Washington State debated same-sex marriage this week and passed a bill. I caught the following video from State Representative Maureen Walsh (R) of Walla Walla. (I really just wanted to say Walla Walla, hehe.)
The interesting point to me about Washington State is not necessarily the debate for equality itself but the fact that the following comments were made by a Republican.
More and more political conservatives are embracing same-sex marriage. If this trend continues, I wonder what political party opponents to same-sex marriage will belong to.
I recently watched the movie Invictus about how Nelson Mandela used rugby as one way to pull South Africans together, regardless of ethnic identity or political persuasion. The movie inspired me to believe for the impossible, especially when there seems to be so much vitriolic division in my own country.
I love these 8 lessons from Nelson Mandela on Leadership. The whole article can be found in Time Magazine here.
1. Courage is not the absence of fear - it's inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front - but don't leave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back - and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy - and learn about his favorite sport.
5. Keep your friends close - and your rivals even closer.
There's been a lot of on-line chatter and offline discussion this week about Rick Perry's "Strong" ad. I've had some good laughs on the parodies and spoofs that people have made.
However, I believe the central message of "Strong" anything but funny. It is destructive and divisive and serves to separate people from the very love of God that Jesus of Nazareth embodied.
Most Christians I've dialogued with-as well as non-Christians-find Perry's use of the person of Jesus as a political tool to get elected completely incongruous with the central tenants of his message of love, forgiveness, and grace.
I came across this YouTube response by two sisters Monday and it really impacted me for I believe their position creates a place of grace where we can all come together. When I first saw it, it had about 3000 views. Today it has over 116,000.
I believe their response is what most people are looking for in America at this time. Most I dialogue with are looking for a middle ground and a place of peaceful discourse such as these ladies propose:
"We're waiting for a president who doesn't use religion merely to influence a political constituency, but instead embraces it as a powerful way to bridge the gap of vast differences among our fellow Americans.
"Grace is what makes us strong, and will make us strong again because not our country, nor Rick Perry, nor either of us deserve it."
The fact that both boys were seven-years-old sent chills down my spine. As the friend proceeded telling me about the bullying incident, my heart ached for each of these kids who were part of a larger cultural struggle in this country that just isn't going away any time soon.
The one boy said to his classmate, "You're gay."
The boy being made fun of by his friend went home and recounted the occurrence to his family. Fortunately, the family was able to process with him what that meant in an age-appropriate fashion for a child of seven years. A door was left open for dialogue where the child felt neither maligned, shameful, or confused.
Yet, this is how far our culture has sunk. Children mock each other for being gay, fat, ugly, different, poor, or of a different religious persuasion and in most instances not even knowing what it really means.
That's why I was particularly astonished today when I learned over lunch with friends that the State of Michigan passed an anti-bullying law called Matt's Safe School Law that allows for bullying if a student's actions or words come from "a sincerely held belief or moral conviction."
What this means that if being homosexual is against a family's moral or religious conviction, the student could plausibly call another "fag" or "dyke" and have a defense.
By the same logic, a child could also call an obese child "fatty" and use the Bible as a defense because it speaks against gluttony.
Or if the child is from a Christian persuasion, he or she could mock Muslims, Jews, or other "sinners" because his or her view of religion says they are all going to hell. (Logically, only worthless people go to hell, right?)
Let me be clear. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is not a liberal or conservative issue. This is not about being gay or straight. This is not about being saved or secular.
This is an issue of respect and honor. We honor each other because in this country we affirm that all people are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. We honor each other because as people of faith we recognize the image of God each other.
I believe that it is time for people of faith to say "no" to bullying. As long as religious and cultural institutions remain silent on this issue, they become part of furthering this oppression in our society and not part of the solution. As long as they remain silent, children will continue to take their lives because churches, synagogues, and schools are not safe havens, they are places of shame, fear, and silence.
I have observed that some people of faith are afraid to speak out against bullying because they will have to affirm the humanity and goodness of all people, regardless of religion, creed, gender, race, or sexual orientation. When you are locked in a culture that views everything as "us" and "them", that can be a daunting task; first, because we've never gone this way before and second, because we fear how our friends and family may respond.
So it takes courage to speak out. While it's easy to say what we really feel in private, it's a whole other thing to do it publicly in one's community. That's because the fear-mongers of religion and culture still hold too much sway. We need to let them know there time is done and create a new atmosphere in our churches, synagogues, schools, universities, and communities--an atmosphere of respect, openness, respectful dialogue, and civil discourse.
I am grateful the family of the seven-year-old was able to speak to his family about what happened. That's a step in the right direction. Here's hoping we can all continue the conversation, without fear of shame, retribution, or being bullied into silence ourselves.
I recently was interviewed on the Losing My Religion Podcast with Pastor Nar where I talked with him about The Higher Place of Grace and Love. If you'd like to listen to the interview, click here to his website/podcast. I enjoyed talking with Pastor Nar and think you will enjoy listening to our convo as well.
I believe that for too long there has been a prevailing thought in politics and religion that goes something like this:
Democrats can't really love God.
Republicans can't truly love people.
Thankfully, in recent years these rigid, dualistic categories are being challenged and even changed.
I know tons of Democrats who are devoted to their faith and God. I know tons of Republicans that love all kinds of people, even ones they disagree with. This trend is happening in more conservative, Christian circles as well as more liberal, religious ones, and it's a very good thing in my opinion.
Maybe now we are learning how to get along better. Maybe now we are learning to how to push aside the vitriol and listen thoughtfully to our philosophic, religious, and political opposites.
Today I was sent a video link on a new book called Left, Right, and Christ. It's very a clever promo and prompted me to pre-order.
From my vantage point, I'm seeing lots of positive signs as people from different and polarizing views come together in a new way. Sure, lots of work still needs to be done, but I believe we are well on our way as a culture to be people who can have passionate faith, strong political beliefs, and still genuinely love each other in the process. Hopefully.
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