Episcopelican

I am officially old.

2010-06-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

I should be at the Psychedelic Furs concert (I've had my tickets for months), listening to "Sister Europe" or "The Ghost in You" live for the sixth time since 1982. Instead, I am home and simply exhausted. Yes, indeed, my forties are quite interesting so far, damn it. ;-)

Happy Juneteenth!

2010-06-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

Why we Americans don't have a national holiday for (or at least a commemoration) of Juneteenth is really beyond me. After all, it's a spectacularly-important day in the history of this country. Hmm.

It is also Bloomsday, for those of a Joycean bent. Yes...

Sorry to have fallen off the face of the planet, there. It's been busy, but I've a lot to mention (the Episcopal Village West gathering, the Summer Seminar in Portland (on Christian language, taught by Dom Crossan and Marcus Borg), Socialism 2010 (upcoming in July), and my youngest daughter's birthday (also in July). I've missed reading you good folks!

Saints

2010-05-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

The saints come to the rescue of this world when hearing
from everywhere the moans of the oppressed.
They run towards them like God's mercy.
These fortresses against weakness,
these doctors of hidden disease,
Are pure love, pure justice, pure mercy; like God they
are unstained and impregnable.

-- Mathnawi II:1933-1936
Translated by Muriel Maufroy
Breathing Truth - Quotations from Jalaluddin Rumi
Sanyar Press - London, 1997

Oh, man...

2010-05-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

From one of my mail lists today:

Q: Why did the Virgin Mary walk to visit St. Elizabeth?

A: She had already given her Fiat to the angel.

Terrible, huh? I think I'll groan for the next day over that stinker... ;-D

"Embarrassing Career Decisions in Modern Media"

2010-05-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this picture of a Scotsman in his quaint, traditional costume.

Sean Connery in Zardoz, 1974.

This I do not grok.

2010-05-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

I really want to understand this kind of Christian culture, in every way possible. I mean, I strongly believe that I understand Jehovah's Witnesses better than I do this:

Peevishness

2010-05-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

Why are "women's devotionals" so very twee? Why all the cursive fonts and misty, pastel dove graphics? And the contents are often just as "feminine," which usually translates to non-challenging and trite, with a fourth grade reading level. Honestly, I feel like I'm thought to be a dingbat who can only really relate to God through the existence of a husband, a father, or a priest/pastor (male, of course).

What would St. Teresa of Avila do?

(Probably smile and nod, and then go write her own.)

It is a puzzlement...

2010-05-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of years, I have realized something: I simply do not understand Evangelical Protestantism. Oh, I know the history of Evangelicalism, especially in the United States, but I don't really understand the culture, or even the ethos. They just seem to elude me, and I know that this causes me to have a "disconnect" when interacting with folks from evangelical churches and backgrounds. What are the underlying concepts and concerns that drive Evangelicals? Not the outward issues, but the inner ones--the real meat, so to speak.

Does this make sense, or am I too vague?

Besides Randall Balmer's Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory (I just ordered it), are there any books y'all can recommend that might help? Or perhaps a website? Maybe some personal experience?

With Gratitude

2010-05-09T13:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the mothers out there, and to all those women who have acted in ways that we associate with parenting. I continue to learn a lot from you about being a good mama, and how to recover lovingly and honestly when I've been a bad one. May God bless you!

Mary Harris "Mother" Jones icon written by Br. Robert Lentz, OFM

God bless the Palestinian...

2010-05-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

A prayer for the Gazan armed only with a flag

In a place where war now claims many more civilian victims than military, it's about time that the unarmed decided to fight back.

By Bradley Burston, in Haaretz

To my friends in Gaza, with admiration:

God bless the Palestinian who, armed with nothing more than courage, plants a flag.

The Gazan who, week after week, marches to the front line and without a shred of cover, stands in the face of soldiers, gas guns, machine guns, threats and helmets, warning shots and shots to kill – armed only with conviction and a rectangle of cloth on a stick.

And who, in so doing, plants the seed of an idea.

God bless this new armed struggle.

We have declared a 300 meter wide swath of your land near our fences and walls, a No-Man's Land. You, your flag, the reaction of our soldiers, all of it teaches us that the war between us has turned all of the Holy Land into no man's land.

In acts of great bravery, there is great hope. In acts of non-violent resistance, there is unlimited might.

God protect you from us, and from your own people. You will be scoffed at even as you are shot at. There are people on both sides for whom non-violence causes a sense of unease, a sense of being, forgive me, emasculated.

Teach us to grow up.

Teach us what we have lost. Our sense of shame.

In a place where war now claims many more civilian victims than military, it's about time that the unarmed decided to fight back.

Not with bullets and rocks or warplanes or rockets. Not with bomb belts or drones or missiles or sieges.

Not now, years from now, when we will all have matured, when we will feel shame, when we take responsibility over our killings, as we now feel fury over our dead, history will show that violence was the tool only of those who cannot bear to share this land.

Those who make this land unlivable. Those who prefer No Man's Land to a place of life.

Someday, because of you, Gaza will be what it was meant to be. The pearl of Palestine.

And we will be what we were meant to be. Neighbors.

There is no defense against true non-violence.

God bless the villager, the schoolchild, the mother, the hero, armed with nothing more than a flag.

Stand fast. No rocks. You will change every soldier you face. You will change history. You will be the end of this occupation. You will give all of us, life.

March 21st, huh?

2010-05-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

Having been raised Roman Catholic, you can imagine that Thomas Cranmer has received fairly short shrift in my religious historical studies. He was one of the clergy instrumental in Henry VIII's divorce of Catherine of Aragon, and three guesses as to whose side I've been on in that...ahem...insignificant bit of history. As a result, he has been portrayed as an opportunist and political schemer, and not as a principled cleric.

In attempting to remedy this, I am presently reading Diarmaid MacCulloch's biography of Cranmer, which is considered definitive for a popular bio. Unfortunately I must admit that, so far, I still don't like the guy very much. We shall see if I reform my opinion before Bloody Mary burns him at the stake this time.

Lou Engle: Liar for "Righteousness"

2010-05-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

To the surprise of very few, Lou Engle of The Call Ministries has reversed himself on the draconian anti-gay legislation proposed in Uganda, as reported today in the New York Times:

"Before arriving here last week, Mr. Engle came out with a statement condemning the harsh penalties proposed in the bill, and said that his ministry could not support it. But when he took the stage late on Sunday afternoon, with Ugandan politicians and pastors looking on, he praised the country’s 'courage' and 'righteousness' in promoting the bill.

"'NGOs, the U.N., Unicef, they are all coming in here and promoting an agenda,' Mr. Engle said, referring to nongovernmental organizations. 'Today, America is losing its religious freedom. We are trying to restrain an agenda that is sweeping through the education system. Uganda has become ground zero.'"

Ground Zero? These are innocent people's lives he's endangering. And what religious freedom are Mr. Engle and America losing? I'd really love an honest answer about this constantly-plucked fiddle string, because from where this particular Christian sits, I see little of my religious freedom being sucked away.

From Sexual Minorities Uganda:

"Sexual Minorities Uganda calls on all human rights defenders, organizations, religious communities and leaders, governments, and civil society, globally to take action to ensure that Lou Engle and his associates do not set foot in Uganda and that the Call Uganda does not proceed with this inflammatory and hate-inducing plan. While Sexual Minorities Uganda supports freedom of worship, we recognize the need for restriction on any speech that incites hatred and violence against a minority group. If a prayer event is to be held in Uganda, it should be done in a manner which encourages Christ-like love and acceptance and does not incite hatred and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people."

Amen, and would that Mr. Engle and his ilk show some Christ-like love one of these days, rather than playing out these Dominionist "Joel's Army" fantasies, and encouraging the same in other countries.

Argh.

2010-05-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

With the sore throat, headache, and now runny nose, I have obviously given birth to a fine young cold. No Mass for me tonight. As a person who attempts being an adult for the most part, I will refrain from moping, and try to get to Eucharist during the week.

In other news, this made me laugh out loud today:

Migraines

2010-05-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Yep, I suffer from the little buggers. Through my spouse I have good insurance (hooray for Google and S.'s awesome coding skills), so I've had the great fortune of seeing a couple of neurologists. My latest one specializes in migraines, and thinks that she might be able to get me completely migraine-free eventually. Needless to say, this is one idea I can completely get behind!

I'm presently taking a new medication called Sumavel, which is delivered subcutaneously using a tiny blast of air. No needles. It reminds me of Bones McCoy's "hypospray" on classic Star Trek, and even makes the same little "whoosh" sound as the drug is delivered. It hurts a bit, but nothing like my old Imitrex injections.

The kids are terribly good when I have a migraine, and tiptoe heavily around like tiny elephants, trying to "be quiet for Mama." They actually do a pretty good job for a four year old and a six year old, with only the occasional shriek when they get into a squabble.

Still, migraines have really taken a good chunk out of the past few years, and I will be happy to see the last of them if my neurologist is successful. While I've learned a lot of patience through suffering them, I'd like a bit more opportunity to enact that patience through active means, rather than lying silently in darkened rooms. *laugh*

"Empathy and Epistemic Closure"

2010-05-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am terribly fond of Slacktivist at times (even though I am NOT a libertarian), and find this particular piece very timely in my own life. Personally, I would extend the critique to the left as well as the right, but the point of the essay is quite pertinent to the American social and political climate.

"Empathy, at its most basic level, is epistemic. It is sometimes discussed as though it is identical to love, respect or regard for others, but really it precedes that. It is what makes such love, respect or regard for others possible -- what informs it. Empathy is a way of seeing, and therefore a way of knowing. To avoid empathy is to limit one's own perspective to only one's own perspective -- to choose not to see and therefore to choose not to know. Worse than that -- it is to choose not to be able to know."

Happy May Day!

2010-05-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

Billy Bragg seems right every day for me, but particularly this day above all:

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if Labor had not first existed. Labor is superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." ~~Abraham Lincoln

"If capitalism is fair then unionism must be. If men have a right to capitalize their ideas and the resources of their country, then that implies the right of men to capitalize their labor." ~~Frank Lloyd Wright

"Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man. Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ''Am I my brother's keeper?'' That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society.

"Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death?" ~~Eugene V. Debs

"The labor movement, my friends, was a command from God Almighty. He commanded the prophet to redeem the Israelites that were in bondage. He organized the men into a union." ~~Mary Harris "Mother" Jones

"God is the Only Landlord"

2010-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

An Anglo-Catholic Socialist hymn, for May Day.
Original lyrics by Charles Dalmon.
Revision by Fr. Kenneth Leech for the Jubilee Group, with editing by Ted Mellor of Anglo-Catholic Socialism.

1. You faithful saints and martyrs
Who fought for truth and right,
We ask your prayers and blessings
To aid us in our fight.
Your faith shall be our watchword,
Your cause shall be our own -
To fight against oppression
Till it be overthrown.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

2. In many a golden story,
On many a golden page,
The poets in their poems
Have sung the golden age,
The age of love and beauty,
The age of joy and peace,
When everyone lived gladly
And shared the earth's increase.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

3. Today the tyrants triumph
And bind us for their gains,
But Jesus Christ our Saviour
Will free us from our chains,
And love, the only master,
Will strive with might and greed,
Till might is right no longer,
And right is might indeed.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

4. God is the only Landlord
To whom our rents are due.
God made the earth for everyone
And not for just a few.
The four parts of creation --
Earth, water, air, and fire --
God made and ranked and stationed
For everyone's desire.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

5. God made the earth for freedom
And God alone is Lord,
And we will win our birthright
By truth's eternal sword;
And all the powers of darkness
And all the hosts of pride
Shall pass and be forgotten
For God is by our side.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

6. Christ blessed the meek and told them
That they the earth should own.
And he will lead the battle
From his eternal throne.
O have no fear, my comrades,
Cry out in holy mirth!
For God to us has promised
His Kingdom here on earth.

Lift up the people's banner
And let the ancient cry
For justice and for freedom
Re-echo to the sky.

Good listening.

2010-04-30T02:03:00.000-07:00

Brian Eno and David Byrne really should collaborate more often, in my opinion.

Arizona Safe From Chimeras

2010-04-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Are human-animal hybrids a real problem in Arizona? Is the state being overrun with centaurs, minotaurs, and satyrs? Luckily, being land-locked, they are free from the untold devastation caused by mermaids.

What Would Aslan Do?

Like Sands Through the Hourglass...

2010-04-29T22:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight's hot marital date of "Dinner and a Bookstore" was cancelled due to illness. S.'s stomach has been pretty sour all day, so instead of Dining Out for Life we ate in, courtesy of the local burger joint (a treat insisted upon by Child Popular Demand). We'll give a donation to Lifelong AIDS Alliance to make up for it.

However, now MY stomach is feeling sour. Probably that same burger joint, eh?

In other news: I'm slowly getting used to the Episcopal Church's Daily Office. It's not wildly different from the Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church, but (just like the Mass) enough to be slightly confusing. Oh, I know I could have stuck to my Catholic breviary, but I have an odd fetish for congruency on occasion; which I think is rather humorous in a syncretist like myself.

Along with the various books on Affirming Catholicism I mentioned earlier, I'm currently reading Mohandas Gandhi's Non-Violent Resistance, surprisingly enough to me, for the first time. I've read numerous works over the years that reference it extensively, but I finally decided to go to the source. I'm doing the same with Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You. In translation, of course, since Cyrillic is all Greek to me. *rimshot*

Song of the Day:

BLACK MAN CONFESSES!

2010-04-29T18:50:00.001-07:00

15 Ways I Oppress Rich, White Conservatives Like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh
by Christopher Deis

"The election of Obama has been difficult for rich, white conservatives. It's time for me, as a black man, to make amends..."

Dorothy Irene Height 3.24.12 – 4.10.10

2010-04-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Michael Collopy

Click on the photograph for the transcript of the President's eulogy for Dr. Height, given today at the National Cathedral.

Gratitude

2010-04-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

A huge shout-out to the glorious Jesus freaks at Special Communion for the heads-up on this. You good people remain a highlight of my blogroll.

I want to thank Andrew Wilkes from the bottom of my heart for having the courage to write this open letter about LGBT folks in evangelical churches on the Sojourners blog, God's Politics. To have a heterosexual ally address this issue is a wonderful thing, because this privilege allows him to be heard where we queer Christians would not be (and aren't, if you read many of the comments accompanying the article). I am both proud and humble to have a brother in Christ like him.

I also want to commend the folks at Sojo.net for publishing the letter in the first place. I know that our presence as queer Christians is a divisive one for many of my co-religionists over there, so when the general silence about LGBT people is broken, I receive it with gratitude.

In light of the conversation on race and the emergent church inspired by Sojourners magazine's most-recent issue, which in turn inspired Mr. Wilkes to write his letter, I do want to humbly submit a thought: When well-known members of the emergent church movement are mostly-silent about their queer brothers and sisters, or endorse groups like The Marin Foundation that read like a kinder, gentler "God replaces the Gay" conversion ministry, I wonder if indeed, there is much room for us in the emergent conversation unless we are closeted, discreet, and/or ashamed.

I sincerely hope that Andrew Wilkes' letter---and the articles and posts starting this vital discussion about race and racism in the EC--see some real and positive change as an outcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited to add: Mother Susan Russell makes it clear what can happen when we stay silent and/or indifferent about queer people. There is much more here on Public Eye, which includes a great deal of information about specific actions on the part of American evangelicals to further the foment against LGBT Africans.

Not here.

2010-04-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

There's courage involved if you want
to become truth. There is a broken-

open place in a lover. Where are
those qualities of bravery and sharp

compassion in this group? What's the
use of old and frozen thought? I want

a howling hurt. This is not a treasury
where gold is stored; this is for copper.

We alchemists look for talent that
can heat up and change. Lukewarm

won't do. Halfhearted holding back,
well-enough getting by? Not here.

~~Jelaluddin Rumi
Translated by Coleman Barks

"Law and Border"

2010-04-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

...and my much-beloved father (a proud "Tea Party Patriot" and my most-esteemed debate opponent) wonders why I love The Daily Show so darn much.

Man, these folks would make an ox laugh. But maybe not my dad. ;-)

I Left My Heart in NYC

2010-04-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

A picture over on Eliacin Rosario-Cruz' blog reminded me of the first time I ever went to New York City, in October and November of 2000.

I never thought I'd fall in love with a city like this. I spent days wandering through Manhattan with friends, then several more travelling around Brooklyn alone. So many voices, and so many differences. The place seems to explode with stories. And the many New Yorkers I met, despite the NYC reputation among some of my fellow Seattlites, were genuinely friendly, direct, and willing to help out a visitor.

I stayed with a friend in an apartment in Battery Park City, across the street from One World Financial Center. Every morning I would drink my coffee gazing over at New Jersey, then run out for breakfast near Trinity Church. I didn't see much of SoHo or Tribeca, but I spent vast amounts of time sitting around neighborhood meeting spots, just people-watching. It was funny---for the first two days I didn't see a single odd body piercing or Crayola-inspired hair color. Then I crossed some invisible "freak line" next to the Astor Cube and boom! I looked normal.

Some of my favorite moments:

Real egg creams!

Photographing the firefighters at the station across from the World Trade Center. What a bunch of sweet guys.

Seeing Chagall's enormous paintings at the Opera House. I actually teared up, and nearly knelt in homage right there in front of the intermission crowd. No, it wasn't the champagne. ;-)

Eating crepes at midnight on Halloween, St. Mark's Place.

Incredible coffee in the courtyard at the Cloister Cafe, East Village. The place has gone very upscale since my last visit, but I'd love to go back. The stained glass windows are amazing.

Many interesting (in a good way) conversations with cab drivers.

Franco "Big Budget" Zefferelli's over-the-top production of Turandot at the Met. High drama, high camp, and a fantastic Liu (played by Angela Gheorgiu)

The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

A HUGE ticker-tape parade for the Yankees. Now that is some serious team spirit, folks.

Drinking White Russians with three Clockwork Orange droogs at the Korova Milk Bar, East Village on Halloween.

Chatting with several elderly gentlemen in Battery Park over the course of a few days, and getting a lot of recommendations for places to see.

Some of the best food I've ever eaten, at La Fonda Boricua in El Barrio. In fact, from the hot dog carts to the restaurants, I didn't have a bad meal my entire stay.

Locating many original addresses of literary and musical Manhattanites and Brooklynese long since gone---and several more from Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Wow, there really IS a Rockaway Beach, friends and neighbors!

Motherlove

2010-04-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

They aren't perfect little angels, and sometimes they drive me crazy, but I absolutely adore my two daughters. I've felt (and still feel) great passion and affection in my life, but my love for the girls is really a unique emotion for me. In many ways, it is more complex than my feelings for S.,which are comprised of love (both of the misty-eyed and the die-for-you varieties), trust, a bit of healthy lust to spice it all up, and a great deal of admiration, respect, and gratitude. If S. wasn't my spouse, we would still be the very best and closest of friends.

Still, despite how powerfully I feel about the person with whom I'm growing old, my "mama" emotions get me right in the gut, for good or ill. I find them a tad bit unsettling at times, because they can be so visceral and raw and unreasonable. It seems to be the one human love that renders me speechless.

"Yeah, what if...?"

2010-04-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

Tim Wise, along with bell hooks, Guillermo Gómez-Peña and Joseph Barndt (and many good friends who put up with me), have done a great deal in teaching me to confront my privileges of race, class, and education. Yesterday AlterNet posted a great article from Tim about something S. and I discussed a couple of weeks back (and I'm sure some of you did, too): "Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black?"

It's a must-read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited to add: Another good article---this one by Greg Palast on Truthout.org---on the possible actual intent behind the new Arizona "Show Your Papers" law.

Perspective

2010-04-26T12:02:00.001-07:00

The scale of the universe (requires Shockwave).

"We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time." --Thomas Merton

Settling In

2010-04-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

I was five minutes late to Mass today, but my friend from last week had a seat empty next to her, so I quietly beelined over to it. I am still getting used to a torn-off piece of actual unleavened bread during Communion, rather than the Jesus Meltaways that I've been used to for so very long. Getting that thing chewed and swallowed before receiving the Blood is a bit of an undertaking. I keep having nightmarish visions of spitting breadcrumbs at the Eucharistic Minister during my "Amen." ;-)

I really love this Mass. I have my Sacrament, my sensual high church complete with incense, my silence and contemplation, and some great conversations with people afterwards. I have been receiving the Body from a female representative of Christ. The only downside (for me) is the sheer amount of singing done. I am a terrible singer, as anybody who knows me will testify!

I am currently reading several books and booklets from the Affirming Catholicism movement, and enjoying them a great deal. I wish the group in the United States was more active. As it is, I've contacted them about joining and have yet to hear back. Oh, well. We shall see.

A Sad Day

2010-04-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Arizona's new immigration law:

• Prohibits state, city or county officials from limiting or restricting "the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law" and allows an Arizona resident to sue an official or agency that adopts or implements a policy that does so. The bill contains a "loser pays" provision meant to deter frivolous lawsuits.

• Requires law enforcement to make a reasonable attempt "when practicable" to determine the immigration status of a person if reasonable suspicion exists that the person is in the U.S. illegally. Officers do not have to do so "if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation."

• Makes it a state crime to be an illegal immigrant by creating a state charge of "willful failure to complete or carry an alien-registration document."

• Makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to work or solicit work in Arizona.

• Makes it a crime to pick up a day laborer for work if the vehicle impedes traffic and also makes a day laborer subject to criminal charges if he or she is picked up and the vehicle involved impedes traffic.

• Makes it a crime to conceal, harbor or shield an illegal immigrant if the person knows or recklessly disregards the immigrant's legal status. It does create a legal defense for someone providing emergency, public-safety or public-health services to illegal immigrants.

• Allows law-enforcement officials to arrest a person without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe the person has committed a public offense that makes him or her removable from the U.S.

• Requires employers to keep E-Verify records of employees' eligibility.

• Reiterates Arizona's intent to not comply with the Real ID Act of 2005, including the use of a radio-frequency ID chip.

The Episcopal Bishop of Arizona, The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, wrote a letter to his Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters (letter is in Spanish). The English translation can be found here. The Catholic and United Methodist bishops in Arizona have all issued statements against the law.

How to Speak Christianese

2010-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the ever-interesting Lonely Goth, I have the happy fortune to bring you this:

I have about fifteen JILLION Evangelical relatives who would love this--or hate it. ;-)

No comment necessary.

2010-04-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

All One In Jesus? Well...

2010-04-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

So, a discussion about race has started among many Emergent Church folks (for some, it's started again). There have been some useful things said, and some not-so-useful, and more than a few nice white people freaking out over being called racist.

Well, I've got good news for them: being called out for racism is not the end of the world. It's certainly happened to me, and will probably happen a few times more before I die. It doesn't automatically mean that we're bad people. It means that, like the vast majority of us white folks in the United States (or Europe, or South America, or Canada, or...), we have privilege to confront (or continue to confront), and some assumptions to consider. That's all. And, if we're the good people we want to be, we'll do that work, and learn to not only confront our privilege, but use it to undermine the very structures of privilege itself. We'll probably do this for the rest of our lives, but that's not exactly the worst thing in the world. I feel fairly confident that being a person of color, or disabled, or trans, or poor, or uneducated, or all of the above plus, would be far, far harder.

"But I'm already doing all that!" you say. I am genuinely glad to hear this. However, we don't get a cookie for doing the right thing. When people of color confront you about something you said, wrote, or did as racist, don't get defensive. LISTEN TO THEM. They might actually be able to see things that, because of our privilege, we don't. And then continue to listen. Ask questions, even if they are stupid ones. Be willing to hear anger, hurt, and dismissal. Put yourself, your ego, and your church on the back burner. Place your own ideas/desires/opinions at the margins of the conversation. In other words, step aside and take yourself off center stage. Consider the reality of the critique you received. Then check out resources like this website. Or maybe this one. Educate yourself.

Reach out. Be humble. Look stupid. And don't stop there. Ask more questions, and take more advice and criticism from people of color, and from their allies. I'm sure Jesus and his saints all looked pretty stupid to a lot of people. Just keep on going. I'm still there, myself, and I don't expect to be "done" in my lifetime.

But seriously, if I read one more white heterosexual cis person asking: "What's the big deal? We're all one in Jesus! This is just earthly politics!" I'm gonna come seriously unglued. Instead of a lot of self-indulgence on my part, just read (or re-read) these:

Peggy Mackintosh's White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.

The WCC's Central Committee paper: Being church and overcoming racism: It's time for transformative justice.

A book I recommend is Understanding White Privilege, by Frances Kendall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In addition: here is an excellent article in The Nation about President Obama and redefinitions of whiteness, written by Melissa Harris-Lacewell. In it, she mentions one of my favorite historians, Dr. Nell Irvin Painter, author of Standing at Armageddon: A Grassroots History of the Progressive Era, and The History of White People.

Heroes

2010-04-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

I am one of many Americans who saw the video released by WikiLeaks on April 5, showing the killing of a group of Iraqi men by American troops, including a reporter and photographer from Reuters. Two children were also critically wounded in the attack.

I have never been in war, but I have always suspected that it was this horrible--and far worse than this, I am sure. I was speechless and in tears after watching the video, and freshly determined to do what I could to help bring peace.

After reading this essay by a former member of the Infantry company shown in the video, I am again speechless and in tears, but in a different, more hopeful way. I am deeply grateful that he and others are speaking out--and not just for peace, but for the truly radical way that Jesus called his followers to perceive and live.

The writer is a co-blogger on Contagious Love Experiment. Do yourself a favor, folks, and check these guys out.

Heaven on Earth

2010-04-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Jesus: What do you think heaven's like?
It's like a wedding.
God's the bridegroom
and man's spirit's the bride.
The wedding takes place in heaven...

...and everyone's invited.

~~The Last Temptation of Christ, script by Paul Schrader & Jay Cocks, from the book by Nikos Kazantzakis.

The person who sat next to me at yesterday's Mass was a white trans woman with lovely silver hair. After the service she introduced herself to me, and made me feel very welcome. She asked about my tattoos (a crowned Marian monogram in blackwork on one inner arm, and a matching crowned Alpha/Omega on the opposite arm), and seemed very interested. I tend to like people quickly, but she was so genuinely friendly and kind that I found myself liking her very much, and am looking forward to seeing her next week.

My former parish is also a warm and friendly place, but in all the years I've been there, I've not seen a single trans person darken its doors. We had a good GLBT ministry for awhile, but as I've seen in the broader queer community, that "T" often gets left behind (and sometimes forgotten) by the rest of us, and when a trans person does show up, there can be awkwardness and sometimes a real lack of understanding on the part of us cis folks. I don't tend to see signs in every bush on fire (I'm a bad mystic), but I do feel God blessed me last night through this woman, and through her fellow parishioners' obvious acceptance of and delight in her. And how couldn't they delight in such a courageous and kind person?

God's world is big enough for everyone.

Including this rather-judgmental cis woman. ;-)

Amen

2010-04-18T15:30:00.001-07:00

THIS IS
A PRINTING OFFICE

CROSSROADS OF CIVILIZATION

REFUGE OF ALL THE ARTS
AGAINST THE RAVAGES OF TIME

ARMOURY OF FEARLESS TRUTH
AGAINST WHISPERING RUMOUR

INCESSANT TRUMPET OF TRADE

FROM THIS PLACE WORDS MAY FLY ABROAD
NOT TO PERISH ON WAVES OF SOUND
NOT TO VARY WITH THE WRITER'S HAND
BUT FIXED IN TIME HAVING BEEN VERIFIED IN PROOF

FRIEND, YOU STAND ON SACRED GROUND

THIS IS A PRINTING OFFICE

Steps

2010-04-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

God bless 'em all, this is what I think needs to happen--as many times as possible--for both the healing of the victims and the good of the Church as a whole.

As he is wont to do, Dr. Hans Küng sets the level to eleven far better than I could, and with far more authority and true understanding than I will ever possess.

Holding My Horses

2010-04-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

This morning I received a very warm and lovely phone call from the priest at the parish I'm attending, and found out that I do need to attend enquirers' classes in order to be received. Those start again in autumn, with reception in November. "Disappointed" is far too strong a word for my reaction. "A tiny bit of let-down" is more accurate. But honestly, it's all good.

I am really looking forward to Mass tomorrow. I've been needing it.

I, for one...

2010-04-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

...welcome our new tentacled overlords!

Posted on YouTube April 15, 2010: "while trying to get video of a wild octopus, it suddenly dashed towards me and rips my shiny new camera from out of my hands, then swims off, all while the camera is recording! he swam away very quickly like a naughty shoplifter. after a 5 minute chase, I placed my speargun underneath him and he quickly and curiously grabbed hold of the gun as well, giving me enough time to reach in and grab the camera from out of his mouth. I didn't feel threatened at all during the whole ordeal. he seemed to be fixated on the shiny metallic blue digital camera. the only confusing behavior was how he dashed off with it like a thief haha. cheeky octopus."

songs by: Vincent Gillioz - Car Chase
Dalmatian Rex and the Eigentones - Octopus I Love You

filmed and edited by: Victor Huang

location: Wahine Memorial, Wellington, New Zealand

Polkas! Polkas! Polkas!

2010-04-16T17:54:00.001-07:00

As a German-Norwegian (and a little bit of Swedish) American, I highly approve of this.

Sea Change

2010-04-16T15:03:00.001-07:00

I'm being received into the Anglican communion on May 22nd, at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle. The parish I am attending is "Affirming Anglican Catholic" so I don't need to take enquirers classes.

When I called the parish office to make certain that their email was correct about this, I was amused when the office administrator stated that they had several parishioners who had "once been Roman," and that one of their liturgical committee members had "come over from Rome" last year. And no, the admin didn't mean the actual city. ;-)

I must admit to feeling a very deep grief in leaving Roman Catholicism. I love its many cultures and flavors, and communion with its people, the vast majority of which are poor and of "the wrong sort." For me, Anglicanism has meant "country club religion" and the destruction of monastic life in England. But I can't stay an official Roman Catholic any longer in good conscience. The reports of active cover-up at the Vatican were the final straw for me. Those folks who are sticking it out are stronger than I am. I just can't continue.

I realize that the Episcopal Church (and the worldwide Anglican communion) has its own serious problems right now. I'm not going into this with my eyes closed. Still, it's going to be interesting to be in a church that not only has bells, smells, kneelers and statues, but also openly affirms the local GLBT group at the cathedral. One that affirms (and confirms) the priestly vocations of women, "out" queer folk, and those who are married/committed.

Despite the problems, there is something deeply refreshing about not being the loyal opposition for once. I wonder what that will feel like after a couple of years.

QotD

2010-04-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

"Obama is not a brown-skinned anti-war socialist who gives away free healthcare. You're thinking of Jesus."
-- John Fugelsang

Christ is Risen, but...

2010-04-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

...not me. I'm still in my pajamas.

A chocolate bunny would have been nice, and going to church this morning would have rocked, but I developed a migraine instead. So, I'm laying here watching The King of Kings (starring a luminous Jeffrey Hunter and a biblical Cast of Thousands), and wondering why the music is so unbearably cheesy.

Ahhhh...The Last Temptation of Christ is streaming on Netflix. Excellent! Even Orson Welles' narration can't top that.

How fitting that the film starts with a migraine. :-)

2010-03-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

We had fed the heart on fantasies,
The heart's grown brutal from the fare;
More Substance in our enmities
Than in our love...
Meditations in Time of Civil War, William Butler Yeats

I am presently reading Al Qaeda in Its Own Words, a genuinely worthwhile book, despite--or maybe because of--the spectacular nature of the subject matter.

We still have too many people in the United States who harbor the mistaken belief that "they hate us for our freedom." Well, "yes" in a way, but really "no." Or maybe just plain "no." Many revivalist Muslims certainly do look at American society and see a real mess, and not all of their critiques are unwarranted, in my opinion. But honestly, the scattered members of Al Qaeda hate the United States for our foreign policy, especially in relation to Muslims and Muslim-majority countries. If you read the history of these regions from even a neutral point of view, there are not a few reasons to be considerably pissed-off.

Today, the United States government has quietly conceded that Abu Zubaydah, the guinea pig for all of those torture techniques, was not a member of Al Qaeda. He did not plan the 9/11 attacks. He was not "Number Two or maybe Number Three" in the organization. The whole arrest, detainment, and torture was based on the man's diaries (written by all three of his multiple personalities) and an informant dealing for a lighter sentence. That was all. When they tortured other members of Al Qaeda, the CIA discovered their mistake, and has kept it under wraps ever since. Zubaydah was significantly mentally ill when he was arrested, and now has major seizure activity and cannot remember his name, parents, or whereabouts part of the time.

Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive us for the injustices we are committing. Bring healing and justice to all who need it, and may all of us be willing to receive them.