Tuesday, March 13, 2007
"Forgive me Father..."
It has been almost two weeks since my last post.
I am a native of New Orleans, and as a result, though I am not Catholic, I attended Catholic High School. The Jesuit High School of New Orleans (those of you grammarians please let me know where exactly I capitalize "Catholic", because I have no idea).
The Jesuits may have been responsible for my interest in what actually may or may no have happened or at least what was likely to have happened during Jesus' time here on earth. And they certainly may have fueled my radical tendencies. Or it may have just been a teenage feeling that "The Man", in my case, organized religion, was keeping important maybe even scandalous information away from me. These feelings of suspicion towards authority figures were common in the 60's and 70's, but are less common now that kids tend to only think of themselves and what they can buy with their parent's credit cards as opposed to larger life issues such as war, global warming or the effects of steroids on baseball.
The church has changed as well since the 70's, especially with the rise of Christian fundamentalism through the efforts of folks like James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and now, Peter Akinola. The word Christian, thanks to the political and social bastardization of a faith whose foundations are a belief in God and an acceptance and love for our fellow man; now stands for such fine things as intolerance, bigotry and fear.
As a kid, I was proud to be a Christian, proud of my faith, proud of my belief. These days if a person mentions being a Christian people immediately think the person goes to wacky tent revivals, sees the Bible as infallible, believe that God made everything in a week when he had nothing better to do, thinks Katrina hit New Orleans because the city and country are full of sin and finally that if you don't march to the same drummer, then you aren't Christian.
I feel as if I need an immediate disclaimer to my faith, maybe a t-shirt that says "Beware Rational Christian".
The latest example of this is from the more conservative Episcopal churches in the Anglican Communion. Ostracizing gays and women is something we've come to expect from the fringe element, but not from Episcopalians. They are the hip Christians, they are the Desmond Tutu stick it to the man and get rid of apartheid Christians.
Evidently not the ones down in Virginia. Those fine folks at Falls Church Episcopal can segregate and point a finger with the best of them and what of those upstanding members of Truro Episcopal? Don't leave them out, after all how can a gay man or any woman for that matter lead them to God? (There are others of course, but I wanted to mention these two, especially Falls Church, because George Washington, a former member, is spinning in his grave)
Everybody knows God hates gays, right? That's why we have Aids in the world. And women? forget it, that woman in the Gospel of Mark, the one Jesus pointed to and said that she represented the faith so much that she should be remembered where ever the Gospel or "Good News" is mentioned? He was kidding, funny guy that Christ.
While we're taking a whack at gays and women, being good Christians lets just cleanse the world, and get rid of the other non-believers: all you Hindus, Muslims, Taoist, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics...unless you decide to pray like us, love the people we tell you to love and submit to the church leaders we tell you to; regardless of the fact that they bear no spiritual connection to the man who taught us the faith in the first place (shout out to Bishop Akinola bigot and hate monger), then to hell with you (literally).
Come on Christians, we can do this, all we need to do is follow a good example, what comes to mind?
Well, the Nazis for one.
At some point during my more radical period, (age has definitely mellowed me) I wanted to get t-shirts made that said "If Jesus were alive today, he'd be agnostic", I'm beginning to think I wasn't far off.
Tolerance is not a four letter word, but "Christian" is becoming one, because of a lack of the former. In this increasingly intolerant world Christians regardless of their affiliation, need to lead the way in acceptance of all people regardless of what they believe, who they love, or what they think.
We owe it to the man who spent his time trying to convince the leaders of his own faith that everyone deserves a chance to sit at God's table. That forgiveness is more important than retribution and that judgment doesn't belong to us, but to God.
Peace,
RW
It has been almost two weeks since my last post.
I am a native of New Orleans, and as a result, though I am not Catholic, I attended Catholic High School. The Jesuit High School of New Orleans (those of you grammarians please let me know where exactly I capitalize "Catholic", because I have no idea).
The Jesuits may have been responsible for my interest in what actually may or may no have happened or at least what was likely to have happened during Jesus' time here on earth. And they certainly may have fueled my radical tendencies. Or it may have just been a teenage feeling that "The Man", in my case, organized religion, was keeping important maybe even scandalous information away from me. These feelings of suspicion towards authority figures were common in the 60's and 70's, but are less common now that kids tend to only think of themselves and what they can buy with their parent's credit cards as opposed to larger life issues such as war, global warming or the effects of steroids on baseball.
The church has changed as well since the 70's, especially with the rise of Christian fundamentalism through the efforts of folks like James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and now, Peter Akinola. The word Christian, thanks to the political and social bastardization of a faith whose foundations are a belief in God and an acceptance and love for our fellow man; now stands for such fine things as intolerance, bigotry and fear.
As a kid, I was proud to be a Christian, proud of my faith, proud of my belief. These days if a person mentions being a Christian people immediately think the person goes to wacky tent revivals, sees the Bible as infallible, believe that God made everything in a week when he had nothing better to do, thinks Katrina hit New Orleans because the city and country are full of sin and finally that if you don't march to the same drummer, then you aren't Christian.
I feel as if I need an immediate disclaimer to my faith, maybe a t-shirt that says "Beware Rational Christian".
The latest example of this is from the more conservative Episcopal churches in the Anglican Communion. Ostracizing gays and women is something we've come to expect from the fringe element, but not from Episcopalians. They are the hip Christians, they are the Desmond Tutu stick it to the man and get rid of apartheid Christians.
Evidently not the ones down in Virginia. Those fine folks at Falls Church Episcopal can segregate and point a finger with the best of them and what of those upstanding members of Truro Episcopal? Don't leave them out, after all how can a gay man or any woman for that matter lead them to God? (There are others of course, but I wanted to mention these two, especially Falls Church, because George Washington, a former member, is spinning in his grave)
Everybody knows God hates gays, right? That's why we have Aids in the world. And women? forget it, that woman in the Gospel of Mark, the one Jesus pointed to and said that she represented the faith so much that she should be remembered where ever the Gospel or "Good News" is mentioned? He was kidding, funny guy that Christ.
While we're taking a whack at gays and women, being good Christians lets just cleanse the world, and get rid of the other non-believers: all you Hindus, Muslims, Taoist, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics...unless you decide to pray like us, love the people we tell you to love and submit to the church leaders we tell you to; regardless of the fact that they bear no spiritual connection to the man who taught us the faith in the first place (shout out to Bishop Akinola bigot and hate monger), then to hell with you (literally).
Come on Christians, we can do this, all we need to do is follow a good example, what comes to mind?
Well, the Nazis for one.
At some point during my more radical period, (age has definitely mellowed me) I wanted to get t-shirts made that said "If Jesus were alive today, he'd be agnostic", I'm beginning to think I wasn't far off.
Tolerance is not a four letter word, but "Christian" is becoming one, because of a lack of the former. In this increasingly intolerant world Christians regardless of their affiliation, need to lead the way in acceptance of all people regardless of what they believe, who they love, or what they think.
We owe it to the man who spent his time trying to convince the leaders of his own faith that everyone deserves a chance to sit at God's table. That forgiveness is more important than retribution and that judgment doesn't belong to us, but to God.
Peace,
RW
Labels: Akinola, Episcopal church, Gospel of Mark
# posted by Unknown @ 5:39 AM 
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I really enjoyed this week’s post – though I do wish you’d given just a few more specifics that define the kind of “Christian” to which you refer. Allow me to start by saying I was not raised Catholic and though I try otherwise (that is: not to judge), I’m becoming increasingly upset with the Catholic Church. (My apologies and forgiveness asked for generalizing, even to the extreme perhaps; but even calling the leader of a church “Father” in spiritual matters is to put man in the place of God as the one who gives spiritual life. That is blasphemous. Only God the Father gives life.) Much like the Scribes, Pharisees and other “religious rulers” of Jesus’ day, I have difficulty with Priests or anyone who places himself or herself between God and others. (Check out Matthew 23 for Jesus’ most scathing condemnation of those who mislead, pervert, and otherwise distort the teachings of God!) Often, ritual is substituted for reality, formality for faith, and liturgy for God. And while I won’t take issue here with Dobson and Falwell (though, personally, I do not look to these men for teaching) we must be so careful to whom we do look to for instruction and interpretation (when needed) of the Truth – the word of God. Yes, I do believe the Bible is infallible. If it isn’t, well, then… what do we trust? Ourselves? Other men? I’ve addressed this in earlier posts but suffice to say here that I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God as evidenced by the following: a.) I don’t believe God would leave us to winnow out for ourselves in the Bible what is and isn’t Truth; b.) Given the number of original copies (“dig around” a bit and research the Dead Sea scrolls, the Qumran caves, etc.) and the care with with the Jews took in literally copying previous original texts; c.) God says so; d.) The Bible is the only thing God places above His name. Doesn’t this sound rational? (I refer you to your own disclaimer “…Beware Rational Christian".) However, if this doesn’t sound rational, if these four simple reasons aren’t enough to convince you, ask any archaeologist and he'll tell you that the Bible is the same today as it was when it was first written. Archaeological evidence proves the Bible's historical accuracy. In fact, no archaeological discoveries have ever contradicted the Bible. More than 14,000 ancient Old Testament manuscripts have been found, and they all match with 99.5% accuracy. More than 5,300 ancient copies of the New Testament have been discovered, 800 of which date back to before 1000 A.D. The earliest existing New Testament manuscripts were copied from the originals just sixty years after Christ. This archaeological evidence proves that the Bible is far more reliable than even the writings of ancient Greek and Roman historians on which we base our understanding of the history of that era. Consider how William Shakespeare wrote many plays in the 1600s, yet only 37 remain, and of those 37, every one has gaps in the text that have been filled in by scholars, or disputed lines of text between manuscripts. 643 ancient copies of Homer's "Iliad" have been discovered, yet these copies contain 764 lines of disputed text. Now consider that Julius Caesar, Pliny the Younger, Thucydides, Herodotus all made records of historical events, yet only a few copies of their original writings remain, and they date centuries after the original manuscripts were written. On the other hand, 5300 ancient copies of the New Testament remain, they contain less than fifty lines of disputed text, and the earliest copy dates just sixty years after the original manuscripts were written. The Bible is by far the most historically accurate ancient book in existence. Okay, moving on.
So, then, what about Christianity is “irrational”? I’m joking. Actually, I’m not. I find it toally rational. The problems for me come when man tries getting in God’s way. God hates gays? I don’t think so. That’s not what scripture says. However, God does have definite things to say about homosexuality. And lying. And adultery. And on and on. We are all sinners (if only by the fact we are born into a sinful world and, as a result) fall well short of the glory of God. We’re all filthy in God’s sight without Christ’s imputed righteousness – which is a free gift, offered to everyone. Everyone. However, I do believe intolerance, bigotry, and fear (all stemming, basically, from hate) on behalf of “Christians” has done much damage and kept many from coming to Jesus and discovering His love, forgiveness, and healing power. But let’s not be in such a rush to condemn or condemn those who condemn that we paint the picture of a Jesus who only talked about love. Certainly, it is true that He loves sinners and died for sinners, but also He is going to judge sinners. The problem is most people don’t/won’t accept the Biblical Jesus. Check out the text and what He really says. As you once quoted yourself in an earlier post, we should be far less concerned about judging others, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:5) As you point out at the end of this post, “…retribution and… judgment doesn't belong to us, but to God.” I do believe that, completely. But it is important to know WHAT God says about His judgment… His love… Himself. And I would encourage you to go to the Bible and not another man if you want to know what He says… about “Hindus, Muslim, Taoists, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics…” God will not claim you if you have rejected Jesus. The only way to become a child of God is to receive Christ. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [the right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12) Jesus came to earth to die for your (and my and everyone’s) sins because He loves us. But if you reject Him… As you’ve said and I’ve already quoted, “judgment… belongs… to God”. It’s all about grace (getting what we don’t deserve of the best) and mercy (not getting what we do deserve in the worst). God offers His grace and mercy through His son Jesus and this gift is offered to everyone.
So, then, what about Christianity is “irrational”? I’m joking. Actually, I’m not. I find it toally rational. The problems for me come when man tries getting in God’s way. God hates gays? I don’t think so. That’s not what scripture says. However, God does have definite things to say about homosexuality. And lying. And adultery. And on and on. We are all sinners (if only by the fact we are born into a sinful world and, as a result) fall well short of the glory of God. We’re all filthy in God’s sight without Christ’s imputed righteousness – which is a free gift, offered to everyone. Everyone. However, I do believe intolerance, bigotry, and fear (all stemming, basically, from hate) on behalf of “Christians” has done much damage and kept many from coming to Jesus and discovering His love, forgiveness, and healing power. But let’s not be in such a rush to condemn or condemn those who condemn that we paint the picture of a Jesus who only talked about love. Certainly, it is true that He loves sinners and died for sinners, but also He is going to judge sinners. The problem is most people don’t/won’t accept the Biblical Jesus. Check out the text and what He really says. As you once quoted yourself in an earlier post, we should be far less concerned about judging others, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:5) As you point out at the end of this post, “…retribution and… judgment doesn't belong to us, but to God.” I do believe that, completely. But it is important to know WHAT God says about His judgment… His love… Himself. And I would encourage you to go to the Bible and not another man if you want to know what He says… about “Hindus, Muslim, Taoists, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics…” God will not claim you if you have rejected Jesus. The only way to become a child of God is to receive Christ. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [the right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12) Jesus came to earth to die for your (and my and everyone’s) sins because He loves us. But if you reject Him… As you’ve said and I’ve already quoted, “judgment… belongs… to God”. It’s all about grace (getting what we don’t deserve of the best) and mercy (not getting what we do deserve in the worst). God offers His grace and mercy through His son Jesus and this gift is offered to everyone.
# posted by 
: 10:43 AM
: 10:43 AM
Christians "need to lead the way in acceptance of all people regardless of what they believe, who they love, or what they think." Really? Regardless? There are not absolutes, I take it... even though you are proposing your own absolute. Bogus, man.
# posted by : 2:35 PM
: 2:35 PM
I am not a follower or fan of Bishop Akinola but I would hope that you -- who seem to hold Christ up as the ultimate example of love (although you don't acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior) -- could do better than condemming him to hell.
# posted by : 2:38 PM
: 2:38 PM
Truth has become relative. So, any bold declarations (and Jesus made some of the boldest) are seen as intolerant. To quote Alexander Hamilton, "Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything." And to quote Bob Dylan, "You gotta serve somebody."
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# posted by : 11:13 AM
: 11:13 AM << Home
