Let's start this blog entry off with one quick, simple assertion: compared to wealth and want as known in Christ's time, we are, all of us in America, filthy, stinking rich. I don't care how badly you have it here, if you are reading this, you would be considered wealthy by first-century standards. So, throughout this post, you should read "rich" as "me." Capice?
Hard economic times are here. I know so many people who are on the verge of losing hearth, home and health. Fuel and food costs are through the roof and moving higher. Jobs have wandered off to places around the globe that pay slave wages and dump waste at will. Tough times, right? Right.
Now I can't help thinking of the whole idea of trickle down economics: the idea that you give the richest folks breaks and the benefit trickles down to the poorest through investments, job creation, service industries, etc. It's crazy, but it just might work. Trickle down theory hinges on one principle: GENEROSITY. The rich get richer and they spread it around to the rest.
But there is an equal and opposite theory which states: put more money into the hands of the middle and lower classes and they -- the major consumers -- will spur the economy. If tax breaks to the wealthy are trickle down strategies, then breaks to the not-so-rich might be seen as capillary action strategies. Whatever. The central point is this: like theory one, this second theory also hinges on GENEROSITY.
So the deal is all our best economists on the left and right are suggesting the same thing: The only way to recover from communal and personal want and hardship is to give away what you have...share it with the rest of the community. Sounds like Christ to me.
St. Basil, the 4th century Bishop of Caesarea, was recently quoted extensively in Sojourners magazine. Interested in the economic recovery? Check this out:
"Isn't it true that you fell off the womb naked? Isn't it true that naked you shall return to the earth? Where is your present property from? If you think that it came to you by itself, you don't believe in God; you don't acknowledge the creator and you are not thankful to him who gave it to you. But if you agree and confess that you have it from God, tell us the reason why he gave it to you...
"He who strips the clothed is to be called a thief. How should we name him who is able to dress the naked and doesn't do it? Does he deserve some other name? The bread that you possess belongs to the hungry. The clothes that you store in boxes belong to the naked. The shoes rotting by you belong to the bare-foot. The money that you hide belongs to anyone in need. You wrong as many people as you were able to help [but didn't]."
Now is the time to share what you have with those less fortunate than yourself. Not only is this, your Christian duty, good for the soul...turns out it's good for the economy, too!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Obama Elitist: Refuses Use of Thesaurus
The controversy continues to threaten to boil over in Pennsylvania in response to Sen. Barack Obama's description of small town residents here as “bitter,” an atrocious political gaffe that jeopardizes his very candidacy.
“It's outrageous,” said Joe Mocalotz of Pottsville, who was laid off when a local textile mill moved operations to China. “Sure, I had my home foreclosed, lost my health insurance and can't feed my hungry children. I'm angry...even disillusioned. But bitter? Obama is out of touch with small town America.”
Leanne Johnston of East Brady agrees.
“My husband lost both legs on his third tour of duty in a war we shouldn't be fighting.” Johnston offers. “It took us forever to get any benefits. We had to move in with my mother, and I can't find anything that pays above minimum wage. We can't afford to heat the house and have gone through all our savings. We feel betrayed, forgotten, frustrated... not bitter! He should know better. oh, what an ugly word!”
It's a sentiment that is echoed throughout this depressed, rust-belt state. As more and more factories and small businesses fold under the pressure of spiralling fuel costs and unfair trade and labor practices, leaving families clinging desperately to whatever slim reason for hope they can find, how one parses one's speech has become understandably crucial. The groundswell of disenchantment with Obama has eclipsed once-critical issues like Senator Clinton's use of a yellow pantsuit and Senator McCain's infamous “I like to barbeque” remark.
“Bitter?” asked bankrupt businessman Tom Cosack of Allentown, with barely contained contempt. “Not me. I'm disenchanted, disenfranchised, dispeptic and distraught. Honestly, if Senator Obama thinks he's too good for a simple thesaurus, how can he possibly have any idea what I'm going through?”
The controversy continues to threaten to boil over in Pennsylvania in response to Sen. Barack Obama's description of small town residents here as “bitter,” an atrocious political gaffe that jeopardizes his very candidacy.
“It's outrageous,” said Joe Mocalotz of Pottsville, who was laid off when a local textile mill moved operations to China. “Sure, I had my home foreclosed, lost my health insurance and can't feed my hungry children. I'm angry...even disillusioned. But bitter? Obama is out of touch with small town America.”
Leanne Johnston of East Brady agrees.
“My husband lost both legs on his third tour of duty in a war we shouldn't be fighting.” Johnston offers. “It took us forever to get any benefits. We had to move in with my mother, and I can't find anything that pays above minimum wage. We can't afford to heat the house and have gone through all our savings. We feel betrayed, forgotten, frustrated... not bitter! He should know better. oh, what an ugly word!”
It's a sentiment that is echoed throughout this depressed, rust-belt state. As more and more factories and small businesses fold under the pressure of spiralling fuel costs and unfair trade and labor practices, leaving families clinging desperately to whatever slim reason for hope they can find, how one parses one's speech has become understandably crucial. The groundswell of disenchantment with Obama has eclipsed once-critical issues like Senator Clinton's use of a yellow pantsuit and Senator McCain's infamous “I like to barbeque” remark.
“Bitter?” asked bankrupt businessman Tom Cosack of Allentown, with barely contained contempt. “Not me. I'm disenchanted, disenfranchised, dispeptic and distraught. Honestly, if Senator Obama thinks he's too good for a simple thesaurus, how can he possibly have any idea what I'm going through?”
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Beijing, Berlin and the Olympic Torch
I saw this morning that they are considering eliminating the rest of the run of the Olympic torch because of the disruptions and safety concerns brought about by protesters along the way.
I'm a sports fan and an avid follower of the Olympic Games, and all I have to say is:
GOOD.
As to those who say "don't politicize the Olympic Games," which are about the spirit of human achievement and fair play, I was among you, but I've had a serious change of heart.
I still believe the Olympics should go on, but with the international community using the games to take every opportunity to crack the isolationism, piracy and brutality of China's ruling Communist Party. I say boycott the opening ceremony, too. Insult our Chinese hosts. Then step in and participate in the games, exposing the Chinese people to international ideas, and the international community to China's human rights, commerce and ecological crimes. Why? Ironically, because we can't allow the Olympics to be used as a political pawn.
China is attempting to leverage the Olympic Games to raise their strategic profile and image in the world. They want to hide the shame of their legacy of bureaucratic corruption, murder and repression behind the Olympic flag. Why else would they spend billions on this international competition?
But the torch, Corey. The torch! Why mess with that beautiful, hopeful symbol of all to which humanity might aspire?
Read this from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7330949.stm
The modern running of the Olympic torch was developed by the Nazis in 1936 as political theatre at its most cynical and darkly macabre. Kinda freaky, isn't it? I had no clue. I'm not big on the whole pure Aryan race thing, are you? Thank God at least Jesse Owens went to Berlin to repeatedly stick a finger in der fuhrer's eye throughout the games.
We can do the same in China through how our teams carry themselves, tourist interaction with the few regular folks allowed within fifty miles of the Olympic venues, and pressure from our own political leaders. After all, isn't that the main reason the International Olympic Committee infers to justify bringing the Games to China?
Leave politics out of the Olympics?!? As if that's ever been done!! Go ahead and play the games, but recognize whose games you are playing.
I'm a sports fan and an avid follower of the Olympic Games, and all I have to say is:
GOOD.
As to those who say "don't politicize the Olympic Games," which are about the spirit of human achievement and fair play, I was among you, but I've had a serious change of heart.
I still believe the Olympics should go on, but with the international community using the games to take every opportunity to crack the isolationism, piracy and brutality of China's ruling Communist Party. I say boycott the opening ceremony, too. Insult our Chinese hosts. Then step in and participate in the games, exposing the Chinese people to international ideas, and the international community to China's human rights, commerce and ecological crimes. Why? Ironically, because we can't allow the Olympics to be used as a political pawn.
China is attempting to leverage the Olympic Games to raise their strategic profile and image in the world. They want to hide the shame of their legacy of bureaucratic corruption, murder and repression behind the Olympic flag. Why else would they spend billions on this international competition?
But the torch, Corey. The torch! Why mess with that beautiful, hopeful symbol of all to which humanity might aspire?
Read this from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7330949.stm
The modern running of the Olympic torch was developed by the Nazis in 1936 as political theatre at its most cynical and darkly macabre. Kinda freaky, isn't it? I had no clue. I'm not big on the whole pure Aryan race thing, are you? Thank God at least Jesse Owens went to Berlin to repeatedly stick a finger in der fuhrer's eye throughout the games.
We can do the same in China through how our teams carry themselves, tourist interaction with the few regular folks allowed within fifty miles of the Olympic venues, and pressure from our own political leaders. After all, isn't that the main reason the International Olympic Committee infers to justify bringing the Games to China?
Leave politics out of the Olympics?!? As if that's ever been done!! Go ahead and play the games, but recognize whose games you are playing.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Four Steps with Dr. King
I've been thinking about Dr. King a lot lately; especially with last Friday's 40th anniversary of his cowardly, evil murder.
It seems to me a great deal can be gleaned regarding our progress as a nation by looking at the silly reaction to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's preaching. If you have never had the privilege of sitting (and jumping up to sing your lungs out and/or shout) at a church steeped in the Black Church tradition, you might be shocked by the 10-second video bits shown by Fox News and others.
I am a proud graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, whose Black Church studies program is the oldest in the nation; the origins of which go back to April 5, 1968. At CRCDS, when I attended in the early- to mid-90s, we had chapel every day, with the different faith traditions rotating leadership. By far my favorite services were those led in the Black Church tradition. They tore you down and built you back up stronger, cleaner. They welcomed in everybody, even this dorky little white boy. The singing, the Spirit, the prophetic Word launched from the pulpit were stunning, inspiring. We'd leave the chapel ten feet off the ground and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Much of what I heard rocked me to my core. I wasn't used to such strong talk coming from the pulpit. Of course I wasn't in total agreement with every single thing said (and if you are in your church, you'd best ask yourself if you are really hearing the Word of God), but, man, was it prophetic.
My point is, you've got to hear a sermon in any tradition in its entirety. I often make statements in my sermons that, taken out of the greater context, would be easily misunderstood. But, in my experience, this is somehow even more true in the Black Church tradition.
Rev. Wright is a brilliant preacher who has brought thousands to Christ. He speaks cold, hard reality to all who will listen. But you need to hear his sermons in their entirety to appreciate the scope of repentance and positive change he calls for in the listener's heart, the neighborhood, the nation and the world. The post-9-11 "America's chickens are coming home to roost" comment, for example, is part of a longer sermon available on YouTube in which he speaks prophetically of some Americans' tendency to want to lash out at anybody for revenge, regardless of how many innocents are crushed in the process. This was preached in 2001, well before the Iraq invasion.
But Rev. Wright preaches on, relating that when he asked God how to respond to the evil horror of the 9-11 attacks, God told him to first purify himself. If we respond to evil with evil in our own hearts, we risk slipping quickly out of the will and protection of God.
This point reminded me of Dr. King's words in one of the greatest documents ever produced in our nation, his Letter from Birmingham Jail: "In any non-violent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts..., negotiation, self-purification, and direct action." Rev. Wright echoed these principles, suggesting we must first get our facts right, speak with our allies and opposition, and check our own motivation before we lash out or invade anybody. I believe we'd be in better shape today if Rev. Wright had had the ear of the American people, Congress and the White House when he preached that sermon six and a half years ago.
Many of my colleagues in the UCC felt the need to come to the public defense of our fellow UCC pastor. One of them wrote an excellent piece published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. When published, it was noted that 11 other area UCC clergy supported the letter. Well, some enterprising reader saw this, did some sort of search to find e-mail addresses for local UCC clergy, and sent me the following:
From: olbuddy
To: revkeyes
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: Rev. Jeremiah Wright aka (Hate monger)
You should be ashamed of your self for supporting the Rev.Wright what is wrong with you. If the Rev. Wright or any other Rev from the GVA ASSOC. want's to GOD DAM AMERICA maby you should get the next plane out of the US OF KKKA.
L** G*** H****n NY USA
And here was my response, written after a great deal of time spent in Dr. King's and Rev. Wright's self-purification mode:
Well, that's an interesting way to start a dialogue, olbuddy.
Why are you so angry? What's got you so scared? Seriously, Mr. G***, the land of the free and the home of the brave means exactly that: free enough to speak out, brave enough to listen to what others have to say. In that spirit, I'd like to hear what you have to say. I can deal with the anger, but please refrain from profanity and racial slurs, if you don't mind. I'll afford you the respect you deserve. Just return the favor and respect me as well. That would be the American way.
And there is no way I'm leaving my country. I love it enough to want only the best for it. Just as I love my children enough to have very high expectations for their behaviors and actions, I love America enough to criticize, question and suggest corrections to make it the best it can be. I believe that makes me a patriot.
I wish you peace and the blessings of Christ,
Rev. Corey Keyes, West Bloomfield, NY
It seems to me a great deal can be gleaned regarding our progress as a nation by looking at the silly reaction to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's preaching. If you have never had the privilege of sitting (and jumping up to sing your lungs out and/or shout) at a church steeped in the Black Church tradition, you might be shocked by the 10-second video bits shown by Fox News and others.
I am a proud graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, whose Black Church studies program is the oldest in the nation; the origins of which go back to April 5, 1968. At CRCDS, when I attended in the early- to mid-90s, we had chapel every day, with the different faith traditions rotating leadership. By far my favorite services were those led in the Black Church tradition. They tore you down and built you back up stronger, cleaner. They welcomed in everybody, even this dorky little white boy. The singing, the Spirit, the prophetic Word launched from the pulpit were stunning, inspiring. We'd leave the chapel ten feet off the ground and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Much of what I heard rocked me to my core. I wasn't used to such strong talk coming from the pulpit. Of course I wasn't in total agreement with every single thing said (and if you are in your church, you'd best ask yourself if you are really hearing the Word of God), but, man, was it prophetic.
My point is, you've got to hear a sermon in any tradition in its entirety. I often make statements in my sermons that, taken out of the greater context, would be easily misunderstood. But, in my experience, this is somehow even more true in the Black Church tradition.
Rev. Wright is a brilliant preacher who has brought thousands to Christ. He speaks cold, hard reality to all who will listen. But you need to hear his sermons in their entirety to appreciate the scope of repentance and positive change he calls for in the listener's heart, the neighborhood, the nation and the world. The post-9-11 "America's chickens are coming home to roost" comment, for example, is part of a longer sermon available on YouTube in which he speaks prophetically of some Americans' tendency to want to lash out at anybody for revenge, regardless of how many innocents are crushed in the process. This was preached in 2001, well before the Iraq invasion.
But Rev. Wright preaches on, relating that when he asked God how to respond to the evil horror of the 9-11 attacks, God told him to first purify himself. If we respond to evil with evil in our own hearts, we risk slipping quickly out of the will and protection of God.
This point reminded me of Dr. King's words in one of the greatest documents ever produced in our nation, his Letter from Birmingham Jail: "In any non-violent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts..., negotiation, self-purification, and direct action." Rev. Wright echoed these principles, suggesting we must first get our facts right, speak with our allies and opposition, and check our own motivation before we lash out or invade anybody. I believe we'd be in better shape today if Rev. Wright had had the ear of the American people, Congress and the White House when he preached that sermon six and a half years ago.
Many of my colleagues in the UCC felt the need to come to the public defense of our fellow UCC pastor. One of them wrote an excellent piece published in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. When published, it was noted that 11 other area UCC clergy supported the letter. Well, some enterprising reader saw this, did some sort of search to find e-mail addresses for local UCC clergy, and sent me the following:
From: olbuddy
To: revkeyes
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 11:05 AM
Subject: Rev. Jeremiah Wright aka (Hate monger)
You should be ashamed of your self for supporting the Rev.Wright what is wrong with you. If the Rev. Wright or any other Rev from the GVA ASSOC. want's to GOD DAM AMERICA maby you should get the next plane out of the US OF KKKA.
L** G*** H****n NY USA
And here was my response, written after a great deal of time spent in Dr. King's and Rev. Wright's self-purification mode:
Well, that's an interesting way to start a dialogue, olbuddy.
Why are you so angry? What's got you so scared? Seriously, Mr. G***, the land of the free and the home of the brave means exactly that: free enough to speak out, brave enough to listen to what others have to say. In that spirit, I'd like to hear what you have to say. I can deal with the anger, but please refrain from profanity and racial slurs, if you don't mind. I'll afford you the respect you deserve. Just return the favor and respect me as well. That would be the American way.
And there is no way I'm leaving my country. I love it enough to want only the best for it. Just as I love my children enough to have very high expectations for their behaviors and actions, I love America enough to criticize, question and suggest corrections to make it the best it can be. I believe that makes me a patriot.
I wish you peace and the blessings of Christ,
Rev. Corey Keyes, West Bloomfield, NY
Thus far I have received no response from "olbuddy." It would suggest he was interested only in diatribe, not dialogue. I find that is often the case with Americans dwelling at either political extreme. We become so addicted to the power of arrogance. We relish being contradicted; even go searching for it. But then we don't listen to what our opposition is saying. We simply scream our slogans, slap on a new bumper sticker and march down the road to ruin of our choosing, marvelously self-affirmed in our obstinacy.
It seems to me America is again waking up, hungover, from this very human tendency toward radical ignorance. We are finally collecting facts. I pray we follow Dr. King's steps from here: moving methodically, faithfully through negotiation and self-purification, so our next direct action might be constructive.
And Olbuddy, if you're still out there, I anxiously await the chance to start this process with you, brother.
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