Today is the ninety-sixth anniversary of the beginning of the Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Perhaps it is time to stop and think about this issue. Frankly, as I look at what’s going on around us it’s hard to feel there is not a class war going on. And that the super rich are winning.
God and soul
My spiritual life has been supported of late by several blogs. Today’s post by James Ishmael Ford is worth pimping. Head on over and check out Monkey Mind: Getting Real With Religion
I’m more than comfortable with traditional religious language: god and soul are at the top of my list of useful terms. I resist those who try to insist that the definitions of these terms can only be determined by their most conservative adherents. Conservative and fundamentalist asserting this I understand. But when critics such as most of the recent spate of atheist authors do so it comes across to me like setting up a classic straw man.
Encountering the Living God
Well, I’ve cherry-picked the best part of Paul’s post: Showers of Blessings: La Natividad: Year 2
The most touching part for me happens at St. Paul’s when, through a nice bit of stagecraft, the masked José y Maria are replaced with a flesh-and-blood couple holding a real baby. The switcheroo can’t be seen by the audience until the right moment when the adoring animals and wise men part, and when they realize what’s happened and see the living actors and baby there’s a spontaneous “ohhhh” that fills the church. I tear up every time. I realized tonight that this is what happens whenever we are able to break through the masquerade of religion and illusion and encounter the Living God on the other side.
But how better to note his beautiful image of breaking through illusion to the Living God.
Burmese monks begin fresh protests
Today’s headlines: Burmese monks begin fresh protests | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
More than 100 Buddhist monks marched and chanted in Burma today in the first public demonstration since the military junta crushed last month’s anti-government protests, several monks said.
Protection and apostasy
I’m a sucker for a great line and Peggy Parsons delivers today in A Silly Poor Gospel: Protection
Then I noticed that this God was a pretty crummy wiseguy. He often appeared to blast good people anyway. A God less honorable than the Mob was not a God I wanted. Hence the apostasy.
As always, her whole column is a rewarding read.
Thank you President Bush
As much as I despise almost everything he has done while in office, credit where credit is due: President Bush Attends Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Dalai Lama
I congratulate His Holiness on this recognition. I’m so honored to be here with you, sir. Laura and I join all Americans in offering the people of Tibet our fervent prayer that they may find days of prosperity and peace.
While Bush’s speech shares some of the inconsistencies of his presidency, it is worth noting that while several U.S. presidents have met with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, George Bush is the first to appear in public with him.
I repudiate Ann Coulter
She has no business speaking for Christians. She is a disgrace. I can only pray that she is redeemed through God’s grace and mercy.
I also, by the way, believe Christians everywhere need to speak up and repudiate her recent statements.
A draught of living water
Well, all I can say is, God bless Peggy Parsons: Star-belly Sneeches and modern day cossacks
I don’t like fear-based segregation. I do not often find that it is based in reality. I like to challenge it and look for the good in the other side. That’s my default setting.
Evangelicals walking the talk
The New York Times has a story about a Baptist church in Georgia adapting to a multicultural world. Having fallen from 600 to 100 members as the demographics of their town changed, the former Clarkston Baptist Church is now the Clarkston International Bible Church and is back up to 300 members.
Mr. Perrin said the impact of the church on his life hit him when he and his wife were traveling through the Midwest. They stopped to worship at whatever Baptist church they could find.
“Every church that we walked into was pure white Caucasian,†he said. “My wife and I really felt uncomfortable, because, we realized, here in Clarkston is what the world is all about.â€
They did it because a close reading of the Bible indicated that Jesus had envisioned a multicultural Church. They lost some old members, of course, but I think it’s great that as a community they were able to decide to change—and then to implement it. Now if only more churches would realize LGBT people are meant to be welcomed as members as well.
A poet prays
Although she refers to it as A personal Al Chet, Velveteen Rabbi’s prayer/poem contains much that is true for me as well. Here is just a taste:
Forgive me, Source of all being, for the sin I have sinned before you
By allowing my body to be an afterthought too often and too easily;
By not walking, running, leaping, climbing or dancing although I am able;
By eating in my car and at my desk, mindlessly and without blessing;
By not embracing those who needed it, and not allowing myself to be embraced;
By not praising every bodys beauty, with our quirks and imperfections.