhode Island, Maine and Maryland have such laws and legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would direct the FBI to track such crimes. The report notes: "Violent, often fatal, attacks on homeless Americans now outnumber all other categories of hate crimes combined." 

Oregon's budget crisis, combined with our national economic crisis, will likely force more people - children, families, women and men - into the streets where they are vulnerable. Every great economic crisis is in reality a great moral crisis, once said William Jennings Bryan. 

As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I remember the words of Jesus: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me (Matthew 25:40 NRSV)." How we respond to this report will be a test of our moral character as a state and a test of the strength of our relationship with God.

From the National Coalition for the Homeless:

Hate Crimes Against the Homeless: America’s Growing Tide of Violence is a shocking report on the growth of biased motivated crimes of hate against America’s homeless. The National Coalition for the Homeless’ report marks the beginning of its second decade tracking, interviewing and classifying thousands of individuals impacted by homeless hate crimes.

This years’ report has the horrifying distinction of being the deadliest, at 43 reported homicides. The research contained in this report chronicles more than a thousand separate attacks across the US, representing a fraction of the total hate crimes that remain drastically underreported.

Individuals who commit homeless hate crimes are motivated primarily by a bias that another individual is or may be homeless. Perpetrators often give account to feelings of hostility and animosity, towards the visibly homeless, so strong they demand action. While others describe a generalized hatred, passed down from one generation to the next, resulting in a growing epidemic of violence across America.

Documented hate crimes in this report involve: dosing with gasoline and setting aflame; rape in exchange for shelter; spay painting and stomping upon while sleeping; and, repeated incidence of gang initiations involving stabbings and beatings. “On behalf of any and every victim of biased motivated crime, we must remain committed to the cause of justice, honest stewards of truth and capable recorders of the endless narrative of hate.” said Neil Donovan, NCH Executive Director.     

Un-housed individuals, as a target of hate, have consistently grown over the past decade. This year’s report draws an especially gruesome and disturbing trend in the frequency and manner of the offenses. Violent, often fatal, attacks on homeless Americans now outnumber all other categories of hate crimes combined.

The National Coalition for the Homeless has successfully advanced its legislative agenda on hate crimes, both at the state and federal levels. Our objective is to place the responsibility of tracking statistics on hate crimes against the homeless into the hands of local and national law enforcement. Our goal is to further legitimate our analysis and quantify the growing epidemic of violence against the homeless, ultimately resulting in sufficient resources to solve the problem and create the solutions.

Click here to download the full report.

Click here to read "Killings of Homeless Rise To Highest Level In Decade" in The New York Times.

President Obama is a Christian. He was baptized into a United Church of Christ congregation. The UCC, for those that do not know, is a denomination that traces its roots back to the Pilgrims. It is my church. 

Security considerations and other factors mean that as president his family has not joined a church in Washington, DC - neither did Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush - but he prays daily, talks regularly with a small group of Christians pastors, and receives a daily devotional from Joshua DuBois, a special assistant to the president and executive director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. 

Rumors persist - started during his run for the presidency - that Barack Obama is a Muslim. There has been a persistent effort on the internet to question his religion. It has been effective. I've received copies of e-mails from otherwise normal people stating that the president is Muslim and hopes to quash Christianity. A friend posted a link on his Facebook page this winter saying that the president had ordered there be no White House Christmas Tree (having been to the White House at Christmas and seen several White House Christmas trees, I had an easy response to that one). 

Let's face it: some of this has to do with the president's name, family background (his father was a Muslim), fear bordering on paranoia among some regarding Islam in the wake of 9/11 (by calling the president a Muslim they are effectively arguing he is a terrorist), and even lingering racism among a small number of Americans who question the president's nationality and see him as "other" - not "one of us." All of this is fueled by right-wing radio talk show hosts and comments by extremist figures such as Franklin Graham. 

Obviously, the president's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, also allowed himself to be characterized (sometimes unfairly) in ways that were harmful to the president. 

Why have the numbers of Americans who believe the president is a Muslim increased since his inauguration? There are probably a number of factors. The underground campaign by the right to paint the president as less than American has been effective. Unlike during the campaign, there hasn't been a coordinated campaign to fight back against attempts to paint the president as someone different than he is (after all, the White House inherited the worse economic storm since the Great Depression and two wars...they've been busy). 

Those that continue to repeat the lie do so for partisan political reasons - and sometimes out of religious and racial hatred. Other Christians must do what we can to defend the president from false charges as we would defend any person of faith from lies cast at them from those who would misuse faith as a political tool.

Photo Credit (above):  http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Photo Credit (below): President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha and Malia, walk across Pennsylvania Avenue after attending services at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Read the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ:

Our trip back to South Carolina continues.  We've spent most of our time on Kiawah Island just south of Charleston where this morning we saw dolphins and a shark.  Pretty exciting stuff.  Almost beats the alligator we keep seeing most mornings outside the place we're staying.  

We finally made it into the Holy City (Charleston's nickname given because of the city's large and diverse number of religious communities).  One stop was the Market.  This historic site is always a family favorite and I suspect has been since it first opened in the 1790s.  It is a community market with vendors that stretch for blocks.    

What always catches your eye are the basket weavers.  Descendants of slaves still make these works of art.

But what I noticed today that was different from previous visits were the number of vendors selling Fair Trade products.  

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.

When a product carries the FAIRTRADE Mark it means the producers and traders have met Fairtrade standards. Thestandards are designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets and the injustices of conventional trade.

This is capitalism as it should work - a system that helps lift people out of poverty.

We also stopped by Circular Congregational Church, a United Church of Christ congregation in ecumenical partnership with the Presbyterian Church USA.  This congregation has an amazingly rich history:

The members of Circular Congregational Church are proud to be one of the oldest continuously worshipping congregations in the South. Among highlights of our history are: 

• Charles Towne's original settlers founded this protestant, or dissenting, church about 1681. 
• The graveyard is the city's oldest burial grounds with monuments dating from 1695. 
• The first meeting house on this site gave Meeting Street its name. 
• The third structure here, a vast, circular hall built in 1804, burned in 1861. 
• Bricks from "Old Circular" were used in building the present sanctuary, completed in 1892.
• Historically Independent: the congregation is now related to the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Circular Congregational Church doesn't live in the past, however. They're active in many ways and are an Open and Affirming congregation, welcoming of gays and lesbians, in a part of the world where that isn't always welcomed or popular.  But the people of Circular Congregational Church have decided to listen to the Holy Spirit instead of the polls and for that I've been a long time admirer.

Up next:  Columbia, the state's capitol.  

I’ve been reading some of the criticism of President Obama’s remarks last night in which he offered support for the building of a mosque and community center near the site of the 9/11 attacks. As most people are aware, the plans are controversial. 

Nearly all of the criticism against the president's comments fall into the category of partisan political attacks from people willing to use religion as a wedge issue during the mid-term elections. When former House Speaker and 2012 presidential aspirant Newt Gingrich says the president’s words last night about religious freedom in the United States amounted to nothing more than “pandering to radical Islam” and that the mosque would represent Muslim “triumphalism” you hear echoes of voices past that have sought to divide Americans on issues such as religion, race and even gender for political gain. 

President Obama said last night: 

Our Founders understood that the best way to honor the place of faith in the lives of our people was to protect their freedom to practice religion. In the Virginia Act for Establishing Religion Freedom, Thomas Jefferson wrote that “all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion.” The First Amendment of our Constitution established the freedom of religion as the law of the land. And that right has been upheld ever since. 

Indeed, over the course of our history, religion has flourished within our borders precisely because Americans have had the right to worship as they choose – including the right to believe in no religion at all. And it is a testament to the wisdom of our Founders that America remains deeply religious – a nation where the ability of peoples of different faiths to coexist peacefully and with mutual respect for one another stands in contrast to the religious conflict that persists around the globe. 

Leading religious leaders from across the nation spoke out on this issue earlier in the week: 

As Catholic, evangelical, mainline Protestant, Jewish and Muslim leaders and scholars committed to religious freedom and inter-religious cooperation, we are deeply troubled by the xenophobia and religious bigotry that has characterized some of the opposition to a proposed Islamic center and mosque near where the World Trade Center towers once stood. 

Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House, is the most recent prominent opponent to cast this debate in a way that demonizes all Muslims and exploits fear to divide Americans. "It is a sign of their contempt for Americans and their confidence in our historic ignorance that they would deliberately insult us this way," Gingrich said in a statement. Sarah Palin called plans for the center a "provocation." Fox News has aired a steady stream of irresponsible commentary and biased coverage that reduces what should be a civil debate into starkly combative terms. 

The profound tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 revealed the horror that can unfold when a small minority of violent extremists manipulates religious language for political gain and falsely claims to represent one of the world's great religions. We have witnessed this sinful corruption of religion across faith traditions throughout history and must condemn it without equivocation whenever or wherever it occurs. However, we fail to honor those murdered on that awful day - including Muslim Americans killed in the Twin Towers and Pentagon - by betraying our nation's historic commitment to religious liberty, fueling ugly stereotypes about Islam and demeaning the vast majority of Muslims committed to peace. The proposed mosque would be part of Cordoba House, a center open to all Americans that will provide Islamic, interfaith and secular programs. The project aims to support "integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture," according to the Cordoba Initiative, which promotes improved "Muslim-West relations." These are exactly the kind of efforts that foster dialogue, break down barriers and begin to build a world where religiously inspired violent extremism is less likely. 

Mr. Gingrich, Ms. Palin and other prominent voices privileged to have the ear of the media would make a more lasting contribution to our nation if they stopped issuing inflammatory statements and instead helped inspire a civil dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims committed to a future guided by the principles of compassion, justice and peace. Fear-mongering and hateful rhetoric only undermine treasured values at the heart of diverse faith traditions and our nation's highest ideals. 

The critics of the president’s remarks - and more generally, of the Cordoba Initiative - are, in fact, attacking some of the most fundamental and hard fought of American values: religious freedom and tolerance. We need leaders today who seek reconciliation and unity and not the division offered by so many on the right. President Obama may have taken a position that is unpopular but he upheld one of our most cherished principles and his remarks may have the impact of changing popular opinion over the long term. He is to be applauded.

Americans should follow the president's example and speak out in support of religious freedom and tolerance. 

Tonight the president of the United States hosted an Iftar Dinner as part of the recognition of Ramadan.

Here at the White House, we have a tradition of hosting iftars that goes back several years, just as we host Christmas parties, seders, and Diwali celebrations. These events celebrate the role of faith in the lives of the American people. They remind us of the basic truth that we are all children of God, and we all draw strength and a sense of purpose from our beliefs. 

These events are also an affirmation of who we are as Americans. Our Founders understood that the best way to honor the place of faith in the lives of our people was to protect their freedom to practice religion. In the Virginia Act for Establishing Religion Freedom, Thomas Jefferson wrote that “all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion.” The First Amendment of our Constitution established the freedom of religion as the law of the land. And that right has been upheld ever since. 

Indeed, over the course of our history, religion has flourished within our borders precisely because Americans have had the right to worship as they choose – including the right to believe in no religion at all. And it is a testament to the wisdom of our Founders that America remains deeply religious – a nation where the ability of peoples of different faiths to coexist peacefully and with mutual respect for one another stands in contrast to the religious conflict that persists around the globe. 

That is not to say that religion is without controversy. Recently, attention has been focused on the construction of mosques in certain communities – particularly in New York. Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. The pain and suffering experienced by those who lost loved ones is unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground. 

But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure. 

We must never forget those who we lost so tragically on 9/11, and we must always honor those who have led our response to that attack – from the firefighters who charged up smoke-filled staircases, to our troops who are serving in Afghanistan today. And let us always remember who we are fighting against, and what we are fighting for. Our enemies respect no freedom of religion. Al Qaeda’s cause is not Islam – it is a gross distortion of Islam. These are not religious leaders – these are terrorists who murder innocent men, women and children. In fact, al Qaeda has killed more Muslims than people of any other religion – and that list of victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11. 

That is who we are fighting against. And the reason that we will win this fight is not simply the strength of our arms – it is the strength of our values. The democracy that we uphold. The freedoms that we cherish. The laws that we apply without regard to race or religion; wealth or status. Our capacity to show not merely tolerance, but respect to those who are different from us – a way of life that stands in stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September morning, and who continue to plot against us today.

In my inaugural address, I said that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. That diversity can bring difficult debates. Indeed, past eras have seen controversies about the construction of synagogues or Catholic churches. But time and again, the American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, stay true to our core values, and emerge stronger for it. So it must be – and willbe – today. 

Tonight, we are reminded that Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity. And Ramadan is a reminder that Islam has always been part of America. The first Muslim ambassador to the United States, from Tunisia, was hosted by President Jefferson, who arranged a sunset dinner for his guest because it was Ramadan—making it the first known iftar at the White House, more than 200 years ago. 

Like so many other immigrants, generations of Muslims came here to forge their future. They became farmers and merchants, worked in mills and factories, and helped lay the railroads.  They helped build America.  They founded the first Islamic center in New York City in the 1890s.  They built America’s first mosque on the prairie of North Dakota.  And perhaps the oldest surviving mosque in America—still in use today—is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Today, our nation is strengthened by millions of Muslim Americans. They excel in every walk of life.  Muslim American communities—including mosques in all fifty states—also serve their neighbors. Muslim Americans protect our communities as police, firefighters and first responders.  Muslim American clerics have spoken out against terror and extremism, reaffirming that Islam teaches that one must save human life, not take it. And Muslim Americans serve with honor in our military.  At next week’s iftar at the Pentagon, tribute will be paid to three soldiers who gave their lives in Iraq and now rest among the heroes of Arlington National Cemetery.  

These Muslim Americans died for the security that we depend upon, and the freedoms that we cherish. They are part of an unbroken line of Americans that stretches back to our Founding; Americans of all faiths who have served and sacrificed to extend the promise of America to new generations, and to ensure that what is exceptional about America is protected – our commitment to stay true to our core values, and our ability to perfect our union. 

For in the end, we remain “one nation, under God, indivisible.” And we can only achieve “liberty and justice for all” if we live by that one rule at the heart of every religion, including Islam—that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Thank you all for being here, and I wish you a blessed Ramadan.

These are wise and important words from President Obama.

Click here to send your own letter of support to America's Muslim community. Muslims serve in our Armed Forces, in public office and in many other positions with distinction. Muslims died in the Twin Towers on 9/11. The 9/11 attackers were religious terrorists and there have been plenty of Christian terrorists over the centuries. The best lesson we can teach those that attack us is that nothing they can do will diminish the pluralistic Republic we cherish where freedom of religion isn't just tolerated but celebrated. The terrorists win ever time our civil liberties are diminished (as they were during the previous administration) and every time an anti-Muslim demonstration is shown across the world on television that offers up a picture of an intolerant U.S. society. America is better than that.  Muslims deserve our respect.

Tomorrow we return to South Carolina for a visit. My family has lived in the state since before the Revolutionary War and I lived in places like Spartanburg, Charleston and Columbia as a boy. I return often to visit family and feel fortunate that I have two states that I can call home: Oregon and The Palmetto State. 

But this will be my first return trip to Southern Carolina with both Fran and Rock, my grandparents, gone. It is, frankly, disorientating to think about being back without them there. They anchored our lives. Now they are part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses from our family - Velma, Betty, Evelyn and Steve, my father - to name a few. Truly, a generation has passed on the maternal side of my family and on the paternal side of my family we've lost the last two generations of our family to tragedy. 

Nonetheless, I am so excited to go back again. I love every chance I get to be back in South Carolina. And there is a new generation in our family (that's how it works, of course). My children and the children of my sisters and cousins: Dylan, Hannah, Devin, Ian, Frances, Katherine, Taylor, and Sawyer. We get to share with them all the wonders and beauties of this state that our family has called home for over three hundred years - stories that have been passed down to us from our great-grandparents (I knew them all on the maternal side of the family), grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and older cousins. 

As we're in Charleston and Columbia this week, I can again share stories of our family with my daughters and show them the places that were special to me as a boy. One of the greatest memories I have as a child is the time I spent on the beach with my mother and then later summer trips to the beach with my sisters and cousins and extended members of the family. 

None-the-less, I'll also continue to mourn those that have gone before us and who gave us so much. Rock died just this March. Fran passed away in late 2003. I can hardly imagine a time when I won't miss them. I give praise to God for the gift of their lives and know that part of them continues to be with us as we raise the next generation of our family. We can only hope we do as good a job as they did for us.

Action Alert from Faithful American

"They hate Jews, they hate Christians, they hate women, they hate dogs [The idea of the new mosque] scares the daylights out of me." [1]

Sadly, this is just a small sample of the vitriol directed at the Muslim community in recent weeks as a growing chorus of fear-mongers tries to stop Muslims from worshiping freely. [2]

Lumping all Muslims in with terrorists, Sarah Palin said a proposed Islamic Center near Ground Zero in New York is a "provocation" that "stabs at hearts," and Newt Gingrich called it an "insult" to Americans.

Our country is better than this. Our faiths are better than this.

Sign our letter of support to the American Muslim community.

Here at Faithful America we draw on many faith traditions, but our common commitment to justice and the common good brings us together. Our Muslim community members and partners have been with us on all our campaigns from health care reform to repairing our broken immigration system to opposing torture.

We won't stand by silently as members of our community are defamed as "terrorists" and "un-American."

Help show our Muslim brothers and sisters that the hateful voices do NOT speak for us.

We'll send the letter and signatures to leaders in the American Muslim community - as well as vocal Islamic Center opponents like Palin and Gingrich. They need a reminder that you can't "defend America" by betraying our deepest values.

While we all have an obligation to treat victims of crime and terrorism with sensitivity, we also need to remember that Muslims were not only among those murdered on 9/11, but there is no stronger refutation of the terrorist ideology than American Muslims peacefully integrated into the fabric of our communities.

Sign our letter and send a photo to show your support for peace, cooperation and religious liberty.

Let's show our Muslim brothers and sisters and the fear-mongers where the American faith community really stands: with justice, compassion and love.

Thanks for all you do,

Beth, Nick, Dan, Kristin John and Jennifer

The Faithful America Team Sources:

[1] http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/07/tpm_talks_to_organizer_of_anti-mosque_protest_they.php

[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08mosque.html?pagewanted=1&sq=muslim&st=cse&scp=1

Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote in 2005 that: 

I believe that now is the time for responsible Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from the public schools. 

Why would he say such a thing? At the time the Southern Baptist Convention was debating a resolution that would have called for all Southern Baptists to remove their children from public schools (an idea my Southern Baptist grandmother who worked as a public school librarian would have rightly scoffed at) because, in Mohler's words:  

Every week, new reports of atrocities in the public schools appear. Radical sex education programs, offensive curricula and class materials, school-based health clinics, and ideologies hostile to Christian truth and parental authority abound... 

Fueled by a secularist agenda and influenced by an elite of radical educational bureaucrats and theorists, government schools now serve as engines for secularizing and radicalizing children. 

Yikes, that sounds scary.

S. Michael Craven (someone I'm not familiar with) wrote about this issue today on crosswalk.com in a post entitled "Christians and Public Education." He quoted Mohler, Martin Luther and others and came away with the same conclusion: public schools are evil and Satan lurks in the classroom...or something like that.

The good news is that most Christians don't agree and support our nation's public schools.

Back in 1999 - a few years before the Southern Baptists debated this issue - the National Council of Churches issued a statement that read in part:

While we acknowledge and affirm the contribution of private schools to the welfare of children and the nation, public schools are the primary route for most children—especially the children of poverty—into full participation in our economic, political, and community life. As a consequence, all of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, have a moral responsibility to support, strengthen and reform the public schools. They have been and continue to be both an avenue of opportunity and a major cohesive force in our society—a society becoming daily more diverse racially, culturally, and religiously. 

We welcome the fact that many public schools now teach about our nation's diversity and the role of religion in human life and history, and applaud the schools' efforts to promote those virtues necessary for good citizenship in a pluralistic democracy. These reforms help to accommodate the constitutional rights of all students and their parents. Just as we encourage schools to ensure that all religions are treated with fairness and respect, so we urge parents and others to refrain from the temptation to use public schools to advance the cause of any one religion or ethnic tradition, whether through curriculum or through efforts to attach religious personnel to the public schools. We repeat our conviction that parents have the right to select home schooling or private or parochial schools for their children. But with that personal right comes the public obligation to support public schools for all children.

Just this year the National Council of Churches re-affirmed that 1999 statement in a message to President Obama and Congress:

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is a community of 36 Christian communions with a combined membership of 45 million persons in more than 100,000congregations across this country. Our member churches – from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches – do not agree on all things! We stand united, however, in our conviction that the church is called to speak for justice in public education. We affirm that each life is infinitely precious, created in the image of God, and therefore, that every child should be given opportunity for fullness of life, including a quality and affordable education. 

We further affirm that our society’s provision of public education—publicly funded, universally available, and accountable to the public—while imperfect, is essential for ensuring that all children are served. As a people called to love our neighbors as ourselves, we look for the optimal way to balance the needs of each particular child and family with the need to create a system that secures the rights and addresses the needs of all children. We know that such a system will never be perfect, and we pledge as faithful citizens to continue to improve the schools in our communities and to make our system of schools more responsive.

Why such vast differences in approaches to public education? 

Craven wrote today: 

Martin Luther wrote almost 500 years ago, "I am much afraid that schools will prove to be great gates of Hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt." Clearly the Scriptures do not reign paramount in today's public educational system and, true to Luther's prediction, the institution has indeed suffered corruption from its earlier intentions. 

But the United Church of Christ (a denomination of over 1 million people that dates backs to the Pilgrims) states on ucc.org: 

As we think about whether American society embodies Jesus' teaching that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, we need to be concerned about public schools, the primary institution where we have agreed to nurture and shape God's precious children. Public schools are our largest public institution, serving nearly fifty million children. 

In the national conversation about public education, our role in the church is special. We are concerned about our schools as an ethical and public policy matter. How do they embody attitudes about race and poverty, power and privilege, and cultural dominance and marginalization, and how do disparities in public investment reflect these attitudes? 

The United Church of Christ has spoken prophetically to name poverty and racism as among the primary causes of injustice in our nation's schools. General Synod 15 warned: "While children from many areas have comfortable schools with all the educational trimmings, poor and ethnic minority children often face overcrowded and deteriorated facilities, and a lack of enrichment programs or modern technology." General Synod 18 cautioned: "Because the poor and their children are disproportionately people of color, the educational inequities in our public schools reinforce the racial/ethnic injustices of our society." General Synod 23 proclaimed public school support - and advocacy for the same - as one of the "foremost civil rights issues in the twenty-first century." General Synod 25 called all settings of the UCC to do justice and promote the common good by strengthening support for public institutions and providing "opportunity for every child in well-funded, high quality public schools." 

As I've said before, how we read the Bible matters.  Craven blames the Enlightenment for the problems he sees within society and the public schools.  It was, however, the Enlightenment that brought us the pluralistic society and democratic Republic that we so treasure today.  We must defend our public institutions and our freedoms from those who would supplant their own values for the freedom of people to make their own decisions in accordance with their own faith tradition (or whatever moral guide one might use).  The danger of such radical freedom, of course, is that people might not think the way we want them to think.   

If, however, Mohler was right when he wrote in 2005 that:

Fueled by a secularist agenda and influenced by an elite of radical educational bureaucrats and theorists, government schools now serve as engines for secularizing and radicalizing children.

how do you explain this polling data on abortion from last year made available from Pew?

Polls conducted in 2009 have found fewer Americans expressing support for abortion than in previous years. In Pew Research Center polls in 2007 and 2008, supporters of legal abortion clearly outnumbered opponents; now Americans are evenly divided on the question, and there have been modest increases in the numbers who favor reducing abortions or making them harder to obtain. Less support for abortion is evident among most demographic and political groups...

The majority of people 18-49 believe abortion should be illegal (at least in some circumstances), according to Pew's 2009 data.  

Apparently the "elite of radical educational bureaucrats and theorists" are failing in their mission of "secularizing and radicalizing children."

Either that or Mohler was just dead wrong.  And on the issue of abortion, that radical freedom we enjoy serves his interests.  Ironic, isn't it?

Update:  Craven, who wrote of Mohler's 2005 statement "I would only expand on his foundation to reinforce the veracity of his claims," e-mailed me tonight to say that I had mischaracterized his views. Since he wrote of his complete agreement with Mohler I don't see how anything I posted mischaracterized anything. His e-mail is posted below the fold. I'm happy to provide him with the chance to respond:

Luke 21:1-4

21

He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; ²he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; ⁴for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ (NRSV)

Trickle-down economics - the philosophy championed by Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush - is based on two main social theories. First, if the wealthiest are freed of their tax burden they'll use that money to create more jobs by investing in profitable businesses. A second assumption is that once taxes are cut on the wealthiest Americans that the decline in revenue for the government isn't problematic because wealthy charitable givers will make up for any cuts in government services that support those living in poverty or for education programs, as examples. 

What's wrong with these assessments? Plenty. When Ronald Reagan and his heir George H.W. Bush left office the nation had accumulated more debt in their three terms than under all the previous presidents combined, poverty levels grew, and the wealthy just got more wealthy. President Clinton reversed the trend and raised taxes on the wealthiest.  The result: historic budget surpluses and a decrease in poverty levels (and the rich got even richer).  Flash forward to 2001 and a return to trickle-down economics (often called Reaganomics) and by the time George W. Bush left office we had returned to historic deficit levels, poverty rates grew every year of his presidency, and eventually we witnessed the near total collapse of economy.  It will takes years to undue the damage. 

And did the wealthiest Americans give their money away? Nope. The Chronicle of Philanthropy noted in 2004 that "those who earn $200,000 to $10-million a year" gave away less of their money as a percentage of income than those making less than $200,000 or those making over $10 million (the super-rich like the Gates-Buffet group that just pledged to give away half of their income...which still won't come close to erasing the cuts in social service programs under the last Bush presidency). 

A debate is now underway about whether or not to extend Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Even Ronald Reagan's budget director, the virtual father of trickle-down economics, says doing so would bankrupt the country. 

Yet we still hear the old tired argument that lowering taxes on the richest Americans will mean increased giving. Not so says yet another study on the issue that comes to the same conclusion as many others: those that are poor give away more of their money.  Even in their abundance the wealthiest among us don't give as much as those of us who are poor.   NPR reports:

 

Dr. John Kitzhaber has served Oregon with merit during his years of public service. He has proven to be a forward thinking leader who cares about all Oregonians regardless of their station in life. As a state senator and during two previous terms as Oregon's governor, he proved that he would fight to make Oregon a better place for all. I trust his leadership and his values. 

He demonstrated that leadership most clearly by advancing the Oregon Health Plan. Since leaving the governor's office eight years ago he has continued to advance health care reform to extend coverage and cut wasteful spending. We can be confident that he'll use the governor's office wisely to help improve the future of our Oregon by working to strengthen our economy while advancing the common good. 

That's why Liz and I are joining together with several of our friends to host an "Afternoon With John Kitzhaber" on Saturday, August 28th from 4:30-6:30 pm. If you'd like to be invited to this event please contact me and we'll send you the invitation. 

- The Reverend Chuck Currie 

Disclaimer: As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I trust deeply in the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state and my endorsement is therefore a personal one and does not reflect on my denomination. But as a citizen I believe that all Americans must engage in the political process as individuals for democracy to thrive. So I choose to add my voice today with other Oregonians concerned about the future of our state.

I've been reading a lot of church profiles recently and this op-ed in The New York Times from United Church of Christ pastor G. Jeffrey MacDonald is spot on:

THE American clergy is suffering from burnout, several new studies show. And part of the problem, as researchers have observed, is that pastors work too much. Many of them need vacations, it’s true. But there’s a more fundamental problem that no amount of rest and relaxation can help solve: congregational pressure to forsake one’s highest calling.

The pastoral vocation is to help people grow spiritually, resist their lowest impulses and adopt higher, more compassionate ways. But churchgoers increasingly want pastors to soothe and entertain them. It’s apparent in the theater-style seating and giant projection screens in churches and in mission trips that involve more sightseeing than listening to the local people.

As a result, pastors are constantly forced to choose, as they work through congregants’ daily wish lists in their e-mail and voice mail, between paths of personal integrity and those that portend greater job security. As religion becomes a consumer experience, the clergy become more unhappy and unhealthy.

A church recently expressed interest in my profile (a profile is basically a giant resume or CV with background information that both clergy and churches put together).  When they listed the qualifications they wanted in a minister they listed only duties that related to internal pastoral care of members.  The ability to give humorous sermons was one of the most important qualities they were seeking in a pastor (something I see in a lot of profiles - thank goodness I'm so darned funny).  They listed nothing about their minister or congregation being involved in the larger life of the church or the world.  I read it and thought they want an entertainment director and not a minister.  As you might imagine, I told them we wouldn't be a good match. I'm thankful most of the profiles I've read have been far better - some even darn right challenging.   

Worship shouldn't be all serious all the time.  There is a place for laughter and lightheartedness.  

But when churches become social clubs for members-only not only do pastors burn out but the churches die.  Deservedly so.  At one church I served a couple of members actually asked me not to preach on serious or controversial subjects.  They left the church.     

The job of the church is do God's mission in the world.  Sometimes that just isn't fun or funny.

Rev. MacDonald concludes by writing:

Ministry is a profession in which the greatest rewards include meaningfulness and integrity. When those fade under pressure from churchgoers who don’t want to be challenged or edified, pastors become candidates for stress and depression. 

Clergy need parishioners who understand that the church exists, as it always has, to save souls by elevating people’s values and desires. They need churchgoers to ask for personal challenges, in areas like daily devotions and outreach ministries. 

When such an ethic takes root, as it has in generations past, then pastors will cease to feel like the spiritual equivalents of concierges. They’ll again know joy in ministering among people who share their sense of purpose. They might even be on fire again for their calling, rather than on a path to premature burnout.

Amen.

Tonight we took the kids over to Jim and Patty's Coffee for a "Community Singing and Ice Cream Social" (those of you who know us will recognize this as Liz's idea...I really shouldn't be allowed to sing in public - a bad thing for a minister - but Liz has a good voice and loves nothing more than to sing and sing and sing).  Frances and Katherine enjoyed the ice cream more than the music, I think, and we did have to leave early for them to head to bed but it was a fun evening.  The best part is that proceeds benefited Our Mother's House, a new program at the Downtown Chapel that is "Portland’s first and only drop in center for mothers involved in human trafficking, prostitution and other forms of sex work."  Street Roots recently ran a story on their mission and the problem of human trafficking in our area that you can read here.  Additional information from Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel and Multnomah County Commissioner Barbara Willer can be found on the county's website.  Jim and Patty's Coffee is to be commended for opening their doors and helping out the community in this important way.    

New Law Would Ban Marriages Between People Who Don't Love Each Other

No, seriously.  In a mass e-mail sent out today entitled "Killing Christians" the right-wing extremist political group called the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) said:

The San Francisco judge who overturned California's marriage ban, in his ruling, made snide remarks about churches disapproving of homosexual behavior. Such absurd and inappropriate comments raise alarms that potentially laws in this country could punish religious groups for disagreeing with prevailing political correctness.

But lest we exaggerate our own troubles in America, we should always remember Christians who suffer far more acutely. Last month, a Christian pastor in Pakistan and his brother were murdered outside a Pakistani court house where they were being charged with "blasphemy" for supposedly insulting Muhammad. Clearly they were being framed, and the police were likely to acquit them, but apparently radical Islamists wanted them dead, lawfully or unlawfully.

The rhetoric reminds me of when Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, compared the members of the Massachusetts Supreme Court to the 9/11 terrorists after they ruled in favor of marriage equality.

Such rhetoric is meant to inflame and divide Americans along religious lines.  It is, without question, a misuse of the faith. 

Mark Tooley was the author of the e-mail and is the president of IRD.  Tooley is not a minister and IRD - despite their name - isn't a religious organization. It was set-up and founded by conservative political activists to undermine mainline churches that opposed Ronald Reagan's policies in the 1980s. Their ongoing goal: to actually take over mainline churches, silence those prophetic voices still speaking out against war and economic injustice, and to use the resources of Christian churches to promote the conservative political agenda.  

Tooley knows the truth:  the federal court decision does not in any way force churches to marry gays and lesbians and has no bearing on the ways in which churches interpret (or misinterpret) the teachings of Jesus.   

Of course, Tooley has no formal theological training.  His background is with the CIA.  He is closely aligned with racist figures such as David Horowitz and Tooley's views on gays and lesbians are so extreme that the KKK has even reprinted his writing on their websites and endorsed IRD's anti-gay rallies.

A measure of IRD's growing extremism is their recent attacks on the National Association of Evangelicals, generally thought of as being the "religious-right" in America, for being too liberal.     

Related Post: Proposition 8 Was Incompatible With Christianity; Court Decision A Victory For All God's Children

Analysis of recently released federal data shows that the number of homeless children and youth identified in public schools has increased for the second year in a row, and by 41% over the past two school years. - First Focus / NAEHCY

Over two hundred people gathered in Salem, Oregon on June 24th of this year for the Interfaith Summit on Homeless Children, Youth and Families.  The summit was convened to bring together religious leaders, government officials, and educators to talk about ways that together we could address the growing numbers of homeless children experiencing homelessness while attending our public schools.   

Churches and other faith communities present shared information on the enormous faith-based efforts under way currently in Oregon to help homeless families and their children.  It was an opportunity to share information on programs that work and that might be replicated.  There is a general consensus that the faith community must do more in terms of direct service and advocacy.

Everyone present understood, however, that the faith community doesn't have the financial resources to end homelessness in Oregon (or nationwide for that matter).  Homelessness is for the most part a result of people living in poverty - and poverty in America is in large part a result of bad economic policies that benefit the wealthiest Americans while cutting off opportunities for everyone else.  That is why it is essential for Congress to end the tax cuts provided by President Bush and Congress to the wealthiest Americans. 

President Obama has worked hard to change the economic landscape of our country - pushing an aggressive agenda of progressive policies not seen since FDR - but it is vital that religious leaders continue to impress on the president that he must keep his campaign promise to cut poverty by 50% over the course of ten years.  Visit the Half in Ten Campaign and Fighting Poverty With Faith to learn more about these efforts.

In the meantime, it is essential that we provide additional resources to public schools to address the growing crisis of homeless students.

First Focus and the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth have just released a new issue brief that explains the current crisis we face nationally and steps the federal government must take immediately to make sure that every child who is homeless has the best education possible.  As President Obama has said, a strong public education is the best anti-poverty strategy.  

Download A Critical Moment: Child and Youth Homelessness In Our Nations Schools. 

Please share this information with people in your churches, with your e-mail lists, on Facebook and blogs.

Like Loving v. Virginia (which outlawed the ban on interracial marriage), the court's decision today in Perry v. Schwarzenegger overturning California's Proposition 8 is historic and a victory not only for gays and lesbians who wish to marry but for all Americans. Once again freedom has been extended.  

We know this is not the final decision.  The verdict will be appealed to the Supreme Court and the outcome there with the current conservative majority is very uncertain.  But today's decision is one that Christians can affirm.  It is moral and just and in line with the teachings of Jesus.

The General Synod of the United Church of Christ called for full marriage equality in 2005. This June in a sermon entitled "It Is Good: Family & Community In The Tradition Of Jesus" I quoted from the resolution that was adopted by our General Synod at that time:   

The message of the Gospel is the lens through which the whole of scripture is to be interpreted. Love and compassion, justice and peace are at the very core of the life and ministry of Jesus. It is a message that always bends toward inclusion. The biblical story recounts the ways in which inclusion and welcome to God’s community is ever-expanding – from the story of Abraham and Sarah, to the inclusive ministry of Jesus, to the baptism of Cornelius, to the missionary journeys of Paul throughout the Greco- Roman world. The liberating work of the Spirit as witnessed in the activities of Jesus’ ministry has been to address the situations and structures of exclusion, injustice and oppression that diminish God’s people and keep them from realizing the full gift of human personhood in the context of human communion.

The statement went on to say:

The language of covenant is central to the message of scripture concerning relationships and community. Both in the message of the prophets and the teachings of Jesus, covenant relationships are important, taken seriously by God and are to be taken seriously by God’s people. The overriding message of the Gospel is that God calls God’s people to live fully the gift of love in responsible, faithful, just, committed, covenantal relationships of trust that recognize and respect the image of God in all people. These Gospel values are at the core of the covenantal relationship that we call marriage.

And that:

It is essential to note that the Gospel values of covenant do not come from the practices of marriage, which change and evolve throughout the history of the biblical story. Indeed, it is not possible to rely exclusively on scripture for understanding marriage today. For example, biblical texts that encourage celibacy, forbid divorce, or require women to be subservient to their husbands are not considered to be authoritative because they are primarily expressions of the cultural norms of the ancient Middle East. At the same time, there are also many biblical models for blessed relationships beyond one man and one woman. Indeed, scripture neither commends a single marriage model nor commands all to marry, but rather calls for love and justice in all relationships.

Clearly, this court decision will be controversial and many Christians will decry the verdict. But my belief is that the Holy Spirit is at work here. The moral arc of the universe always bends towards justice, said The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was correct.

The truth of the matter is that Proposition 8 was incompatible with Christianity.  Injustice always is.  

Update:  The Portland Mercury has information on local reaction to the court decision and below the fold is a statement issued late today from the Community of Welcoming Congregations:

http://www.hrc.org/OpenLetter 

"President Obama volunteered to be the captain of the Titanic after it hit the iceberg." - Van Jones (Quit Beating Up On Obama)

American is blessed to have a president with the values of Barack Obama. No, I don't agree with him on every issue and never thought I would. Yes, I wish change was coming faster.  I'm not afraid to say when I disagree with him.  But this president has done more than anyone since FDR to advance a progressive agenda for America. He deserves our thanks and support. Winning the election in 2008 was just the start. All of us who worked for that victory have to keep pushing for change. 

Happy birthday, President Obama.  Our prayers are with you and our nation.

Related Post:  Why I Still Support President Obama

Related Post:  My Afternoon At the White House

The Brady Center notes this morning: 

This morning at least 11 people lost their lives in two incidents of mass gun violence, one at a Connecticut workplace, another at an Indianapolis party....These two mass shootings are examples of the continual tragedy of gun violence in our country.  Every day in the United States, 300 people are shot and 85 die from gun violence.  We must do better.

As I noted recently after the U.S. Supreme Court expanded gun rights, gun violence is an issue deeply concerning for U.S. churches:

The National Council of Churches USA (NCC) and other religious organizations have been outspoken advocates of ending gun violence in America.  Earlier this year NCC, a communion of "36 faith traditions encompassing 45 million Americans in 100,000 local congregations," adopted a statement on gun violence saying:  

When thinking about the problem of violence, Christian faith is both “idealistic” and “realistic.” On the one hand, there is a stream within the Christian tradition that counsels non-violence in all circumstances. A seminal text is the Sermon on the Mount,found in Matthew's gospel, where Jesus instructs his followers to bear violence rather than inflict it. 

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.... You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you . . . (Matt. 5: 38-39, 43-44). 

It is difficult to imagine that the One whose own Passion models the redemptive power of non-violence would look favorably on the violence of contemporary U.S. society. Present-day violence is made far worse than it otherwise would be by the prevalence of weapons on our streets. This stream of the Christian tradition insists that it is idolatry to trust in guns to make us secure, since that usually leads to mutual escalation while distracting us from the One whose love alone gives us security.

On the other hand, Christians also know, from both experience and scripture, that all humans are sinful, capable of acting with hostile aggression toward their neighbors. This "realistic" view of human nature also argues for restricting access to guns which, in the wrong hands or without adequate supervision, can make violence ever more deadly. Christians can certainly contend that it is necessary for public authorities to take up arms in order to protect citizens from violence; but to allow assault weapons in the hands of the general public can scarcely be justified on Christian grounds. The stark reality is that such weapons end up taking more lives than they defend, and the reckless sale or use of these weapons refutes the gospel’s prohibition against violence.

NCC's statement called for these specific action steps:

No community, church or individual believer can address a problem as complex and intractable as gun violence on its own. Therefore, together, the member communions of National Council of Churches U.S.A. RESOLVE to: 

(1) call upon our local, state, and federal legislators to enact reforms that limit access to assault weapons and handguns, including closing the so-called federal “gun show loophole,” which allows for the purchase of firearms from private sellers without submitting to a background check, or providing documentation of the purchase. 

(2) participate with movements such as “Heeding God’s Call” (http://www.heedinggodscall.org/) to insist that commercial sellers adopt and adhere to responsible sales practices. 

(3) prayerfully, financially, and otherwise support the NCC staff in coordinating ecumenical efforts for gun violence reduction, including preparing educational materials about the magnitude of gun violence, developing avenues for dialogue among gun owners and gun control advocates within our congregations, and offering a faithful witness in cooperating with inter-faith and nonreligious anti-gun violence advocacy organizations.

Meanwhile, as the Brady Campaign notes, our fellow Americans continue to die:

EVERY DAY (on average) 

• Every day, 300 people in America, 67 of them children and teens are shot in murders, assaults, suicides, accidents, and police intervention. 
• Every day, 85 people die from gun violence, 35 of them murdered. 
• Every day, 9 children and teens die from gun violence. 
• Every day, 215 people are shot, but survive their gun injuries. 
• Every day, 57 children and teens are shot, but survive their gun injuries.

Let our prayers today be with those who have died and the family and friends left behind. Let us also pray that those that manufacture these weapons and their advocates - such as the NRA - repent of their sins and embrace God instead of guns.

This morning I had the opportunity to talk about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and the problems with Arizona's new law with 1190 KEX's Paul Linnman. 

You can download an audio podcast of the short interview here:

Download 080210_KEX-AM_Currie

(some browsers - like Firefox or Google Chrome - will allow you to simply click on the link and listen...otherwise click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose “Save Target As” and save to your desktop or other folder – once downloaded click on the file to listen).

Now On ITunes

You can now subscribe to my podcasts on ITunes by clicking here. 

Related Post: Evangelical, Mainline & Roman Catholic Christians React To Arizona Court Ruling; Call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

It's nice to see an Oregonian make good by getting some national tv exposure.....

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Gay Reichs
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

I've been proud over the years to help fight off anti-gay ballot measure put forth by Scott Lively and his allies as part of broad based coalitions of Oregonians, many in our state's faith community, who value human rights and who honor and acknowledge the great diversity of God's own creation.

But when you talk about local hatemongers, Lively has always been one of those near the top of the list.  He has misused the Christian faith to divide people along religious lines.  I'd say The Daily Show made fun of Lively but he provided all the comedic material.  The frightening part is that he was dead serious. 

h/t Blog Town