Tragedy in Norway

The recent carnage in Norway is beyond words. In a weird way, however, I was relieved to learn that Anders Behring-Breivik was a fundamentalist “Christian.” I am similarly relieved whenever there is a report on the 11:00 news of a robbery or murder and the perpetrator turns out to be a Caucasian. “At least they can’t play the race card,” I say to myself.

The Huffington Post reports that Bill O'Reilly sternly criticized the media for describing the man who has admitted to committing the mass killings as a Christian, saying that such a thing was "impossible," even though that is how Breivik describes himself, as doNorwegian police. In his manifesto, Breivik writes that he does not have a "personal," religious relationship with Christ, but believes in Christianity "as a cultural, social, identity and moral platform," which he says "makes [me] Christian."

To O'Reilly, though, it was "impossible" that Breivik is a Christian. "No one believing in Jesus commits mass murder," he said. "The man might have called himself a Christian on the net, but he is certainly not of that faith...we can find no evidence, none, that this killer practiced Christianity in any way."

In one way, I agree with O’Reilly. No one who is following Jesus would commit such a heinous crime. But O’Reilly misses an important point: there is a vast difference between following Jesus and taking on the label “Christian” for one’s self. At the risk of being judgmental, many people in our churches are more “into religion” and wearing the name "Christian" like some designer label, than they are about following Jesus. But Jesus was never about religion. He was about transcending religion and reconciling the world to God.

O’Reilly said that the reason the media was calling Breivik a Christian was because "the left wants you to believe that fundamentalists Christians are a threat just like crazy jihadists are." Give me a break! The initial judgment by the media was that this was the result of Islamic terrorists. The fact is that this terrorist attack was done by a white guy from Norway who identifies himself as a fundamentalist Christian. Are all fundamentalist Christians like crazy jihadists? Of course not. Is it true of some? No doubt. Are all Muslims jihadists? Of course not. Is it true of some? No doubt.

Is Breivik a Christian? It’s a label he applies to himself. Does he know Jesus as the revelation of God’s love for himself and for everyone? Does he try to follow the way of Jesus? Obviously not. Let us not forget the difference.

What would you do?

The Huffington Post (December 8, 2010) reports that "Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and her colleagues on the Congressional Prayer Caucus penned a letter to President Obama Monday, attacking him for his alleged failure to the use the word "God" and "Creator" more in his public speeches, especially abroad." Just when I thought I've heard it all! YIKES! Has Representative Bachman ever read Matthew 7:21 in which Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." The President's politics fall far short of the Kingdom of God, as do the politics of Republicans, and ALL human politics. His heart, however, and his compassion toward "the least of these" are pointed in the right direction. I'll take his "doings" over the words of noisy religionists any day.

Ever since the President took office, people have faulted him and told lies about him no matter what he said or did. Even a liberal like Arianna Huffington says that the deal struck with Republicans about whether or not to extend the Bush tax cuts as "complete capitulation." It seems to me it's more about governing in the real world -- a world where the agenda of the political opposition is only that of "defeating Obama in the 2012 election." What other option did the President have -- raise taxes on the Middle Class, sacrifice any chance of extending benefits for the unemployed, or DADT or passing the START treaty? What would you do under the circumstances?

Taxes ... again!

We received our Manatee County Property Tax Bill yesterday. I was appalled when I compared it to previous years, not because it was too high, but because it was so low. This year's bill is 60% less than it was in 2006. That sounds good for an individual home owner but not for the commonweal and, therefore, not good for the individual either. How can we expect to educate our children, provide for public safety (police, fire, emergency services), provide public parks and libraries, pave our roads, etc., if the financial resources available to the county continues to diminish at such an alarming rate. So many politicians were elected because of their promise to cut taxes, all in the name of "saving the country." Obviously, I'm no economist, but common sense tells me that the current "cut taxes" mood is destroying the county. When are our elected officials going to stand up as true patriots and do what is best for all?

Political Anger

For several months we’ve heard about the anger held by members of the Tea Party. Well, I’m angry, too!

I’m angry that the Manatee County (FL) voters did not approve a one-year emergency property tax to rescue our schools from further cut backs. The tax would have amounted, on the average, to $40. Considering all the frivolous things people spend money on, not to mention the millions of dollars to for political campaigns, that failure is obscene. We penalize our children and we risk business development. Businesses develop best in areas known for excellent schools.

I’m angry that Republicans are boasting their “shellacking” of Democrats in the recent election. For one thing, they only have a majority in the House. The Senate still is in the hands of the Democrats. Not all newly elected state governors are Republican. Also, only about 42% of registered voters nationwide participated in the election. With such a pitiful turn out, how does anyone know what Americans really think?

I’m angry that Sen. Mitch McConnell (leader of the minority party) would address a conservative audience saying, “Who wants to hang around people like Paul Krugman. Wouldn’t you rather hang around guys like Rush Limbaugh?" Remember, Krugman is a Pulitzer Prize winning economist and Limbaugh is a purveyor of hate. Is that the kind of leadership any political party wants?

I’m angry at the lack of patriotism vis a vis the President. Lies about him have been circulating since the beginning. Most recently we’ve heard about his current foreign trip costing $200 million a day for security, even though that is patently false. It’s even been intimated that the President is on a vacation. It’s been argued that he has more important work at home. Excuse me, but isn’t the most important thing a President does for the nation lie in the area of foreign relations? Has anyone ever questioned the cost of security for previous Presidents when they traveled overseas?

I’m angry that Mr. McConnell has identified the most important agenda item for the Republicans as defeating the President in 2012. Yes, in a democracy, every election is about replacing the opposing party, but there’s a time and a place for everything. Right now it’s working for the good of the country. That should be their agenda. 2010 will come soon enough.

My problem: how to focus my anger in a positive and not destructive way. Maybe people like me should start a new movement. Any takers?

The Election

The President said he was humbled by the mid-term elections. His opponents accuse him of not listening to "the American people." But maybe he did listen to them. He hasn't done everything he promised he would do in his campaign (Rome wasn't built in two years, after all), but has he advocated anything that was not part of his campaign? Was not health insurance for all Americans the center piece of that campaign? He even said that health care was the key to solving the deficit. Surely people heard all that. They must have wanted it or they wouldn't not have voted for him in such a decisive way. Now "they" say they don't want it and that the President needs to listen to them. Could it be that the American electorate doesn't know what it wants? Or if it knows what it wants, it doesn't know how to get there, or is unwilling to pay the cost?

Instead of saying he was humbled, the President might more honestly have said, "I'm confused."

Trying to be Christian

I found this today while looking at an “old” sermon – it shows where I am -- STILL:

Many years ago when Bryant Gumble still hosted the Today Show, he interviewed Maya Angelou. He asked her if there was anything else she wanted to accomplish with her life.

"Oh, my Lord, yes,” she answered. “I want to become a better writer. I'm very serious about it. It's what I am. It's how I describe myself to myself, and [I want to be] a better human being. I'm trying to be a Christian, which is no small matter. I mean it. I'm always amazed ... when [people] walk up to me and say, 'I'm a Christian.' I always think, 'Already? You've already got it? My goodness.'"

I remember distinctly that obscure moment in morning television because I could resonate so much with what she said. Speaking for myself, I’ve often felt that in claiming to be a Christian I was claiming more about myself than I should. The name of Christ was given to me in my baptism at the-not-quite-ready-for-prime-time-age of 4-months. A gift of grace, indeed.

Living up to that name, however, is another story. My so-called “Christian life” has had more ups and downs than the stock market. So I prefer to say that I’m trying to be a Christian and some days I’m more trying than others; some days I’m closer to being a Christian than others! I’ve also thought about saying I was a “becoming” Christian, but I’m not always very “becoming” either.

Taxes

Let me be clear at the outset -- I don't want to pay anymore tax than required; I believe there are many inequities in our tax system (I read somewhere that Warren Buffet's secretary pays a higher rate of taxes than he does); I hate it when I learn of tax money being wasted or squandered; I think the IRS often oversteps its bounds in dealing with people who are, or seem to be, delinquent in paying their taxes.

I have to wonder, however, why Americans whine so much about paying too many taxes. If we're so overtaxed, why do Americans continue to have such a high standard of living? Why do so many people have so much discretionary income left over for pricey things (just read that profits for Royal Caribbean Cruise line are up 55%). I like to dine in nice restaurants and it never ceases to amaze me how many other people do as well. The wait is sometimes long. Granted, a LOT of people are hurting financially and a lot of businesses as well, but then there is how the other half lives -- probably the same half that complains about taxes.

I remember reading a book while in seminary (but I don't remember the title; cut me some slack, it was over 40 years ago!) that likened taxation to a form of stewardship, that is paying a portion of what God has already given us to support the common good. Call me naive, but that still makes sense to me.

All of this is preface to sharing a quote by Tony Judt found in the October 19, 2010 issue of Christian Century:

"Why are we so sure that some planning, or progressive taxation, or the collective ownership of public goods, are intolerable restrictions on liberty; whereas close-circuit television cameras, state bailouts for investment banks 'too big to fail,' tapped telephones, and expensive foreign wars are acceptable burdens for a free people to bear?"

Why, indeed! I'm glad when April 15 comes around that I have taxes to pay. The alternative (either no system for the common good, or having no income on which to be taxed) is not a pleasant thought. The only tea parties I ever liked were in the attic of our house when our children were small.