Coffin Counter

thanks to my friend Mike for this coffin counter depicting the number of deaths on each side of the Gaza/ Israel conflict.

Link to Coffin Counter

to be a teenage Christian in Gaza

I was attempting a huge posting on this whole Gaza thing, telling some stories that give context to my conflicted emotions (raised in the church and its complex relationship with Israel, joining a substantially Jewish fraternity in college and working directly with Arab Christians for a number of years, among other things). However, I kept deleting things, realizing it was not working out as a "meta" piece. So, I am just going to tell you one reason my heart breaks for Gaza.

In 1999 my wife and I were invited to lead the young adults and youth at a regional event for Arab Christians in Boston. It is a highlight of my ministry experience, where many of my prejudices and assumptions were ripped from me to be replaced by wonder and life-long friendships. Upon our move to Boston in 2001, I was placed on some sort of circuit and spoke at numerous Arab Christian events during the next few years. They liked to consider me the token white guy.

One of the most powerful experiences was with a future Podiatrist on the train to NYC. As he sat with Kristi and I, this young man gave details into his life as a young Christian in Lebanon watching his house burn after a bombing in the early 80s. There was much diversity within the group with the largest contingents from Egypt and Palestine.

At an event in the Summer of 2002, a young Christian woman of 16 from Gaza visiting her family for the summer took an interest in challenging many of my theological points. I spent a lot of time with her during the week explaining my beliefs, which were similar to hers "officially." She struggled with many issues, including her relationship to Islam (most of her friends were Muslim and she was very much in the minority), Christianity's relationship to Israel (who she saw as an oppressor), theodicy and God's Will. Some of it was typical teenage believer stuff compounded by bombings, threats of violence and general horror of daily life.

She told me of her experiences in Gaza, which the media barely captures and the constant threat of violence. In fact, as she was returning to Gaza for the year, she called for some counsel. To this day, it is the hardest spiritual counseling moment of my life. I have dealt with abuse, incest,the accidental killing of a student, suicidal tendencies and weird sexual stuff as a minister as I counseled people. I usually do okay by saying very little and listening a lot (not my norm). However, she wanted advice and answers.

I tried my best to give the answers we have all given. Nothing worked for a young lady faced with following Christ in one of the most dangerous places on earth, where her only friends belonged to a religion that feels hers is inferior, where Air Raids stop prayer and where her parents would not leave, even though they had the means and she desparetly wanted to come to America. All of the John Piper "find joy in your sufferings" and "God's will" would be spitten back at a preacher. And, she had a point. How could I, as a white American pastor that had lived in relative comfort my ntire life have anything to say? Luckily she was gracious and I had a few "not so useless and stupid" things to say.

I mention this because I cannot help think of her, her family and the few Christians stuck in the middle of this conflict, not of their making. I think of her running underground when the bombs drop and all of the American preachers concerned with Israel more than the plight of Palestinian Christians. I think of my friends and their families suffering in these conflicts and praying for peace, as I do.

That is what I am thinking of when I see the mdeia coverage which tells less than half the story. 

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden

I did not think about the date when Kristi and I watched Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden last night. We had wanted to see it when it came to Tampa in the spring. However, for some strange reason it was in town for only 1 or 2 weeks (which was bizarre to me- Morgan Spurlock has a much bigger name than most documentarians). This is a highly pertinent and very entertaining film, more of a travelogue than a traditional documentary.

Like Michael Moore,Spurlock's personality is a major ingredient of the flick. Either you like him or not. if you don't- you won't like the film. A film making version of A.J. Jacobs , Spurlock inserts himself into the story and walks us through it. However, unlike Moore, Spurlock is an easy going presence and not much of a lightning rod. In fact, I cannot imagine anyone disliking him (unless they have a hardcore agenda). He is a regular guy, just a little crazier or braver. He has opinions, but has no agenda, besides finding out whether his opinion is correct by journeying through life.

Luckily, he invites us to come along for the ride. As I stated, what makes his storytelling work is that walks us through issues instead of preaching. He asks questions and allows the story arch to answer the question, comfortable with ambiguity. In this film, along with his TV show 30 Days, Spurlock shows he is a master at the skill of empathy. He wants to walk in the shoes of others and experience the world from their point-of-view, trying to understand what the "other" sees and how they feel. It is an experience that too many Americans, and a growing number of American Christians refuse to have. It is a skill we look down upon, whether it is asking why non-Americans hate us or gays feel oppressed. We seek platitudes instead of answers, which Spurlock refuses to allow.

Spurlock begins in NYC, frightened of the world he is bringing his newborn into in a few short months. He decides to try to find the most wanted man on earth in an attempt to make the world safer, but really to understand what we are scared of. He heads to Egypt, Israel, Afghanistan and Pakistan, spending time with our "friends" and "enemies," letting them tell their stories, whether it is American soldiers in Afghanistan (the forgotten war- the one we have allowed ourselves to lose),* the Palestinian oppressed by walls, Afghans wanting the US to fulfill its promises, Egyptians angry at their nation's leaders or Pakistanis wanting us to die.

This would be a terribly wrenching film experience if not for Spurlock's utter Everyman Joy and sense of humor, bringing laughter from enemies and reacting like a little boy when he fires a RPG launcher. He is us and that is why this film works, from the goofy songs to the video game (redneck Spurlock vs Osama), this film is fun, educational, nonpartisan and insightful. Plus, it is very short, with very good outtakes (including some more politically minded scenes not in the final cut). Highly recommended for anyone and everyone.

*yes I have pacifistic tendencies, but I offer no illusions when it comes to Afghanistan. The US is not a Christian nation, so it has a right to be there, as long as it rebuilds the country and fulfills its purpose in a proper manner. I support active peacemaking, but understand Just War theory for a nation desiring to protect its self interest and way of life. I am a realist, as well as an embracer of the Christian principle of active nonviolence (I don't expect a nation to fulfill my convictions, but I expect it to live up to its own better devices).

is this the Best Week Ever?

What a strange week. The convergence of Holy Week, St. Patrick's Day and the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War and the start of the NCAAs in a span of a few days. As an ESPN-watching Irish American Christian Pacifist* where should I put my energy?

on the campaign of course.

Anyway, here is an article on the Real St. Patrick to read as you drink cheap beer tinted with food coloring and pinch people wearing the wrong shade.

Here is Bob Knight on who will win the tourney.

Here are some readings for Holy Week.

Here is a constantly updating cost of the Iraq War. Here is an article just in time for the anniversary celebrations.


* okay I am not really a pacifist. I am a realist and a proponent of the spiritual discipline of active nonviolence and peacemaking, which is more nuanced and complex lacking simplistic formulas and answers. But, that makes for a lousy label.

A Sustainable Faith Recap

As the only member of the Sustainable Faith leadership team that is also an active blogger I have been assigned the task of reporting on the conference. Luckily Josh Brown has done a good job of providing pictures, reporting and controversy. See here for his recap. See here for his controversial statements on one of the speakers.

As one involved deeply in the planning and execution of the event, I am unable to provide an unbiased look at what happened. There are things I feel went very well, but I am too close. Similarly, there are things that I have negative impressions of, but that could be due to proximity.

So here is a rundown of the highlights. It is up to you to decide if you missed something special.

• pre-event involving shuffleboard in the cold evening with the team, some Atlantans (including Mr. Brown) and my kids. By the way, my 6 year old daughter out shuffled many of the adults (on a regulation ?board?).
  
• A typically thorough and brilliant (yet simple and basic) talk by Tim Keel on the church as an ecosystem (it is so funny that many new church planters think that the "holistic missional community" is some new thing. As if they are the first to go this route)
  
• Chris Haw causing trouble and making anyone with an open mind think (Chris wrote a great new book with Shane Claiborne). Some found Chris abrasive during the panel, but I asked him to push the limits.
• While a bit hot, the weather was still very nice.
• Shane Claiborne is among the nicest, most humble people you will ever meet. We have kinda known each other since 2000 and he has changed very little (and for the better). Some want to find clinks in his armor so they can feel less convicted by his lifestyle (this bored me). But face it. He is more right than most of us. Plus, what he does is out of conviction to Scripture and following Jesus. It is not done out of anger or with a sense of superiority. Other advocates and prophets could learn from that.
  
• The panel was too short and not as spirited enough, but some good things were said (too many of the panelists were quiet, so it was accidentally dominated by a few).
• A great Dinner with speakers, leaders and my best friend (roommate for 3 years of grad school) at Chadaway's, the best burger joint in the Southeast.
• I reminisced with old friends Danielle, Troy, Chris and Spencer. I gained new friends like Josh Brown.
• People responded to the ministries and social agencies represented, including Small Steps, which passed out 150 bags for donations, Created (a ministry to those in the sex industry) and many others.
• a lively discussion around he subject of the Sabbath led by Danielle.
  
• The emcee did not suck as bad as he could have, only making 4-5 remarks that only those above 30 could understand.

I may come back later for a more extensive evaluation, but probably not (I will note it if this happens). Stay tuned to this site and www.asustainablefaith.com for mp3s and podcasts of many of the talks (we may try to get a few on the EV podcast).

the plight of Christians in the Middle East continues

In a number of areas* I have found some more excellent articles on the plight of Christians in Iraq and Palestine, two areas the Evangelical Church in North America routinely ignores while we support any policy to further Israeli or American interests, often at the expense of Christian brothers and sisters.

I remember one of the hardest Pastoral counseling sessions I have ever had. Like many reading this blog, I have counseled people in difficult situations, whether it was a suicidal teenager, an emotionally abused student trying to make it to 18, parents of a student shot and killed accidentally or member of our church with a terminal illness. However, a Christian teenager from Gaza I became friends with through my ministry in Boston (I worked closely with an Arab Church) was the hardest for me.

As I tried to encourage this young woman that was constantly in fear due to the bombing of her community by the Israeli government, trying to hide among a Muslim population with almost no Christian friends, I felt as useless as I ever have. She sought answers, but I had none. Platitudes, theological statements, Christian answers fell flat. The only hope for her state of mind was escape to the US or another safe haven... something she could not do until she reached 18 (she was 15 at the time).

We wonder why there are so few Christians in the Middle East, the place Christianity began. But, after hearing friend's stories of houses bombed, passports taken, friends and families kidnapped and killed (this is not just Muslim on Christian violence, especially in Palestine-where Muslims and Christians get along relatively well because they are both religious minorities), businesses stolen and constant threats, it is a wonder there are any left.

A few years ago I read Charles Sennott's The Body and the Blood about the Holy Land's Christian communities (he was Boston Globe's bureau chief for that area), an excellent book which comes to the conclusion that the only hope for the area (especially Palestine) is the presence of Christians as mediators and peacemakers. As I see the violence against Christians in the area since the Iraq War began, and the blood which stains the hands of the makers of American foreign policy, I hold out little hope for the future of this faith in the place it began.

While I am not naive enough to think there are easy answers and it is not a complex situation that bears much wisdom to navigate the maze of American political interests, stability in the region, internal politics and religious concerns, Israel's self interest, the words of Jesus and the plight of Christians in the area, I am also not naive enough to think that we must always support Israel or American interests when Christians are hurt by our inaction. We are culpable.

Here are some news links for your own research (there is much more out there on the web)

West Bank fence driving out Christians
Protection Promised for Iraqi Christians
Gaza Christians finding something scarier than Hamas
Christians that fled to Baghdad for safety
Christians flee to Northern Iraq
from earlier in the month, the murder of the owner of a Christian bookstore in Gaza
Violence makes life hard for Iraqi Christians

The Christians of Iraq website

* many of these articles are linked from Baptists Today, a newsmag bringing the plight of Middle East Christians to light.

to leave Iraq or Stay? Another Christian responds

For a number of years I have been advocating a position of active non-violence as a Spiritual Discipline for Christians, especially in a time of War. However, as one that stands with anabaptistic sympathies (and tendencies), but is also a realist trying to live within and walk within the tension (some would say ambiguity) of Scripture's teaching on peace, violence, war, etc, I realize the inherent paradox of this multitude of positions in the eyes of many.

I have stated that, while Christians should practice nonviolence, it is my belief that any nation/ state should not practice such a policy, unless it calls itself Christian.* A belief in pacifism or non-violence is against the natural desire for self preservation by a nation. Yes, this means there is a conflict between Christians and the nations they live in. However, we see clearly from the life of Jesus, his disciples and church history that there is always a tension between the witness of Christians living out their faith in public and a nation who must preserve order, safety, preservation, etc.

Unlike some of my pacifistic friends, I am comfortable living in this tension between the already and not-yet. Unlike some of my violence advocating Christian friends, I believe there must be a tension between our lifestyles and the needs of a nation/ state. While this may be obvious to some, and sheer insanity to others, it is a theologically consistent and historically orthodox position.

I am happy to find someone advocating a similar position that is much more theologically astute and well known. That way, we can be heretics or outcasts together. Below is a link to a wonderful response by Greg Boyd, pastor, author and critic of the Religious Right to the questions of whether or not to leave Iraq.

Like Boyd, I have been strongly against the present war* since it was an idea in the mind of the Administration. I have (sadly) been correct on almost everything I predicted and assumed.* However, unlike many of my friends, I have not been an advocate of sudden withdrawal of our troops from the area. For me, like Boyd, it is simple.* We created this mess. It is now our responsibility to make sure it is cleaned up, even if it costs us money and lives. It is a lesson my parents taught me and I try to instill in my children. Clean up after yourselves and don't make others do it. We have now tied ourselves to the Iraqi people and have a huge responsibility to help them. I wish we had kept out of their country and focused on bin Laden in Afghanistan. But, we did the wrong thing and there is a sacrifice and price to pay for our mistake. Yes, the implications of this position are huge for our foreign policy and the Presidential Races (and no one is dealing with this issue).

Here is the excellence article by Greg Boyd on What’s “the Christian Position” on Whether or Not the U.S. Should Immediately Withdraw its Troops?

* I have been advocating these things as long as I have had a blog, but I am not going to prove it through linking to previous posts unless people clamor for it (of course, no one has clamored for anything on this site).

**thanks to Jesus Politics for the link to Boyd.

Abondoning the SS Cowboy Bush as it takes on water

Two and a half years later, the mea culpas are beginning. Many of the very people that returned Bush to the White House to continue leading America on its downward spiral towards a Rome-like ending of its era as a Super Power are seeing the folly in their ways.

Hopefully the rest of the 23% who voted for Bush but no longer approve of his handling of our nation will repent in the near future, leaving the under 30% left supporting the worst president since my mother was born (1930) to misunderstand the nature of conservatism, foreign and domestic policy, faith and politics, war and peace and America's place in the world.

I have noticed a number of former Bushites repenting or coming clean with their negative assessments lately. You should use these quotes on your blogs (if they are read by Bushheads) or email them to your Bushonista acquaintances. Some of these people cut deeply because they believe so strongly in the conservative agenda Bush sold them in 2000 like Robert Tilton sells salvation to rural widows.

As many of you know Matthew Dowd, former strategist for Bush publicly disavowed his former support for Bush, seeing that the Bush he helped elect is not the Bush in the White House. Seeing W's lack of leadership in wake of Katrina, his refusal to meet Cindy Sheehan, and gross mismanagement of the War (along with the goodwill of the world after 9/11), Dowd says this,

"I had finally come to the conclusion that maybe all these things along do add up... That it's not the same, it's not the person I thought."

Also we have Vic Gold, advisor to Goldwater and Agnew (these are older Republican leaders today's Bushies may have never heard of), friend to and biographer of H W Bush. He believes George W and his minions are the biggest threat to conservatism and America's future in his lifetime. He tells us this,
"For all the Rove-built facade about his being a "strong" chief executive, George W. Bush has been, by comparison to even the hapless Jimmy Carter, the weakest, most out of touch president in modern times. Think Dan Quayle in cowboy boots."

Lastly we have the Dark Knight of conservative pundits, Robert Novak, a huge Bush supporter in the past. Even he is disillusioned telling us how bad Bush has become,
"With nearly two years remaining in his presidency, George W. Bush is alone. In half a century, I have not seen a president so isolated from his own party in Congress - not Jimmy Carter, not even Richard Nixon as he faced impeachment."

Come on Bushheads, can you not see the:

• He is now holding troops hostage in Iraq to get the funding he wants with no accountability, of course.
• He is destroying the National Guard by redeploying it with little or no rest (no time in history has been harder on the NG and reserves). America cannot handle this war and the military is being stretched so thin we are becoming a vulnerable laughing stock to our future enemies. These tour extensions and short rotations are not troop support. Bush and his poor war planning are advocating the wholesale destruction of the military and its morale in ways the Democrats, pacifists and the "mainstream media" could never do.
• He is hurting (maybe irreparably) military families by extending tours of duty to 15 months.
• Our economy suffers, as well as the NG and reserve families due to lost wages while deployed.
• He continues to tell us we will be followed by terrorists to America if we leave Iraq. So, I guess he is telling us that he has done a terrible job keeping America safe if it is easy for them to follow us home. What are the going to do, hitch rides on the planes and ships returning to the US?
• Don't you see how dangerous he has made the world for America through his misguided war and emboldening of terrorists through his foreign policy blunders and cowboy management style?
  

A few of his supporters still believe history will be kind to this man and we will look back at his administration as successful. If you know someone like that, remind that person what his "supporters" are saying about him now.

If you have a favorite quote from a former supporter, feel free to post it in the comments section.

Who would Jesus Shoot?

I am moralizing today (sorry if you do not like that, but remember I have no job or pulpit presently from which to expound). So, you, dear readers, are subject to such whims of fancy from a particularly bothered DJ Word..

From Cynthia Tucker comes this wonderful quote on America's misguided love affair with firearms:

"This folly will continue, fueled by a perplexing cultural ethos that worships individual gun ownership. A century from now, anthropologists will look back and wonder what in the world this was all about. They'll sift through the ruins of the historical record, in much the same way anthropologists today puzzle over cannibalism and the sacrifice of virgins in long-dead civilizations. they'll wonder how a highly advanced and sophisticated culture allowed unchecked personal gun ownership, despite the carnage."

This article points out the increase in violent crime the past few years, especially gun related violence. The NRA has let us know that we would be foolish to think guns have anything to do with gun violence.

Of course, I am sure the increase since 2005 has nothing to do with daily images of Americans at war, dehumanization of our enemies, the approval of the destruction of those we disagree with and violent rhetoric from pundits and politicians (especially Cowboy Presidents)....

....coupled with entertainment bent on culturally conditioning us to accept any amount of blood and gore with no questions to our own sense of humanity loss. With television and film violence unparallelled in human history, whether it is the torture fantasies of 24 and The Sopranos or the gory spectacles of dismembered teenagers with large breasts and bulging biceps of sickening "entertainment" like Saw I, II and III and the films of talent waster supreme Quentin Tarantino or the bloody genius Mel Gibson, we are on the precipice inches from acceptance of snuff films and public death. Of course, I am sure first person shooter video games have had no affect upon millions of young adults and their love affair with violence.

Sure, I am sure I am just a prudish Nanny stater foolish enough to think these things are connected (well, besides the video games- I know the right wing hates those, as long as they are not War games or Left Behind killfests).

Sadly, just like divorce, dealing with poverty, plastic surgery and materialism Christian beliefs and behavior related to violence are no different from that of our non-Christian neighbors. How can we talk of a Prince of Peace when fighting for a Gun Culture, supporting the destruction of an entire race of people (Arabs) and justifying the embrace of extreme violence in entertainment because we are "'merican Christians?"

What will it take for Christians to embrace the teachings of Jesus and take our history seriously. Will it take violence against our own kind for us to see that violent culture is more damaging to a true "Culture of Life" -our Cowboy President's words- than those issues used by Dobson, The SBC and radio pundits to increase their coffers and attendance; knowing that speaking the truth on these issues would affect their bottom line and challenge their followers in a manner that would get less Amens and more people walking out because their toes are uncomfortable.

* I am sure many of us can try to justify the violence in anything we watch by stating something about the deeper meaning or that it really shows the impact of violence. While I believe this is true in many war films or westerns such as The Proposition and The Unforgiven, we cannot have it both ways with a shows like The Sopranos and 24 which no longer give viewers a lesson in morality concerning the consequences of the actions of the main characters, as they lose their humanity due to their actions (see Crimes and Misdemeanors or Matchpoint, both by Woody Allen, for such moral fables- or V for Vendetta, a violent film with a point).

When Jack Bauer kills innocent persons for the "greater good" he has lapsed into a new territory, like that of Tony Soprano when he strangles an enemy because of the opportunity in Season 1. At this point we can no longer say it is really about workplace politics. It is insulting to say such a thing.

BTW, I am not rooting for Tony Soprano to be murdered this year. I am hoping the creators have the guts to have him pay the consequences for his actions and rot in prison for the rest of his stinking life.