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.

UGH!

There was no school today for students but not so for teachers and staff. Therefore my wife and I did some child care for the day. I took my three grandsons to the pool. They were hanging around the steps into the pool when an older gentleman (surely older than me) started down the steps. "I'm just going to sneak by the kids," he said. I replied, "Don't 'sneak,' hold your head up high as you enter." "Not easy for a conservative to do," he pouted, "but it looks like next year will be different."

Give me a break! What's wrong with the people of this country? Is politics the only thing they breathe and eat? God help us all. God help us to have a sense of humor, whatever our politics. God help us to take ourselves a little less seriously.

Maturity

My wife and I attended our 50th year High School Reunion last Saturday. Fortunately, we were both in the same class so neither one of us will have to go to another one. We also went to our 20th but don't remember having a good time. This time, for whatever reason, we enjoyed ourselves. I told one of our classmates who was on the organizing committee. "I didn't like our 20th," I said, "but tonight is very different." He replied, "That's because when you're only 20 years out of high school, you have to impress everybody with all your accomplishments. When you get to your 50th, those accomplishments don't count for much. You are much freer to be yourself."

His comment made a lot of sense to me. "Free to be yourself." That's a good definition of what it means to be a mature person.

Campaign Ads

I'm currently on a 3500 mile jaunt around the eastern half of the U.S. I've seen many campaign ads on TV while passing time in a hotel room. No matter where you go in this fair land of ours, the ads are all negative. UGH! No wonder we seem to be so messed up (using nice language, that is).

Anger

The cover story on this week's edition of Newsweek suggests that the only politicians who gain attention and response from the people are those who show anger. There is no shortage of politicians who show anger these days. The President is criticized from all directions for not expressing anger. Apparently careful, reflective thought is not in vogue. What has our nation come to? The Bible says that if we are angry, we should not sin and we should not let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26), but the anger expressed in today's politics never ends at the end of the day. You hear the same thing from the same people day after day.

Yes, Jesus did show anger on occasion (driving the money changers out of the temple, for example), but it was not his primary emotion. If he were running for office today, he no doubt would not be elected. He just wasn't angry enough! He would, however, have more than 100% chance of being crucified.

David M. Bailey

Since I've shared a couple of resources lately, let me share a most powerful one. David M. Bailey was a folk singer and son of Presbyterian missionary and Biblical scholar, Kenneth Bailey. He fought a malignant brain tumor for over 13 years -- long beyond the time that doctors originally gave him. He died on October 2 after several weeks in hospice care. The way he fought was a wonderful witness to the power of "faith and hope and love." I've read many of his poems and have some of his music on my iPod. If you want to listen to music that is both deep and uplifting, I encourage you to check out davidmbailey.com.

Another Great Resource

"30 Good Minutes" is another great resource that I stumbled onto a while ago. Here's a brief description taken from the web site: 30goodminutes.org:

Our mission is to enrich spiritual life by communicating stories and ideas that engage people of many faiths, and to foster compassion, reconciliation and peace.

We know it's an unusual name. It dates to 1908, when our founders were looking for something to call the weekly ecumenical service they sponsored in Chicago's Orchestra Hall. It was in Chicago, it was on a Sunday Evening and they didn't want it to sound "churchy," so they called it a Club. But there were no memberships or dues. Everyone was included—all you had to do was show up!

Today, the Chicago Sunday Evening Club produces 30 Good Minutes, a television broadcast and web site that features some of the leading voices in religion, as well as the stories of everyday people whose lives reflect the rich tapestry of religious life in America.

30 Good Minutes is an award-winning weekly broadcast on WTTW Channel 11 (PBS Chicago) and in syndication in other U.S. cities. It features many of America’s great religious thinkers, selected from a broad range of denominations and faith traditions. The program explores topics of faith through short meditations (sermons), documentaries, interviews and commentaries.

In a day when religion gets a lot of bad raps (some deservedly so), here's a program that helps to bring some sanity into the discussion. The web site has all the programs cross-referenced by speaker, Biblical text, or topic. Check it out!

The Character Issue

In both times Bill Clinton was elected President, George H. W. Bush and Bob Dole often referred to the importance of "character" in guiding how people should vote. Admittedly Bill Clinton had some flaws, but they were nothing compared to the character of some of today's candidates. Without naming names, I wonder what Mr. Bush and Mr. Dole say about some who are running for office today -- who lie about their educational history, who send pornographic messages "to just a few friends," who threaten reporters, etc. Characters, indeed. God save us from ourselves.

Bane and Blessing

As reported in today’s Huffington Post, “A new survey of Americans' knowledge of religion found that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.” If “religion” is as important for people as we say it is, you’d think that the faithful would know more about the subject than the atheists and agnostics who reject it.

Religion is both bane and blessing. Religious people have done much good over the centuries, but as the world continues to shrink and we can’t help but rub shoulders with people of other religions, it is increasingly a source of conflict. I need not enumerate any examples. We know them well.

No wonder Jimmy Buffett sings:

Fruitcakes in the galaxy (fruitcakes in the galaxy)

Fuitcakes on the earth (fruitcakes on the earth)

Struttin naked towards eternity

We’ve been that way since birth

Half-baked cookies in the oven (cookies in the oven)

Half-baked people on the bus (people on the bus)

There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

Religion! religion! oh, there's a thin line between Saturday

Night and Sunday morning. Here we go now.

Where’s the church, who took the steeple

Religion is in the hands of some crazy-ass people

Television preachers with bad hair and dimples

The god’s honest truth is it's not that simple

Its the Buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me

It’s the Muslim in him, she's catholic aint she?

It’s the born again look it's the wasp and the Jew

Tell me what's goin on, I aint gotta clue.

Although I sometimes felt as if I was in the “religion business” for most of my life, I know better and there are better songs to sing than Fruitcakes. There is One who came that we might have life, not religion. Matthew 11:28-30 is traditionally translated: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I think Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase in The Message captures better the meaning of Jesus’ words: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – what how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

On Being

I’m continually impressed by NPR’s On Being (formerly Speaking of Faith) and its host, Krista Tippett. The granddaughter of a Southern Baptist minister and a Fullbright scholar, she also holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University. The program can be heard in the Tampa area on Sunday mornings at 6:00 am (WUSF 89.7) or the more complete program can be heard on line: onbeing.publicradio.org.

I heard her this past Saturday at a seminar in Denver along with Paul Raushenbush, religion editor of the Huffington Post. Krista quoted someone (I don’t remember who) and I can only give a paraphrase, but it’s a keeper: “Religious people need to understand that non-religious people can be moral; and non-religious people need to understand that religious people can be intelligent.” Such mutual understanding would go a long way in bridging the cultural gulf that divides us. For me, that quote also captures the basic theme of the programs. If you’ve never listened, I’d encourage you to check it out.

Here is a paragraph from the website:

"Being is a spacious conversation — and an evolving media space — about the big questions at the center of human life, from the boldest new science of the human brain to the most ancient traditions of the human spirit. The program began as an occasional series on Minnesota Public Radio in 1999, then became a monthly national program in September 2001, and launched as a weekly program titled Speaking of Faith in the summer of 2003. 

Being is heard on a growing number of public radio stations in the U.S. — 240 and counting — and globally via Internet and podcast. In 2008, the program was awarded the highest honors in both broadcasting and electronic media — our first Peabody and our second Webby Award. Being is the only public radio program in the U.S. to achieve this distinction. 

Krista envisioned a program that would draw out the intellectual and spiritual content of religion that should nourish our common life, but that is often obscured precisely when religion enters the news. Our sustained growth as a show has also been nurtured by a cultural shift that seeks conversation, shared life, and problem-solving within and across religious traditions and across categories of belief and non-belief. Being has both responded and contributed to a growing acknowledgement that there are basic questions of meaning that pertain to the entire human experience. The particular dramas and dynamics of the 21st century — ecological, political, cultural, technological, and economic — are bringing this into relief."

On political campaigns

If I could wave a magic wand, I would prohibit all political advertising. Since much (most?) of advertising is deceptive -- trying to hook you to buy a product whether or not the facts are correct or you even need it). Signs with candidates' names are OK in my book -- name recognition is important, but so many political ads on TV and radio are reminiscent of the proverbial sellers of snake oil. In their place, I would have the appropriate government sponsor x number of debates. If a candidate decided not to participate, too bad! Candidates would also be free to make as many speeches before live audiences that they could. Then the electorate would have a better chance of seeing the candidate for who he or she is. I would even allow them to purchase broadcast time to make a speech, but the slick ads are over the top and incessant. I don't believe any of them and they tend to discourage people from voting, at least they discourage me.

I know, it will never happen. Free speech clause and all of that, but one can dream.

May 16 - Budapest

The weather didn't get any better as we came to the end of our trip. Indeed, gale force winds really knocked our ship around during the night before we arrived in Budapest. Our guide was so frustrated by the weather and so apolgetic. Lucy and many others stayed in the tour bus that morning, but I ventured out into the wind and rain -- all in pursuit of the classic "Kodak moment."

Budapest, of course, is the capital city of Hungary. We were told by friends before we left on our trip that it was a beautiful city and I'm sure it is, but we'll have to return during better weather. It is Hungary's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial and transportation center and has over 1.7 million inhabitants. It is made up of what were originally two cities -- Buda and Pest.

Weather not withstanding, we were promised a cruise up and down the river after dinner to see the lights of Budapest. It was not as Disneyesqe as I imagined, but pretty nevertheless.

May 15 - Bratislava, Slovakia

The long name for this nation is Slovak Republic. In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following WWII, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation with the Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on January 1, 1993. Bratislava is the capital. The old town was just steps away from the ship and is nearly all a pedestrian zone. This was not my favorite tour and the city seemed to be not as wealthy as other places we visited.

We walked by several embassies and couldn't help but note that the only one fenced in was the U.S. Embassy. It's a terrible burden to be so great and powerful!

May 14 - Vienna

It was almost a complete washout. Much of our morning tour was in the bus, but as you can see, we did venture out a bit. Towards noon the rain did taper off. We didn't appreciate, therefore, the beauty this famous city. Postcards will have to supplement my photography.

What we would call a "farmers' market" was overwhelming. The produce was plentiful and beautiful to look at. The strawberries were so perfect that they looked fake, but they weren't.

Since were in Vienna for 24 hours, we had a chance to attend a concert of the Vienna Residenz Orchestra -- all wonderfully Mozart, of course. We had to get over our chuckles, however, when the musicians walked on stage all dressed in 18th century costumes. They weren't joking, they just "worship" Mozart that much!