peacestartswithme.org

Immigration

2007-07-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

I heard on NPR the other day the reading of the Statue of Liberty inscription. I had never heard the whole thing before, but it is truly beautiful.

What happened to this belief? Surely we do not treat our Exiles as well as this inscription says.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

War and Focus on the Family

2007-05-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

I woke up the other day listening to James Dobson and his Focus on the Family radio broadcast. The broadcast for the week was about "defending our nation". His guests told stories of World War II, and he gave his little speech about how defending our nation is so important, etc., etc.

Ironically I had just read Micah the night before...

"With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offering, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".

So instead of getting mad, or being unsure about my political position, I was confident in God. Whoever believes in war needs to carefully read the bible.

But then it made me think, isn't Focus on the Family supposed to be about the Family?

What, exactly, about war is "Family Friendly"?

Is it the war crimes? The months that families are separated while loved ones are in active duty? The killing of civilians? The mental illness that plagues so many soldiers? Killing another human?

Can anyone tell me what makes war Family Friendly?

Second letter to Dr. Dobson

2007-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I received a response from Dr. Dobson's correspondence assistant regarding my first letter about global warming. I won't type out her response, but you'll get the gist of it from my own response to her.

As a warning, I'm not so sure that I fully believe everything I wrote below (especially about scientists), but I'm more trying to write "to his level", so to speak. I don't know if that's immoral, but we'll see if it works.

Susan M. Wells

Correspondence Assistant

Focus on the Family

Colorado Springs, CO 80995

20 April 2007

Dear Ms. Wells:

Thank you for your response on behalf of Dr. Dobson regarding global warming. I appreciate you taking the time to personally respond. If you will, I ask that you please address a few more questions regarding Dr. Dobson’s view on global warming.

In the Focus on the Family Statement on the Environment, the author writes: “From a secular environmentalist point of view, which excludes God, the highest aim is to understand nature itself. How we treat nature, then, depends strictly on our own, relative ethics and preferences”.

I assume that this statement is referring to the great numbers of atheistic/agnostic scientists – perhaps we could even call them “mainstream” scientists. Certainly this is true, that vast numbers of scientists (though certainly not all) aim for science above morality, and their own morality is that which they extract from the scientific discoveries that they have personally uncovered. I agree that moral relativism is, at best, universally unhelpful, and at worst is an extremely dangerous “slippery slope”.

I am concerned, then, that Dr. Dobson feels that the NAE should “leave the debate [of global warming] in the hands of scientists, rather than ministry leaders”. Why would we, as responsible, moral Christians want to leave the responsibility for the consequences of global warming in the hands of moral relativists?

I am particularly concerned because the Focus on the Family statement on the environment proclaims that “authority [over the environment] involves not a lessening of accountability, but an increase”. As Christians, why would we want to defer the debate to a nonbeliever? Should we not be held more accountable than the unbeliever?

The statement on the environment also proposes: “Scripture repudiates any view that exalts creation above the Creator or trivializes human suffering. Though we oppose greed, covetousness and environmental ‘gluttony,’ basic human welfare – at home and abroad – must be preeminent in all environmental proposals”.

I agree. But in his position regarding global warming, Dr. Dobson seems to have prioritized one type of life (the “preborn”) over another (the millions potentially affected by global warming).

It is abundantly clear that global warming has the potential to cause famine, drought, disease, and natural disasters. Whether by human or natural causes, this fact of global warming is not disputed. It is also clear that, by the nature of global economics and distribution of resources, that the world’s poorest countries will be the most negatively affected.

I do not know how to convey with words the potential for unbelievable suffering due to thirst and hunger. So I repeat the question I asked in the first letter: Is it worth it to do nothing?

It seems that Dr. Dobson is separating the environmental component of global warming from the human component. I am asking him to reconsider his position based on the human aspect. The root of Christian environmentalism should be the concern for human life, which includes all humans: the now-living, the unborn, and the very distant unborn who will exist many generations from today.

Whereas Dr. Dobson is concerned that this nation “spends billions for pure air and water” rather than devote its resources to the preborn, I see the pure air and water as a legitimate investment in human life. Imagine the millions of tiny, developing humans who may acquire deformities or become unable to mature in the womb (and subsequently die) because of toxic heavy metals, pesticides and other pollutants had this country not enacted laws against such pollutants. I have not listed any examples, but I assure you, the data are there to support my claim.

The bible says “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?” (1 Cor. 6:15). Also “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Cor 3:16-17). My final question to Dr. Dobson: How are you to reconcile your statement on global warming with the above mentioned verses?

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my letter. I do ask that you present a copy of this letter, along with my original statement, to Dr. Dobson himself.

Sincerely,

Erika Westerlind

Have you seen this?

2007-04-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this? Google Earth and the Holocaust Memorial Museum have launched an interactive map so that everyone can see the extent of the destruction in Darfur.

Check out the story

If you haven't already, e-mail your representatives and the president to tell them to DO SOMETHING about Darfur.

You can download Google Earth Darfur here.

My letter to Dr. Dobson

2007-03-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Dr. James C. Dobson, PhD

Focus on the Family

Colorado Springs, CO 80995

12 March 2007

Dear Dr. Dobson,

I have heard that you co-sponsored the letter to the National Association of Evangelicals regarding global warming. I am writing to encourage you to change your position about global warming.

It is true that we cannot be completely sure that the warming of the earth is due to human activity. But, Mr. Dobson, is it worth the risk to do nothing? Did God create nature for humans to have irresponsible dominion over it? Did not God create the earth and call it “good”? Perhaps if we do something (reduce carbon emissions, lower fossil fuel use, etc.) we will have an effect; perhaps not. Is it worth it, though, to do nothing?

I ask you to consider the welfare of the planet, including the people who inhabit it. As a Christian, can I stand by and do nothing to change my impact on the earth, while I so clearly see pictures in the newspaper of Ethiopians starving from drought-induced famine?

Mr. Dobson, the letter to the N.A.E. cites concern that evangelicals would lose their focus in evangelism and the sanctity of life. Is not all life sacred, including but not limited to the unborn? Isn’t the thirsty person suffering from drought equally important in the eyes of God?

Mr. Dobson, I in no way wish to discourage the Christian role of evangelism. But for the millions of people who may die from floods, drought and famine associated with the warming of the earth, there will be no chance to learn about Christ. You cannot evangelize to a person who is dead.

Sincerely,

Erika Westerlind

A song...

2007-02-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to purchase a cheap music recording program for my computer to record a few of the songs I have been writing and post them to this blog...but the recording software didn't work properly on my mac. So I am going to write the lyrics to one of my songs here...

His name was Sugar, a beggar, on the corner with a window for a face
He stood by a lamp and I swear I could see his shadow shivering in place
He took me by surprise
I could hear him speaking right in side my mind

You make me feel so low, so low.

She stepped off the curb, a pretty politician known for leftist views
She always did her best to alter legislation, to consider the lesser few
She took me by surprise
She took one look and passed him by

You make me feel so low, so low

He marched down the street, a solid polished preacher, with rings on both his hands
He studied the sign and I thought he would have compassion, this righteous holy man
He took me by surprise
He shook his head and said goodbye

You make me feel so low, so low

I sat on a bench with my bag and my hands were shaking as I slid out of view
And Sugar walked over just as my needle was pushing a puncture for a wound
He took me by surprise
He held my hand as I started to cry

You make me feel so low, so low

Many layers of responsibility

2007-02-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

I was thinking the other day about justice as I was listening to right-wing Christian talk radio. I was angry because Christian radio doesn't seem to solve anything, they just point fingers at "liberals". They attack liberals for believing in abortions, saving the environment (which strangely many Christians associate with being pro-choice!), being "soft on crime", being homosexual or supporting homosexuals, and anti-American (i.e., anti-war). It made me so angry listening to these "Christians" spread their message of irritation, or loathing to thousands or millions of listeners.

I'm not sure where the reconciling message of Christ is in these broadcasts. Where in the bible does it say to cast blame on another? Where does it say to look to someone else for the source of the problem before you look to yourself? Please, someone, tell me!!

I can only muster up a splash of optimism from these radio broadcasts: I believe that these broadcasters truly recognize that there is sin and injustice in the world. I believe that their reaction to witnessing sin is to point the spotlight somewhere, hoping that illuminating a segment of society will somehow resolve some issues.

They aren't entirely incorrect; the only real problem is that pointing the finger of blame to someone else rejects the idea of a crucified Jesus. The cross of Christ requires us to recognize the effect of our own sin in the world, and anything we do to shift the attention elsewhere is really blasphemy. When I kneel before the cross, I better be prepared to deal with my own sin!

Listening to that broadcast made me think of the different aspects to deal with when wanting to pursue social justice. Here is what I came up with

1. Compassion and kindness toward others, including a complete respect of the other's dignity.
2. Personal responsibility in our daily actions, and an awareness that what we do affects others. (In my notes in my journal I wrote: this is where not buying things made-in-China comes in)
3. Convincing/teaching others about their impact and motivating others to practice ethical living.
4. Lobbying for legislative changes that address the cause of these problems.

I realize that we cannot be effective without practicing all four of these aspects. For example, living a socially responsible life by riding to work on a recycled scrap-metal bicycle and eating a 100% organic vegan diet really means nothing if you ignore your neighbor just because he drives a Hummer. Is that justice? How can we address the issues of poverty or hate if we do not have compassion on our neighbor?

Likewise, we cannot lobby for legislation without first convincing others of their ethical duties. Also, we cannot lobby for legislation if we, ourselves, are contributing to the problem! Legislation that does not reflect the opinions of the majority will be ineffective (even if it is morally correct).

Compassion alone is not enough, either. Compassion and kindness is wonderful, but without actions of justice it will only perpetuate the status-quo.

Without faith...

2006-11-22T22:59:00.000-08:00

"Without faith all will be feeble, revolutionary, passing, violent". (Oscar Romero)

I am reading a book about Oscar Romero, and I am struck by his ability to extend God's grace to those who want to kill him. He speaks of being "inspired by love", that is, a divine inspiration that allows us to do miraculous things. I think we absolutely need this to be able to forgive as he was able to. I believe he must have been a man of great faith in the salvific power of Christ.

What is faith? Faith is knowing without seeing.

Without faith we are the fig tree that withers because it is not able to produce fruit. Without faith we are unable to see past the misgivings of others and allow God's love to penetrate us. Without faith we are unable to believe in the goodness of others that allows for God's Kingdom Community that we were designed to live in. Without faith we are unable to be inspired by love.

The worst thing is that our lack of faith denounces the Kingdom of God as Jesus came on earth for. The upside-down and backward way of life that Jesus promotes ("the first will be last and the last will be first") is ruined by our lack of faith. Without faith we regress to games of power and wealth which builds up oppression and prevents ourselves and others from experiencing God's fullness. The worst of our lack of faith leads to violence and crime.

Do I have faith that God's way is the right way? Do I have faith in God, that when I lose my life I will really gain it? Do I have faith enough to see the possibilities of grace for so many hurting, hurtful people? Do I "see"?

God I believe. Help me in my unbelief!

the prosperity gospel vs. The Gospel

2006-08-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless”. Exodus 22:22

At the end of Psalm 6, after David has exhausted himself with crying, groaning and weeping, he writes: “Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.” Psalm 6:8-10

I am concerned that the prosperity gospel in this country has gone far too far. In our desires to better ourselves, have we taken advantage of the widow or orphan? Have we indirectly taken advantage of the poor, the minority, the fatherless? It is a dangerous game we play in these days.

Even as I think about going into the healthcare field, how can I be sure that I am not contributing to the problem? Where does my money come from, does it come from people being sick, or being well? If I am paid by insurance, how do the insurance companies affect the poor? Will my income come from the under-insured, unhealthy?

There is something dangerous about being in a field of work that depends on people being sick for income. They say that healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the United States – What an injustice!! We are abusing our bodies, and our bodies are coming back to haunt us.

I cringe to think that perhaps, after a poor David in the world prays and cries to the lord, as described in Exodus, that the LORD’s anger may be aroused against me. When David cries “Away from me, all you who do evil”, perhaps it is me that is the evildoer. I shudder to think that when the LORD hears the cries for mercy, that I will be the one ashamed and dismayed and disgraced.

How am I abusing the widow and fatherless and poor and alien and minority? Oh LORD my God show me so I do not become the Pharisee you spoke so strongly to.

How do my actions this morning affect the poor next year? My ignorance cannot be reason for inaction.

changes to peacestartswithme.org

2006-08-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking more and more about the website...I think I am missing my objective. I wanted it broad and open-ended, but it ended up so open-ended that I believe the viewers feel no obligation to do anything at all. And the whole point is to motivate people to make an action.

But I suppose people will not be moved to take action when they have no reason to. So, I suppose I need more persuasive content on the website.

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I'm reading Mark right now. The page in front of me has "Lord of the Sabbath" as the subject line. It makes me wonder - do we even acknowledge the sabbath? I don't believe many Americans do. I finish my weekend feeling drained and not refreshed. I do not take the time to relax to hear God.

Maybe I need to pledge to honor the Sabbath. It is very difficult to be peacemakers when we are constantly exhausted. I look forward to a whole day of sitting and reading the bible, drinking coffee and relaxing...but I never do it.

I hate my TV. I think it is evil. It wastes so much of my time! I could be bettering society by reading, writing, composing, painting, printing, even just thinking. Instead I am addicted to cartoons and news shows and medical dramas. How much of my time could be a sabbath, when I turn it into TV time? How much more time could I spend with my family, my neighbors, my strangers? Time is short when it is being sliced by the television.

My God, forgive us for using this invention in a way that takes away from our relationship with you and others. My God, break my invisible bonds to this TV; release me from a desire to be constantly entertained. Help me to seek grace instead of fulfillment.

God, continue to protect Chris and his soldiers in Iraq.

Matthew Chapter 5

2006-08-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I think we need to take our bibles more literally. What if when Jesus says "Blessed are the peacemakers", he actually means it? Can I be for war? Am I a peacemaker?

Are we really even Christians? There are so many creationists in this world; why not gospelists? It is so easy to say that Genesis should be taken literally...but then why not the gospels, the very texts that define our faith? Why do we pick the verses in the bible that make it easier for us to believe and to live, and not the verses that make it harder?

What if all Christians actually practiced these 8 statements? I don't think many would be left. When did Christianity become about fulfilling yourself? On what grounds is the prosperity gospel rooted? The gold-plated churches, massive brick cathedrals and parking lots filled with lexuses - where are they in this paragraph? I feel like I need to mourn their existence, because where there is love of money there is no love of God ("you cannot serve both God and Money"). I am devasted to see the trap that these beautiful people fall into: that they will feel god's love when they obtain worldly wealth.

Do I do this?

God, help me to be poor in spirit,
Help me to mourn
Help me to be meek
Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness,
Help me to be merciful,
Help me to be pure in heart
Help me to be a peacemaker
Help me to prepare for persecution.
At all costs, Lord, help me to gain these qualities that you expect in your followers.

peacestartswithme.org

2006-07-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

7 29 2006

I am going to try to start a blog about peace and justice issues. A Christian blog, because I am a Christian and I believe that seeing justice through the window of the gospels is the easiest way to see it.

Right now I am reading a book by Dorothy Day, a book on her writings. She kicks my butt. I love that she was a crazy progressive/communist/almost-anarchist. She said "the mass of bourgeois smug Christians who denied Christ in His poor made me turn to Communism, and that it was the Communists and working with them that made me turn to God..."
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I'm a liberal. Even after almost two years in the dirty south I am still a liberal. But I must admit that my views have changed significantly. Being down here is frustrating, and has made me question the efficacy of government social programs. I have seen so many people abuse the system; it is hard not to become calloused and bitter. But I got slapped back into place when another progressive Christian told me "You can't deny people social programs just because of people who abuse it". Really, even if everyone abused it, it doesn't give us the right to pull it away.

My mindset is different now, though. I used to be a liberal because I believed in those social programs. Now I know that it is not my duty as a Christian to promote social programs. It is my duty to serve the poor. Myself. One-on-one...I cannot rely on the government to love my brothers and sisters who are on the streets, impoverished or in pain. It is my responsibility because these are truly my brothers and sisters. And they are also little Christs in disguise.

Dorothy Day says that we should not think of it as Duty, though. It should be our Joy to serve those in disguise, because that is what the gospels tell us. Those stories tell us that the servants of Christ were joyful in giving to Jesus. Dorothy tells it better than me:

"For a total Christian, the goad of duty is not needed-always prodding one to perform this or that good deed. It is not a duty to help Christ, it is a privilege. Is it likely that Martha and Mary sat back and considered that they had done all that was expected of them-is it likely that Peter's mother-in-law grudgingly served the chicken she had meant to keep till Sunday because she thought it was her "duty"? She did it gladly; she would have served ten chickens if she had had them".

I wish I could say that it was always a joy to serve those who I am not comfortable with. I think with time it will become that way, the more I slip on the eyes of God who sees everyone with great love. And that is my prayer for today.