Ah, hypocrisy reins in the Roman Catholic church. An Arizona Bishop has excommunicated a nun who approved an emergency abortion for a woman suffering from pulmonary hypertension. She and the 11 week old fetus would have died. Basically being pregnant was killing her, the baby would not have survived either.
The Bishop, a patsy for the ass kissers in Rome, took his high horse road and excommunicated everyone, pleasing no one but The Pope.
The article asks a very pertinent question. Why was such swift action taken on this when abusive priests were and are permitted to keep all their rights and privileges in the cult?
Damn glad I am not a Catholic.
Nun Excommunicated
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Coupl'a Things XXXV
1) I note with now more pity than outrage that The Pope Formerly known as Cardinal Ratslinger calls abortion and same-sex marriage two of the most “insidious and dangerous” threats facing the world today.
Never mind about war, famine, disease, poverty, priests fucking children for sport and that little problem of terrorism. Of course the Catholic Empire can not do anything about the above and in many ways has been the leading cause of much of it throughout history. So the mighty, god ordained Vicar of Christ, picks a couple of issues of which he can not find a shred of evidence that they have caused more harm than war. Really, is same sex marriage all THAT insidious, or are you just pissed, Pope Nazi XVI, that you can't get married to your sweetie, Cardinal Fang?
There are more people in the world than not who feel the Roman Catholic Empire is among the most “insidious and dangerous” threats facing the world today.
Kick this fucker to the curb.
2) On a lighter note, I can only wonder about the chain of errors that occurred within the US Postal Service that resulted in a letter from a business to Chicago addressed to a business in Salem, New Hampshire appearing in my mail box.
3) Bad day for nudity in Missouri. Despite record unemployment, a state budget cutting essential services, a justice system out of control and myriad of other problems, the legislature led by Matt "Needs to Get Laid" Bartle R-La La Land, banned nudity from strip joints and basically makes it so difficult for them to operate that most will shut down. What will all the poor single moms and college slut ladies do now? What will all the married dads, drunk boys and truckers do for entertainment?
4) No wonder I drink too much.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Coupl'a Things XXXII
1) I have been listening to the wonderful, jazzy, neo-classical, Stravinskian Symphonies and Sinfoniettas of the French-Polish-American composer Alexandre Tansman (1897-1986). I and most others hear lots of influences of Roussel, the neo-classic Stravinsky (think Symphony in C and Symphony in Three Movements)and jazz (Milhaud is an influence too). Some find the works too derivative, and second rate, but I find them fun, colorful, energetic and far from just Stravinsky-Lite. But there is no denying the connection to Stravinsky yet Tansman's own voice shines through, more lyrical and less angularly dry than some of Stravinsky's oeuvre. Chandos has all the Symphonies and orchestral works in a fine set. Well worth exploring for the adventurous 20th century fans. Available from my mail order friends listed in the links section.
2) Just when I took a few minutes last evening to enjoy a warmish sunset, greeted our lawn care man supervising the first application of fertilizer and weed control and spent most of the day outside cleaning out some old junk in our junk pile, we awake to a winter storm watch with 6-8 inches of snow predicted for the weekend. Now these predictions have a way of being a bit inaccurate and the weather people around here tend to catastrophize but it looks as if we are going to get something starting this evening. So, while it is a balmy 50 before sunrise, we will watch the temps and precipitation drop. Now... where did I put the snow shovel??
3) Another harbinger of spring is the annual silliness of Daylight Savings time. I always forget if this is standard time or DST, but regardless, it annoys me. Although I do enjoy the fact that we get a few more hours of light in the evening. My usual 5AM wake up was shifted to past 6AM and even as late as 7 as I struggled to adjust. I do not have a clock in my bedroom (just one less thing to shove the # 13 in my face) so I rely on my usually good internal clock. Finally, today things seem to be back to normal, but only to be screwed up again when they futz with it in the fall.
4) Holy Amnesia, I like that term. Fascinating report showing the Bible is more violent and pro-genocide than the Quran:
HOLY AMNESIA
This will send Glenn Beck's and Pat Robertson's heads spinning!
2) Just when I took a few minutes last evening to enjoy a warmish sunset, greeted our lawn care man supervising the first application of fertilizer and weed control and spent most of the day outside cleaning out some old junk in our junk pile, we awake to a winter storm watch with 6-8 inches of snow predicted for the weekend. Now these predictions have a way of being a bit inaccurate and the weather people around here tend to catastrophize but it looks as if we are going to get something starting this evening. So, while it is a balmy 50 before sunrise, we will watch the temps and precipitation drop. Now... where did I put the snow shovel??
3) Another harbinger of spring is the annual silliness of Daylight Savings time. I always forget if this is standard time or DST, but regardless, it annoys me. Although I do enjoy the fact that we get a few more hours of light in the evening. My usual 5AM wake up was shifted to past 6AM and even as late as 7 as I struggled to adjust. I do not have a clock in my bedroom (just one less thing to shove the # 13 in my face) so I rely on my usually good internal clock. Finally, today things seem to be back to normal, but only to be screwed up again when they futz with it in the fall.
4) Holy Amnesia, I like that term. Fascinating report showing the Bible is more violent and pro-genocide than the Quran:
HOLY AMNESIA
This will send Glenn Beck's and Pat Robertson's heads spinning!
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Spiritual Journey IV
It had been a while, one day short of 70 days to be exact, since I had been to church. As I mentioned in my last post, I had sensed that the animosity and divisions still existed that I was so wanting to escape. However, a reunion in an informal setting with some of the people with whom I had worshiped and a sudden severing of contact with someone I had supported led me to decide I should see if things had changed.
So with Greg and Bruce out of town, I went and had my own revelation.
Can one be sitting at a church service and suddenly realize it is all just a bunch of hooey?
Does anyone really believe all this? Do they listen? Do they care? Why do the ones who do believe all this feel compelled to force it on others, even to the point of killing? Do they really think their God and Jesus are Republicans? And have they ever read the Bible to see how it rails against hypocrisy more than it does being a lesbian? What happened to "love everyone", compassion for the poor and sick?
I listened to a fine talk about courage from a very wise and learned man. He was compelled to base his talk on biblical texts and he did, but loose enough that they were secondary to the message. It could have been a talk at a Rotary Club or a historical society for that matter.
The music was ok, I had heard it all before. Yes, there were some folks glad to see me, and vice versa. Some there didn't notice I was there, and vice versa. Those who I consider friends are also those I would (and have) befriend even outside a church setting. But is it all really just a social occasion? Aren't we there to learn and change? That I did not see there, or in Christian religion in general.
So I left not feeling compelled to return regularly. It was nice, but certainly not reborn and reinvigorated; I did not feel the energy and sense of exploration I once found.
That, I fear, is no longer a part of my church experience. And it left me on a Sunday morning. How ironic.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Spiritual Journey III
I know I am naive, but I have never understood why things have to change. Like Facebook layouts, trash haulers, and churches, changes are never really for the better. Just get to a good point that works, and stick with it.
There was a heaven on earth.
Yeah I know, change is inevitable.
The church I attended in Kansas City, Trinity United Methodist, was a beacon of light and a bold, brash "screw you church establishment" institution for the majority of the time I attended. Standing firmly in the harsh wind of the Methodist hierarchy that said gays and lesbians were not compatible with Christian teaching, TUMC welcomed all who entered. Many churches say that, however there is usually a "but" attached to the welcome. Not so at TUMC. It was thrilling to worship with fellow gays, people of diverse backgrounds, perfect people and dreadful sinners alike. There was a sort of magic when we all came together. People dropped pretense and pitched in.
One Sunday was to be a high church day. We purchased new choir robes and they were to be dedicated with song and praise. As I arrived (by the way, the place was so special I drove 50 miles round trip to attend) fire trucks and police littered the street. A fire had heavily damaged a large apartment building near by. The refugees congregated at TUMC. It was a cool day and the people had on what they could escape with. So we cooked. Refrigerators were raided, errands ran and we made a vat of chili. Some got out games and played with the kids, some of us manned the phones taking calls from worried family members. We never did have a service that day; but in so many ways, it was the best one we ever had.
As people moved around, personalities clashed, pastors came and went, TUMC began to decline. It was not one person, or one thing, but a combination of events, people and weariness that comes in fighting a losing battle. The Methodist church makes it quite difficult for a gay friendly church to operate. Threats of trials and sanctions hover over any ordained personnel that dares to think otherwise.
Finally, in 2008, the last straw broke and I severed my relationship with TUMC and the United Methodist Church in general. I was sad, I missed my friends, the routine of the Methodist liturgy, hymnal and service. But I was tired of being a second, or even no-class citizen. A new pastor was clear that the hierarchy wanted to "straighten out" the place. Two years later, I am still embroiled in a mess created by the church; but a recent letter from the bishop of the UMC effectively told me to fuck off.
In the last months of my attendance at TUMC if Greg was out of town (thus I would not get scolded for not being at church), I would sneak off and go to another church where some TUMC refugees had landed. The church was led by an openly gay pastor... and it was ok with everyone. Great music, nice people, a denomination, the United Church of Christ, that was more liberal than I. We even served wine at church functions and hosted a drag show that was called "Wake the Fuck up, America!"
There was a heaven on earth.
But, just for a while. Sadly another example of heaven's transient nature here on this mortal orb. Some of the same things that killed TUMC were also happening there. I am not sure exactly what transpired, both sides still harbor resentment. Suffice to say I stayed away.
My last church service was on December 20th, when we performed the annual Christmas cantata. As I put away my robe and heard the negative chattering about the former pastor, I decided I had enough. Stealthily, I took my name tag off my robe and put it in my pocket. They had no use for it. It was a symbol of my departure.
Few noticed.
I have not missed going to church on Sunday, but I do miss the interaction with people, one of the few times I see people these days without vodka being involved.
Reading a response to a Facebook post, put a seed in my mind. Actually, watered a kernel that had been there before. To paraphrase, "You know, I have never known a Buddhist to cause trouble or grief".
Hummmmm....
Monday, February 22, 2010
Spiritual Journey II
As a married dad, I felt it important for my kids to have a foundation in a church. My childhood was not exactly centered around the church, but I fell into the convention that exposure to church would instill the all important values of service, respect and humility.
Wrong.
It was ok at first, the small Methodist church in Jefferson City. The pastor happened to be a neighbor in the church owned parsonage so we had an easy welcome. Met some nice people, the kids met some good kids and all was well. A change of pastor brought in a fellow who was a good friend for many years until our paths separated, as happens in this mobile world.
But a nasty and public divorce shattered everything. I suddenly was the evil fag (no one ever called me that to my face, but I know it was said) who was to be avoided. People left because I was still a member and was allowed to participate in the church services. Awkward were the moments when my ex and I had to be together at a church function. I frequently sat alone. But it was my church and I would not budge. I didn't until I finally left town, moving to Kansas City for work.
This was my wake up call that "church" was not what I always thought it was. Where was the "love your neighbor", all the kum ba ya we were told was the plan? I quickly learned to be a part of the church and the family and all that meant conforming to the church hierarchy's view, not what I had read in the Bible. In the Methodist church, their man-made rule book "The Book of Discipline" supplanted the Bible as the guide for living and church views on the world. According to them, Jesus only loved me if I quit being gay and was a nice, conservative, family man. Who cared if most of them drank, beat their kids, cheated, hated. That was not as bad as being gay.... yuk.
Revelation: church is hypocrisy.
It continues to this day, no matter what denomination. The Methodist church continues to spread their hate for gay and lesbians, putting pastors on trial for showing their love. Making rules to squash the expression of support for gays and lesbians, right up there with the Catholics.
Moving to KC, changed things a lot for a long time. Through luck and a friend I had made here, I found a church, a Methodist one at that, where the congregation had taken a stand to say all were welcome, even sinful, nasty, family hating, fags like me. I went a couple times and joined on my 3-4th visit. I stayed for over 12 years, some of the best church time in my life. We worshiped, we worked, we celebrated, mourned, ate, drank, partied and prayed. Gays and lesbians, old and young, rich, poor, transient... it mattered not.
Revelation: church did not have to be hypocritical.
But, as with all things, decay set in.
(to be continued)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Spiritual Journey I
This has been brewing for a long time. No, not my coffee even though it is getting a bit old now, but this thought that something has to give in my spiritual life.
I am not a religious fanatic or all that devout a Christian, despite decades of church going. Frankly it is the decades of church going that has turned me away from being devout. I have experienced more emotional damage at church than in any other setting, with the possible exception of some horrible employment experiences.
Born a Methodist by family tradition, I went to church off and on with my family, they were sort of casual church goers. In high school I got involved in a Methodist church with friends and experienced my first church politics. A split occurred between the traditionalist and the fundies who wanted hand waving, tongue speaking nonsense. Youth pizza parties turned into holy spirit filled, holy rolling festivals. I backed off, sensing that something was amiss. A friend at that time told me I was going straight to hell as I did not live and breathe Jesus as he did. We drifted apart.
Church, Protestant Christianity at least, for me was becoming a world of condemnation and terrorism. "One Way", "The Way", "if you don't you won't" was the message. I just do not see black and white. I just don't get it. If this god and Jesus are so powerful, why is there such death and evil? Can't they let the good guys win just once? If I asked these questions, I got stares of annoyance, disbelief and pity. I was prayed for, a lot.
As I went off to college, I strayed away from church for a long time, and did not miss it. Meeting new friends, doing things for the first time, being on my own, learning and doing was enough epiphany and revelation. Maybe I was becoming too smart to just blindly follow a dogma, just maybe there are many ways. Could Jesus, god, angels, Noah and all that be just a myth like Zeus, Athena and Thor? In 1979, I did not care. I was exploring life and realizing I had been given an even more amazing gift that would bring me great joy and heartache. Even though I had gotten married, I sensed I was different. "I am married...I can't be gay", became my prayer to someone or something unseen.
More to follow.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I Got the Don't Feel Good, Vapo-Rub, Sarah Palin on TV, Blogging Blues
For the last week, I have felt like... well shit, frankly. The annual cold/bronchitis attack has occurred, although a bit later than normal. I do manage to get out a bit, but that entails a quick return home and an immediate hop in bed. Not conducive to blogging, doing laundry or other routines. My GOD!, even my bed was unmade for 2 days... a world record. But I have managed to keep the TV off; it has not been on this year. And with that ass Sarah Palin now on FUX News, there is even less incentive to turn it on and perhaps accidentally see her silly face or hear her spout lies and nonsense,. That, sadly, is what goes for "news" these dark days.
To add further insult to illness, I found Vick's Vapo-Rub does not smell like it used to. In fact there is no scent at all. Maybe I got a defective jar, but the shit is useless if it doesn't permeate your room with that camphor aroma that reminds me of my mom taking care of me when I was a boy.
And for those looking for my comments on the KC Symphony performance last week, I was really sick then and missed the whole thing. I would not have heard a note anyway, my coughing, hacking and sneezing would have had me evicted post haste!
Anyhoo... I am being lazy, albeit on the mend, and decided that today I would share an incredible blog entry from my friend Megan. She and her mom are on a journey to sample churches big and small all over the KC area. We all used to go to a nice, small church but that has been destroyed by fighting, jealousy and power. Megan and Amy infiltrated one of the more notorious mega-churches in KC and came away with a disturbing report on why the US is so fucked up. People flock by the thousands to hear crap that makes them feel good and superior, gives simple answers to complex questions and entertains them for a while with Hollywood slick productions. No wonder FUX News, Tea Parties, hypocrisy and lying are so popular.
Megan, you and your mom are brave souls! Thanks (in advance) for letting me link your blog!
Monday, December 07, 2009
Coupl'a Things XXIX
1) Rachel Maddow sets the record straight about the nut-case Republican "teabaggers".
Teabagging: Trouble Entendre!
Wouldn't it be hilarious to see Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh at a Tea Bag Party. Well...maybe not.
2) Last time I did a Puggingham Palace review of a Heartland Men's Chorus concert and didn't say that everything was fabulous-perfect, I got a slew of hate mail. So I am simply saying: I saw the HMC Christmas Concert "Fruitcake" this weekend. Leave it at that.
3) Christmas music is on full time at the Palace. HM enjoys the nice tunes and snores peacefully along. "White Christmas" accompanied by pug snores is a sound to behold, for sure.
One disc that is on frequently is:
Symphonic reworkings of familiar and some not so common carols. Cleverly and actually brilliantly arranged, well performed and several steps above the average symphonic carol arrangements that are more muzak than serious compositions. Naxos 8557099 and it is cheap too!
4) It seems the Episcopals have elected another gay bishop, this time a lesbian in Los Angeles. The conservatives are already screaming doom and the boob of an Archbishop of Canterbury is doing his usual hand wringing and sighing.
I love it.
Teabagging: Trouble Entendre!
Wouldn't it be hilarious to see Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh at a Tea Bag Party. Well...maybe not.
2) Last time I did a Puggingham Palace review of a Heartland Men's Chorus concert and didn't say that everything was fabulous-perfect, I got a slew of hate mail. So I am simply saying: I saw the HMC Christmas Concert "Fruitcake" this weekend. Leave it at that.
3) Christmas music is on full time at the Palace. HM enjoys the nice tunes and snores peacefully along. "White Christmas" accompanied by pug snores is a sound to behold, for sure.
One disc that is on frequently is:
Symphonic reworkings of familiar and some not so common carols. Cleverly and actually brilliantly arranged, well performed and several steps above the average symphonic carol arrangements that are more muzak than serious compositions. Naxos 8557099 and it is cheap too!
4) It seems the Episcopals have elected another gay bishop, this time a lesbian in Los Angeles. The conservatives are already screaming doom and the boob of an Archbishop of Canterbury is doing his usual hand wringing and sighing.
I love it.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Oh God
Recently, some group released the results of a study showing the staggeringly large number of Americans that believe in God. By God, I am assuming the Judeo-Christian God; you know the bearded Man Upstairs with lightning bolts and angels and such. Europe, on the other hand, is comparatively a godless waste land. But when you look closely at our society, I wonder how many of these "Godly" Christians following "The Way" are really better than the heathens of France or The Netherlands?
I get my daily dose of disgust with my fellow citizens by reading the comments people make about news stories in on line papers. Although it raises my blood pressure, it confirms my opinion that the God fearing USA is one seriously fucked up place.
Today I read that Alyssa Bustamante, the 15 year old girl from St Martins, MO who killed her 9 year old neighbor "to see what it felt like", has been sent to a state hospital for psychiatric care. She is severely depressed and anxious, and has been for a long time. She looks sick in the pictures released of her. She is 15, and indicted for murder as an adult. Forget the fact that if she had sex with an older person, she would be the victim, no matter how much she lied or was willing.
Where the God factor comes in is with the comments made on this story. "Fry her", "throw her away", this was my favorite:
"We wonder why there is so much crime when severe penalties are not given. Death penalty for her if found guilty of murder. What about any other persons who may be depressed or suicidal and have never tried to kill anyone? How would the defense counter that? See, I'm eliminating excuses and making people responsible for their actions. If trash is burned it can't come back. No need for taxpayers to pay for any prison or "rehab", as these don't work anyway."
Now I do not know if this person is a church going, God fearing Christian or not. But according to the study I mentioned, it is more likely than not. Is this a Christian attitude? Punish, not forgive. Are the teachings of Jesus Christ forgotten and the barbaric practices of the Old Testament given precedent?
You see, in a godless society, it would be more common that this young kid be given mental health care without question. Of course, in godless Europe and most of the godless world, she likely would have received it long before the mental illness caused her to strike out as she did. But in the Godly USA, our "best healthcare in the world" (fuck that) let her fester and languish in pain, misery, depression and sociopathic fog for her entire life.
I don't know where I am going with this, but as I read this and then went on about a few chores here at the Palace, I just felt compelled to write. You see, I am not that Godly a person, even though I am a regular church goer. The hocus-pocus, the belief in spirits and such are not that strong. But I do feel that Jesus, whoever he might have been, was the most radical and brilliant person ever to walk the earth. I believe his teachings still are relevant and still have much to be revealed. Lucky for us thousands of years later, there were people such as Peter, John, and Paul who had direct and indirect encounters with this remarkable person who may have been inspired or sired divinely, and were compelled to share what they learned and saw. But little old me, more spiritual and philosophical than mired in dogma and religion, I think I am more in line with what Jesus taught than those quoted above.
Alyssa needs help. America needs healthcare for ALL, end to aggressive war, fair justice with a radical reduction in the number of people thrown in prison (remember, we have more in prison than most of the world) and assurances that the weak and poor have dignity and basic needs. Just like I think Jesus was teaching us.
But by saying the above, the "religious" elite of the USA condemn me as a radical, misdirected communist.
Maybe I am. And so was Jesus.
I get my daily dose of disgust with my fellow citizens by reading the comments people make about news stories in on line papers. Although it raises my blood pressure, it confirms my opinion that the God fearing USA is one seriously fucked up place.
Today I read that Alyssa Bustamante, the 15 year old girl from St Martins, MO who killed her 9 year old neighbor "to see what it felt like", has been sent to a state hospital for psychiatric care. She is severely depressed and anxious, and has been for a long time. She looks sick in the pictures released of her. She is 15, and indicted for murder as an adult. Forget the fact that if she had sex with an older person, she would be the victim, no matter how much she lied or was willing.
Where the God factor comes in is with the comments made on this story. "Fry her", "throw her away", this was my favorite:
"We wonder why there is so much crime when severe penalties are not given. Death penalty for her if found guilty of murder. What about any other persons who may be depressed or suicidal and have never tried to kill anyone? How would the defense counter that? See, I'm eliminating excuses and making people responsible for their actions. If trash is burned it can't come back. No need for taxpayers to pay for any prison or "rehab", as these don't work anyway."
Now I do not know if this person is a church going, God fearing Christian or not. But according to the study I mentioned, it is more likely than not. Is this a Christian attitude? Punish, not forgive. Are the teachings of Jesus Christ forgotten and the barbaric practices of the Old Testament given precedent?
You see, in a godless society, it would be more common that this young kid be given mental health care without question. Of course, in godless Europe and most of the godless world, she likely would have received it long before the mental illness caused her to strike out as she did. But in the Godly USA, our "best healthcare in the world" (fuck that) let her fester and languish in pain, misery, depression and sociopathic fog for her entire life.
I don't know where I am going with this, but as I read this and then went on about a few chores here at the Palace, I just felt compelled to write. You see, I am not that Godly a person, even though I am a regular church goer. The hocus-pocus, the belief in spirits and such are not that strong. But I do feel that Jesus, whoever he might have been, was the most radical and brilliant person ever to walk the earth. I believe his teachings still are relevant and still have much to be revealed. Lucky for us thousands of years later, there were people such as Peter, John, and Paul who had direct and indirect encounters with this remarkable person who may have been inspired or sired divinely, and were compelled to share what they learned and saw. But little old me, more spiritual and philosophical than mired in dogma and religion, I think I am more in line with what Jesus taught than those quoted above.
Alyssa needs help. America needs healthcare for ALL, end to aggressive war, fair justice with a radical reduction in the number of people thrown in prison (remember, we have more in prison than most of the world) and assurances that the weak and poor have dignity and basic needs. Just like I think Jesus was teaching us.
But by saying the above, the "religious" elite of the USA condemn me as a radical, misdirected communist.
Maybe I am. And so was Jesus.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saying Good Bye
I am unashamedly stealing this quote from "Wicked" from my friend Amy, who put it in a Facebook post:
"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you."
One thing I do believe is true is that it is always right and necessary to say "good bye" to someone. In this fluid world, our neighbors, co-workers and friends are all too frequently here today, gone tomorrow. In the tense and depressing world of corporate America, laid off or terminated employees are given their notice and then immediately considered persona non-grata. They can't even get their personal items or, more important to this discussion, say so long to people they saw probably more than their families each day.
But, some counter argue, with all the electronic communication devices and programs such as cell phones, Facebook or email, we can keep in touch a bit easier than ever before. Those modern wonders of communication are fine and I use them to great extent, but they do not come close to actually having the person there; to see, to touch or to call up last minute and meet for a cocktail at the pub.
Last night I got the opportunity to say good bye to someone I had known only briefly and really not all that well. A friend of sorts, someone I did not actually know a lot about, but a person who affected my life positively in the last year. He was cast out from among us for reasons still unknown; there are "official" reasons given but many of us do not believe them. Here one day, gone the next in a blaze of "we regret to inform you".
Yes this was a job related event, and handled like it was a position with a bank or an IT company. But in a church, there is more to relationships than contracts and work rules. We are supposed to be a family of sorts; or that is what they say. We speak of church family and the need to look out for and help one another, to revel in the fellowship of kindred minds, as the old hymn says. Even family members who rape, pillage or murder are allowed to say good bye before they are carted off. When we can't say good bye, there is no closure, no moving on, our mind wonders as to why things happened as they did. Did I say something wrong?
But for some reason, we were denied that. It is as if the family member died, or was marched by the Nazis or the KGB into a gulag. This was an event I will never understand.
Thus I was glad that I spent too much money and drank way too much last night at my friend's impromptu good bye. Instead of fading off into another "contact" in the cyber world, I got to look him in the eye, hug him and basically say what Glinda said so much better in the quote above.
Good bye. God be with you till we meet (or Tweet) again.
"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you."
One thing I do believe is true is that it is always right and necessary to say "good bye" to someone. In this fluid world, our neighbors, co-workers and friends are all too frequently here today, gone tomorrow. In the tense and depressing world of corporate America, laid off or terminated employees are given their notice and then immediately considered persona non-grata. They can't even get their personal items or, more important to this discussion, say so long to people they saw probably more than their families each day.
But, some counter argue, with all the electronic communication devices and programs such as cell phones, Facebook or email, we can keep in touch a bit easier than ever before. Those modern wonders of communication are fine and I use them to great extent, but they do not come close to actually having the person there; to see, to touch or to call up last minute and meet for a cocktail at the pub.
Last night I got the opportunity to say good bye to someone I had known only briefly and really not all that well. A friend of sorts, someone I did not actually know a lot about, but a person who affected my life positively in the last year. He was cast out from among us for reasons still unknown; there are "official" reasons given but many of us do not believe them. Here one day, gone the next in a blaze of "we regret to inform you".
Yes this was a job related event, and handled like it was a position with a bank or an IT company. But in a church, there is more to relationships than contracts and work rules. We are supposed to be a family of sorts; or that is what they say. We speak of church family and the need to look out for and help one another, to revel in the fellowship of kindred minds, as the old hymn says. Even family members who rape, pillage or murder are allowed to say good bye before they are carted off. When we can't say good bye, there is no closure, no moving on, our mind wonders as to why things happened as they did. Did I say something wrong?
But for some reason, we were denied that. It is as if the family member died, or was marched by the Nazis or the KGB into a gulag. This was an event I will never understand.
Thus I was glad that I spent too much money and drank way too much last night at my friend's impromptu good bye. Instead of fading off into another "contact" in the cyber world, I got to look him in the eye, hug him and basically say what Glinda said so much better in the quote above.
Good bye. God be with you till we meet (or Tweet) again.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Making A Change
It took just a few minutes, but it was a lovely ceremony and quite well done. A gold embossed card made it official:
This is to certify that Donald E. Clark has been received into full membership of Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ at Kansas City, Missouri on the 5th day of April in the year 2009. D. Scott Howell (Pastor)
You see, this is a monumental change for me, and I am not sure if I have really absorbed the whole idea yet. I have been involved in a church for most of my adult life. Those churches have always been of the United Methodist denomination (UMC). I was born into the UMC, married in it, reared my kids in it, have a daughter going to a Methodist university. Since my arrival in Kansas City in 1996, I have been a loyal and loving member of Trinity UMC (TUMC), a place where I have laughed until I cried, cried until I could shed no more tears and met some of the most incredible people on earth. Until yesterday.
Things change. As Reagan said about the Democrats, "I did not leave them, they left me.", thus I feel the same about TUMC. It left me. The members, for various reasons, began to drift away. Old traditions got swept away as "new management" tried to take the church in a different direction. Once upon a time, the pastor announced that a few people were needed to help move some furniture for a homebound member. 30 people showed up. Today, that many may be the whole attendance at a service. There is a forced atmosphere of "are we having fun???? ...yet" during worship or church functions. The main topic.... "where has so and so gone?" as another member drifts away.
TUMC used to be a daring church. We thumbed our nose at the UMC, constantly urging us to conform to their mainstream, right leaning ways. We welcomed gays and lesbians; one pastor dared to do a commitment ceremony for two men, but soon after another did not and thus the collapse of TUMC began. A bunch of us went to the UMC General Conference in 2000 to protest against the exclusion of gays and lesbians. Those that went with me....they are all gone now. I could go on.
As I began to explore, I remembered some friends who had been hurt and humiliated by the UMC and TUMC leadership so I visited them at their church, Country Club Congregational UCC (CCCUCC). Here is a church that is proudly progressive, focused on justice, open to ALL, not governed by a big mother church that wants all its outlets to rubber stamp their vision and not subject to trials and sanctions from a bishop or other inflated church "leaders". A church that dares, out in the community, great music, good location... I kind of like it.
So I took the step. This, my first full day of not being a United Methodist, may be much like any other frankly. I have to work, take the dog out, probably go to 303 for Monday hamburgers, annoy Will... but inside, I feel a shift. A good one.
This is to certify that Donald E. Clark has been received into full membership of Country Club Congregational United Church of Christ at Kansas City, Missouri on the 5th day of April in the year 2009. D. Scott Howell (Pastor)
You see, this is a monumental change for me, and I am not sure if I have really absorbed the whole idea yet. I have been involved in a church for most of my adult life. Those churches have always been of the United Methodist denomination (UMC). I was born into the UMC, married in it, reared my kids in it, have a daughter going to a Methodist university. Since my arrival in Kansas City in 1996, I have been a loyal and loving member of Trinity UMC (TUMC), a place where I have laughed until I cried, cried until I could shed no more tears and met some of the most incredible people on earth. Until yesterday.
Things change. As Reagan said about the Democrats, "I did not leave them, they left me.", thus I feel the same about TUMC. It left me. The members, for various reasons, began to drift away. Old traditions got swept away as "new management" tried to take the church in a different direction. Once upon a time, the pastor announced that a few people were needed to help move some furniture for a homebound member. 30 people showed up. Today, that many may be the whole attendance at a service. There is a forced atmosphere of "are we having fun???? ...yet" during worship or church functions. The main topic.... "where has so and so gone?" as another member drifts away.
TUMC used to be a daring church. We thumbed our nose at the UMC, constantly urging us to conform to their mainstream, right leaning ways. We welcomed gays and lesbians; one pastor dared to do a commitment ceremony for two men, but soon after another did not and thus the collapse of TUMC began. A bunch of us went to the UMC General Conference in 2000 to protest against the exclusion of gays and lesbians. Those that went with me....they are all gone now. I could go on.
As I began to explore, I remembered some friends who had been hurt and humiliated by the UMC and TUMC leadership so I visited them at their church, Country Club Congregational UCC (CCCUCC). Here is a church that is proudly progressive, focused on justice, open to ALL, not governed by a big mother church that wants all its outlets to rubber stamp their vision and not subject to trials and sanctions from a bishop or other inflated church "leaders". A church that dares, out in the community, great music, good location... I kind of like it.
So I took the step. This, my first full day of not being a United Methodist, may be much like any other frankly. I have to work, take the dog out, probably go to 303 for Monday hamburgers, annoy Will... but inside, I feel a shift. A good one.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Jesus Had a Dick
"For God so loved the world that God gave God's only Child, so that everyone who believes in the Child may not perish, but have eternal life."
Yes, that is the well known John 3:16 line, one we see at every sporting event and heard every year if one is a church goer. And yes, that ponderously sanitized, gender neutral version is how it was read yesterday AM in my UCC church.
The Child in question is Jesus Christ. Or so I always thought. Jesus, as described in the Bible and throughout history has been described as a "he", "him", "son"... etc. I don't think Jesus had a gender identity issue, and if he did that is no big deal, who am I to question? Besides that, a Bible passage (Luke 2;21) indicates that Jesus, as were all good Jewish boys in the day, was circumcised. But damn it, those terms and rituals imply something: Jesus had a dick. Whether he used it or not... that is immaterial.
As an aside, I have no trouble with a gender neutral God. God, in whatever shape that concept holds for you, usually transcends human concepts. As Kurt Vonnegut's character Kilgore Trout uttered, God could be an intelligent gas from Pluto as far as he knew.
Yes, I know it is quite correct to say that Jesus was a child. But it seems the "only Child of God" was a male child with a penis, two testicles, maybe hair on his chest, a distinct lack of breasts and likely sang baritone in his choir.
The idea that Jesus as a male can not be a savior or relevance to women is just plain sexist garbage wrapped in PC feminism. Even the dour old John Calvin dispenses with this issue with a curt, "Why, even children know that women are included under the term 'men'!"
Many others have ranted about this, much more eloquently and solidly theological than I... so I will let me little rant rest. In my own mind and voice, Jesus was a guy. He had a dick. Get over it.
Yes, that is the well known John 3:16 line, one we see at every sporting event and heard every year if one is a church goer. And yes, that ponderously sanitized, gender neutral version is how it was read yesterday AM in my UCC church.
The Child in question is Jesus Christ. Or so I always thought. Jesus, as described in the Bible and throughout history has been described as a "he", "him", "son"... etc. I don't think Jesus had a gender identity issue, and if he did that is no big deal, who am I to question? Besides that, a Bible passage (Luke 2;21) indicates that Jesus, as were all good Jewish boys in the day, was circumcised. But damn it, those terms and rituals imply something: Jesus had a dick. Whether he used it or not... that is immaterial.
As an aside, I have no trouble with a gender neutral God. God, in whatever shape that concept holds for you, usually transcends human concepts. As Kurt Vonnegut's character Kilgore Trout uttered, God could be an intelligent gas from Pluto as far as he knew.
Yes, I know it is quite correct to say that Jesus was a child. But it seems the "only Child of God" was a male child with a penis, two testicles, maybe hair on his chest, a distinct lack of breasts and likely sang baritone in his choir.
The idea that Jesus as a male can not be a savior or relevance to women is just plain sexist garbage wrapped in PC feminism. Even the dour old John Calvin dispenses with this issue with a curt, "Why, even children know that women are included under the term 'men'!"
Many others have ranted about this, much more eloquently and solidly theological than I... so I will let me little rant rest. In my own mind and voice, Jesus was a guy. He had a dick. Get over it.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Sunday Gathering
It the spirit of fellowship and friendship, Jerry and Paul, two fine fellows from my new church Country Club Congregational UCC, invited Greg, Jean, two old friends Russ and Helma and I to lunch yesterday afternoon.
As we sipped our drinks and chatted about our lives, renewed and made connections (Jerry and Greg both grew up on hog farms, and I knew one of Jerry's classmates), we all remarked on one interesting bond... we all grew up Methodist. We all quickly realized something else, we had all come to the conclusion we had to leave our Methodist traditions behind.
As Greg put it, "I didn't leave the church, it left me."
We are all (4 gay men, a straight couple with gay children and a widow who loves everyone regardless) people any church would love to have. We are faithful attenders, 6 of us sing or play instruments in the church, we have all served as leaders in the church and denomination, we financially support the church, 2 of us had made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, we have all done mission work to serve the poor and those in need. Jean and Paul have cared for sick and dying AIDS victims since the beginning of the epidemic. Greg and I had been to Nicaragua many times in service to others. Jerry has lead church choirs for years. Russ is a retired minister, Helma makes sure libraries are free from censorship. Saints we are not, but we keep on trying.
Yet the Methodist Church feels that 4 out the 7 people there are not deserving of full acceptance. Jerry and Paul have been together through thick and thin, moves and career changes for 33 years. Their relationship is meaningless in the Methodist Church.
Here is what the Methodist Book of Discipline (more important than the Bible for many Methodists) says:
Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.
Then there is this lulu:
Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. Although we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we affirm that God's grace is available to all. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons." Huh??? Can you say double speak? It is just whitewash for "love the sinner, hate the sin". I do lots of sinning, but expressing my God given sexuality is NOT one of them...thank you.
This sounds good until you read the last sentence, shades of "we love you, but you must sit on the back of the bus.":
Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation -– Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals.
Then what about former heterosexuals, if we can change our orientation like our socks?
So, in light of all that, what does our little gathering say? It would say to me that those who are progressive, gay, gay supportive and in favor of inclusion are leaving and finding a home in the UCC. It says we are tired of beating our heads against the brick wall of oppression and intransigence. It speaks of our disgust over the hypocrisy of the church and its leaders, something Jesus and the Bible talk about more than homosexuality. It may brand us as quitters, someone has to work inside to change. I believed that for a long time. But the church does not want to change, and I grew tired.
It speaks that the United Methodist Church, in all its glorious history, its leadership in braking barriers, being in the forefront of change is sliding into a staid status quo.
How sad.
I think I'll be happy with the UCC.
As we sipped our drinks and chatted about our lives, renewed and made connections (Jerry and Greg both grew up on hog farms, and I knew one of Jerry's classmates), we all remarked on one interesting bond... we all grew up Methodist. We all quickly realized something else, we had all come to the conclusion we had to leave our Methodist traditions behind.
As Greg put it, "I didn't leave the church, it left me."
We are all (4 gay men, a straight couple with gay children and a widow who loves everyone regardless) people any church would love to have. We are faithful attenders, 6 of us sing or play instruments in the church, we have all served as leaders in the church and denomination, we financially support the church, 2 of us had made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, we have all done mission work to serve the poor and those in need. Jean and Paul have cared for sick and dying AIDS victims since the beginning of the epidemic. Greg and I had been to Nicaragua many times in service to others. Jerry has lead church choirs for years. Russ is a retired minister, Helma makes sure libraries are free from censorship. Saints we are not, but we keep on trying.
Yet the Methodist Church feels that 4 out the 7 people there are not deserving of full acceptance. Jerry and Paul have been together through thick and thin, moves and career changes for 33 years. Their relationship is meaningless in the Methodist Church.
Here is what the Methodist Book of Discipline (more important than the Bible for many Methodists) says:
Since the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching, self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be accepted as candidates, ordained as ministers or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church.
Then there is this lulu:
Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth. All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. Although we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we affirm that God's grace is available to all. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons." Huh??? Can you say double speak? It is just whitewash for "love the sinner, hate the sin". I do lots of sinning, but expressing my God given sexuality is NOT one of them...thank you.
This sounds good until you read the last sentence, shades of "we love you, but you must sit on the back of the bus.":
Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation -– Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting their rightful claims where they have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against gays and lesbians. We also commit ourselves to social witness against the coercion and marginalization of former homosexuals.
Then what about former heterosexuals, if we can change our orientation like our socks?
So, in light of all that, what does our little gathering say? It would say to me that those who are progressive, gay, gay supportive and in favor of inclusion are leaving and finding a home in the UCC. It says we are tired of beating our heads against the brick wall of oppression and intransigence. It speaks of our disgust over the hypocrisy of the church and its leaders, something Jesus and the Bible talk about more than homosexuality. It may brand us as quitters, someone has to work inside to change. I believed that for a long time. But the church does not want to change, and I grew tired.
It speaks that the United Methodist Church, in all its glorious history, its leadership in braking barriers, being in the forefront of change is sliding into a staid status quo.
How sad.
I think I'll be happy with the UCC.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Chills Down the Spine
With death, injustice, war, famine and poverty running rampant, a local "Christian" decides to show his faith by making a royal to-do over a couple Buddhist statues at the Kansas City Zoo.
The man stated he felt a "chill down his spine" during an outing to wicked, infidel KC with his Cupcake land family.
So it goes, another "Christian", offended by all he sees, his narrow interpretation of the world scaring him to death. If this man felt a chill down his spine over a statue at a family oriented establishment, and felt he had to do something about it in the name of Jesus, then what does he do when he sees the homeless, war, unemployed, hungry, injustice... things that really send a "chill down your spine". So my friend, you might want to open your eyes and express your outrage at what is really going on in this world (or better yet act upon it) instead of complaining about a statue at a zoo.
Jesus would really be pleased then.
The man stated he felt a "chill down his spine" during an outing to wicked, infidel KC with his Cupcake land family.
Further making him boil, he watched as zoo visitors rubbed the heads and pot bellies of the two smiling statues located at the entrance of the Zoo's Tiger Trail. “We can’t have a cross or a nativity scene on public property,” he complained to zoo officials, “It is phenomenal to me that the zoo would put up Buddha statues.”
Guess what, Boo-Boo, they ain't even Buddhas! According to a local Buddhist leader, the statues are the common Ho Tai, the patron saint of children in China and Japan. Ho Tai is more like Santa Claus than a deity. He is also revered as being the patron of bartenders and restaurants, just look for him the next time you go to any Asian restaurant. Besides, the local Lama reported, Buddhists do not think of Buddha as divine, he was a simple human mortal who learned the secret of enlightenment and shared his philosophy with others.So it goes, another "Christian", offended by all he sees, his narrow interpretation of the world scaring him to death. If this man felt a chill down his spine over a statue at a family oriented establishment, and felt he had to do something about it in the name of Jesus, then what does he do when he sees the homeless, war, unemployed, hungry, injustice... things that really send a "chill down your spine". So my friend, you might want to open your eyes and express your outrage at what is really going on in this world (or better yet act upon it) instead of complaining about a statue at a zoo.
Jesus would really be pleased then.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christian Love
Responding to criticism of his views on gays and gay marriage, Rev. Rick Warren, chosen by President Elect Obama to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, said in an interview that he loves Muslims, people of other religions, Democrats and Republicans and gays and straight people too.
That reminded me of 19th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, born Jewish but converted to Anglican as a child, who said: "The Jews are a nervous people. Nineteen centuries of Christian love have taken a toll."
That reminded me of 19th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, born Jewish but converted to Anglican as a child, who said: "The Jews are a nervous people. Nineteen centuries of Christian love have taken a toll."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Obama Thrown out of the Class
Catholic priest Rev. Ron Elliott said he would put a couple of books about President-elect Obama back on the library shelf of St. John LaLande Catholic Church in Blue Springs, MO. It seems Rev Elliott had received complaints about the Obama books from parishioners. Why? Obama is pro-abortion. He now says he plans to return the books after the inauguration.
The elementary level picture books describe Obama’s childhood and his rise to the nomination for president. Elliot admitted the books are harmless: “They don’t begin to touch on that (abortion) they don’t touch on anything controversial at all, they are just about him growing up, with pictures of him smiling.”
"Mary Margaret, that man may look nice, but he wants to kill babies". I guess that is the message the good Padre wants to leave for his kids.
But, it is OK, according to the Catholic clergy, to support the death penalty and war, hardly positions that are "pro-life". I suppose it would be more important for Rev Elliott and his flock to support a candidate that opposes abortion and ignore that the candidate supports cutting programs for the poor. Since when did care for the sick, old, in prison and injustice become non issues with the church?
You know... I would never encourage my daughter to have an abortion. But certainly if she did, I would want it to be her choice. That is the crux of the abortion issue.
Rev Elliott may disagree and that is a shame. Poverty, injustice and hunger are bigger dangers and more pressing issues than abortion in my book. And in the "good book" too
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Religious Hypocrisy
From the New York Times:
“We’ve spoken out on other issues, we’ve spoken out on abortion, we’ve spoken out on those other kinds of things,” said Michael R. Otterson, the managing director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormons are formally called, in Salt Lake City. “But we don’t get involved to the degree we did on this.”
From the Washington Post, same person speaking:
"[W]e're talking about 750,000 Californians who are Latter-day Saints," he said. "These are California families. They are registered voters. They have the right and the obligation to express themselves on a major social issue. To imply that there was an attempt to manipulate the election from outside the state is bizarre and absolutely ridiculous."
Church members "have a right to speak, they have a right to vote and to do so without this kind of reaction and without this kind of intimidation," Otterson said.
Didn't Jesus preach more about hypocrisy and lying than gay relationships??
Or did I read the wrong book?
“We’ve spoken out on other issues, we’ve spoken out on abortion, we’ve spoken out on those other kinds of things,” said Michael R. Otterson, the managing director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormons are formally called, in Salt Lake City. “But we don’t get involved to the degree we did on this.”
From the Washington Post, same person speaking:
"[W]e're talking about 750,000 Californians who are Latter-day Saints," he said. "These are California families. They are registered voters. They have the right and the obligation to express themselves on a major social issue. To imply that there was an attempt to manipulate the election from outside the state is bizarre and absolutely ridiculous."
Church members "have a right to speak, they have a right to vote and to do so without this kind of reaction and without this kind of intimidation," Otterson said.
Didn't Jesus preach more about hypocrisy and lying than gay relationships??
Or did I read the wrong book?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Finally Did it, Daniel... I mean God...
Daniel was, and I am being so un-PC here, a total lunatic. The poor old fellow probably spent most, if not all his life, in mental institutions likely suffering from schizophrenia. Daniel thought he was God.
Daniel hung around the door of the small geriatric psych facility that I did some work for in the mid 1990s. "Don't you know I am GOD!??", he would shout at anyone who entered, as he teetered on his cane and hung on to the tank of oxygen trailing behind him.
Most visitors passed by without comment or avoided him completely by entering through the back door. I, however, would stop and talk to him, bemused by this strange and sad creature, sometimes shamelessly egging him on. As I was listening intently to God speak one day, a fellow resident down the hall was insistently bellowing "he is NOT GOD!! HE IS NOT GOD!!!!!!. Finally, she walked up to me and smacked me on the arm, "Damn it, he is NOT GOD! God is 6 foot 4 and better looking than that son of a bitch." No, folks.. I could not make this up.
One fine afternoon, Daniel asked me if I was Catholic. "No I am a Methodist", I replied. "There are only two true religions," he sternly advised me, "Catholicism (which he pronounced "Cathlick-ism") and Congregationalism. All will be in Heaven by 1997!!!!". He seemed disappointed that I was not either/or and waddled away. I was left feeling numb; I had annoyed God, and he was on oxygen to boot. All did not bode well. Some philosophers have claimed God is dead; I didn't want to be fingered as the murderer!
Well Daniel....God... whatever... it may be 11 years late, but I am becoming a member of one of the "two true religions".
Calm down, I am not turning Catholic. I have little love for that homophobic, corrupt organization. But I have started attending a United Church of Christ (UCC) church, Country Club Congregational UCC to be exact. I kind of like it.
Several things wrenched me from the United Methodist Church. The UMC just doesn't get it and continues its hypocritical path. "Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors" is the current UMC slogan. But that does not include the GLBT community. Yes, some local congregations buck the church and accept gays lesbians, et. al, but do so at peril. Methodist congregations have no control over who is appointed their pastor. Therefore, they do not have to accept the congregation's wishes. The Methodist Book of Discipline, more important than the Bible to many, is inconsistent and contradictory. "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching", they love to cry. Yet at the same time, gays and lesbians are supposed to be treated with respect... as a sinner. And don't try to become an ordained minister if you are openly gay or lesbian, that means an automatic "trial", shades of Salem.
I just got tired of it. That is combined with a local pastor who seems to be systematically dismantling the church I was a member of for over 10 years.
UCC was founded in 1957 with the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. The Congregational Churches trace their history back to the Pilgrims and Puritians of the 1600s. Despite a Puritian heritage, the UCC holds progressive views on GLBT issues and other social justice issues. Congregations have extensive authority over matters of doctrine and ministry, the mother church guides and holds the denomination together in a spirit of communion and shared history, not with dogma and legal chains. Years ago, the UCC leadership decided that being gay or lesbian was a non issue to them, thus there are gay pastors, lesbians on boards, etc. It is so refreshing.
But I am sad as well. I feel a bit unsettled as I leave a church and an instution I have been a part of for most of my life. I will miss seeing the congregation at my old church, those that are left that is, the number leaving is rising. Some are coming to CCCUCC with me. I will visit perhaps, and make that special effort to connect with the ones who are special.
So, after all this time, I can finally get to Heaven, according to Daniel... I mean God. But do I have to wait to the next year that ends in 7?
Daniel hung around the door of the small geriatric psych facility that I did some work for in the mid 1990s. "Don't you know I am GOD!??", he would shout at anyone who entered, as he teetered on his cane and hung on to the tank of oxygen trailing behind him.
Most visitors passed by without comment or avoided him completely by entering through the back door. I, however, would stop and talk to him, bemused by this strange and sad creature, sometimes shamelessly egging him on. As I was listening intently to God speak one day, a fellow resident down the hall was insistently bellowing "he is NOT GOD!! HE IS NOT GOD!!!!!!. Finally, she walked up to me and smacked me on the arm, "Damn it, he is NOT GOD! God is 6 foot 4 and better looking than that son of a bitch." No, folks.. I could not make this up.
One fine afternoon, Daniel asked me if I was Catholic. "No I am a Methodist", I replied. "There are only two true religions," he sternly advised me, "Catholicism (which he pronounced "Cathlick-ism") and Congregationalism. All will be in Heaven by 1997!!!!". He seemed disappointed that I was not either/or and waddled away. I was left feeling numb; I had annoyed God, and he was on oxygen to boot. All did not bode well. Some philosophers have claimed God is dead; I didn't want to be fingered as the murderer!
Well Daniel....God... whatever... it may be 11 years late, but I am becoming a member of one of the "two true religions".
Calm down, I am not turning Catholic. I have little love for that homophobic, corrupt organization. But I have started attending a United Church of Christ (UCC) church, Country Club Congregational UCC to be exact. I kind of like it.
Several things wrenched me from the United Methodist Church. The UMC just doesn't get it and continues its hypocritical path. "Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors" is the current UMC slogan. But that does not include the GLBT community. Yes, some local congregations buck the church and accept gays lesbians, et. al, but do so at peril. Methodist congregations have no control over who is appointed their pastor. Therefore, they do not have to accept the congregation's wishes. The Methodist Book of Discipline, more important than the Bible to many, is inconsistent and contradictory. "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching", they love to cry. Yet at the same time, gays and lesbians are supposed to be treated with respect... as a sinner. And don't try to become an ordained minister if you are openly gay or lesbian, that means an automatic "trial", shades of Salem.
I just got tired of it. That is combined with a local pastor who seems to be systematically dismantling the church I was a member of for over 10 years.
UCC was founded in 1957 with the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. The Congregational Churches trace their history back to the Pilgrims and Puritians of the 1600s. Despite a Puritian heritage, the UCC holds progressive views on GLBT issues and other social justice issues. Congregations have extensive authority over matters of doctrine and ministry, the mother church guides and holds the denomination together in a spirit of communion and shared history, not with dogma and legal chains. Years ago, the UCC leadership decided that being gay or lesbian was a non issue to them, thus there are gay pastors, lesbians on boards, etc. It is so refreshing.
But I am sad as well. I feel a bit unsettled as I leave a church and an instution I have been a part of for most of my life. I will miss seeing the congregation at my old church, those that are left that is, the number leaving is rising. Some are coming to CCCUCC with me. I will visit perhaps, and make that special effort to connect with the ones who are special.
So, after all this time, I can finally get to Heaven, according to Daniel... I mean God. But do I have to wait to the next year that ends in 7?
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Nun-gate
Even though there has never been a case of voter fraud in Indiana the Republican Supreme Court dominated upheld an Indiana voter-suppression law forbidding the elderly, poor and minorities from voting because they frequently do not have the money or the transportation necessary to obtain ID.
First victims... 12 elderly nuns.
About 12 Indiana nuns were turned away Tuesday from a polling place by a fellow bride of Christ because they didn't have state or federal identification bearing a photograph.
Sister Julie McGuire said she was forced to turn away her fellow sisters at Saint Mary's Convent in South Bend, across the street from the University of Notre Dame, because they had been told earlier that they would need such an ID to vote.
The nuns, all in their 80s or 90s, didn't get one but came to the precinct anyway.
"One came down this morning, and she was 98, and she said, 'I don't want to go do that,'" Sister McGuire said. Some showed up with outdated passports. None of them drives.
They weren't given provisional ballots because it would be impossible to get them to a motor vehicle branch and back in the 10-day time frame allotted by the law, Sister McGuire said. "You have to remember that some of these ladies don't walk well. They're in wheelchairs or on walkers or electric carts."
Don't you feel safe and secure that nuns can't vote?
Remember one thing else, the Supreme Court Jesters allowed this son-of-poll-tax despite NO proof that anyone had perpetrated voter fraud in Indiana. It is simply a Republican ploy to intimidate those who may vote against them.
First victims... 12 elderly nuns.
About 12 Indiana nuns were turned away Tuesday from a polling place by a fellow bride of Christ because they didn't have state or federal identification bearing a photograph.
Sister Julie McGuire said she was forced to turn away her fellow sisters at Saint Mary's Convent in South Bend, across the street from the University of Notre Dame, because they had been told earlier that they would need such an ID to vote.
The nuns, all in their 80s or 90s, didn't get one but came to the precinct anyway.
"One came down this morning, and she was 98, and she said, 'I don't want to go do that,'" Sister McGuire said. Some showed up with outdated passports. None of them drives.
They weren't given provisional ballots because it would be impossible to get them to a motor vehicle branch and back in the 10-day time frame allotted by the law, Sister McGuire said. "You have to remember that some of these ladies don't walk well. They're in wheelchairs or on walkers or electric carts."
Don't you feel safe and secure that nuns can't vote?
Remember one thing else, the Supreme Court Jesters allowed this son-of-poll-tax despite NO proof that anyone had perpetrated voter fraud in Indiana. It is simply a Republican ploy to intimidate those who may vote against them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
