Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

In @washingtonpost: "Churches help Occupy movement survive crackdowns, winter"

The Washington Post has a story up tonight via Religion News Services about church involvement in the Occupy Wall Street Movement.  You'll read mention of Portland's First Congregational United Church Church of Christ and First Unitarian Church.  There are also a couple of quotes from me.  Click here.

The #1 Song Currently Played On My iPad: Amos Lee - Jesus

The Prophet Muhammad And Other Faiths

The people of the Portland Rizwan Mosque graciously opened their doors this afternoon to Christians and Jews for a discussion on "Muhammad and non-Muslims," an interfaith dialogue concerning the Prophet Muhammad's own views regarding and interactions with people of different faiths. Imam Mubasher Ahmad (pictured), mosque president Rasheed Reno, and spokesperson Harris Zafar made a presentation that offered a picture of the Prophet Muhammad as being deeply concerned about interfaith relations.

I was immediately reminded of an essay from Amir Hussian who wrote in Progressive Muslims:

The Qur'an set forth perennial principles of humane interfaith behavior.  For example, Qur'an 5:48 ends with the following words: "for every one of you did we appoint a law and a way, and if God had pleased God would have would have made you a single people, but that God might try you in what God gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to God you will all return, so God will let you know that in which you differed."

The Portland Rizwan Mosque is part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a small movement within Islam (click here for additional background).  For them respect for religious pluralism is a bedrock principle rooted in the Qur'an.  They see diversity as a gift from the Almighty and the Prophet Muhammad's teachings, they noted, echoed this for the early Muslim community.    

Those in the audience, Jews and Christians, were given the opportunity to dialogue with the presenters.

Questions ranged from whether or not the leaders of the Portland Rizwan Mosque believed that most other Muslims shared their respect for pluralism (they did and argued that those who rejected pluralism and embraced radicalism had in fact rejected Islam) and whether or not they believed Muslims, Jews and Christians worshiped the same god.

On that question came some struggle and tension.  Muslims, of course, believe in monotheism.  So do Jews and Christians.  But Christians are also trinitarian.  Imam Mubasher Ahmad pointed out the confusion in this - are Christians really monotheist or not? - and said this left open the question as to whether or not Muslims and Christians believed in the same god.  The imam made clear that regardless of how this question was resolved that respect for pluralism must be maintained.  

That wasn't the end of the conversation, however.  In his remarks concerning Christian trinitarism the imam seemed to project an orthodox understanding of Christianity on to all Christians.  A member of the United Church of Christ (and it wasn't me!) pointed out that just as there was great diversity within Islam there is great diversity within Christianity and many Christians reject orthodoxy.  Harris Zafar noted that he agreed with this point and believed that generally Muslims, Christians and Jews do, in fact, worship the same god and certainly share the same Abrahamic roots.

I heard one Jewish woman leave the presentation saying to a friend: "We shouldn't be killing each other.  We should be kissing cousins."       

You can watch Zafar discuss the on-going debate over radical Islam from this September 2011 FOX News interview:

Yesterday I blogged about different Christian understandings of Islam and invited comments. This evening I invite your comments as well. Do the positive views concerning interfaith relations by the Prophet Muhammad correspond to your own experiences as a Muslim, Christian or Jew? What about other faith traditions?

Read comments on this post from The Christian Left's Facebook page.

Islam: “Wicked” and “Evil” Or A Faith Of "Mercy" and "Compassion"?

When Franklin Graham called Islam “wicked” and “evil” in 2010 on ABC's This Week it wasn't the first time he had used harsh language about Islam.

We often hear language such as Graham's but we also often hear another story.  Consider these words from President George W. Bush in the days following 9/11:

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself:  In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil.  For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam.  That's not what Islam is all about.  Islam is peace.  These terrorists don't represent peace.  They represent evil and war.

When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world.  Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace.  And that's made brothers and sisters out of every race -- out of every race.

Graham and Bush articulate, from a conservative evangelical Christian perspective, two very different views of Islam.  Graham's views has won acceptance within more conservative circles.

Out of your own faith tradition how do you understand Islam?  

I ask this for two reasons:

First, I'm currently taking a course in Inter-religious Engagement as part of a DMin program at Chicago Theological Seminary.  So I have an academic interest.  

Secondly, tomorrow afternoon I'm visiting a local mosque to hear a presentation on how the Prophet Muhammad viewed other faiths. (UPDATE: Click here to read about my visit to the mosque)

In preparation for this visit, I wanted to look again at the varied ways Christians respond to Islam. Here are two examples.  

The first comes from the Office of Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Islam is regarded as one of the three central Abrahamic faiths along with Judaism and Christianity.  Islam’s followers are Muslims, or those who “submit” to God’s will.  Islam is a universal religion that teaches that God is merciful and compassionate, and that promises the faithful worldly peace and equality and entrance to a sublime eternity. 

The General Synod of the United Church of Christ (my own church) also recently passed a resolution that said further:

The Muslim community is among the fastest growing religious communities in the United States.  It has also experienced increased suspicion, as well as elevated hostility— both rhetorical and physical—based on ignorance and prejudice toward them.  Such actions are reprehensible from a Christian point of view. The ill treatment of Muslims in the United States has been injurious to the Muslim American community, and has had severe consequences around the world, including attacks on Christians and churches in majority-Muslim countries.  The UCC engages in interfaith relations with Jews and Muslims in the United States, and with interfaith partners around the world.  The UCC is on the steering committee of the US-based interfaith campaign called “Shoulder-to-Shoulder,” which opposes anti-religious prejudices, and anti-Muslim bigotry in particular.  The UCC has spoken clearly against anti-Semitism, and is consistent in its  condemnation of racially-motivated violence by word and deed.  Given recent events in the United States that have targeted Muslim Americans and Islam, the UCC reasserts its  clear stance against religious-based hostility, in this case against Muslims and Islam.

A much different perspective comes from the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod):

Along with Christianity and Judaism, one of three monotheistic world religions. The Arabic word Islam (derived from a Semitic root meaning “peace”) expresses entry into peace and security with God (Allah) through submission or surrender of one’s whole life to his will. An adherent of Islam is properly identified by the term Muslim...

In the present pluralistic context, many people may have the mistaken impression that Christians and Muslims worship the same God—especially since Christianity and Islam are both monotheistic religions. They may also think that the religions are more similar than dissimilar in other beliefs and practices. However...from a Lutheran perspective, (there is a) sharp contrast between Christian teaching and the teachings of Islam as found in the Qur’ān.

Read the entire Lutheran response to Islam here.

These two examples (in addition to Graham's remarks) illustrate a theological divide between how Christians view Islam.  Is it a religion of peace or an evil faith?  Do we worship the same god or not?

This divide won't come as a shock to anyone.  But compare how you understood Islam a decade ago to what you know now.  Are your views changing?  Is your faith community engaged in inter-religious engagement?

I'm interested in your views - whether Christian or Muslim (and feel free to jump in from other faith backgrounds as well) and invite you to share them on this blog, Facebook or Twitter.  I'll share some of the responses later along with my experiences at the mosque tomorrow. 

Update:  Click here to read some of the discussion about this post occuring on The Christian Left's Facebook page.

Update 2: Additional comments from members of The Christian Left's Facebook page.

Update 3: Comments from People Of Faith Opposed To The Burning of the Qur'an Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country....

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

--Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to his daughter

It is a Thanksgiving tradition of mine to post this letter from Mr. Franklin.

This year we are in Puerto Vallarta celebrating with my mother, Judy Bright, who has this year fought a rare form of cancer.  Not only are Liz and I here with our children but my step-father, Dr. John Thomas, is with us along with my sisters and their children, my wonderful nephews.  We have a lot to be thankful for even as we know this journey is not finished.

My prayers on this Thanksgiving are for the world and all those who suffer from hunger and homelessness, discrimination and oppression, and fear.  Let justice roll down like a mighty river.  Amen.

The Christian spirit rests with Occupy protestors

My latest op-ed in The Oregonian. . Please read, "like," share on Facebook and comment.


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Winning The Nobel Peace Prize (Close Enough)

I was deeply honored earlier this month to be awarded the Distinguished Service and Leadership Award from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

Unfortunately, I could not attend the conference in person but I sent the following message to the 800 delegates attending their annual convention:

Please accept my thanks for this wonderful award. As President Obama has rightly noted, the best anti-poverty strategy is a good education. Like you, I see the growing number of homeless children in our nation as a moral crisis. This crisis has economic, political and even spiritual implications. I believe, like Dr. King, that we are called to create the Beloved Community and to do so we must end homelessness - not just manage it. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth is one of the great civil rights organizations of our time. Without your advocacy and leadership children across our country who are living in homelessness would have no hope. So for me it is a tremendous honor to receive an award from this organization. It's like winning the Nobel Peace Prize. And if I could, I would present each one of you an award in return for the work you do each day to promote to common good of our nation.

So what does this organization do?

NAEHCY, a national grassroots membership association, connects educators, parents, advocates, researchers, and service providers to ensure school enrollment and attendance and overall success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe, permanent, and adequate housing. NAEHCY achieves these goals through advocacy, partnerships, and education.

Each year, approximately 1.5 million children and youth experience homelessness in our nation's towns, cities and counties. These students lack the stability and peace of mind we all hope to be able to give our children. On a regular basis, children and youth report that school is a home to them – a place where they see the same faces, sit in the same seat, and can put their hearts and minds into pursuits that ease their daily troubles. In academic settings, students gain the skills and support needed to avoid poverty and homelessness as adults. Our members work in schools, education, and advocacy agencies across the country, as well as in shelters and community organizations. We are on the front lines identifying, enrolling, and coordinating services for homeless children and youth.

It has been my deep honor to work with the staff and board of NAEHCY over many years to help lift up the needs of students experiencing homelessness in our nation. There might be no more important work as we try and save a generation of Americans who are seeking with their families to escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness that so many are trapped in.

Right now as Congress debates funding for programs that help lift people out of poverty it is critical that all Americans demand that educational opportunities not be denied. Public education is one of America's greatest achievements and students who are homeless need schools and the hope they provide more than most.


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What Does The Lord Require Of Portland? #ows #p2 #occupyportland

Last night 25 clergy and other religious leaders stood with Occupy Portland.  This morning my sermon at Ainsworth United Church of Christ - What Does The Lord Require of Portland? - reflected on that experience and the overall Occupy Wall Street movement. You can watch the video here.

Our focus Scripture readings this morning included Isaiah 5: 1-7 and Matthew 25: 14-30.

Slower internet connection? Hit the "HD" button to turn off the high definition and watch this video in standard definition.

Occupy Portland was dismantled late this morning by the Portland Police Bureau - while we were in church - after a mostly peaceful night.  Our aim in being present all-night Saturday into early Sunday morning was to bear witness to the events and to promote non-violence.  We offered prayers for the demonstrators and police, lit candles and sang hymns. 

A statement of support for Occupy Portland was also issued on Friday evening by Portland's larger interfaith community. 

We concluded our service today with a prayer for our city: 

Below are some photos taken by K. Kendall that are used here with permission of the interfaith gathering at Occupy Portland on Saturday evening.  Additional photos can be seen here.

This final picture of myself with Rev. Kate Lore was taken on an iPhone.

Related Link:  Occupy America:  A Great New Awakening 

Clergy Call On Police, Occupy Oregon To Remain Non-Violent @OccupyOregon @PortlandPolice @MayorSamAdams

Press Release

The Rev. Kate Lore and The Rev. Chuck Currie will lead a delegation of clergy to monitor the planned eviction of Occupy Oregon from Portland area parks.

Lore is the social justice minister at Portland's First Unitarian Church and Currie is a minister in the United Church of Christ.

"Many clergy from across Oregon and the nation have supported the Occupy Wall Street movement.  We commend the non-violent nature of the protests and appreciate thus far the response from Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland Police Bureau," said Lore and Currie.  "At this time, however, we call on Mayor Adams and the Police Bureau to act with the utmost restraint on Saturday night.  Violence of the sort seen in Oakland cannot be tolerated.  We will be watching."

"We also call on the demonstrators at Occupy Oregon to remain non-violent.  The issues raised by the Occupy Wall Street  are important and must be heard.  Violence will overshadow the message about equality that Americans must face," said Currie and Lore. 

Lore and Currie are in touch with other clergy in the Metro area who have expressed support for Occupy Oregon and plan to be present throughout the night to bear witness to the events as a show of solidarity with the protestors.  "Our prayers are with the protestors, the police and the mayor during this difficult moment," said Lore and Currie.  "We believe the Occupy Wall Street movement to be a prophetic act that deserves support."       

Below please find an Interfaith Statement also released today:

We, the undersigned faith leaders of Portland, Oregon, affirm and see in the spirit of Occupy Portland and the Right 2 Dream Too the power of community, call to compassion and democracy and justice renewed.  The Occupy movement in particular has called into question both the inequities and inhumanity in much of our country’s political and economic system.   

Our religious traditions are clear: We are called to lift up the needs of those living on the margins and to challenge the inequities that impoverish the many for the benefit of the few.  The voices of our neighbors are clear: the American dream is compromised; the stability and well being of many of our people are slipping away; and in our politics, honesty and fairness are dissipating.   We identify with the protestors concerns regarding militarism, political and economic inequality and the onrushing crisis of climate change and insist that these concerns must be discussed and acted upon at all levels of American society.

While we may differ as to the tactics of these movements and their future, we urge that differences be resolved in a spirit of mutual respect and nonviolence and that the use of force is antithetical to these values. We ask that the primary focus of the public debate be not about forms of protest but rather on the larger spiritual, moral and ethical questions that these occupations raise.  

We therefore commit ourselves to the restoration of justice for all in our economy and compassion in our politics and that together we might behold a revolution of values for all of our people.  We ask all Oregonians to join us in this commitment and to listen attentively to the needs, hopes and dreams expressed by all who are suffering and dispossessed.  In doing so, we join together in democracy renewed and the building of a nation of possibility for all persons.

Rev. Dr. John Paul Davis, Minister for Outreach, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish
Pastor Dennis Andersen, St. James Lutheran Church
Rev. Kate Lore, Social Justice Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rabbi Michael Cahana, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel
Rev. Dr. William Sinkford, Senior Pastor, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Dennis Parker, Rector, St Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Anton DeWet, Senior Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ
Rev. Dr. David Wheeler, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church
Mr. David Leslie, Executive Director, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Still Fighting For Marriage Equality

Basic Rights Oregon has been moving forward with a decision to place a ballot initiative before voters to legalize marriage equality but decided yeaterday to wait until after 2012 before doing so.  That was a hard but wise decision that I fully support.

Like many religious leaders, I support marriage equality because "our religious traditions and scriptures teach us that wherever love is present, God is also present. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is our human capacity to love one another. The ability of two people to enter into relationships and form families of love and care is one expression of this gift. It is holy and good."  As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I believe strongly that equality must being extended to all - just as God's love is for all.  

The campaign for marriage equality will come - sooner rather than later, I hope.  It is frustrating that justice is being delayed once again but have no doubt that justice will come.

With Thanks To Michael Kinnamon

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon has announced his resignation as general-secretary of the National Council of Churches due to health reasons.  Dr. Kinnamon was one of my professors at Eden Theological Seminary and I served as his teaching assistant.  There are few people I admire more.  As the general secretary of the NCC, he has worked with incredible energy to develop ecumenical partnerships and to find common ground among diverse groups of Christians.  His commitment to a Gospel-centered social gospel is unquestioned.  Many of us have been worried about Michael's health for some time but Michael being Michael he wanted to do all he could to promote the cause of Christian unity.  I pray for healing for Michael Kinnamon and give thanks for his leadership, the mentorship he has provided me over the years, and the friendship we share.    

A Little Bit Of Election Sanity

Tonight's off-year election has produced some happy results: Mississippi voters have rejected the so-called "Personhood Amendment" and Ohio voters have overturned an anti-union law. On the same day, a federal appeals court - led by a Reagan appointee - backed the constitutionality of President Obama's health care reform law that will extend coverage for 30 million Americans.  The rights of women and workers were upheld by voters tonight and again the courts weighed in to protect people who need health care.  These are moral victories that advance the common good.  

Now comes the hard part: 2012.

People Of Faith Oppose So-Called "Personhood Amendment"

Mitt Romney may support banning abortion even in cases of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is at risk - an extreme position that no other candidacy for the presidency has adopted - but many Christians and other people of faith oppose such efforts, including Mississippi's Initiative 26. 

From the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice:

People throughout the country are taking action to defeat Mississippi Initiative 26, the "personhood" initiative. If passed November 8, it will have far-reaching consequences not only for women and men in Mississippi but for individuals throughout the country. It could be the start of a larger "personhood" agenda. We already know that Nevada, Tennessee, and Florida will have a similar measure on their ballots in 2012.

By legally defining a human being from the moment of fertilization, MS 26 criminalizes abortion without exempting cases of rape, incest, or life of the pregnant woman. As it is written, MS 26 would also prohibit or limit access to vital reproductive health services including hormonal birth control, emergency contraception, fertility treatments and life-saving procedures for women suffering ectopic pregnancies. Personhood USA - the fringe group behind the initiative - moved their efforts to Mississippi after failing to amend the Colorado state constitution in both 2008 and 2010. Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected the extreme measure, but Personhood USA anticipates favorable results from the conservative southern state.

RCRC is working with the coalition of physicians, infertility advocates and reproductive health organizations that has mobilized to challenge the measure and to spread the word about unforeseen consequences of the anti-choice movement’s overreach. Mississippians for Healthy Families, the political committee formed in response to MS 26, says that the amendment “puts politics above the health and safety of women.”

The "personhood" initiative raises troubling moral issues, regardless of a person’s view of abortion. Whil religions across the spectrum respect and value life and many have an official pro-choice position, RCRC has identified these issues as of deep concern:

• The initiative is one-sided and narrow – it concentrates solely on the fetus and ignores the woman’s life entirely.
• Endowing a fetus with legal rights independent of the pregnant woman could set up a conflict that could place the health and dignity of the woman on a lower level.
• In order to ensure that a being is protected legally from the moment of conception, the state might have to administer a pregnancy test to every woman of childbearing age who was raped.

People of faith are also concerned that this initiative would enact into law specific religious views about "personhood" and in doing so, violate the foundational principle of religious freedom.

You can learn more about the bill at http://votenoon26.org/ 

Here's what Mitt Romeny has to say:

Update: Mississippi Catholic Bishop, Religious Leaders Denounce Personhood Anti-Abortion Bill

What Does The Lord Require Of Portland? A Sermon On Nov. 13th At Ainsworth United Church of Christ

On Sunday, November 13th at 10am I will be preaching at NE Portland's Ainsworth United Church of Christ, my new home congregation. This is the community of faith I have joined while assuming the position of associate director at The Westar Institute. My sermon - What Does The Lord Require Of Portland? - will look back to the Hebrew Prophets and ministry of Jesus and seek to offer a word of hope and challenge for our city during a difficult period of time for Portland and the nation. I invite you to join me and to meet the wonderful congregation that makes Ainsworth come alive in unique ways each Sunday to carry forth the mission of the church in our city. Ainsworth is a multi-cultural, multi-racial, open & affirming, Just Peace and accessible church.