Faithful Philly Forum

There is something quite interesting happening in the evangelical churches now. Soul Force has targeted the megachurches to help members understand, appreciate and fully accept the sexual minority communities in their midst. The initiative is called the American Family Outing from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day and will include 40 families who visit these churches to instigate conversations that will educate and hopefully, build bridges. The churches being targeted are those headed by persons (Isn’t is strange the loudest anti-gay voices are men?) who are on record as making statements against homosexuality. They include Joel Osteen, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dr. Rick Warren, Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., Bill Hybels and Bishop Eddie Long. But, in addition, to celebrate World AIDS day at an AIDS conference he hosted, Rev Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church noted that Christians must take responsibility for the spread of AIDS. These two announcements of course have stirred up the usual Bible-quoting legalists in response and civility can’t always be counted on by those most passionate. But, isn’t it exciting that the voices for inclusion and grace are finally being asserted? And, when the focus is to create understanding and tolerance, then compassion can’t be too far behind. Right? Let us keep that as our guiding principle. With compassionate people, justice will always follow.

It is unfortunate that Mitt Romney has now said that he will not be hiring any Muslims for any cabinet post should he be elected.  (Seems there are not enough of them in the country to warrant this kind of attention!) It is too bad he is so hopelessly misinformed about Islam.

On October 13, 138 Muslim clerics and scholars placed an ad in the New York Times calling for ”A Common Word Between Us and You”  and now over 300 American clergy and scholars have responded (Nov 18) with a Christian response called “Loving God and Neighbor Together.”  They committed themselves to doing programming and educational events that would promote dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

In addition an Anglican known as the Vicar of Baghdad named Canon Andrew White has been noted as a “Pursuer of Peace” and awarded recognition for his interfaith work. In part, as a result of his work the Muslim clerics of Iraq are prepared to sign a “fatwa against violence” (1) that will serve to end the enmity between the Shia and Sunni Muslims! This is of historic import! And the Churches for Middle East Peace are holding a conference call on 12/6 to talk from a religious perspective about the talks happening in Annapolis this week. Seems there is a lot of good peacemaking happening here…and a military budget is not required! Strange isn’t it what committed people of faith can accomplish that neither the politicians or the military can! 

1) peacemaking@list.usip.org

2) See 11/28 Action Alert from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office

A heart-felt welcome to the seat of Mayor, Mr. Michael Nutter!  It seems so rare to find a politician who thinks outside of the box.  I so was pleased to read about a Michael Nutter plan to alleviate crime in Philadelphia: encouragement of businesses to hire ex-offenders.  Not only does he recognize that statistically crime will be perpetuated by poverty (i.e. ex-offenders not finding jobs), but he also recognizes that poverty is a key factor contributing to crime.  When people lack money, they lack a good education; when they lack education, they lack well-paying jobs to earn money.  Why can’t everyone realize the corruption of the system! 

The twentieth century, corrupt with a structure of segregation carried out by redlining and blockbusting (to name a couple), has created niches of poverty and violence. 

All is still not fair in “America.”  Those who have money refuse to live in places of poverty, and those who find better-paying jobs typically move out of these neighborhoods.  I think Nutter’s idea for businesses to hire ex-offenders is a good start to the dismantling of criminal activity in Philadelphia. 

I don’t get it. A group that names itself “Repent America” challenges the existing hate crime law that includes sexual minorities in Pennsylvania. What is the repentance about? Repent of protecting people’s lives? Repent that we might encourage lawsuits against those who resort to violence against sexual minorities just because they are sexual minorities? Are we to repent for being too compassionate or not being judgmental enough?

I know the Hebrew prophets sometimes stridently called for the need to repent and compassionately embrace the immigrants in their midst, (known as foreigners or aliens) who were being mistreated. They went on any number of tirades about the readiness of folks to go through the religious rituals but who failed to care for the widows and orphans in the community. And, the prophets went ballistic yelling about repentance of those who paid people unjust wages and exploited the workers.

Somehow I don’t think compassion is what “Repent America” is about…Oh yes, and they won the lawsuit by the way. The PA court ruled 5-1 the legislative process that was used to make this a law was indeed unconstitutional. Sometimes it is one step forward and two steps back.
http://www.equalitypa.org/news/news_view.php?news_id=51

The BBC morning radio program (or should I say programme?) has been covering Iraq soldier bloggings lately. To hear the more immediate reactions of soldiers and others in that quagmire is fascinating and humbling. This morning, one blogger provided a reminder of the constant vigilance against both suicide bombers and the risk of reacting too quickly at the cost of innocent life. When we talk about living in the present we are talking about getting out of a head space of constantly focusing on deadlines, achievement, worries about the future. These bloggers seem about as present focused as one can get, but to a different end. Their blogs provide a chance to reflect and put those reflections out for the rest of us to see, a greater kind of time space than the immediate present to provide perspective. Reference was made in the program(me) to a saying about journalism being the first draft of history, and how might one would characterize blogging. Perhaps first reflection? First impulse? In this forum, we are trying to pull together a lot of things at once. Sprituality, social justice, day to day in the present and a vision of reign of God all at once. Why wait for the second draft of all that? Might take a while. 

We all have these experiences of self-consciousness when doing something new. Bike riding. Dancing. Praying. Blogging. Marisa sends me an email giving me instructions on how to start bloggin here. I am glad that I have initial company in this with Rev Bev. I don’t know this Sam Folin guy, but if he’s hanging with the likes of Bev and Marisa, he can’t be half bad.

Lots of spiritual things begin with self consciousness, which is funny, since the goal is a sort of other consciousness. So that’s where I start here, not knowing where it will go–both literally and figuratively. Who will join us? –JD