If our Blessed Jesus wept as he turned His eyes upon Jerusalem, knowing its fate, do you think we are any less by grieving our 'Jerusalem' ? I would say for those of us whose spirits are struggling, look above the fray for our strength and then carry on as we are meant to do: Heal the sick, feed the poor, welcome the stranger. Be filled with joy, even while contacting our DC representatives. There is work to do, but it cannot be accomplished with shattered hope. Our reward awaits us.
Sandra, John and you frame this issue well. I especially liked your comment: “There is work to do, but it cannot be accomplished with shattered hope. “. We need to recognize the “Work” is our Cross to bear. We may not see relief in our lifetimes. Many White Christian’s want it to “Hurry up and be okay”. Maybe that’s not our due. We are not owed a gentle journey. We are not owed a Democracy. We may WANT a Demicracy, but Others before us fought and carried the baton of Jesus’s teachings forward without reward. The critical question is “Can WE?” Do we have the stomach for this burden? As a psychological war weapon, disheartening true believers in Jesus teachings by the co-opting of His Name by people who’s actions reveal the opposite aim, and who are downright cruel for cruelty’s sake, is a masterful blow by Evil. Do what you can, where you can, when you can. Trust in the absolute need for your efforts, goodness, and loving kindness. But come to terms with the fact that WE may not be around to reap the rewards.
As always, you have not only (more beautifully) stated what is in my own heart, but you have again given me that touch of community that is - sadly - missing in this current timeline.
I still keep the name Christian, despite what the nasties have done by pirating it. It is my birthright, and despite being rubbed in the filth of extreme Evangelicalism's excrescences, it is still my name and I will not let them steal it from me.
How we make a difference is by being Jesus to the brokenhearted and the downtrodden. There's no law against that. Not yet, anyway.
John, you always write just what I'm thinking and feeling about these difficult times. It is so sad to see friends and relatives who claim to be Christian embracing the orange idol, who is the total antithesis of Jesus Christ. It's no wonder church attendance, especially in traditional churches like mine (UMC), is declining. The only thing I know to do is to keep doing what Jesus taught. Love your neighbor. Forgive freely. Welcome the foreigner. Feed the hungry. Heal the sick. Pray.
I'm fearful for the future of this country. I hurt for my friends, relatives, and former students who live in fear, or whose rights are being threatened. We just have to keep speaking out.
I have a card that I keep over my kitchen sink where I see it every day. It says, “Sometimes God answers prayers one day at a time.” Some days I have to ask God to help my unbelief. I generally feel OMG! What a cruel policy! The white Christian nationalists are Christian in name only. They do not follow Jesus’ teachings. They intentionally do hurtful things to others. They turn away from the rule of law. They are cruel. They say, “We don’t want to hear a sermon about loving your neighbor; that’s political.” The words of Jesus are said to be “political.” Yes, I did have someone in my church say those words to me. He left to go to a church more in line with his political beliefs.
I think this may have shortened my lifespan, due only to the additional daily stress, the endless acts of authoritarianism, one after another. It seems like you don't have time to process one crazy event when another one pops up.
I think you are right about the daily assaults on our humanity shortening our lives. Emotional stress at a fast pace. It feels like vampires are sucking away at our life force to fill their empty voids that can never be satisfied
God gave us the 7th day for rest. We must take the time to shut it out and remember what has been accomplished on a cross. We know how it all will end.
"It seems like you don't have time to process one crazy event when another one pops up". And that's why they're doing it this way. They know that the endless barrage inures people to it eventually, and also makes it hard to counter because you can't catch up with it. Only people with a conscience, like you, are badly affected by it - which, again, is their intention.
I grieve...and I write. I never asked to be someone who speaks out, but I cannot stay silent. I write a blog that unashamedly says that I am a "Preacher's Kid" and I share from the perspective of being a daughter of ministers, a wife and mother of ministers, and a minister myself. While I don't very often use the phrase "I am a Christian" because of how it has been co-opted, I DO identify myself as a follower of Jesus or a "Follower of the Way" (an early description of his followers.
I don't know if "Christianity" will survive--and maybe it needs to die so that something new can break forth...something that will be more in line with what I believe Jesus intended--a community bound together in love and care for all of creation...a community that is focused on FOLLOWING Jesus, not necessarily BELIEVING IN him.
The Christian name and the image of Jesus have been highjacked by people who claim be christians and prophets, they claim to speak for God but they are like empty vesssels, tinkling cymbals and clanging gongs. We must take back the name and the image of Christ, making that image ourselves. Jesus is not just a mascot but a great teacher and for many a Savior.
I do too. I don't know what to suggest. Maybe pray silently? It's sort of like meditation and will help get your mind off the situation we are all in. One that I never imagined our country would have to deal with. I bet the Germans, Japanese and Italians were perking along before WWII and were hit by the same feelings.
I give myself an hour or more a day to read the awfulness and grieve and feel rage and helplessness. Then I turn to the things that give me a sense of who I am as a human being. I grew up in a home where our parents were right in the same camp as MAGA folk. I know what it's like to be indoctrinated daily with the "party line" and to be treated as subhuman, so it's important to me to hold on to my humanness and humanity.
My daily worship time is critical to my well-being. There have been times when I couldn't turn to God because I felt so numb. But, for several months straight, this has not been the case. I'm not sure why. I feel I do have the gift of prayer. When something(s) comes/come to me, I pray. I take part in protests and contribute to those causes I feel particularly led to support (although it's been painfully difficult to whittle that down as there are so many crying needs.)
I am a retired pastor who does supply preaching. Fortunately, I belong to a denomination that has been organized on the precepts of care for the least of these, advocating for the marginalized, and following (imperfectly) Jesus' imperative found in the Beatitudes. That being said, many of our churches are purple. When I supply for another pastor, I take a lot of time to prepare so as to be as faithful to the text as I can. I bring who I am and my honest struggle with the text along with the hope that the words I speak are not mine alone. So far, I have not been run out of town on a rail... It probably also helps that I am not the settled pastor - those who might disagree can slough it off and go about their day.
I have had a love/hate relationship with the church. There has been much to criticize and yet much that is worth keeping. The future of the church? I think Roman Catholicism may possibly move in a more all-embracing way and gain traction. More mystical forms of Christianity may gradually emerge. My sense is that whatever greater form Christianity may take it will not happen until we have enormous suffering visited upon us by Christian Nationalism. It will be a pitched battle, but I do believe in an outcome where Christ-like love and justice will prevail. A remnant will survive and flourish.
Thanks for all you do. I don't know how you continue to dig deep and clear-eyed without collapsing under the load, but I really appreciate your work.
Thanks for sharing, I get it. I used to be a an evangelical Pentecostal and worked in missions with an organization called Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Seems like so long ago and I have changed so much and lean less on doctrine or dogma leaving shame and guilt behind and embracing a daily practice of seeking to be an imitation of Christ to those around me in simple gestures and the way I engage the world. I believe a remnant is emerging who want that and will not reject those of other faiths who carry the light as we hope to. God is not exclusive but inclusive, I have found in my many years of faith. God belongs to no one, no denomination, no faith, no political party, no nationality. God is ONE, and is all and in all, wishing to be revealed and seen by us as we live and move. My walk Christ finally helped me realize that and learning about other faiths and knowing people of other faiths helped me be a better follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Safe Journeys!
Susan, many thanks for your comments. I approach my day just as you stated — I give my grieving a time. I also do my reading in the morning, allowing myself to grieve....currently its more sadness than rage, but that's still there too.... I pray to be relieved of the burden of anger. I turn to my garden, touching and absorbing the energy of God-given beauty and thanking the "Universe" for showing me it's glory. As an author and artist of inspirational material, I turn to my writing to find the self I recognize. The intense focus it takes to write put's me in what people call "the zone" I've always believed that creative space is a good place to meet with God and receive His blessings and comfort. Susan, your last line to John reflects my thoughts to him perfectly:" Thanks for all you do. I don't know how you continue to dig deep and clear-eyed without collapsing under the load, but I really appreciate your work.
I am not a Christian, although I am a big fan of Jesus as a character. Having read the history of crusades, Inquisition, and excerpts from The Witches' Hammer, it doesn't surprise me that those who profess to love Jesus the most turn out to resembled him the least. After all, in his day, Torquemada was considered a perfect Christian.
What continues to astonish me is that these people keep asking, "Well, if you don't believe in God, how do you know what's wrong and what's right?" Is that what they NEED? The big booming voice from the sky and the fear of eternal hellfire to not be utter sh*ts to other people? Because, if that is the case (and for many of them that's EXACTLY the case), all of their declarations of love toward Jesus are worth precisely. ZIP.
This is pretty much how I ended up first as agnostic and now a full blown atheist. Once my doubt set in I could no longer believe in a benevolent deity. I believe we are on our own and have to rely on ourselves to solve this mess. I do respect those who are able to retain some hope and faith, like Pope Leo. He is speaking out. And you John, as well. That's why I subscribe. I think all people of good will must come together and fight this....whether they belive in a higher power or not, living simply by The Golden Rule.
Joan: Exactly! That’s actually what my mother taught me as a young child: just follow the Golden Rule. I raised my children to follow the Golden Rule as well. None of them are Christian but they are all compassionate, good people.
I stopped going to church several years ago for a few different reasons. But I still try to follow the teachings of Jesus. I don’t know that I “believe” in Christ, so hesitate to call myself a Christian.
Christianity has always had sects, like every other religion. I wouldn’t be concerned about the extreme prosperity gospel/evangelical sect except that it has become so powerfully dangerous to our country and people. I’m probably more furious at our elected officials who have allowed and encouraged the dismantling of the constitutional wall between government and religion.
Isn't it weird how the Venn diagram between these MAGA types today and people who were asking 20 years ago why the Muslim world couldn't bottle up and control their Islamofascist element overlap nearly 100%?
I have been extremely troubled by the evil presenting itself as god’s will. The action in the Middle East is directly tied to this evil. Our defenses are down. Our experienced generals pushed out. Our Veterans Administration decimated. Our Homeland Security has been diverted to chasing immigrants who work in the fields and are showing up for their hearings.
The United States is not on a war footing.
Nothing makes sense to someone who has lived through multiple wars and has had many veterans in the family.
I believe that this is a cleansing process in which we as a country need to take a good look at the ugliness in ourselves. We need to re-examine both capitalism without guardrails (greed) and religion without politics (Christian nationalism). Maybe both capitalism and organized religion can be reborn into something better and beautiful. At least I hope so.
Brian McLaren has written extensively about this. His book Do I Stay Christian answers it three ways and explores the implications for each answer (yes, no, maybe). In the end, it doesn’t matter if we follow Christ’s teachings of Love. The historical Jesus isn’t the same as the archetypal Christ who transcends denominational titles. Theology matters and white Christian nationalism’s theology is patriarchy, exploitation, domination and extraction cloaked in piety and sentimentality. Remember, Christ was not Jesus’ last name!
If our Blessed Jesus wept as he turned His eyes upon Jerusalem, knowing its fate, do you think we are any less by grieving our 'Jerusalem' ? I would say for those of us whose spirits are struggling, look above the fray for our strength and then carry on as we are meant to do: Heal the sick, feed the poor, welcome the stranger. Be filled with joy, even while contacting our DC representatives. There is work to do, but it cannot be accomplished with shattered hope. Our reward awaits us.
Sandra, John and you frame this issue well. I especially liked your comment: “There is work to do, but it cannot be accomplished with shattered hope. “. We need to recognize the “Work” is our Cross to bear. We may not see relief in our lifetimes. Many White Christian’s want it to “Hurry up and be okay”. Maybe that’s not our due. We are not owed a gentle journey. We are not owed a Democracy. We may WANT a Demicracy, but Others before us fought and carried the baton of Jesus’s teachings forward without reward. The critical question is “Can WE?” Do we have the stomach for this burden? As a psychological war weapon, disheartening true believers in Jesus teachings by the co-opting of His Name by people who’s actions reveal the opposite aim, and who are downright cruel for cruelty’s sake, is a masterful blow by Evil. Do what you can, where you can, when you can. Trust in the absolute need for your efforts, goodness, and loving kindness. But come to terms with the fact that WE may not be around to reap the rewards.
As always, you have not only (more beautifully) stated what is in my own heart, but you have again given me that touch of community that is - sadly - missing in this current timeline.
I still keep the name Christian, despite what the nasties have done by pirating it. It is my birthright, and despite being rubbed in the filth of extreme Evangelicalism's excrescences, it is still my name and I will not let them steal it from me.
How we make a difference is by being Jesus to the brokenhearted and the downtrodden. There's no law against that. Not yet, anyway.
Yesm being Jesus to the brokenhearted Well put!
John, you always write just what I'm thinking and feeling about these difficult times. It is so sad to see friends and relatives who claim to be Christian embracing the orange idol, who is the total antithesis of Jesus Christ. It's no wonder church attendance, especially in traditional churches like mine (UMC), is declining. The only thing I know to do is to keep doing what Jesus taught. Love your neighbor. Forgive freely. Welcome the foreigner. Feed the hungry. Heal the sick. Pray.
I'm fearful for the future of this country. I hurt for my friends, relatives, and former students who live in fear, or whose rights are being threatened. We just have to keep speaking out.
We are all in this together Blessings on your joureny!
I have a card that I keep over my kitchen sink where I see it every day. It says, “Sometimes God answers prayers one day at a time.” Some days I have to ask God to help my unbelief. I generally feel OMG! What a cruel policy! The white Christian nationalists are Christian in name only. They do not follow Jesus’ teachings. They intentionally do hurtful things to others. They turn away from the rule of law. They are cruel. They say, “We don’t want to hear a sermon about loving your neighbor; that’s political.” The words of Jesus are said to be “political.” Yes, I did have someone in my church say those words to me. He left to go to a church more in line with his political beliefs.
I think this may have shortened my lifespan, due only to the additional daily stress, the endless acts of authoritarianism, one after another. It seems like you don't have time to process one crazy event when another one pops up.
I think you are right about the daily assaults on our humanity shortening our lives. Emotional stress at a fast pace. It feels like vampires are sucking away at our life force to fill their empty voids that can never be satisfied
I know. It’s insane.
I so hear your frustration, me too!
God gave us the 7th day for rest. We must take the time to shut it out and remember what has been accomplished on a cross. We know how it all will end.
I agree.
"It seems like you don't have time to process one crazy event when another one pops up". And that's why they're doing it this way. They know that the endless barrage inures people to it eventually, and also makes it hard to counter because you can't catch up with it. Only people with a conscience, like you, are badly affected by it - which, again, is their intention.
I'm sure it's shortening mine.
I grieve...and I write. I never asked to be someone who speaks out, but I cannot stay silent. I write a blog that unashamedly says that I am a "Preacher's Kid" and I share from the perspective of being a daughter of ministers, a wife and mother of ministers, and a minister myself. While I don't very often use the phrase "I am a Christian" because of how it has been co-opted, I DO identify myself as a follower of Jesus or a "Follower of the Way" (an early description of his followers.
I don't know if "Christianity" will survive--and maybe it needs to die so that something new can break forth...something that will be more in line with what I believe Jesus intended--a community bound together in love and care for all of creation...a community that is focused on FOLLOWING Jesus, not necessarily BELIEVING IN him.
The Christian name and the image of Jesus have been highjacked by people who claim be christians and prophets, they claim to speak for God but they are like empty vesssels, tinkling cymbals and clanging gongs. We must take back the name and the image of Christ, making that image ourselves. Jesus is not just a mascot but a great teacher and for many a Savior.
Pam: yes, I agree, being a community of people who follow the teachings of Jesus and not necessarily believing in him is my hope as well.
Totally agree. Maybe there is a "Christ-ian" community that's beginning to break through.
I grieve. Daily.
I do too. I don't know what to suggest. Maybe pray silently? It's sort of like meditation and will help get your mind off the situation we are all in. One that I never imagined our country would have to deal with. I bet the Germans, Japanese and Italians were perking along before WWII and were hit by the same feelings.
Me too…
Me too! Bless you!
I give myself an hour or more a day to read the awfulness and grieve and feel rage and helplessness. Then I turn to the things that give me a sense of who I am as a human being. I grew up in a home where our parents were right in the same camp as MAGA folk. I know what it's like to be indoctrinated daily with the "party line" and to be treated as subhuman, so it's important to me to hold on to my humanness and humanity.
My daily worship time is critical to my well-being. There have been times when I couldn't turn to God because I felt so numb. But, for several months straight, this has not been the case. I'm not sure why. I feel I do have the gift of prayer. When something(s) comes/come to me, I pray. I take part in protests and contribute to those causes I feel particularly led to support (although it's been painfully difficult to whittle that down as there are so many crying needs.)
I am a retired pastor who does supply preaching. Fortunately, I belong to a denomination that has been organized on the precepts of care for the least of these, advocating for the marginalized, and following (imperfectly) Jesus' imperative found in the Beatitudes. That being said, many of our churches are purple. When I supply for another pastor, I take a lot of time to prepare so as to be as faithful to the text as I can. I bring who I am and my honest struggle with the text along with the hope that the words I speak are not mine alone. So far, I have not been run out of town on a rail... It probably also helps that I am not the settled pastor - those who might disagree can slough it off and go about their day.
I have had a love/hate relationship with the church. There has been much to criticize and yet much that is worth keeping. The future of the church? I think Roman Catholicism may possibly move in a more all-embracing way and gain traction. More mystical forms of Christianity may gradually emerge. My sense is that whatever greater form Christianity may take it will not happen until we have enormous suffering visited upon us by Christian Nationalism. It will be a pitched battle, but I do believe in an outcome where Christ-like love and justice will prevail. A remnant will survive and flourish.
Thanks for all you do. I don't know how you continue to dig deep and clear-eyed without collapsing under the load, but I really appreciate your work.
Thanks for sharing, I get it. I used to be a an evangelical Pentecostal and worked in missions with an organization called Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Seems like so long ago and I have changed so much and lean less on doctrine or dogma leaving shame and guilt behind and embracing a daily practice of seeking to be an imitation of Christ to those around me in simple gestures and the way I engage the world. I believe a remnant is emerging who want that and will not reject those of other faiths who carry the light as we hope to. God is not exclusive but inclusive, I have found in my many years of faith. God belongs to no one, no denomination, no faith, no political party, no nationality. God is ONE, and is all and in all, wishing to be revealed and seen by us as we live and move. My walk Christ finally helped me realize that and learning about other faiths and knowing people of other faiths helped me be a better follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Safe Journeys!
Susan, many thanks for your comments. I approach my day just as you stated — I give my grieving a time. I also do my reading in the morning, allowing myself to grieve....currently its more sadness than rage, but that's still there too.... I pray to be relieved of the burden of anger. I turn to my garden, touching and absorbing the energy of God-given beauty and thanking the "Universe" for showing me it's glory. As an author and artist of inspirational material, I turn to my writing to find the self I recognize. The intense focus it takes to write put's me in what people call "the zone" I've always believed that creative space is a good place to meet with God and receive His blessings and comfort. Susan, your last line to John reflects my thoughts to him perfectly:" Thanks for all you do. I don't know how you continue to dig deep and clear-eyed without collapsing under the load, but I really appreciate your work.
MAGA = Make America Greedy Again
GOP = Greed Over Policy
Sad but true. Thanks!
I am not a Christian, although I am a big fan of Jesus as a character. Having read the history of crusades, Inquisition, and excerpts from The Witches' Hammer, it doesn't surprise me that those who profess to love Jesus the most turn out to resembled him the least. After all, in his day, Torquemada was considered a perfect Christian.
What continues to astonish me is that these people keep asking, "Well, if you don't believe in God, how do you know what's wrong and what's right?" Is that what they NEED? The big booming voice from the sky and the fear of eternal hellfire to not be utter sh*ts to other people? Because, if that is the case (and for many of them that's EXACTLY the case), all of their declarations of love toward Jesus are worth precisely. ZIP.
This is pretty much how I ended up first as agnostic and now a full blown atheist. Once my doubt set in I could no longer believe in a benevolent deity. I believe we are on our own and have to rely on ourselves to solve this mess. I do respect those who are able to retain some hope and faith, like Pope Leo. He is speaking out. And you John, as well. That's why I subscribe. I think all people of good will must come together and fight this....whether they belive in a higher power or not, living simply by The Golden Rule.
Joan: Exactly! That’s actually what my mother taught me as a young child: just follow the Golden Rule. I raised my children to follow the Golden Rule as well. None of them are Christian but they are all compassionate, good people.
So simple too. No 1000 page rule book needed.
I stopped going to church several years ago for a few different reasons. But I still try to follow the teachings of Jesus. I don’t know that I “believe” in Christ, so hesitate to call myself a Christian.
Christianity has always had sects, like every other religion. I wouldn’t be concerned about the extreme prosperity gospel/evangelical sect except that it has become so powerfully dangerous to our country and people. I’m probably more furious at our elected officials who have allowed and encouraged the dismantling of the constitutional wall between government and religion.
Isn't it weird how the Venn diagram between these MAGA types today and people who were asking 20 years ago why the Muslim world couldn't bottle up and control their Islamofascist element overlap nearly 100%?
I have been extremely troubled by the evil presenting itself as god’s will. The action in the Middle East is directly tied to this evil. Our defenses are down. Our experienced generals pushed out. Our Veterans Administration decimated. Our Homeland Security has been diverted to chasing immigrants who work in the fields and are showing up for their hearings.
The United States is not on a war footing.
Nothing makes sense to someone who has lived through multiple wars and has had many veterans in the family.
I believe that this is a cleansing process in which we as a country need to take a good look at the ugliness in ourselves. We need to re-examine both capitalism without guardrails (greed) and religion without politics (Christian nationalism). Maybe both capitalism and organized religion can be reborn into something better and beautiful. At least I hope so.
Brian McLaren has written extensively about this. His book Do I Stay Christian answers it three ways and explores the implications for each answer (yes, no, maybe). In the end, it doesn’t matter if we follow Christ’s teachings of Love. The historical Jesus isn’t the same as the archetypal Christ who transcends denominational titles. Theology matters and white Christian nationalism’s theology is patriarchy, exploitation, domination and extraction cloaked in piety and sentimentality. Remember, Christ was not Jesus’ last name!