Methodist Bishop Benjamin Boni has joined other religious leaders of the Ivory Coast in making an appeal for peace in the country as the rebellion intensifies. Details here from United Methodist News Service.
Politics
April 02, 2011
November 17, 2010
A word from the Bush Institute's executive director
It's time we give you a little taste of the behind-the-scenes hustle and bustle of the 13th presidential library groundbreaking.
Managing editor Robin Russell spoke with James Glassman, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, Tuesday, Nov.16 before Mr. Bush and a posse of advisors, architects and companions broke ground for the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus.
Hear what Mr. Glassman has to say to UMR readers:
Stay tuned for more original coverage of the groundbreaking! We have more interviews, photos, video clips and a cover story coming your way in the Dec. 3 issue of the United Methodist Reporter.
November 09, 2010
Bush booksigning draws supporters, protesters
Hundreds of people waited in a line for hours this morning at a North Dallas bookstore to meet former President George W. Bush and have him sign copies of his newly released memoir Decision Points (Crown Publishing), which hit bookstores today.
Mr. Bush, 64, launched a media blitz this week to promote the book, after nearly two years of silent retirement in North Dallas. The booksigning was held a week before the groundbreaking for the Bush presidential library center at SMU.
The memoir recounts critical moments of Mr. Bush’s presidency, including his ordering the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and the administration’s much-criticized response to Hurricane Katrina.
Bush supporters waited outside the Borders bookstore in a long line that snaked around and behind the entire North Dallas shopping plaza. The booksigning also drew a handful of people who were protesting the Bush administration policies.
Linda Foley of Fort Worth criticized Mr. Bush’s acknowledgement in his book of approving waterboarding as an interrogation technique. Ms. Foley said she is affiliated with Code Pink, a grassroots peace movement of women working to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“That’s a real slippery slope,” she said. “We know a lot of terrible things happened at Abu Ghraib. I think this book will include a lot of self-aggrandizement.”
Protesters at a busy intersection near the bookstore held posters that read “Torture is illegal!” and “No one is above the law.” Among them were a United Church of Christ minister and members of the Dallas Peace Center, Veterans for Peace and Military Families for Peace.
Drivers passing by often honked long and loud at the protesters, some offering a “single-finger salute,” Ms. Foley said. Mr. Bush has been generally well-received in his Preston Hollow neighborhood and throughout the city since he left the White House.
“I think it’s despicable,” said David Hearn of Fort Worth, watching the protest while standing in line. “Our president served our country nobly for eight years. He had to make tough decisions in tough times.”
Mr. Hearn said he arrived at Borders to get in line at 4:30 a.m. Reading a protest sign that proclaimed “Arrest Bush,” he said, “That’s below low.”
Nicole Marion, 25, a United Methodist from Dallas, emerged from Borders about 9:30 a.m. with hew newly signed copy of Decision Points.
“I think he was a strong president who never wavered in his beliefs,” she said. “We love Bush.”
November 01, 2010
Tactless political ads call for Christian response
Hello, November and hello, election season. It’s that wonderful (note the sarcasm) time of year when politicians forfeit integrity, class and a hefty chunk of cash to bash their opponents.
Sure, it’s easy to point fingers and get swept up in the competitive nature of our society, but as Christians, what are we called to do?
“It seems the default formula for successful political ads is the negative attack against the opponent rather than the recounting of positive intentions of the candidate paying for the commercial,” writes Bishop Robert Schnase in a recent blog post.
He then goes on to ask the obvious question as to why today’s political ads have become so vicious and distorted. His answer: those ads work. (What a sick reality!)
“Those of us who receive these ads are willing to avoid the hard work of learning about the tough and complex issues of our time. We are happy to nod or shake our head based on a 30-second contrived presentation rather than delve deeper, to think beyond our own self-interest to the good of the nation and world,” he writes. “We’re willing to be seduced and deceived by oversimplification, to be animated and motivated by animosity and accusation.”
Bishop Schnase’s blog, rooted in Philippians 4:8, calls Christians to step up to the plate and to seek what is honorable, pleasing and commendable—both as politicians and voting citizens.
What's your take on "the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival?"
September 10, 2010
June 10, 2010
Profession of faith as political prop?
David Waters, a United Methodist and veteran religion writer, has a post today on The Washington Post's 'On Faith" blog about Nikki Haley, "the Sarah Palin-endorsed, scandal-hounded, Sikh-turned-Methodist" who won the South Carolina Republican primary for governor on Tuesday.
Mr. Waters says it's discouraging that Ms. Haley, or any American political candidate, for that matter, "feels compelled to include in her campaign material a confession of faith."
Indeed, Ms. Haley's campaign website shows a marked change since April in the specifics of her Christian faith -- from "I believe in the power and grace of Almighty God" to the more descriptive "My faith in Christ has a profound impact on my daily life and I look to Him for guidance with every decision I make."
Born in South Carolina, Ms. Haley is the daughter of Indian immigrants and was raised in the Sikh tradition. She became a Christian as a young adult.
She also overcame accusations of extramarital affairs to win the primary.
Here's a link to Mr. Waters' blog post.
March 22, 2010
Health care: Where are we in the story?
I can usually count on the Rev. Ken Carter for a thought-provoking, but not argument-provoking, perspective on just about any issue he addresses on his blog. Today's entry is no exception, as he draws readers into the parable of the Good Samaritan. Check out his post, "Who is my neighbor? Why health care is always being reformed" for some thoughtful reflection, including this snippet:
A last question: Where do we locate ourselves in the story? What if you are the person who is suffering? The orientation for most of us is that, if it is someone else, we want care that is good but limited and efficient. If it is for someone we love--my daughter or sister, your father or grandmother, no expense is too lavish. When it becomes personal, it is different.
And because the health care debate has brought to light many failures at maintaining civility amid disagreement, I thought I'd include a reminder on that subject, too: Here's a link to Robin Russell's recent Q&A with the author of Christian Civility in an Uncivil World.
March 08, 2010
Glenn Beck advises viewers to leave their churches
...if that particular church espouses any kind of "social justice" focus, that is. And, given Methodist founder John Wesley's teachings and actions, that recommendation sure seems to include leaving the United Methodist Church.
Jeremy Smith over at Hacking Christianity provides further details on what Mr. Beck has suggested.
There's this other guy we should be listening to, however. Jesus also had some things to say about helping the poor and needy -- the kind of things we might call "social justice" today.
July 01, 2009
White House: Church choice still pending
On Monday I blogged about Time magazine's report of the President's church choice.
Not exactly true, says the White House.
Religion News Service has a brief Q&A on the matter with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. In short: no formal decisions, no formal membership. Here's an excerpt from Gibbs' answer:
"I will say I think one aspect of the article that is true, as I mentioned here in that same discussion, was the concern that the President continues to have about the disruptive nature of his presence on any particular Sunday in some churches around the area."
From what's been reported about the First Family's visits to D.C. area congregations, that does seem like a valid concern.
June 29, 2009
Religion tidbit of the day: Prez chooses church
And it's probably a bit of a surprise to those D.C. churches... Time reports that the Obamas will worship at camp.
Camp David has a nondenominational location for worship, Evergreen Chapel, dedicated into service by George H.W. Bush during his presidency and often used by his successors, including the younger President Bush every Christmas during his time in Washington.
Read the Time story for some perspective, including a history of the problems Presidents have historically encountered as they've sought a spot where they could pray in peace.
(I would expect a service much like those I've seen in other military chaplain-run settings. But part of me is wondering if they sing songs with motions and gather around a bonfire for s'mores every so often. After all, it's at camp!)
January 23, 2009
December 19, 2008
"I'm tolerant of everyone except intolerant people."
Ever heard that phrase? Ever thought it?
Well, that's essentially what we're hearing now in response to the news that President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Rick Warren to give the invocation at the Inauguration.
The short version: one side doesn't like Mr. Warren's stance on gay rights, and the other can't believe Mr. Warren agreed to pray for a President who is pro-choice. I'm not going to outline the reaction in great detail, because Ben Witherington and Adam Hamilton have already shared some thoughtful observations on their blogs.
I've noticed we aren't hearing near as much about retired United Methodist pastor and civil rights activist the Rev. Joseph Lowery giving the benediction. But Jeff Weiss posted it on the Dallas Morning News Religion Blog, which is where I learned of it yesterday morning. (It has since been distributed throughout United Methodist church-nerd circles.) Maybe people just think the Civil Rights Movement is too boring these days?
November 03, 2008
Election prayers
In recent days I've seen election-related prayers from two clergy, one in North Carolina, one in South Carolina. Ken is in North Carolina, which currently has a "light blue" forecast (predicted to go for Obama, but not by a landslide), and Kathy is in South Carolina, which is a bold shade of red (indicating firm McCain support). Both of these pastors, like most (probably all) United Methodist clergy, relate to congregations that include people from a variety of political persuasions, and the prayers are appropriately sensitive to that aspect of our diversity.
Read them both after the jump.
October 17, 2008
Red State, Blue State, How 'Bout a New State?
That's the title of my friend Jay Voorhees' sermon last Sunday. I've embedded the accompanying video below:
(If you can't do video right now, here's the link to the text with a few stills.)
In this frenetic election season as well as in the day-to-day living of our lives, it's a message many of us probably need to hear over and over -- and over. I know I do.
August 04, 2008
Rain-out for DNC? Let's pray for it!
I think, perhaps, Focus on the Family has hit a new low.
The organization tends to lean in a certain political direction, but just in case you weren't sure about that, here's Stuart Shepherd with the latest installment of his Stoplight video commentary. Which isn't so much a commentary as a prayer request for a rain-out of Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
You know, it sounds like those desperate bleacher prayers to me: "Please, God, let our team win! Pleasepleaseplease!" I was guilty of them in high school (though I wasn't in the bleachers; I was on the sidelines, wearing kick-pleats and a sailor collar and screaming my head off). But that was high school. I was sixteen and hadn't had much theological instruction. This guy doesn't have that excuse. This, in effect, is asking God to pull a prank on the other team.
I pray the God I worship doesn't work that way.
(Hat tip: Kevin Eckstrom, RNS.)
June 25, 2008
Dobson-Obama firestorm draws in UM pastor
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village mega-UMC in Houston, is the leader of a coalition that has put up a Web site, JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com. The site is a reaction to a recent accusation by Dr. Dobson that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has a distorted interpretation of the Bible and "a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."
Continue reading "Dobson-Obama firestorm draws in UM pastor" »
September 11: A Day for Prayer and Peace
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As we approach yet another September 11, we are reminded that the world we live in continues to be fragile place where emotions and tensions run high. There are not many of us who will ever forget where we were on that September morning nine years ago. We should never forget those whose lives were taken away in the horror of just a few hours.September 11 should be, for all of us, a day of prayer for peace in this world. It should be a day for quiet remembrance and reflection as we seek to find and live in the ways of peace. We think of Jesus pausing on his way into the holy city of Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday. He wept over the city - not so much for what was about to happen to him, but because the people did not know the things that make for peace (Luke 19:41-42). We suspect he still weeps, looking out over the world we currently inhabit.
September 11 should be a day of prayer for rebuilding and restoring relationships, and for reaching out to find ways to work and live together in this world. It is not a day for burning the holy book of another faith tradition. Tragically one person has garnered headlines for advocating such a thing. There is nothing of Jesus in such an action. In fact, as we recall, there was a time when the disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven on the perceived enemies for refusing to receive Jesus. No, Jesus said; in fact he "rebuked" those who advocated such a means. (Luke 9:51-55). Such an action is not the way of Jesus, nor the way of peace and love.
There was a meeting earlier this week in Washington, DC, of religious leaders of many faith communities. The United Methodist Church and its Council of Bishops was represented by its Executive Secretary, Bishop Neil L. Irons. The members of the group, in a formal statement, said: "We are committed to building a future in which religious differences no longer lead to hostility or division between communities. Rather, we believe that such diversity can serve to enrich our public discourse about the great moral challenges that face our nation and our planet. On the basis of our shared reflection, we insist that no religion should be judged on the words or actions of those who seek to pervert it through acts of violence; that politicians and members of the media are never justified in exploiting religious differences as a wedge to advance political agendas or ideologies... We work together on the basis of deeply held and widely shared values, each supported by the sacred texts of our respective traditions. We acknowledge with gratitude the dialogues between our scholars and religious authorities that have helped us to identify a common understanding of the divine command to love one's neighbor. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all see an intimate link between faithfulness to God and love of neighbor; a neighbor who in many instances is the stranger in our midst. "
"We are convinced that spiritual leaders representing the various faiths in the United States have a moral responsibility to stand together and to denounce categorically derision, misinformation or outright bigotry directed against any religious group in this country. Silence is not an option. Only by taking this stand, can spiritual leaders fulfill the highest calling of our respective faiths, and thereby help to create a safer and stronger America for all of our people." **
We urge all of us to approach the remembrance of September 11 in prayer and hope for peace; and in resolving to do everything we can individually and collectively to live the way of Jesus. It is our prayer that this weekend be filled with prayers and not the fires of hatred and irrational rage.
Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster
President, Council of Bishops
Bishop Neil L. Irons
Executive Secretary, Council of Bishops
**Full statement and list of attendees available at:http://www.isna.net/articles/News/Beyond-Park-51-Religious-Leaders-Denounce-Anti-Muslim-Bigotry-and-Call-for-Respect.aspx
Sep 10, 2010 9:58:34 AM | Commentary, Faith and Culture, News, Politics, Prayer, Religion