Interesting article by John Taylor Gatto, former teacher of the year in NY. Do schools foster original thought, or do they destroy it?
Here is the first paragraph of the article:
I want you to consider the frightening possibility that we are spending far too much money on schooling, not too little. I want you to consider that we have too many people employed in interfering with the way children grow up--and that all this money and all these people, all the time we take out of children's lives and away from their homes and families and neighbourhoods and private explorations--gets in the way of education.
Read the rest by clicking on the title above....
---Katie
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Fitzgerald, Georgia
I might be the only one who finds this interesting. My dad was born in Fitzgerald, GA. I have been through some reconciler training through Peacemaker Ministries. I got my e-newsletter from Peacemakers today, and it included this article:
FITZGERALD, GEORGIA: RECONCILERVILLE?
For a fascinating story of reconciliation, consider pages 331-335 from Tony Horwitz's Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War. The excerpt tells the story of Fitzgerald, Georgia, a town founded to bring together Civil War veterans from both North and South. Streets east of Main were named for Union generals, while streets west were named for Confederate generals. Over time, there was even a merger between the church of the Southern Methodists and the so-called "Yankee Methodists." The emblem of Fitzgerald shows a Union and a Confederate soldier shaking hands, along with the words, "Blood that mingled in bitter conflict was here united in brotherhood." A local modern playwright, fascinated by the early history of the town, wrote a play entitled Our Friends, the Enemy. "When it was staged locally during the Civil War centennial," writes Horwitz, "the director couldn't find anyone left with a ! Northern accent. 'I had to tell him we'd made Southerners of all of them,' [the playwright] said."
Confederates in the Attic is a neat book, too. Yeah, I know. You aren't surprised that I own that one, are you? I can never move because I can't afford to pay someone to move my books....
Cool article, though.
---Katie
FITZGERALD, GEORGIA: RECONCILERVILLE?
For a fascinating story of reconciliation, consider pages 331-335 from Tony Horwitz's Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War. The excerpt tells the story of Fitzgerald, Georgia, a town founded to bring together Civil War veterans from both North and South. Streets east of Main were named for Union generals, while streets west were named for Confederate generals. Over time, there was even a merger between the church of the Southern Methodists and the so-called "Yankee Methodists." The emblem of Fitzgerald shows a Union and a Confederate soldier shaking hands, along with the words, "Blood that mingled in bitter conflict was here united in brotherhood." A local modern playwright, fascinated by the early history of the town, wrote a play entitled Our Friends, the Enemy. "When it was staged locally during the Civil War centennial," writes Horwitz, "the director couldn't find anyone left with a ! Northern accent. 'I had to tell him we'd made Southerners of all of them,' [the playwright] said."
Confederates in the Attic is a neat book, too. Yeah, I know. You aren't surprised that I own that one, are you? I can never move because I can't afford to pay someone to move my books....
Cool article, though.
---Katie
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Friday, March 25, 2005
Just So You Know
This is from the Soulforce newsletter, you know, the folks who think it is unjust for the church to call homosexual expression immoral.
5. GOODSOIL UPDATE FROM OUR LUTHERAN FRIENDS
Our world is changing quickly. This "momentum for change" in our world means that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, August 8-14, 2005 is one of the ELCA's last opportunities to lead the way in matters of justice for LGBT people.
GoodSoil.org is the official website of the collaboration among The Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation and Soulforce to resist the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) policy of coercive celibacy and eliminate the church's current policy and practice of discrimination against LBGT clergy, same-sex marriages and covenanted relationships. In August 2005 at the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, the ELCA will have an important opportunity to act for justice and end its policy of discrimination.
Go to www.goodsoil.org for more information.
It was rather humorous to me that my spellcheck wanted to replace Soulforce with sulfuric and Goodsoil with Godzilla. Of course, I can't talk; it always wants to replace one of my screen names with abrasive. Perhaps there is more truth in spellcheck than we want to admit.
---Katie
5. GOODSOIL UPDATE FROM OUR LUTHERAN FRIENDS
Our world is changing quickly. This "momentum for change" in our world means that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, August 8-14, 2005 is one of the ELCA's last opportunities to lead the way in matters of justice for LGBT people.
GoodSoil.org is the official website of the collaboration among The Lutheran Alliance for Full Participation and Soulforce to resist the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) policy of coercive celibacy and eliminate the church's current policy and practice of discrimination against LBGT clergy, same-sex marriages and covenanted relationships. In August 2005 at the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, the ELCA will have an important opportunity to act for justice and end its policy of discrimination.
Go to www.goodsoil.org for more information.
It was rather humorous to me that my spellcheck wanted to replace Soulforce with sulfuric and Goodsoil with Godzilla. Of course, I can't talk; it always wants to replace one of my screen names with abrasive. Perhaps there is more truth in spellcheck than we want to admit.
---Katie
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
This is from December, but there is a nice discussion over on The Christian Soldier about the Christian's response to homosexuals.
Click on the title.
---Katie
Click on the title.
---Katie
Well?
So are we just prolonging things, hoping Terri will die and make all these legal proceedings moot???
On site at Woodside Hospice
If you are interested in reading up to the minute commentary on what is happening outside the hospice where Terri Shiavo is being starved to death, click on the title above to go to Baylyblog. It sort of makes me want to head down there.
---Katie
---Katie
Wise Words from Everett Koop
From the World Magazine blog:
Wise words from former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop:
"... we must be wary of those who are too willing to end the lives of the elderly and the ill. If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference between allowing nature to take its course and actively assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of "death with dignity" or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a religious and ethical tradition in which the human race is presented with " a blessing and a curse, life and death," and we are instructed '...therefore, to choose life." I believe 'euthanasia' lies outside the commonly held life-centered values of the West and cannot be allowed without incurring great social and personal tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. This issue involves actual human beings at risk..."
"While the terror of state-sponsored euthanasia may never grip America as it once did Germany, it is possible that the terror of the euthanasia ethic - tolerated by medicine and an indifferent public and practiced by a few physicians - may grip many invisible and vulnerable Americans. Over fifty years ago, German doctors and courts collaborated to identify millions of people who were labeled 'devoid of value'. Some Americans are labeled the same today: members of a racial or ethnic 'underclass', a sidewalk screamer ... an illegal alien ... a nursing home resident with Alzheimer's disease ... an abandoned migrant worker ... or anyone too old or weak or poor to help himself or herself. For two millennia the Hippocratic tradition has stood for the 'sanctity' of human life. We can alleviate the unbearable in life better than ever before. We can do that and not eliminate life itself. As I have said many times, medicine cannot be both our healer and our killer."
Wise words from former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop:
"... we must be wary of those who are too willing to end the lives of the elderly and the ill. If we ever decide that a poor quality of life justifies ending that life, we have taken a step down a slippery slope that places all of us in danger. There is a difference between allowing nature to take its course and actively assisting death. The call for euthanasia surfaces in our society periodically, as it is doing now under the guise of "death with dignity" or assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a concept, it seems to me, that is in direct conflict with a religious and ethical tradition in which the human race is presented with " a blessing and a curse, life and death," and we are instructed '...therefore, to choose life." I believe 'euthanasia' lies outside the commonly held life-centered values of the West and cannot be allowed without incurring great social and personal tragedy. This is not merely an intellectual conundrum. This issue involves actual human beings at risk..."
"While the terror of state-sponsored euthanasia may never grip America as it once did Germany, it is possible that the terror of the euthanasia ethic - tolerated by medicine and an indifferent public and practiced by a few physicians - may grip many invisible and vulnerable Americans. Over fifty years ago, German doctors and courts collaborated to identify millions of people who were labeled 'devoid of value'. Some Americans are labeled the same today: members of a racial or ethnic 'underclass', a sidewalk screamer ... an illegal alien ... a nursing home resident with Alzheimer's disease ... an abandoned migrant worker ... or anyone too old or weak or poor to help himself or herself. For two millennia the Hippocratic tradition has stood for the 'sanctity' of human life. We can alleviate the unbearable in life better than ever before. We can do that and not eliminate life itself. As I have said many times, medicine cannot be both our healer and our killer."
Monday, March 21, 2005
Teen dating is such a waste of time
I realize my opinion puts me outside of the mainstream (how can boys and girls get to know each other without dating????), but I just keep watching what goes on in teen "relationships" and I have to say what we have in todays dating scene is just not healthy and productive. I am not even talking about the kids "hooking-up" and having sex even in their early teens, I am talking about kids who just spend so much time being "in love" and mooning over the flavor of the month they have decided that they are going to marry some day, even if they are only 14 right now. I homeschool, so most of the kids that I observe are homescoolers, and fortunately the homeschooling community tends to be more restrained in the area of dating. Yet, I see kid after kid lose interest in their studies, their career goals, and their outside activities because they have "fallen in love" and want to spend their time with that special someone, to whom they will not even speak in six months after they break up.
We don't forbid our kids to date, but we do talk with them from an early age about how dating is a waste of time. So far, our kids have been content to go out in groups and not get serious about anyone in their early to middle teens. They seem to understand that serious dating as a teen is very time consuming and takes away from more important things at this time in their lives. Of course, I still have a 15 year old and 11 year old. There is lots of time for me to have to eat my words.
A friend of mine, who also hates the whole early teen dating thing, thinks that parents are so relieved that their kids are normal (read: not gay) that they are happy for their kids to have boyfriends/girlfriends at 12 years old. How sad that they can't just be kids and be friends without worrying about who likes whom, who is speaking to whom and not, and who can flirt with whom without making their best friend mad.
I am so glad I am not a teenager.
---Katie
We don't forbid our kids to date, but we do talk with them from an early age about how dating is a waste of time. So far, our kids have been content to go out in groups and not get serious about anyone in their early to middle teens. They seem to understand that serious dating as a teen is very time consuming and takes away from more important things at this time in their lives. Of course, I still have a 15 year old and 11 year old. There is lots of time for me to have to eat my words.
A friend of mine, who also hates the whole early teen dating thing, thinks that parents are so relieved that their kids are normal (read: not gay) that they are happy for their kids to have boyfriends/girlfriends at 12 years old. How sad that they can't just be kids and be friends without worrying about who likes whom, who is speaking to whom and not, and who can flirt with whom without making their best friend mad.
I am so glad I am not a teenager.
---Katie
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Bill Frist pledges to protect the Boy Scouts
I'm glad someone will stand up for them! Here is the article from the Washington Times:
Frist pledges to protect Boy Scouts
By Amy Fagan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
From the Nation/Politics section
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist yesterday vowed to pass legislation this year to protect the Boy Scouts of America from attacks by liberal groups challenging federal support for the Scouts because the organization administers a religious oath.
The Tennessee Republican predicted his bill and its House counterpart will pass both chambers this year. The legislation has bipartisan support.
The bill says no federal law, directive, rule, instruction or order should limit any federal agency from providing support to the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, including meetings held on federal property.
The legislation is a direct response to an ongoing lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that says federal support of the group, including about $2 million annually for the National Scout Jamboree, violates the Constitution's provision mandating separation of church and state.
Last fall, the Defense Department was released as a defendant in the lawsuit after agreeing to warn military bases that department policy does not allow them to be official sponsors of Boy Scout units. Military personnel can sponsor Boy Scout groups only in their civilian capacity.
Mr. Frist " who was a Boy Scout, as were his three sons " said the lawsuit "has had a chilling effect" on the government's support of the Boy Scouts.
Rep. Jo Ann Davis, Virginia Republican, is sponsoring a House counterpart, and the chamber's leadership is determining how best to proceed.
In introducing the bill, Mr. Frist was flanked by several senators, including a few Democrats. Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska Democrat, said his time as a Boy Scout was "probably one of the single most important parts of my youth" and that the bill is "certainly in the best interest of our young people."
Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida Democrat, said military personnel who are Scout leaders often inspire the boys to join the service.
"It's long past time that we just put this issue to rest," said Sen. Jim Talent, Missouri Republican, who noted the legislation will result in the dismissal of "harassing lawsuits," such as the ACLU's.
Fifty-three senators and 163 House members in the 108th Congress were Boy Scouts in their youth, according to a Boy Scouts of America fact sheet.
My husband is a scoutmaster and both of my boys are, or have been, scouts. My oldest son got his eagle last year. This is an organization that should be promoted and encouraged. Of course, it admits to a higher authority, and there are those who feel that we just can't have that in our society.
The scouts are smart though. Slowly, but surely, they are rechartering groups in a way that they are not dependent on public facilities. I'll post an article about that if I can remember where I saw it.
---Katie
Frist pledges to protect Boy Scouts
By Amy Fagan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
From the Nation/Politics section
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist yesterday vowed to pass legislation this year to protect the Boy Scouts of America from attacks by liberal groups challenging federal support for the Scouts because the organization administers a religious oath.
The Tennessee Republican predicted his bill and its House counterpart will pass both chambers this year. The legislation has bipartisan support.
The bill says no federal law, directive, rule, instruction or order should limit any federal agency from providing support to the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, including meetings held on federal property.
The legislation is a direct response to an ongoing lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that says federal support of the group, including about $2 million annually for the National Scout Jamboree, violates the Constitution's provision mandating separation of church and state.
Last fall, the Defense Department was released as a defendant in the lawsuit after agreeing to warn military bases that department policy does not allow them to be official sponsors of Boy Scout units. Military personnel can sponsor Boy Scout groups only in their civilian capacity.
Mr. Frist " who was a Boy Scout, as were his three sons " said the lawsuit "has had a chilling effect" on the government's support of the Boy Scouts.
Rep. Jo Ann Davis, Virginia Republican, is sponsoring a House counterpart, and the chamber's leadership is determining how best to proceed.
In introducing the bill, Mr. Frist was flanked by several senators, including a few Democrats. Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska Democrat, said his time as a Boy Scout was "probably one of the single most important parts of my youth" and that the bill is "certainly in the best interest of our young people."
Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida Democrat, said military personnel who are Scout leaders often inspire the boys to join the service.
"It's long past time that we just put this issue to rest," said Sen. Jim Talent, Missouri Republican, who noted the legislation will result in the dismissal of "harassing lawsuits," such as the ACLU's.
Fifty-three senators and 163 House members in the 108th Congress were Boy Scouts in their youth, according to a Boy Scouts of America fact sheet.
My husband is a scoutmaster and both of my boys are, or have been, scouts. My oldest son got his eagle last year. This is an organization that should be promoted and encouraged. Of course, it admits to a higher authority, and there are those who feel that we just can't have that in our society.
The scouts are smart though. Slowly, but surely, they are rechartering groups in a way that they are not dependent on public facilities. I'll post an article about that if I can remember where I saw it.
---Katie
The Episcopalians acquiesce, sort of....
The Episcopalians are in minimal compliance with the requests of the world Anglican Communion. They apparently won't get kicked out...for now. Of course, they won't be consecrating *any* bishops, if that means they have to discriminate against those who are sexually active gays or lesbians. Here is what the Washington Times has to say:
Episcopalian plan stays consecrations
By Julia Duin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
From the Nation/Politics section
The nation's Episcopal leaders, at the urging of the church's first openly homosexual bishop, have slapped a one-year moratorium on consecrating all bishops, saying such a refusal was preferable to discriminating against "our gay brothers and lesbian sisters."
The moratorium was proposed by New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson during a semiannual meeting of the Episcopal House of Bishops meeting in Navasota, Texas, which ended yesterday.
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, head of the 2.3-million-member Episcopal Church, told the Associated Press yesterday church leaders approved the moratorium because they did not want "our gay brothers and lesbian sisters demeaned."
The Rev. Jan Nunley, spokeswoman for the denomination, said she was not aware of any homosexual candidates in the pipeline for the episcopate.
However, the majority of 140 bishops at the meeting "didn't want to single out any one group and say, 'We can't do that,' " she said.
"So we'll put a hold on it all."
Six dioceses will be affected by the decision, she added.
The moratorium will last until the next Episcopal General Convention, in June 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, where the church likely will revisit its policies on homosexual clergy and "blessings" of same-sex unions, the issues that threaten the U.S. church with expulsion from the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The moratorium was part of a larger document, "A Covenant Statement of the House of Bishops," which was passed by a "nearly unanimous" vote of the bishops, according to Episcopal News Service.
The statement also said bishops will not authorize any rites for same-sex "blessings" in churches nor bless such unions until General Convention. However, it left a loophole for priests to conduct such "blessings" on their own authority.
The covenant, which was drawn up by an 18-member group of bishops including Washington's John B. Chane, put the Episcopal Church's leadership technically in compliance with an order last month from the world's Anglican archbishops to stop ordaining homosexual bishops and conducting same-sex blessings.
According to the Living Church, an Episcopal publication, Bishop Griswold told his fellow prelates at the Navasota meeting that the archbishops were "out for blood" at the Northern Ireland meeting and likened six conservative Episcopalians to the devil.
The six, all of whom were in Northern Ireland during the meeting, were Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan; Canon Bill Atwood, general secretary of the Ekklesia Society in Texas; the Rev. Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax; the Rev. David Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council in Atlanta; the Rev. Kendall Harmon, canon theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina; and Diane Knippers, president of the Institute for Religion and Democracy in the District and a member of Truro.
When Bishop Duncan protested Bishop Griswold's characterization of him, the magazine said, Bishop Robinson responded: "I don't believe a word of what you said. I just can't believe you."
Attempts to reach Bishop Robinson for comment were unsuccessful.
In an interview, Bishop Duncan said he was shocked at the exchange.
"As a pastor, when I hear someone say everything I'm doing is evil or 'I don't believe anything you say,' this marriage is probably beyond repair," he said. "I think our House of Bishops is finally talking about that."
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the 70-million-member Anglican Communion, called the Episcopal covenant a "constructive" response.
But Mr. Harmon called U.S. bishops' actions the mere minimal compliance.
"You have apostolic leaders acting as lawyers," he said. The bishops "were asked to do nothing until a new consensus in the Anglican Communion had emerged. Instead, they made a time-specific commitment and added to it their own conditions. That's what lawyers do."
So, if those who live a lifestyle that is clearly outside of God's will cannot be placed in one of the highest leadership positions in the church, then we just won't place anyone there. I also like how Bishop Griswold called the conservatives devils.
---Katie
Episcopalian plan stays consecrations
By Julia Duin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
From the Nation/Politics section
The nation's Episcopal leaders, at the urging of the church's first openly homosexual bishop, have slapped a one-year moratorium on consecrating all bishops, saying such a refusal was preferable to discriminating against "our gay brothers and lesbian sisters."
The moratorium was proposed by New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson during a semiannual meeting of the Episcopal House of Bishops meeting in Navasota, Texas, which ended yesterday.
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, head of the 2.3-million-member Episcopal Church, told the Associated Press yesterday church leaders approved the moratorium because they did not want "our gay brothers and lesbian sisters demeaned."
The Rev. Jan Nunley, spokeswoman for the denomination, said she was not aware of any homosexual candidates in the pipeline for the episcopate.
However, the majority of 140 bishops at the meeting "didn't want to single out any one group and say, 'We can't do that,' " she said.
"So we'll put a hold on it all."
Six dioceses will be affected by the decision, she added.
The moratorium will last until the next Episcopal General Convention, in June 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, where the church likely will revisit its policies on homosexual clergy and "blessings" of same-sex unions, the issues that threaten the U.S. church with expulsion from the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The moratorium was part of a larger document, "A Covenant Statement of the House of Bishops," which was passed by a "nearly unanimous" vote of the bishops, according to Episcopal News Service.
The statement also said bishops will not authorize any rites for same-sex "blessings" in churches nor bless such unions until General Convention. However, it left a loophole for priests to conduct such "blessings" on their own authority.
The covenant, which was drawn up by an 18-member group of bishops including Washington's John B. Chane, put the Episcopal Church's leadership technically in compliance with an order last month from the world's Anglican archbishops to stop ordaining homosexual bishops and conducting same-sex blessings.
According to the Living Church, an Episcopal publication, Bishop Griswold told his fellow prelates at the Navasota meeting that the archbishops were "out for blood" at the Northern Ireland meeting and likened six conservative Episcopalians to the devil.
The six, all of whom were in Northern Ireland during the meeting, were Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan; Canon Bill Atwood, general secretary of the Ekklesia Society in Texas; the Rev. Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax; the Rev. David Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council in Atlanta; the Rev. Kendall Harmon, canon theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina; and Diane Knippers, president of the Institute for Religion and Democracy in the District and a member of Truro.
When Bishop Duncan protested Bishop Griswold's characterization of him, the magazine said, Bishop Robinson responded: "I don't believe a word of what you said. I just can't believe you."
Attempts to reach Bishop Robinson for comment were unsuccessful.
In an interview, Bishop Duncan said he was shocked at the exchange.
"As a pastor, when I hear someone say everything I'm doing is evil or 'I don't believe anything you say,' this marriage is probably beyond repair," he said. "I think our House of Bishops is finally talking about that."
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the 70-million-member Anglican Communion, called the Episcopal covenant a "constructive" response.
But Mr. Harmon called U.S. bishops' actions the mere minimal compliance.
"You have apostolic leaders acting as lawyers," he said. The bishops "were asked to do nothing until a new consensus in the Anglican Communion had emerged. Instead, they made a time-specific commitment and added to it their own conditions. That's what lawyers do."
So, if those who live a lifestyle that is clearly outside of God's will cannot be placed in one of the highest leadership positions in the church, then we just won't place anyone there. I also like how Bishop Griswold called the conservatives devils.
---Katie
Thursday, March 17, 2005
What if Jesus followed Recommendation 3?
If you have not been keeping up with the ELCA Sexuality Task Force and its recommendations, browse through previous posts. There is lots of information. I took this off of one of my yahoo groups:
Pastor Dan Delzell, who serves at Trinity LC, Papillion, NE, shared the
following with us.
Mark Chavez
What if Jesus in his earthly ministry had taken the approach that the
Task Force has taken in their third recommendation? It may have sounded
something like this in John chapter 8:1—11.
The Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adultery.
Jesus told her that it was not his intention to make changes to any of
the Ten Commandments. However, he wanted to be sensitive to her personal
issues regarding the commandment about adultery. He told her, “If you in
good conscience feel that you cannot end this relationship because you
love this person, then I am willing to make an exception for you. If you
love him and if you promise not to commit adultery with anyone but him,
then I want to affirm your relationship with him. You also need to
promise me that you are committed to following the vision and
expectations of the other nine commandments. Please know that some of my
disciples will not in good conscience be able to give their approval and
blessing to this type of behavior. Your actions will not be accepted in
every church and in every village. But here in your town and for you
personally, I want to make this option available to you because I love
you. I do not condemn you. Go now and continue this adulterous
relationship as you sincerely try to follow the other nine commandments.”
Hmmm.
---Katie
Pastor Dan Delzell, who serves at Trinity LC, Papillion, NE, shared the
following with us.
Mark Chavez
What if Jesus in his earthly ministry had taken the approach that the
Task Force has taken in their third recommendation? It may have sounded
something like this in John chapter 8:1—11.
The Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in adultery.
Jesus told her that it was not his intention to make changes to any of
the Ten Commandments. However, he wanted to be sensitive to her personal
issues regarding the commandment about adultery. He told her, “If you in
good conscience feel that you cannot end this relationship because you
love this person, then I am willing to make an exception for you. If you
love him and if you promise not to commit adultery with anyone but him,
then I want to affirm your relationship with him. You also need to
promise me that you are committed to following the vision and
expectations of the other nine commandments. Please know that some of my
disciples will not in good conscience be able to give their approval and
blessing to this type of behavior. Your actions will not be accepted in
every church and in every village. But here in your town and for you
personally, I want to make this option available to you because I love
you. I do not condemn you. Go now and continue this adulterous
relationship as you sincerely try to follow the other nine commandments.”
Hmmm.
---Katie
Social Security Misconceptions
Joel Belz of World Magazine conducts a semi-annual survey at, where else, Wal-Mart, to get an idea of what average people think about the topic he has on his mind that day. His most recent survey has to do with Social Security and his target demographic was people under twenty-five who were walking out of his local Wal-Mart, that is his local Super Wal-Mart. He interviewed sixty people and had some interesting results:
Two thirds of the respondents thought that they paid 3% of their income in SS taxes. The other third thought it was about 10%. The correct answer is 6.2%, with another 6.2% being contributed by the employer. Most respondents thought their employer contributed around 13%.
Eighty percent of the respondents thought "that the money goes into a government bank where it earns interest until my retirement." Only twenty percent answered correctly that "The money is credited to my account, and then spent on other government needs."
Only 10 out of the 60 realized that if they die before becoming eligible for Social Security Benefits they and their families will receive nothing. Only eight out of the sixty realized that Congress does not participate in Social Security, but that they have their own, more lucrative plan.
These people are voting, but they frequently have no idea about the issues. Well, perhaps if we are lucky they aren't voting.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title above. Yeah, you have to register, but World Magazine is worth it. I pay about $50 bucks a year for the hard copy; you can read it online for free....
---Katie
Two thirds of the respondents thought that they paid 3% of their income in SS taxes. The other third thought it was about 10%. The correct answer is 6.2%, with another 6.2% being contributed by the employer. Most respondents thought their employer contributed around 13%.
Eighty percent of the respondents thought "that the money goes into a government bank where it earns interest until my retirement." Only twenty percent answered correctly that "The money is credited to my account, and then spent on other government needs."
Only 10 out of the 60 realized that if they die before becoming eligible for Social Security Benefits they and their families will receive nothing. Only eight out of the sixty realized that Congress does not participate in Social Security, but that they have their own, more lucrative plan.
These people are voting, but they frequently have no idea about the issues. Well, perhaps if we are lucky they aren't voting.
Read the entire article by clicking on the title above. Yeah, you have to register, but World Magazine is worth it. I pay about $50 bucks a year for the hard copy; you can read it online for free....
---Katie
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Life is sacred or meaningless, there is nothing in between.
So says Kate Adamson, a recovered "vegetative state" patient. Here is what she says about starvation as a way for a disabled person to die:
Frequently described by medical authorities as a humane way to die, Kate - now as vibrant and beautiful as before her stroke - testified before the crowd of Terri’s family and supporters that this form of legalized execution was “one of the most painful experiences you can imagine." Unable to respond or to indicate awareness, Kate Adamson asserts, “I was just like Terri…but I was alive! I could hear every word. They were saying ‘shall we just not treat her?’...I suffered excruciating misery in silence.”
My skin crawls when I think about what Terri Shiavo's husband has in mind for her. Are we really going to allow her feeding tube to be removed?
---Katie
Frequently described by medical authorities as a humane way to die, Kate - now as vibrant and beautiful as before her stroke - testified before the crowd of Terri’s family and supporters that this form of legalized execution was “one of the most painful experiences you can imagine." Unable to respond or to indicate awareness, Kate Adamson asserts, “I was just like Terri…but I was alive! I could hear every word. They were saying ‘shall we just not treat her?’...I suffered excruciating misery in silence.”
My skin crawls when I think about what Terri Shiavo's husband has in mind for her. Are we really going to allow her feeding tube to be removed?
---Katie
I'm sick of the Oreck commercial...
I apologize for blogging about vacuum cleaners, but I hear the Oreck commercial all the time when I am out and about and listening to talk radio. I just have to say, "Don't believe it!!!" We got an Oreck years ago, and granted, I am no Martha Stewart, and we have some challenging housekeeping issues - four kids, two dogs with long hair, four cats, two of whom have long hair and at least two people in the house at any one time with long hair.
So, we are hard on vacuums. Our dogs are Aussies, and they have a reputation for causing vacuums to wear out. Our Oreck was really challenged in our house. I had to replace the beater bar belt over and over, and that was not a pleasant process. After several years and lots of belts and several tune-ups, we decided to go with a Hoover Wind Tunnel, you know, the one the Oreck add says such unkind things about. The first time we used it, I started to panic. It caused brown streaks to appear on our carpet - I could not figure out why it was making my carpet dirtier! What we realized was that the Oreck had left so much dirt down in our carpet that the Wind Tunnel was pulling it up and it took a while to get all the brown out of our carpet.
The Wind Tunnel was great, but it has about a one year life expectancy in our house. When the last one died several months ago, we decided to give the Dyson a try. That is the coolest vacuum cleaner - it really looks space age! And it gets an unbelievable amount of stuff out of the carpet. It is comparable to the Oreck in price, I think. So we'll see how long it lasts...right now it is just fun to use.
Just don't believe the Oreck commercials!!!
And I promise, no more vacuum cleaner posts. (Unless the Dyson dies.)
---Katie
So, we are hard on vacuums. Our dogs are Aussies, and they have a reputation for causing vacuums to wear out. Our Oreck was really challenged in our house. I had to replace the beater bar belt over and over, and that was not a pleasant process. After several years and lots of belts and several tune-ups, we decided to go with a Hoover Wind Tunnel, you know, the one the Oreck add says such unkind things about. The first time we used it, I started to panic. It caused brown streaks to appear on our carpet - I could not figure out why it was making my carpet dirtier! What we realized was that the Oreck had left so much dirt down in our carpet that the Wind Tunnel was pulling it up and it took a while to get all the brown out of our carpet.
The Wind Tunnel was great, but it has about a one year life expectancy in our house. When the last one died several months ago, we decided to give the Dyson a try. That is the coolest vacuum cleaner - it really looks space age! And it gets an unbelievable amount of stuff out of the carpet. It is comparable to the Oreck in price, I think. So we'll see how long it lasts...right now it is just fun to use.
Just don't believe the Oreck commercials!!!
And I promise, no more vacuum cleaner posts. (Unless the Dyson dies.)
---Katie
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Why does the ELCA support terrorists against Israel?
It bothers me a lot that my national church body takes the side of terrorists against the one democratic state in the Middle East, Israel. Here are some excerpts from an article by David Meir-Levi in Front Page Magazine:
The leadership of the Presbyterian Church recently decided to encourage its governing body to promote divestment from companies that do business with Israel. Shortly thereafter, the Anglican church, the Lutheran church and the World Council of Churches (WCC, with 347 member denominations world-wide) followed suit with the explanation that divestment "(is) a new way to work for peace, by looking at ways to not participate economically in illegal activities related to the Israeli occupation." (1) These churches are among those often referred to as "mainline" churches.
There are no comparable petitions seeking action against other countries that really do enslave minorities, imprison dissidents, murder political opponents, torture suspected activists, and generally maintain totalitarian repressive governments that deny human rights to their citizenry.
The proponents of anti-Israel divestment ignore:
* the cultural and linguistic genocide of Tibetans under Chinese occupation.
* Syria’s 30-year occupation of Lebanon, with its consequent casualties numbering more than 100,000 (a significant number of whom are Christians) with c. 500,000 homeless.
* Numerous violations of human rights, oppression of women and minorities, persecution of homosexuals, abuse of children, and general absence of even-handed justice in their courts whose penalties include beheading, stoning, hanging and shooting in Arab and Muslim states.
* Arab repression of tens of millions of religious and ethnic minorities including Maronite, Assyrian, Chaldean and Coptic Christians, Berbers, Sudanese, Kurds, Bahá'Ãs, Druse, Jews. Even their own Muslim citizenry who subscribe to variant Muslim sects or are deemed by the authorities to be insufficiently Muslim.
* Saudi Arabia’s brutal gender apartheid with its extreme repression of women.
In sharp contrast, Israel's record on human rights is among the best in the world, and certainly the best in the region. Israel is a vibrant and participatory democracy, which has a completely free press that is often highly critical of the Israeli government. No Arab country has a free press, nor does the Palestinian Authority. Israel has a completely independent judiciary, the only one in the entire area. Its Supreme Court, one of the best in the world, is the only court in which an Arab in the Middle East can expect to get justice in lawsuits brought against any government. Palestinians have won lawsuits against the Israeli government and the Israeli military. The rights of women, gays and others are far more fully recognized, protected and implemented in Israel than anywhere in the Arab world or in much of the rest of the world. The Israeli army does not discriminate against gays, as even the American army does, and the Israeli Knesset now includes an openly gay member. Israeli Arabs sit in the Knesset, serve on the Israeli Supreme Court and have their own newspapers. (3) Israeli Arabs have choices of five different Arab political parties, which is four more than are currently available to any citizen of any Totalitarian Arab country in the world.
So it sounds to me like Israel is the good guy in the Middle East. Why do the mainline churches in the US want to isolate them economically and politically? Could it be that they are following the Democratic Party line? Hmmm. Oh, and click on the title to read the entire article. It looks like the disvestment policies could be against US law.
---Katie
The leadership of the Presbyterian Church recently decided to encourage its governing body to promote divestment from companies that do business with Israel. Shortly thereafter, the Anglican church, the Lutheran church and the World Council of Churches (WCC, with 347 member denominations world-wide) followed suit with the explanation that divestment "(is) a new way to work for peace, by looking at ways to not participate economically in illegal activities related to the Israeli occupation." (1) These churches are among those often referred to as "mainline" churches.
There are no comparable petitions seeking action against other countries that really do enslave minorities, imprison dissidents, murder political opponents, torture suspected activists, and generally maintain totalitarian repressive governments that deny human rights to their citizenry.
The proponents of anti-Israel divestment ignore:
* the cultural and linguistic genocide of Tibetans under Chinese occupation.
* Syria’s 30-year occupation of Lebanon, with its consequent casualties numbering more than 100,000 (a significant number of whom are Christians) with c. 500,000 homeless.
* Numerous violations of human rights, oppression of women and minorities, persecution of homosexuals, abuse of children, and general absence of even-handed justice in their courts whose penalties include beheading, stoning, hanging and shooting in Arab and Muslim states.
* Arab repression of tens of millions of religious and ethnic minorities including Maronite, Assyrian, Chaldean and Coptic Christians, Berbers, Sudanese, Kurds, Bahá'Ãs, Druse, Jews. Even their own Muslim citizenry who subscribe to variant Muslim sects or are deemed by the authorities to be insufficiently Muslim.
* Saudi Arabia’s brutal gender apartheid with its extreme repression of women.
In sharp contrast, Israel's record on human rights is among the best in the world, and certainly the best in the region. Israel is a vibrant and participatory democracy, which has a completely free press that is often highly critical of the Israeli government. No Arab country has a free press, nor does the Palestinian Authority. Israel has a completely independent judiciary, the only one in the entire area. Its Supreme Court, one of the best in the world, is the only court in which an Arab in the Middle East can expect to get justice in lawsuits brought against any government. Palestinians have won lawsuits against the Israeli government and the Israeli military. The rights of women, gays and others are far more fully recognized, protected and implemented in Israel than anywhere in the Arab world or in much of the rest of the world. The Israeli army does not discriminate against gays, as even the American army does, and the Israeli Knesset now includes an openly gay member. Israeli Arabs sit in the Knesset, serve on the Israeli Supreme Court and have their own newspapers. (3) Israeli Arabs have choices of five different Arab political parties, which is four more than are currently available to any citizen of any Totalitarian Arab country in the world.
So it sounds to me like Israel is the good guy in the Middle East. Why do the mainline churches in the US want to isolate them economically and politically? Could it be that they are following the Democratic Party line? Hmmm. Oh, and click on the title to read the entire article. It looks like the disvestment policies could be against US law.
---Katie
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Sigh. I miss the analogies....
...even though I don't have to take the SAT. Here is an excerpt from a rare Times article with which I am in agreement:
Law is almost entirely dependent on analogies. In my first year of law school, my contracts professor, Gerald Frug, said something brilliant in its simplicity: "All things are alike in some ways and different in other ways." It was a warning that for the next three years, we would hear endless arguments that a case must be decided a particular way because a previous case or a statute required it. The two cases, or the case and the statute, would always be alike in some ways and different in others - and law school was really about arguing whether the similarities or the differences were more important.
Nowhere are analogies more central than in politics. When Karl Marx wanted to arouse the workers of the world, he compared the proletariat's condition to slavery and, in "The Communist Manifesto," urged them to throw off their figurative chains. When Roosevelt argued for a balanced budget, he put it in homespun terms. "Any government, like any family, can for a year spend a little more than it earns," he said. "But you and I know that a continuation of that habit means the poorhouse."
Click on the title to read the entire article. Use BugMe Not.com if you don't want to register.
---Katie
Law is almost entirely dependent on analogies. In my first year of law school, my contracts professor, Gerald Frug, said something brilliant in its simplicity: "All things are alike in some ways and different in other ways." It was a warning that for the next three years, we would hear endless arguments that a case must be decided a particular way because a previous case or a statute required it. The two cases, or the case and the statute, would always be alike in some ways and different in others - and law school was really about arguing whether the similarities or the differences were more important.
Nowhere are analogies more central than in politics. When Karl Marx wanted to arouse the workers of the world, he compared the proletariat's condition to slavery and, in "The Communist Manifesto," urged them to throw off their figurative chains. When Roosevelt argued for a balanced budget, he put it in homespun terms. "Any government, like any family, can for a year spend a little more than it earns," he said. "But you and I know that a continuation of that habit means the poorhouse."
Click on the title to read the entire article. Use BugMe Not.com if you don't want to register.
---Katie
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Infant Baptism
I think they have an excellent explanation/defense of infant baptism over at Strong in the Grace. Click on the title to read it.
Katie
Katie
Parents, read your kids' journals!!!
Parents, if your kid has a live journal or a blog or whatever you want to call it, I hope you are checking it out occasionally. It would not be a bad idea to read some of their friends' journals. If your son has a girlfriend, you darn well better be reading that! (It will probably make you gag, but do it anyway. Teenage girls are so sappy about their boyfriends.)
Of course, if you don't care what your kid is doing and who they are with, then don't bother.
And don't give me any garbage about invading their privacy. It's on the internet, for pete's sake. Just do it. Being a parent is not pretty.
Oh, and if you want to know why I am making this suggestion, just hit the button at the top of the page that says "next blog" and find a few teen blogs. That will explain my concern.
---Katie
Of course, if you don't care what your kid is doing and who they are with, then don't bother.
And don't give me any garbage about invading their privacy. It's on the internet, for pete's sake. Just do it. Being a parent is not pretty.
Oh, and if you want to know why I am making this suggestion, just hit the button at the top of the page that says "next blog" and find a few teen blogs. That will explain my concern.
---Katie
Friday, March 11, 2005
ELCA Bishop speaks out
Bishop Hanson expressed his concerns about the sexuality task force report in his report to the conference of bishops:
In his report, Hanson offered his first public comments on the task force report and recommendations. Hanson said:
+ Two "hermeneutics" or paradigms are at work among the members of the ELCA that make agreement difficult on scriptural and theological matters. The Rev. Craig L. Nessan, academic dean and professor of contextual theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, writes that there is a "traditional approach" and a "contextual approach" in interpreting Scripture, both of which are valid and irreconcilable, Hanson told the bishops. Similarly, Dr. Marcus J. Borg, Department of Philosophy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, writes that there are two irreconcilable "paradigms" in which Christians differ in their understandings of the Christian tradition and their interpretation of Scripture, creeds and the confessions, he said. Hanson said he's heard people with different understandings of Scripture and theology seeking to find a place for their views in the sexuality recommendations.
"Do we expect a resolution to provide a bridge between two extremes?" Hanson asked the bishops. "We Lutherans have come to say that when something is 'paradoxical' that we're going to live in the paradox at the foot of the cross and not force ourselves to decide it with a vote."
+ Hanson said he has "increasing concerns" about Recommendation 1, which calls on the ELCA to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements. The recommendation seems to be causing some confusion for some, and the conversation seems to be about much more than the task force intended, he said. For example, Hanson said some have "perceived" that what is at stake is the unity of the "Church catholic," not just the ELCA.
"I have great concerns about a church body voting on the unity of the Church," he said. "The unity of the Church is God's gift to us. We are not to create the unity of the Church. Wouldn't it be better to remind ourselves of the unity we are given but not to ask us to vote on the unity of the Church?"
Hanson also said he hopes no one will leave the ELCA over decisions on homosexuality. He reminded the bishops that if some members do leave "we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. There's where I think Craig Nessan is helpful in trying to say, 'let's not go the secular route of schism but let's look at the continuum of the way we relate,'" he said in an interview with the ELCA News Service.
Finally, Hanson said he is concerned that a vote on church unity could become a "church-defining, church-dividing" issue, and a conversation about that should take place in the "context of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)." The LWF is a global communion of 138 member churches in 77 countries, representing 66 million Christians worldwide. Hanson -- who is also LWF president -- suggested concepts used in ecumenical discussions such as "reconciled diversity" and "differentiated consensus" might be helpful in such discussions.
+ Hanson said he has heard many concerns about Recommendation 3, which suggests that for reasons of conscience the ELCA may choose to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian ministers in committed relationships and from disciplining those who call or approve partnered gay or lesbian people for ministry. "For many people [this] is not only confusing but seems to lack integrity because it is read as at least a change in practice if not in policy," he said in an interview.
As an alternative Hanson said it may be helpful to "test" some language that could provide for a special roster, ordination to a specific place or synodically authorized ministry to allow people who are gay and lesbian and in committed relationships to serve as professional church leaders. The presiding bishop suggested the possibility of a six-year testing period.
If the church wanted to test such a system, it would require a "significant standing down" from people who are gay and lesbian, many of whom view such a system as "second class" and unjust, he said. People who view Scripture traditionally would also have to stand down to allow "space," he said.
Does this man not get it? The reason people will leave the ELCA, if they do, is over the view of scripture...or the two views, not homosexuality. How can a church body survive when two views of scripture are acceptable? Thank you, I'll stick with the "traditional" view.
---Katie
In his report, Hanson offered his first public comments on the task force report and recommendations. Hanson said:
+ Two "hermeneutics" or paradigms are at work among the members of the ELCA that make agreement difficult on scriptural and theological matters. The Rev. Craig L. Nessan, academic dean and professor of contextual theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, writes that there is a "traditional approach" and a "contextual approach" in interpreting Scripture, both of which are valid and irreconcilable, Hanson told the bishops. Similarly, Dr. Marcus J. Borg, Department of Philosophy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, writes that there are two irreconcilable "paradigms" in which Christians differ in their understandings of the Christian tradition and their interpretation of Scripture, creeds and the confessions, he said. Hanson said he's heard people with different understandings of Scripture and theology seeking to find a place for their views in the sexuality recommendations.
"Do we expect a resolution to provide a bridge between two extremes?" Hanson asked the bishops. "We Lutherans have come to say that when something is 'paradoxical' that we're going to live in the paradox at the foot of the cross and not force ourselves to decide it with a vote."
+ Hanson said he has "increasing concerns" about Recommendation 1, which calls on the ELCA to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements. The recommendation seems to be causing some confusion for some, and the conversation seems to be about much more than the task force intended, he said. For example, Hanson said some have "perceived" that what is at stake is the unity of the "Church catholic," not just the ELCA.
"I have great concerns about a church body voting on the unity of the Church," he said. "The unity of the Church is God's gift to us. We are not to create the unity of the Church. Wouldn't it be better to remind ourselves of the unity we are given but not to ask us to vote on the unity of the Church?"
Hanson also said he hopes no one will leave the ELCA over decisions on homosexuality. He reminded the bishops that if some members do leave "we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. There's where I think Craig Nessan is helpful in trying to say, 'let's not go the secular route of schism but let's look at the continuum of the way we relate,'" he said in an interview with the ELCA News Service.
Finally, Hanson said he is concerned that a vote on church unity could become a "church-defining, church-dividing" issue, and a conversation about that should take place in the "context of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)." The LWF is a global communion of 138 member churches in 77 countries, representing 66 million Christians worldwide. Hanson -- who is also LWF president -- suggested concepts used in ecumenical discussions such as "reconciled diversity" and "differentiated consensus" might be helpful in such discussions.
+ Hanson said he has heard many concerns about Recommendation 3, which suggests that for reasons of conscience the ELCA may choose to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian ministers in committed relationships and from disciplining those who call or approve partnered gay or lesbian people for ministry. "For many people [this] is not only confusing but seems to lack integrity because it is read as at least a change in practice if not in policy," he said in an interview.
As an alternative Hanson said it may be helpful to "test" some language that could provide for a special roster, ordination to a specific place or synodically authorized ministry to allow people who are gay and lesbian and in committed relationships to serve as professional church leaders. The presiding bishop suggested the possibility of a six-year testing period.
If the church wanted to test such a system, it would require a "significant standing down" from people who are gay and lesbian, many of whom view such a system as "second class" and unjust, he said. People who view Scripture traditionally would also have to stand down to allow "space," he said.
Does this man not get it? The reason people will leave the ELCA, if they do, is over the view of scripture...or the two views, not homosexuality. How can a church body survive when two views of scripture are acceptable? Thank you, I'll stick with the "traditional" view.
---Katie
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Some people you are just meant to know.
I had one of those experiences today that reinforces my belief that nothing is coincidence and God is working in the minute, everday experiences of our lives.
My daughter is on choir tour, singing around the state of Florida at various churches and schools...not at our church, unfortunately, but that is another story.
I was blessed to be able to attend her concert at a local private school and my two kids and I sat with another mom who had driven up from about four hours away with four of her children. We enjoyed chatting and decided at the last minute after the concert to do lunch together.
We sat at Wendy's for at least an hour. We had so much in common; our kids had so much in common (all the teens were fans of studying theology, how amazing is that!!) My youngest came home with her youngest's IM name. We had a blast talking about church, reformed theology, Lutheran theology, the ups and downs of church life...and her husband is a seminary professor. One of their daughters is learning Greek by auditing classes at his seminary...so guess what my son wants to do? ;-)
It was one of those wonderful experiences of instant friendship. God is good.
Katie
My daughter is on choir tour, singing around the state of Florida at various churches and schools...not at our church, unfortunately, but that is another story.
I was blessed to be able to attend her concert at a local private school and my two kids and I sat with another mom who had driven up from about four hours away with four of her children. We enjoyed chatting and decided at the last minute after the concert to do lunch together.
We sat at Wendy's for at least an hour. We had so much in common; our kids had so much in common (all the teens were fans of studying theology, how amazing is that!!) My youngest came home with her youngest's IM name. We had a blast talking about church, reformed theology, Lutheran theology, the ups and downs of church life...and her husband is a seminary professor. One of their daughters is learning Greek by auditing classes at his seminary...so guess what my son wants to do? ;-)
It was one of those wonderful experiences of instant friendship. God is good.
Katie
More Sexuality Report analysis
Here is an excerpt from a very thoughtful analysis of the ELCA sexuality task force report:
Where in the world does anyone identify behavior or choices as unacceptable but informs the participants that there will be no consequences or discipline if they choose not to comply? Does this work in parenting children? How about for policy implementation in the local school district, courts, government, traffic control? Don’t our experiences witness to the reality that without enforcement of “the rules” and the “threat” thereof, the unacceptable can quickly become the act or behavior practiced or desired? I would proffer that the words of the recommendations would function incongruously—if “enforced” by a no-enforcement policy. In other words, those who would choose to discipline or enforce current boundaries would be accused of acting less “pastorally and lovingly” and therefore could be judged as judgmental, prejudiced or even self righteous for enforcing the very standards upheld in the recommendations. Ironic, isn’t it?
I have to admit, if I know the speed limit is not being enforced, I will drive as fast as I feel comfortable driving...sort of like driving through Atlanta...
I also love words and being precise about saying what I mean. I hate the thought that our words are going to be saying one thing and our actions another.
Hmmm. We are in the midst of our stewardship emphasis at my church. Lots of encouragement to step up to the plate and joyfully support present and, hopefully, new, expanded ministries. Are the words in this instance more true than in what we *say* we believe about sexuality? Hmmm.
---Katie
Where in the world does anyone identify behavior or choices as unacceptable but informs the participants that there will be no consequences or discipline if they choose not to comply? Does this work in parenting children? How about for policy implementation in the local school district, courts, government, traffic control? Don’t our experiences witness to the reality that without enforcement of “the rules” and the “threat” thereof, the unacceptable can quickly become the act or behavior practiced or desired? I would proffer that the words of the recommendations would function incongruously—if “enforced” by a no-enforcement policy. In other words, those who would choose to discipline or enforce current boundaries would be accused of acting less “pastorally and lovingly” and therefore could be judged as judgmental, prejudiced or even self righteous for enforcing the very standards upheld in the recommendations. Ironic, isn’t it?
I have to admit, if I know the speed limit is not being enforced, I will drive as fast as I feel comfortable driving...sort of like driving through Atlanta...
I also love words and being precise about saying what I mean. I hate the thought that our words are going to be saying one thing and our actions another.
Hmmm. We are in the midst of our stewardship emphasis at my church. Lots of encouragement to step up to the plate and joyfully support present and, hopefully, new, expanded ministries. Are the words in this instance more true than in what we *say* we believe about sexuality? Hmmm.
---Katie
Monday, March 07, 2005
Peering into the future of the ELCA.
From Rev. Paul McCain's website:
UCC Premiers Film About Transgendered Pastor
One hardly knows what to say...but, here is the story.
United Church of Christ
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess, news director
216-736-2177
Barb Powell
Director of Mixed-Media Productions
216-736-2175
For immediate release
March 1, 2005
United Church of Christ debuts feature-length documentary on transgender
minister at two international film festivals
The intentionally-inclusive United Church of Christ is not only the first
mainline Christian denomination to ordain an openly transgender minister,
but the 1.3-million-member church has produced a feature-length documentary
film to tell the remarkable story of one transgender minister's journey of
faith.
"Call Me Malcolm," co-produced by the UCC and Filmworks, Inc., debuted
at the Riverside (Calif.) International Film Festival on Feb. 26 and will
have its second premiere at the Cleveland International Film Festival, March
14-15. Several events are planned in association with the viewing in
Cleveland, where the UCC's national offices are located.
The 90-minute film tells the story of the Rev. Malcolm E. Himschoot, then a
UCC seminary student, who poignantly explores his struggles with faith,
love and gender identity.
"'Call Me Malcolm' is part of the United Church of Christ's effort to
provide resources for churches and other organizations to explore and
nurture God's extravagant welcome that includes lesbian, gay bisexual and
trangender persons," said the Rev. Michael D. Schuenemeyer, the UCC's
minister for LGBT concerns.
Schuenemeyer says "Call Me Malcolm" is unique among documentaries that
deal with transgender issues "because it focuses on gender identity as it
relates to matters of faith, spirituality, vocation and human personhood."
"In the film, Malcolm does not propose easy answers to the questions that
arise," Shuenemeyer says, "but with enormous heart, integrity and
sensitivity shares his own struggles and listens compassionately to
[others], as he comes to terms with who he is and God's claim on his life."
Director Joseph Parlagreco says the film is more than an examination of
Malcolm's life or the struggles of the transgender community, but a film
that all can relate to, because it's about discerning, discovering and
celebrating one's identity.
"This is not the first film to take on the subject of transgender issues
and it certainly will not be the last," Parlagreco says, "but most
transgender films tend to focus on the physical and exploit the conflict. I
wanted to do a different kind of film. This is a film about identity."
"Malcolm's struggles are all of ours ? 'Who am I?' 'Where do I fit in?'
'What am I doing with my life?'" the filmmaker says.
Parlagreco, an award-winning cinematographer whose directing credits
include work for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS and VH1, says the UCC has served
as a "minister to the film."
"Imagine," Parlagreco muses, "a church producing a feature documentary
for film festivals about a transgender minister. People are always amazed
when I mention that the UCC is our partner in this film."
The first of two screenings will be held at Cleveland's Tower City Cinemas
on Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion.
On Tuesday, March 15, at 10 a.m., the Rev. Malcolm Himschoot will preach at
a public worship service at the UCC's Amistad Chapel, 700 Prospect Ave., in
downtown Cleveland, followed by the second screening of the film at 12 p.m.
at Tower City.
More information is available at http://clevelandfilm.org/ or
http://callmemalcolm.com
Yeah. Just imagine.
---Katie
UCC Premiers Film About Transgendered Pastor
One hardly knows what to say...but, here is the story.
United Church of Christ
The Rev. J. Bennett Guess, news director
216-736-2177
Barb Powell
Director of Mixed-Media Productions
216-736-2175
For immediate release
March 1, 2005
United Church of Christ debuts feature-length documentary on transgender
minister at two international film festivals
The intentionally-inclusive United Church of Christ is not only the first
mainline Christian denomination to ordain an openly transgender minister,
but the 1.3-million-member church has produced a feature-length documentary
film to tell the remarkable story of one transgender minister's journey of
faith.
"Call Me Malcolm," co-produced by the UCC and Filmworks, Inc., debuted
at the Riverside (Calif.) International Film Festival on Feb. 26 and will
have its second premiere at the Cleveland International Film Festival, March
14-15. Several events are planned in association with the viewing in
Cleveland, where the UCC's national offices are located.
The 90-minute film tells the story of the Rev. Malcolm E. Himschoot, then a
UCC seminary student, who poignantly explores his struggles with faith,
love and gender identity.
"'Call Me Malcolm' is part of the United Church of Christ's effort to
provide resources for churches and other organizations to explore and
nurture God's extravagant welcome that includes lesbian, gay bisexual and
trangender persons," said the Rev. Michael D. Schuenemeyer, the UCC's
minister for LGBT concerns.
Schuenemeyer says "Call Me Malcolm" is unique among documentaries that
deal with transgender issues "because it focuses on gender identity as it
relates to matters of faith, spirituality, vocation and human personhood."
"In the film, Malcolm does not propose easy answers to the questions that
arise," Shuenemeyer says, "but with enormous heart, integrity and
sensitivity shares his own struggles and listens compassionately to
[others], as he comes to terms with who he is and God's claim on his life."
Director Joseph Parlagreco says the film is more than an examination of
Malcolm's life or the struggles of the transgender community, but a film
that all can relate to, because it's about discerning, discovering and
celebrating one's identity.
"This is not the first film to take on the subject of transgender issues
and it certainly will not be the last," Parlagreco says, "but most
transgender films tend to focus on the physical and exploit the conflict. I
wanted to do a different kind of film. This is a film about identity."
"Malcolm's struggles are all of ours ? 'Who am I?' 'Where do I fit in?'
'What am I doing with my life?'" the filmmaker says.
Parlagreco, an award-winning cinematographer whose directing credits
include work for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS and VH1, says the UCC has served
as a "minister to the film."
"Imagine," Parlagreco muses, "a church producing a feature documentary
for film festivals about a transgender minister. People are always amazed
when I mention that the UCC is our partner in this film."
The first of two screenings will be held at Cleveland's Tower City Cinemas
on Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion.
On Tuesday, March 15, at 10 a.m., the Rev. Malcolm Himschoot will preach at
a public worship service at the UCC's Amistad Chapel, 700 Prospect Ave., in
downtown Cleveland, followed by the second screening of the film at 12 p.m.
at Tower City.
More information is available at http://clevelandfilm.org/ or
http://callmemalcolm.com
Yeah. Just imagine.
---Katie
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Dr. James Dobson did not exactly say that....
Recently I had a discussion with a friend about how stupid we feel when prominent Christians say asinine things about the culture. The incident which was bothering us that particular day was the Sponge Bob flap that Dr. James Dobson stirred up. The press took his comments and ran with them, telling the world that the dope said that Sponge Bob is gay. This kind of stuff is particularly hard on Christians who work in an environment where they are the only Christians. The problem with this particular flap is that it is probably media created.
Here is what Joel Belz in World Magazine wrote in the February 12 issue:
Dr. Dobson mentioned a sensational fact during an inaugural-week speech in Washington: that a pro-gay group planned to use a video starring children's TV characters in schools nationwide during March to promote approval of homosexual conduct. When he referred to one of the characters in the video, SpongeBob SquarePants, the press frenzy began: Dobson the dope thinks SpongeBob is gay.
Of course he said nothing of the sort. Of course he was immediately Quaylized (as when Dan Quayle criticized the fictional TV character Murphy Brown for promoting single parenthood). And of course he will eventually be vindicated, as was VP Quayle (once safely removed from office) by an article titled, "Dan Quayle was right." But in the short range among those with short attention spans, the word went forth: Christian leaders are idiots.
So, the media would like you to believe that Christian leaders are dolts. We need to remember that whenever we read about some stupid thing a well known Christian says. I believed it this time. Dr. Dobson, I apologize.
You can read the entire article by clicking on the title. Even though I don't like to register for sites, I highly recommend this one. They have a uniquely Christian perspective on the news.
---Katie
Here is what Joel Belz in World Magazine wrote in the February 12 issue:
Dr. Dobson mentioned a sensational fact during an inaugural-week speech in Washington: that a pro-gay group planned to use a video starring children's TV characters in schools nationwide during March to promote approval of homosexual conduct. When he referred to one of the characters in the video, SpongeBob SquarePants, the press frenzy began: Dobson the dope thinks SpongeBob is gay.
Of course he said nothing of the sort. Of course he was immediately Quaylized (as when Dan Quayle criticized the fictional TV character Murphy Brown for promoting single parenthood). And of course he will eventually be vindicated, as was VP Quayle (once safely removed from office) by an article titled, "Dan Quayle was right." But in the short range among those with short attention spans, the word went forth: Christian leaders are idiots.
So, the media would like you to believe that Christian leaders are dolts. We need to remember that whenever we read about some stupid thing a well known Christian says. I believed it this time. Dr. Dobson, I apologize.
You can read the entire article by clicking on the title. Even though I don't like to register for sites, I highly recommend this one. They have a uniquely Christian perspective on the news.
---Katie
Don't miss this - watch the miracle of prenatal development on tv!
Of course, the NY Slimes has to take their expected shot at the pro-life position, but the show sounds like it could be fascinating! Here is a snippet from the article:
Tracking the Messy Miracle, With Computerized Help
By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN
Full-frontal images of a vagina are available on cable Sunday night, but they come at a price. You have to watch a bloody, hairy baby burst through that vagina, and before that you have to watch the little creature in utero, growing in all its Operation Rescue propaganda detail, in the National Geographic Channel's latest unveiling of the hideous miracle of life.
---
Now tell me, is it propaganda if it is true?? We are looking at the real thing here and the Slimes calls it Operation Rescue propaganda? We can only hope that watching the real life of a baby, excuse me, a *fetus* prior to birth will open some eyes to the true evil that abortion is.
The Slimes does admit that, "the acknowledgement that humans in the womb are complex, dreaming, pain-experiencing, memory-having, walk-practicing, music-enjoying entities does not instantly put you in the same camp as doctor assassins and purveyors of "The Silent Scream." Whew, thank goodness. I would not want to be like all those people who are pro-life and advocate killing doctors! Can you say "bias?" I knew you could.
---Katie
Tracking the Messy Miracle, With Computerized Help
By VIRGINIA HEFFERNAN
Full-frontal images of a vagina are available on cable Sunday night, but they come at a price. You have to watch a bloody, hairy baby burst through that vagina, and before that you have to watch the little creature in utero, growing in all its Operation Rescue propaganda detail, in the National Geographic Channel's latest unveiling of the hideous miracle of life.
---
Now tell me, is it propaganda if it is true?? We are looking at the real thing here and the Slimes calls it Operation Rescue propaganda? We can only hope that watching the real life of a baby, excuse me, a *fetus* prior to birth will open some eyes to the true evil that abortion is.
The Slimes does admit that, "the acknowledgement that humans in the womb are complex, dreaming, pain-experiencing, memory-having, walk-practicing, music-enjoying entities does not instantly put you in the same camp as doctor assassins and purveyors of "The Silent Scream." Whew, thank goodness. I would not want to be like all those people who are pro-life and advocate killing doctors! Can you say "bias?" I knew you could.
---Katie
Perfectionism is a sin.
There. I said it.
I have come to this conclusion over a long period of time.
Years ago I made a very sweet lady on a homeschooling list very angry because I said that it did not make any sense to strive for perfection in everything we do. There is such a thing as "good enough." I really have come to that conclusion in my keeping house. With four kids and at least as many animals as people, I sometimes have to settle for "clean enough." If I strove for perfection in my housekeeping, I would have time for nothing else, not to mention that I would be miserable to live with. After all, then I would have no time to blog.
Back to the sin issue. I think perfectionism leads most of us to sin. What happens when we think we have reached perfection? We start expecting it of everyone else, of course! We become judgemental, critical, and naggy, which is quite hard on relationships.
I know someone who is a perfectionist. His wife is not. He cannot understand why she won't at least try to be perfect at *something*! He criticizes and nags; she hides things from him to keep him from knowing when she has messed up. How sad that he spends his time looking for things to criticize and she works so hard to cover up her failings.
Thank goodness we have the God we have. He loves us even when are not perfect! He overlooks our faults and delights in us as his children. Think about what it is like to be with someone who loves you just as you are and even delights in your little quirks and faults! How peaceful to be with someone who looks beyond our momentary (or even chronic) failure and knows that our heart is in the right place and we really do mean well. That is our God. We can run to Him just like a child can run to a loving parent who sees the good beyond the grass-stained knees and dirty face.
Swear off perfectionism - love those around you even if they don't fit your perfect ideal. God does not look for every little fault to correct, why should we think we can be so arrogant to do so?
---Katie
I have come to this conclusion over a long period of time.
Years ago I made a very sweet lady on a homeschooling list very angry because I said that it did not make any sense to strive for perfection in everything we do. There is such a thing as "good enough." I really have come to that conclusion in my keeping house. With four kids and at least as many animals as people, I sometimes have to settle for "clean enough." If I strove for perfection in my housekeeping, I would have time for nothing else, not to mention that I would be miserable to live with. After all, then I would have no time to blog.
Back to the sin issue. I think perfectionism leads most of us to sin. What happens when we think we have reached perfection? We start expecting it of everyone else, of course! We become judgemental, critical, and naggy, which is quite hard on relationships.
I know someone who is a perfectionist. His wife is not. He cannot understand why she won't at least try to be perfect at *something*! He criticizes and nags; she hides things from him to keep him from knowing when she has messed up. How sad that he spends his time looking for things to criticize and she works so hard to cover up her failings.
Thank goodness we have the God we have. He loves us even when are not perfect! He overlooks our faults and delights in us as his children. Think about what it is like to be with someone who loves you just as you are and even delights in your little quirks and faults! How peaceful to be with someone who looks beyond our momentary (or even chronic) failure and knows that our heart is in the right place and we really do mean well. That is our God. We can run to Him just like a child can run to a loving parent who sees the good beyond the grass-stained knees and dirty face.
Swear off perfectionism - love those around you even if they don't fit your perfect ideal. God does not look for every little fault to correct, why should we think we can be so arrogant to do so?
---Katie
If you don't behave rightly....
I am working through my first doctoral level course, a course on Christian Ethics. It is fascinating. Here is something that has me pondering. Archibald Hunter theorized that the ethic of the Rabbis was, "If you don't behave rightly, you will not be saved," while the ethic of Jesus says, "If you don't behave rightly, you have not been saved." This is pretty Lutheran, I think...it is also reassuring. Christ already did the work. I don't have to work for my salvation because I believe in the Savior who already did all of the work. I don't have to "be good," but I want to because of what He did for me. Yet I don't have to meet some man-made standard of goodness to know that I have salvation. If I fail at being good, that's ok because He forgives me and I can go on knowing I am covered by His grace. Whatever goodness is there because He put it there and I am His. What a relief.
---Katie
---Katie
And the anti-US NY Times thinks the US should apologize....
Of course, the NY Slimes considers our anti-abortion position worthy of an apology to the rest of the world:
At a moment when the United States should be leading the world on advancing women's equality, the Bush administration chose instead to alienate government ministers and 6,000 other delegates at an important United Nations conference on that issue with a burst of anti-abortion zealotry this week.
---snip---
By Thursday evening, the American delegation had agreed to drop the explicit anti-abortion clause from its proposed amendment, and yesterday it finally withdrew the amendment entirely. But the damage had been done. An apology is due from the United States delegation for the weeklong disruption it caused. So is a fresh spirit of cooperation and a less rigid insistence on dictating global strategy.
The Slimes does not like entire articles to be copied, so click on the title above to read it in its entirety. If you do not want to register, snag a log-in name and password at BugMeNot.com.
---Katie
At a moment when the United States should be leading the world on advancing women's equality, the Bush administration chose instead to alienate government ministers and 6,000 other delegates at an important United Nations conference on that issue with a burst of anti-abortion zealotry this week.
---snip---
By Thursday evening, the American delegation had agreed to drop the explicit anti-abortion clause from its proposed amendment, and yesterday it finally withdrew the amendment entirely. But the damage had been done. An apology is due from the United States delegation for the weeklong disruption it caused. So is a fresh spirit of cooperation and a less rigid insistence on dictating global strategy.
The Slimes does not like entire articles to be copied, so click on the title above to read it in its entirety. If you do not want to register, snag a log-in name and password at BugMeNot.com.
---Katie
Tell me, again, the purpose of the UN?
You know, some people make an issue of our anything goes society and explain that that is why so many Muslim nations hate us. Yet when a US delegate to the UN emphasizes the importance of abstinence and monagamy as important ways to prevent the spread of AIDS, here is what happens:
Jeers and catcalls greeted the top U.S. delegate to a global women's conference on Friday as she stressed Washington's opposition to abortion and support for sexual abstinence and fidelity.
This was after removing a controversial anti-abortion ammendment from a key UN document. Does the UN have any real purpose anymore other than to oppose anything that the US supports?
I think I want one of those "US out of the UN, UN out of the US" bumper stickers.
---Katie
Jeers and catcalls greeted the top U.S. delegate to a global women's conference on Friday as she stressed Washington's opposition to abortion and support for sexual abstinence and fidelity.
This was after removing a controversial anti-abortion ammendment from a key UN document. Does the UN have any real purpose anymore other than to oppose anything that the US supports?
I think I want one of those "US out of the UN, UN out of the US" bumper stickers.
---Katie
Friday, March 04, 2005
Anyone up for a counter-protest?
I got this in my e-mail yesterday:
Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen of the radical "Not in Our Name" anti-war group are coming to Orlando at the end of this month to protest the US Military down on I-Drive. Protest Warrior is planning a counter demonstration and is asking for our help. Below is the email and the details he sent me just a few minutes ago. I hope we can get a good FReeper turnout for this effort. Pass the word!!
Can you get word out to all of the freepers you know and tell them that liberal anti-American forces are set to rally on Sunday March 20th at noon. The location is on International Drive and Sand Lake.
They are being led nationwide by the liberal group, “Not in our Name” headed by Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen.
Liberal info link:
http://www.protest.net/notinourname/calendrome.cgi?span=event&ID=514947&day=20&month=March&year=2005&state_values=
Protest Warrior sign up
http://hq.protestwarrior.com/?page=/agreement.php
Thank you
Zachary Bauer, Central Florida Chapter Leader
I've never participated in a protest. This could be fun. Wanna go?
---Katie
Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen of the radical "Not in Our Name" anti-war group are coming to Orlando at the end of this month to protest the US Military down on I-Drive. Protest Warrior is planning a counter demonstration and is asking for our help. Below is the email and the details he sent me just a few minutes ago. I hope we can get a good FReeper turnout for this effort. Pass the word!!
Can you get word out to all of the freepers you know and tell them that liberal anti-American forces are set to rally on Sunday March 20th at noon. The location is on International Drive and Sand Lake.
They are being led nationwide by the liberal group, “Not in our Name” headed by Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen.
Liberal info link:
http://www.protest.net/notinourname/calendrome.cgi?span=event&ID=514947&day=20&month=March&year=2005&state_values=
Protest Warrior sign up
http://hq.protestwarrior.com/?page=/agreement.php
Thank you
Zachary Bauer, Central Florida Chapter Leader
I've never participated in a protest. This could be fun. Wanna go?
---Katie
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
A Conservative Response to the ELCA Sexuality Study
Found this over on Beggars All
The list of names at the end is rather impressive.
---Katie
A STATEMENT OF PASTORAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONCERN
A RESPONSE TO THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM THE TASK FORCE FOR ELCA STUDIES ON SEXUALITY
March 1, 2005
We are grateful to every member of the Task Force for their time, commitment, and effort, and accept the invitation welcoming the "prayers, responses, and admonitions of all our partners." In response to that request, and based on our careful review of the Report and its recommendations, we maintain that the third and primary recommendation of the Task Force, contrary to its stated intention, threatens to destabilize the unity and constitution, as well as the historical, biblical, and confessional teachings and practice of this church. Further, this final proposal places the first two, although in principle containing some assertions that are indeed admirable and commendable, into an interpretative context that makes them objectionable as well.
The most conspicuous logical inconsistency in the Task Force's Report is that in the name of a "no change in policy" it advocates a fundamental shift in policy. It asks the church "to refrain from disciplining those who . . . call or approve partnered gay or lesbian candidates whom they believe to be otherwise in compliance with Vision and Expectations and to refrain from disciplining those rostered people so approved or called" (7). Unable to make a recommendation that would resolve the issue of gay/lesbian ordination and/or blessings through legislative action based on Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, the Task Force proposes that permission for such activities be granted on the basis of "conscience" and a "pastoral approach" in lieu of the traditional criteria employed by this church. This proposal, in our view, suffers from several flaws. We offer the following theological observations:
Ecclesiology
By using the language of "this approach" (8) instead of "this change in policy" the Task Force advocates that the ELCA should "trust congregations, synods, candidacy committees, and bishops to discern the Holy Spirit's gifts for ministry among the baptized and make judgments appropriate to each situation" (8). In the New Testament, however, the criterion for the discernment of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a broadly based, ecclesial determination and not an individual, local preference. If the Report before us were to be implemented, the ELCA, as a national church body, would abdicate its theological and moral constitutional responsibility by relegating the decisions for which it alone is responsible to regional and local components. Far beyond transforming the polity of the ELCA into a congregational one, such an action would so fatally extend the boundaries of diversity in matters of doctrinal and ethical substance that this church would no longer be an effective collaborator either in the communio of the Lutheran World Federation or in the multiple dimensions of ecumenical dialogue. The proposed shift of matters of such enormous import from the national to the local levels will have two adverse consequences: 1. structural dissolution of the ELCA as it currently exists, and; 2. creation of intense division and disunity at the local level, thus effectively undermining "ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements" (5).
Conscience
The Task Force imposes a subjective understanding of "conscience," one bound only by private judgment, upon Scripture and Luther, thus misrepresenting both. Whenever conscience severs itself from faith in Christ and fidelity to the Word it is no longer conscience in the true sense. Indeed, some in the Corinthian church wanted to solve their disagreements by applying precisely such a therapeutic model of conscience, an approach that Paul unequivocally rejects. Weak consciences, led into error by social pressures and alien ideologies, can never be ultimately determinative sources of truth or unity. For Luther, the holy and righteous conscience of the Christian must agree with God's Word; an erring conscience, separated from Scripture, can react only in accordance with selfish desires resulting from weakness in faith.
Pastoral Care
In Scripture the term "pastor" is never dissociated from the standard of sound teaching. Much like the term "conscience," "pastoral concern" must be governed by that which is righteous and holy in the eyes of God. "Pastoral concern" is not a neutral category and cannot, therefore, be determinative in discerning the correctness of actions or behavior.
Since pastors can either teach sound or false doctrine, Titus is urged to "teach what is consistent with sound doctrine." Neither Scripture nor the Confessions entrust the theological or ethical teaching of the church to pastoral "discretion" (5). In listening to the contemporary "voices of the baptized children of God" (9) we cannot and must not disregard the voices of the church universal over the past two millennia; Scripture can never address us independently from that communal history.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons given we urge that all three recommendations of the Task Force be rejected since, if adopted, they would alter fundamentally the ecclesiology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and that, in turn, would threaten not only the unity and stability of this church but, as a consequence, its ability to proclaim the truth of the Gospel.
Robert Benne
Carl E. Braaten
James R. Crumley, Jr.
Karl P. Donfried
Gerhard O. Forde
George W. Forell
Roy A. Harrisville
Hans Hillerbrand
Robert W. Jenson
Marc Kolden
William H. Lazareth
James A. Nestingen
Michael J. Root
William G. Rusch
Walter F. Taylor, Jr.
David S. Yeago
The list of names at the end is rather impressive.
---Katie
A STATEMENT OF PASTORAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONCERN
A RESPONSE TO THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM THE TASK FORCE FOR ELCA STUDIES ON SEXUALITY
March 1, 2005
We are grateful to every member of the Task Force for their time, commitment, and effort, and accept the invitation welcoming the "prayers, responses, and admonitions of all our partners." In response to that request, and based on our careful review of the Report and its recommendations, we maintain that the third and primary recommendation of the Task Force, contrary to its stated intention, threatens to destabilize the unity and constitution, as well as the historical, biblical, and confessional teachings and practice of this church. Further, this final proposal places the first two, although in principle containing some assertions that are indeed admirable and commendable, into an interpretative context that makes them objectionable as well.
The most conspicuous logical inconsistency in the Task Force's Report is that in the name of a "no change in policy" it advocates a fundamental shift in policy. It asks the church "to refrain from disciplining those who . . . call or approve partnered gay or lesbian candidates whom they believe to be otherwise in compliance with Vision and Expectations and to refrain from disciplining those rostered people so approved or called" (7). Unable to make a recommendation that would resolve the issue of gay/lesbian ordination and/or blessings through legislative action based on Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, the Task Force proposes that permission for such activities be granted on the basis of "conscience" and a "pastoral approach" in lieu of the traditional criteria employed by this church. This proposal, in our view, suffers from several flaws. We offer the following theological observations:
Ecclesiology
By using the language of "this approach" (8) instead of "this change in policy" the Task Force advocates that the ELCA should "trust congregations, synods, candidacy committees, and bishops to discern the Holy Spirit's gifts for ministry among the baptized and make judgments appropriate to each situation" (8). In the New Testament, however, the criterion for the discernment of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a broadly based, ecclesial determination and not an individual, local preference. If the Report before us were to be implemented, the ELCA, as a national church body, would abdicate its theological and moral constitutional responsibility by relegating the decisions for which it alone is responsible to regional and local components. Far beyond transforming the polity of the ELCA into a congregational one, such an action would so fatally extend the boundaries of diversity in matters of doctrinal and ethical substance that this church would no longer be an effective collaborator either in the communio of the Lutheran World Federation or in the multiple dimensions of ecumenical dialogue. The proposed shift of matters of such enormous import from the national to the local levels will have two adverse consequences: 1. structural dissolution of the ELCA as it currently exists, and; 2. creation of intense division and disunity at the local level, thus effectively undermining "ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements" (5).
Conscience
The Task Force imposes a subjective understanding of "conscience," one bound only by private judgment, upon Scripture and Luther, thus misrepresenting both. Whenever conscience severs itself from faith in Christ and fidelity to the Word it is no longer conscience in the true sense. Indeed, some in the Corinthian church wanted to solve their disagreements by applying precisely such a therapeutic model of conscience, an approach that Paul unequivocally rejects. Weak consciences, led into error by social pressures and alien ideologies, can never be ultimately determinative sources of truth or unity. For Luther, the holy and righteous conscience of the Christian must agree with God's Word; an erring conscience, separated from Scripture, can react only in accordance with selfish desires resulting from weakness in faith.
Pastoral Care
In Scripture the term "pastor" is never dissociated from the standard of sound teaching. Much like the term "conscience," "pastoral concern" must be governed by that which is righteous and holy in the eyes of God. "Pastoral concern" is not a neutral category and cannot, therefore, be determinative in discerning the correctness of actions or behavior.
Since pastors can either teach sound or false doctrine, Titus is urged to "teach what is consistent with sound doctrine." Neither Scripture nor the Confessions entrust the theological or ethical teaching of the church to pastoral "discretion" (5). In listening to the contemporary "voices of the baptized children of God" (9) we cannot and must not disregard the voices of the church universal over the past two millennia; Scripture can never address us independently from that communal history.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons given we urge that all three recommendations of the Task Force be rejected since, if adopted, they would alter fundamentally the ecclesiology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and that, in turn, would threaten not only the unity and stability of this church but, as a consequence, its ability to proclaim the truth of the Gospel.
Robert Benne
Carl E. Braaten
James R. Crumley, Jr.
Karl P. Donfried
Gerhard O. Forde
George W. Forell
Roy A. Harrisville
Hans Hillerbrand
Robert W. Jenson
Marc Kolden
William H. Lazareth
James A. Nestingen
Michael J. Root
William G. Rusch
Walter F. Taylor, Jr.
David S. Yeago
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
I am calling for the death penalty...
for people who design viruses, pop-ups, ad attacks, all of that. I have spent hours since Friday night trying to rid my computer of whatever it is that is attracting multiple pop-up ads that pop up faster than I can get rid of them. I already had Spy Bot and Norton Anti-virus plus a firewall that had been working just fine for months, but on Friday something got in and I just cannot seem to get rid of it. If I leave my computer connected to the internet for awhile, when I come back to it I have over 20 pop-ups. I have added ad-aware and Norton's Internet Security and I have switched over to Firefox as my browser. Any suggestions are welcome.
People who deliberately set other people up for this time-wasting aggravation are evil and do not deserve to live.
---Katie
People who deliberately set other people up for this time-wasting aggravation are evil and do not deserve to live.
---Katie
The Unknown Factor
I think this is an outstanding post from the Wittenberg Gate:
We Christians are forgiven so much. We should be the most forgiving people on earth. We should also be slow to judge others. Our family often discusses the oddities of others and why people act the way they do. I always remind my kids that we just cannot always know what might be going on in someone's life, behind closed doors, to use an old saying. I always encourage them (and myself) to give people the benefit of the doubt. We almost never have all the information we need to make a perfect judgment.
---Katie
The Unknown Factor
The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.
Proverbs 18:17
There is an episode of the BBC production of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small in which veterinarian James is bewildered by a client who refuses to let him put down his dying and suffering dog. When he expresses his bewilderment to his wife, Mrs. Herriot replies, (I'm paraphrasing.), "There must be an unknown factor. Don't you find that when someone behaves in a way that is unexplainable, there is an unknown factor?" In this case there was an unknown factor. The man's wife was ready to leave him, but when she discovered the dog was ill, she decided to postpone her leaving until he died. The husband's behavior seemed irrational until the unknown factor was discovered.
Mrs. Herriot's wisdom was that of Proverbs 18:17. Life is full of unknown factors and evaluating our neighbors can at times be a tricky business. Before we judge too harshly we need to remember that there is almost always another side to a story--almost always at least one unknown factor.
Posted by Dory on February 27, 2005 at 07:37 PMWe Christians are forgiven so much. We should be the most forgiving people on earth. We should also be slow to judge others. Our family often discusses the oddities of others and why people act the way they do. I always remind my kids that we just cannot always know what might be going on in someone's life, behind closed doors, to use an old saying. I always encourage them (and myself) to give people the benefit of the doubt. We almost never have all the information we need to make a perfect judgment.
---Katie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)