Trump--I can no longer be silent

I have intentionally not written for over a year, dumbfounded by what I saw and heard happening in this country that I love. I could not believe that someone was saying out loud the things coming from Trump’s (it is disrespectful to call the President of the United States an asshole, so I will hereafter refer to him as Rump) mouth. I could not believe that someone would do the things to women he did, brag about it publicly, and not be rejected by the people he sought to represent, especially so called culture Christians.  The list is long and has been sufficiently discussed—xenophobic, homophobic, Islamaphobic, etc. The lies have been proven false, over and over, beginning with “birther” lies, to climate change is a hoax started by the Chinese,  to claims of massive voter fraud. Still his supporters turn a blind eye and closed ears to the world’s greatest con-artist since Adolf Hitler. I do not use that comparison lightly; only look at his Executive Orders since Friday 1/27.

While Rump and his minions are the personification of evil, that, sadly, is not the worst of it. He is only a symptom of the disease that has been emboldened by his actions. Supporters feel they have been given license to say and do anything vaguely resembling his persona. Hate crimes increased; vocal and physical acts of prejudice; “official” acts that violate the Constitutional principles and moral values this nation are based on. All the while, his official mouth pieces—Spicer and Conway—continue their charade and endless stream of “alternate facts.” It is essential that they be labelled for what they are, lies. Lies.

An attack on the free press (by Bannon). An attack on any one who challenges his ego (John Lewis and attacks on estimates of crowd size at the inauguration).  An attack on “others,” (the Refugee ban is an attack on Muslims). It is imperative to resist, oppose, hinder, challenge by any and all means available short of violence. This is not a partisan issue. This is a moral, legal, Constitutional issue. If they do it to others, they can do it to us.

Is there any moral integrity in Congress and his own party? I am no clairvoyant, but I said, during and after the first Republican debate, “Just watch. Every one of them will get in lock step behind him for their petty, juvenile, irrational, selfish reasons.” He could compare penises, accuse Cruz’ father for plotting to kill JFK, belittle every other person on that stage, they could all one by one parade in and out of Rump Tower, be insulted over and over, and they would all line up behind him.

If you voted for Rump, own it, but do not claim he and Pence are Christians; do not claim it was a “Christian” decision/vote. That is pure hypocrisy. It is naïve to rationalize it as a “one issue” decision.

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” Stand up! Speak out! Say NO! or live to regret it.

Invitation to Civil Discourse 2

Invitation to Civil Discourse

What can I do to help restore civility and sanity to this chaotic cacophony of discord and hate-filled diatribes? What is my personal responsibility? Where do I begin to help create a healthier conversation and more positive relationships among friends, family, and community?

When I look back over a long history of political awareness, I have been voting since 1960, I am not particularly proud of all my “contributions” to the public forum. As of late I have consciously stepped back and intentionally asked myself, before any comment or action, what is the appropriate response to what I hear and see going on in the world around me. This is what I have chosen to be my guide, knowing I will not always live up to the guideline but committing myself to consciously trying.

Teaching world religions I discovered many positive moral admonitions and assistance for daily living. The one before me today is the Zoroastrian creed: good thoughts, good words, good deeds. I remind myself everyday of this ancient wisdom, check my thoughts/words/deeds from yesterday, and recommit myself to strive to live up to the goals today.

When I stop and think about it, it makes rational sense and emotional satisfaction. Our thoughts are the beginning of all that follows. Now I don’t beat myself up over “bad” thoughts that enter my mind. Honestly, I know I cannot control what pops into my head. It is like a foul smell that blows through the window. I can quickly close the window. I can blow the smell out of the room, dismissing it in the quickest way possible. A bad thought is like that to me. I don’t have to entertain it any longer that it takes me to dismiss it.

Then it is my decision as to what I will say about the idea/issue. The tongue is a powerful organ, but I control it. More than once I have reaped the consequences of hasty, negative words. I have hurt others, for which I am sorry. The old adage, “words will never hurt me,” isn’t true. Words do harm, with invisible wounds that often do not heal. I am not advocating never speaking up. MLK was right; silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Careful discernment is required.

Then, in logical order, actions will follow words. When I look and listen to the world around me, and I see how others act, what they do, I listen to their words (shouts, screams, posters). it is not a great leap to recognize the thoughts (prejudices, bigotry, perspectives) that drive them. I must examine myself, my motives, before making accusations and retaliating in like kind.

May I borrow from another tradition?  May the WORDS of my mouth, the meditations (THOUGHTS) of my heart, and the DEEDS of my hands be acceptable, love-filled,  and guided by compassion.

I had never been to Chicago

I had never been to Chicago. So in early June we decided to take a short vacation and "do" the windy city. What a marvelous, fabulous city!
It was an interesting trip because of the variety and diversity of places and people. It began with a targeted destination of the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, KY. KY was not high on my list of places to visit, but it is one beautiful state. From lush, green mountains to rolling hills, real bluegrass, and bewitching limestone formations, it was a visual feast. The limestone base creates a unique filtering system for the water that is unbelievably delicious and the best in the world for building strong bones for race horses! I say "targeted" because somehow I took a detour and ended up at the Woodford Reserve Distillery--one of the best bourbons KY has to offer!
The Village is a monument to the religious creativity and imagination of Americans. At their height they had over 3000 "communities" around the nation, focused on simple living, expressive spirituality, and common care for one another. The food, raised on the farm and produced from its own herds, was delicious beyond experience. There are only two of these communities remaining, preserved by non-Shakers. Since sexual abstinence was promoted, they didn't grow by leaps and bounds----and that practice is not in favor today, so you see the problem.
The high light of the route from Pleasant Hill to Chicago was the miles and miles of gigantic wind turbines producing renewable, non-cancer causing, inexpensive energy! They looked like something from outer space.
Entering Chicago on an afternoon as the traffic from a Cubs home game is unleashed on congested infra-structure is daunting to a small town boy! There is more to relate than time to read; here is my summary:
1. a rainbow population, each person with their own story and human dignity
2. the challenge and enjoyment of public transportation and the challenge to master the maps and schedules
3. breathtaking architecture, jaw dropping, eye popping architecture---do NOT miss the 90 minute boat tour
4. the Willis Tower and the ability to "step out" into space (clear platform) where you can see forever on a clear day
5. the parks, so many parks. They value public land and access for ALL people.
6. Millennial Park and the Bean
7. The Art Institute of Chicago. The collection is out of the world, and you can walk right up to the master pieces you have only seen in books!
8. Chicago deep dish REALLY is different and the beef, Midwestern beef melts in your mouth.
This doesn't scratch the surface---universities, sports arenas, clean river (now!),friendly people everywhere who came from everywhere to build a city and a nation of opportunity.
The spirit is alive in Chicago-----and well worth another visit!

HB2 (House Bill 2) Redux

The North Carolina legislature, in its “infinite wisdom,” passed yet another oppressive and immoral law, continuing a long line of discriminatory legislation attempting to preserve the white, male hegemony that characterizes our history from the founding of this nation. It is consistent with the prejudiced laws that intended to address slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, anti-Civil Rights, perceived voter fraud, and a long list of other threats to a distorted worldview that have dominated our social landscape. It is a cancer on our state that must be removed.

1.      HB2 is immoral. It intentionally discriminates against a minority of citizens whose only circumstance is to be born biologically different from those who passed the law. It degrades persons whose physical condition is determined by nature, and not choice. This law is diametrically opposed to and void of love and compassion that are at the heart of the claimed religious tradition of the legislators who passed it. The “culture Christians” in control of the state legislature pervert the language and values of a faith they do not begin to understand or embrace. Through double speak and fear, they incite the public ( “religious freedom” and “protect our daughters”) to offer a solution for which there was no problem. This bill fails to recognize the integrity and value of all persons by labeling some individuals as “perverts” and an “abomination.” It goes against the fundamental values of all the world’s great religions that affirm the unifying relationship of Creator and creation. It must be repealed.

2.      HB2 is unconstitutional, both national and state. We are a secular, civil society, governed by law. Our law, grounded in those Constitutions, guarantees protection against discrimination based on gender, religion, race, etc. This bill, directly and intentionally, targets a gender minority. In addition, it states that local municipalities cannot pass their own anti-discrimination policies, and states that offended parties cannot sue the state for that discrimination. HB2 goes against our history of Civil Rights legislation. Behind the façade of “religious freedom,” it allows so-called legal discrimination, exempting individuals from providing services (e.g. selling wedding cakes to same sex couples) or performing civil duties (issuing marriage licenses). Falsely claiming that Christianity is under attack, the legislators have enabled anarchy in the name of their religion. It must be repealed.

3.      HB2 is economically unsound. People and corporations of conscience, e.g. Bruce Springsteen, Itzhak Perlman, and Hewlett Packard, to mention only three, have refused to perform or engage in activities that would produce monetary benefit to North Carolina. An article in the Asheville Citizen-Times Sunday, June 5, says reports estimate the financial loss to exceed a billion dollars to date, with other losses to come.  Businesses are rethinking present and future relationships with our state. Losses in tax revenue negatively impact our budget, reducing services, postponing infrastructure improvements, limiting resources for education already hurt by the narrow minded thinking of the current legislature. It must be repealed.

4.      HB2 is socially divisive and destructive. Every action throughout history that separates people, demeans individuals and groups, belittles and demonizes “the other,” only builds barriers and keeps people apart ultimately leading to distrust, violence, and war. Our future, our very existence as a human race requires affirmation of, love for, and unconditional compassion toward others. Our differences are insignificant compared to the infinite similarities we share. HB2 must be repealed.

HB2 must be repealed because it is immoral, unconstitutional, economically unsound, and inhuman. It is an embarrassment to our state. We are better than this.

Invitation to Civil Discourse: the Flag

Of course one young man with one gun made the decision to kill nine people at Mother Emanuel. He is responsible for that action and will suffer the consequences of his decision.

BUT if we stop there, we are in denial and perpetuate the lies BECAUSE:

1)      It is about the flag. That flag is a symbol, and symbols are powerful. Think cross for Christians, Star of David for Jews, and crescent moon for Muslims. That flag is a symbol of racial prejudice, hatred, and treason. It was raised on the grounds of the capitol in defiance of Brown vs the Board of Education. To claim it is about culture and heritage is delusional. What “heritage” are we proud of? Enslavement of human beings? Hundreds of lynchings of Black people? One in five children going to bed hungry at night? One in four children suffering abuse each day? Secession and treason? This flag belongs in a museum and in history books that accurately explain its purpose.

2)      It is about fundamentalist Christianity, ignorant of the cultural context in which the Bible was written. Holy war and the book of Revelation are some of the most violent literature ever written. Fundamentalists use it for their anti-scientific tirades, anti-feminist prejudice, homophobia, anti-intellectual denials of scientific progress, racial prejudice, opposition to marriage equality, and denial of our responsibility for social justice. They focus on ego-centric, individual salvation and ignore the clear moral admonitions of Micah, Jesus, and James. It cannot be said more clearly: love mercy, do justice, walk humbly with God, love your neighbor, faith without works is dead. These are active verbs, not weak suggestions. Abraham Heschel, the great American Jewish scholar said that if there is a future for the Judaeo-Christian tradition in this country, it rests within the Black church.

3)      It is about the lies perpetrated in the South about the Civil War. Yes, the causes were multiple, but at its heart was the question of slavery. “States rights” is code for racial prejudice and the desire to enslave people of color. It was treason to separate from a Union forged in blood and intended to be a beacon of light and hope, under the motto that “all men (humankind) are created equal.” The founders were not perfect, but they had a vision and a dream that challenges us everyday. The South tried to deny that, and thankfully, with Lincoln’s change of heart and vision for this country, it was not successful.

This nation needs healing. Mother Emanuel is leading the way. Removing the flag is one step. SANE gun laws and accurate history are others. Let’s all rededicate ourselves to being part of the solution, carefully guarding our words and deeds.

Love your enemies

Over the weekend a dear friend asked a hard question. Noting that Jesus is quoted in Matthew 5 as saying that we are to love our neighbor, he went on to note that Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” Really?  How and why am I supposed to love my enemies? All they want is to do me harm? My friend’s question challenged me to rethink some easy assumptions.

The quote comes from the “Sermon on the Mount” and requires careful reading. Jesus begins by saying, “You have heard it said you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” We need to stop here and acknowledge that (1) Jesus is not quoting Jewish scripture with “hate your enemy.” (2)That phrase/command is NOT in the Tanak. Neither do the Rabbis ever teach hatred of enemies. The origin of the statement has puzzled scholars for years. Whatever the source and for whatever reason the author of Matthew included the phrase, it is important to acknowledge the significance and impact of the next statement. “But I say to you, love your enemy.”

To begin to understand what it means to love our enemies, we must wrestle with who is our neighbor and what it means to love them. It sounds easy but Jesus was sneaky! Read the parable of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10: 29-37. I’ll spare you the details, but the one hurt was a Jew and the one who showed mercy was the despised Samaritan [think black/white, Christian/Muslim, Fox/ABC].  Who was the neighbor? Not the privileged, smug, well off who walked by on the other side. It was the one who showed mercy. How do I love my neighbor today? By showing mercy---feeding the hungry [anybody can give a bag of food], providing medical care to the sick [getting a little harder], working for social justice in the face of homophobia and excessive, unwarranted police brutality, refusing to carry a gun to the mall, church, or school [now I’ve gone to meddling, but at least think about it]. Loving the neighbor, the one in need, isn’t always easy.

But what about loving the enemy? The ugly, dirty, vulgar, rude, angry, violent, “different”? In today’s language the enemy is the “other.” Sometimes that enemy wants to harm me, but I don’t think I’m just supposed to throw up my hands in surrender. I think loving and responding to the enemy begins with intentional love and concern for the “other,” recognizing that they are human [even ISIS, rogue cops, moneyed manipulators, fill in the blanks[  with shared dreams, desires, and needs. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them, but it does mean that we do not demonize one another. Responsible, restrained defense—yes. Generous, aggressive, nonviolent engagement—yes.

Jesus, quoting his scripture, said to love God, neighbor, self, and added enemy. He didn’t say to pick and choose. I take his words as categorical imperatives, not suggestions if it’s convenient.

Love your enemies

Over the weekend a dear friend asked a hard question. Noting that Jesus is quoted in Matthew 5 as saying that we are to love our neighbor, he went on to note that Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” Really?  How and why am I supposed to love my enemies? All they want is to do me harm? My friend’s question challenged me to rethink some easy assumptions.

The quote comes from the “Sermon on the Mount” and requires careful reading. Jesus begins by saying, “You have heard it said you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” We need to stop here and acknowledge that (1) Jesus is not quoting Jewish scripture with “hate your enemy.” (2)That phrase/command is NOT in the Tanak. Neither do the Rabbis ever teach hatred of enemies. The origin of the statement has puzzled scholars for years. Whatever the source and for whatever reason the author of Matthew included the phrase, it is important to acknowledge the significance and impact of the next statement. “But I say to you, love your enemy.”

To begin to understand what it means to love our enemies, we must wrestle with who is our neighbor and what it means to love them. It sounds easy but Jesus was sneaky! Read the parable of the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10: 29-37. I’ll spare you the details, but the one hurt was a Jew and the one who showed mercy was the despised Samaritan [think black/white, Christian/Muslim, Fox/ABC].  Who was the neighbor? Not the privileged, smug, well off who walked by on the other side. It was the one who showed mercy. How do I love my neighbor today? By showing mercy---feeding the hungry [anybody can give a bag of food], providing medical care to the sick [getting a little harder], working for social justice in the face of homophobia and excessive, unwarranted police brutality, refusing to carry a gun to the mall, church, or school [now I’ve gone to meddling, but at least think about it]. Loving the neighbor, the one in need, isn’t always easy.

But what about loving the enemy? The ugly, dirty, vulgar, rude, angry, violent, “different”? In today’s language the enemy is the “other.” Sometimes that enemy wants to harm me, but I don’t think I’m just supposed to throw up my hands in surrender. I think loving and responding to the enemy begins with intentional love and concern for the “other,” recognizing that they are human [even ISIS, rogue cops, moneyed manipulators, fill in the blanks[  with shared dreams, desires, and needs. That doesn’t mean I have to agree with them, but it does mean that we do not demonize one another. Responsible, restrained defense—yes. Generous, aggressive, nonviolent engagement—yes.

Jesus, quoting his scripture, said to love God, neighbor, self, and added enemy. He didn’t say to pick and choose. I take his words as categorical imperatives, not suggestions if it’s convenient.