The Muslim Ban should most definitely be overturned by the Supreme Court. But we also must see it against the backdrop of the policies of this administration and understand that questions of religious freedom go hand in hand with policies of racial discrimination. And we must fight for freedom for all people
If I unleash a mighty tirade and tell you the pain of my heart and drop a few f-bombs, will you still remember I’m a child of God? If I challenge the way our denomination does justice, loves kindness and walks humbly with God, will you listen to understand and not condemn me? Can I trust you to be my partner in faith and pilgrim on the way?
The pastor of Mike Pompeo wrote a letter to his congregation saying that Mike is opposed in his Senate confirmation to become Secretary of State by "enemies because of his faith." Mike Pompeo has made anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant statements and those of who oppose him do so, largely, out of our desire to be faithful to the gospel. Here is my letter to his pastor.
We have a tendency to think of idolatry as contained solely in one's theological belief system and not also in our individual or corporate ethical engagement. But idolatry is whatever separates us from that which God has called us to. This means that our vain idols can be found in our nationalism, our racism, our classism, and our misogyny.
Prophetic engagement was initiated by the movement of the Spirit; not something decided on by some agency while they meet in a five star hotel, eating expensive food, and striving after institutional mandates as much or more than they seek after justice. Prophetic engagement was a fulfillment, or a continuation even, of a deep and abiding faith in God. Prophetic utterance is a response to both a loving and wrathful God who is sickened by mistreatment of the poor and abuse of the power by those in powerful positions.
Easter has always been my least favorite Sunday and since no longer serving in a local church, it is the Sunday I try and skip. But there is one thing I will miss this Easter. I actually have missed it for the last year I have taken a break from church. And that is participating in the Lord's Supper.
Crusader trump has come so that we "Christians" will have life and life abundantly. He will prevent the continued persecution that me and my fellow "Christians" have suffered from for years; persecution for having to actually do our jobs or to have to expend any love or compassion to others (I mean we only have so much love and compassion and we might as well save that for people who really matter - you know, people like us). Crusader trump will protect all of us from having to ever actually "be" Christian.
I just want to be a part of something that ends the harm and suffering. It doesn't have to be cool or hip. It doesn't have to be slick and they sure as hell do not have to have the coolest headshots. I just want to be part of something real and something that effectively stops unnecessary suffering and injustice. If you call that prophetic then I am all in. If you con't call it prophetic I am still all in.
Perhaps the worst thing about donald trump is that he is so awful a leader, he is so racist, and so misogynistic, that we will be happy with the next leader, whoever they are, if only they are not as awful a leader, or as racist, or as misogynistic. In other words, trump has so lowered the bar that we'd be happy with a trained seal. That is the power of bad leadership.
I am praying each day of Lent for the salvation of donald trump. It is not difficult and it does not require a lot of time, though perhaps it should. My prayers do not seem to be working from my vantage point at least. There is a gospel story that comes tomind when I pray; the story of Zacchaeus. There is a reason why this passage is so rarely heard about in our churches.
Further, whether a church has a US flag in the sanctuary or not does not address some of the deeper issues associated with nationalism and service to the state. I do not want to give too much credit to churches that do the simple (remove a US flag from the sanctuary) and virtually ignore the more difficult task of addressing our essential loyalties and allegiances which can either buttress or undermine the sin of nationalism
In the current age of political entrenchment it is easy for liberals to immediately jump to the side of Christopher Wray and the FBI and vigorously defend both. But, to be fully honest, this has to feel a little odd, especially considering the less than stellar history of the FBI. In fact, when Democrats and others become outraged that trump is politicizing the FBI their outrage rings a little hollow.
Amnesty is usually given because we know and like the people who receive it. We even talk about how amnesty is given because the recipients have “earned” it. But how do you “earn” something that is freely given? If you “earn” it, then it’s not amnesty; it’s a form of compensation. We grant amnesty to people we know and like and we withhold it from people we do not know or we do not like.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS - increase teacher pay, fund the arts, get rid of the damn tests, and let schools educate! Schools can be the place that spark the dreams in our kids that will set their worlds on fire, which can lead to remarkable scientific discoveries, new advancements in technology, and deeper empathy for those lead in social services.
My problems with home schooling emanate from more of a missiological concern than anything. I believe home schooling inhibits a necessary social and political engagement on the part of Christians in their neighborhoods, and I am also deeply concerned for the political power that the home school lobby has in Washington DC.
Can it not be said that had the Turpin children been in a public school there is a chance that a teacher would have noticed how malnourished they were? As the answer to this question is likely to be yes, then isn’t it worth it to do all we can to ensure that children receive the best attention both at home and in our public service institutions such as public schools?
I am finding more and more that mistreating people, inveterate lying, placing the reputations of individuals and organizations far above the welfare of employees, and committing actions of blatant hypocrisy, misogyny, white privilege, and even sexual harassment is becoming the norm among those who love to publicly proclaim their commitment to the ideals of justice.
There is literally a broken world that would love for you and I to dream new dreams, create new networks, and raise up new leaders this coming year. And rest assured, if United Methodists turn aside from this uncharted and holy mission, God will certainly find others to walk forward. In many ways, God already is.
