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Aggression, Intolerance, and Maniacal Thinking

In the last few days, we've seen a number of provocative comments from influential voices on the religious and political Right.

Franklin Graham called for an immediate halt of all Muslims immigrating to the US and for them to be treated the way Japanese and Germans were in WWII.

Then Donald Trump attacked John McCain and veterans in this country as less than heroic if they were captured as POWs. He never served in the Armed Services so this makes his criticism of our veterans all the more appalling. Here's his follow up response and some more of his rhetoric:

ABC US News | World News 

While these statements expand these men's voices in the American culture wars, enough is enough!

I do not identify as Evangelical in my faith or as conservative in my politics. These are not ideologies I espouse.  

Having said that, I do not think being Evangelical or conservative automatically makes one intolerant, misogynistic, homophobic, or anti-Muslim. I work and associate with politically and religiously conservative folks who are none of the above.

But these days I'm not sure it helps.

And that's a shame for the many thoughtful and intelligent people who get associated with this new brand of aggression, intolerance, and maniacal thinking.

 

Confronting Exodus

I've watched Our America with keen interest over the last three years as they expose the ineffectiveness and destructiveness of reparative therapy.

A new chapter in this conversation will be airing on June 20 when the leader of Exodus International apologizes to people traumatized by reparative therapy.

One-by-one these kinds of organizations are falling, and with the fall, acknowleging their failure.

Watch the clip below and watch on the 20th on OWN.

  

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Christian Extremism & Martyrdom

Perfectionism and Shame

A Response from an Evangelical Reader: Christians need to be speaking about the love of God and stop the nonsense.

Christian Extremism & Martyrdom

Another round of religious extremism seems to be cropping up in American, Christian circles.

I witnessed some of it years ago when I was part of what is termed the "apostolic/prophetic/prayer movements." While I gained a lot from these movements, there was also a strain of cultural domination which sometimes advocated martyrdom as a tool to accomplish their biblical, social, ideological, or political goals.

I more than once heard martyrdom preached as a means to bring the apostolic/prophetic kingdom to bear on world. I also saw young people going forward in altar calls to answer the call to martyrdom. Part of turning America back to Christ was to be willing to die for their righteous cause.

While I honor the Christian martyrs throughout history, modern-day America hardly needs martyrs to live out the Good News. One is afforded multiple religious freedoms and access to technology to proselytize in just about anyway one would like.

I did actually once pray with a couple of people who felt martyrdom as a calling. They felt called overseas to in work hostile, violent lands. Last I checked they are still alive. Thank God.

I question this ideology of American, Christian martyrdom and also the spiritual (not to mention psychological) well-being of a person who is waiting to die for Christ.

Couldn't they walk out the teachings of Jesus in a much more effective way if they were alive?

Wouldn't that bring the way of Jesus to the earth in a more lasting manner?

I have also speculated it's just a matter of time before someone in these movements resorts to violence as they crusade against the issues and people they oppose (most often referred to as the "homosexuals and abortionists").

While I don't know that the group in the video below is attached to the movements I used to participate in, I nonetheless believe Christians should be aware and speak out when they hear people make vows that are spiritually and psychologically unhealthy--and perhaps even ultimately destructive to themselves and others.

First Look: Radical Cyber Minister and His Spiritual Warriors

Lisa Ling travels to America's heartland to learn more about Cyber preacher Doug Perry, a man claiming to be in direct contact with God, who stresses a "vow of martyrdom" in his over 900 Youtube videos. Tune in for this all-new episode of Our America with "Martyrs for Christ?" on Tuesday, February 19th at 10/9c, only on OWN.

 

 

 

 

Big Think from Soul Pancake

I'm a big fan of Super Soul Sunday on OWN and its segment called Soul Pancake. This is another great video clip that will fill you with optimism and hope for the future.

Take note of the quotes...

 

 

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Jonathan on The Rabbi Jenny Show

I had the privilege of recording two programs on Sacred Success on my dear friend's program: The Rabbi Jenny Show.

The episodes air on WRPBiTV Tuesday November 27 and Tuesday December 4 at 9 p.m.

Please tune in at those times. It was great being back 'on' with my colleague discussing principles of spiritual success. I think you'll enjoy!

Finding What We Have in Common

I love this video from Soul Pancake and Super Soul Sunday. It's about taking time, listening to the other, and forging new bonds through what we have in common.

Maybe we should put Congress and the President in this ball pit. Or better yet, jump in ourselves.

 

When 'pray the gay away' doesn't work

Alan Chambers shocked the Evangelical world when he stated he believed that homosexuals would go to heaven. The head of Exodus International also condemned the practice of reparative therapy, saying it doesn't work.

This interview with Lisa Ling of Our America is worth noting as more and more Christian leaders concede what the American Psychological Association has already known: reparative therapy is spiritually and psychologically harmful to women and men.

 

Mister Rogers Remixed

I was raised on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and LOVE this remix from PBS. It made me smile real big I watched a second time and had to share it here.

Enjoy and remember you can...

grow anything in the garden of your mind...

you can grow ideas in the garden of your mind...

it's good to be curious about many things...

 

A Christian Approach to Physical Abuse of your "Effeminate or Butch" Kids

If you are reading this post it might because the title caught you. Full disclosure, I intentionally put some shock in the title. But it's not nearly as shocking as what Pastor Sean Harris at Berean Baptist in Fayetteville, NC had to say:

 

So this clip has outraged a lot of people, Christian and non-Christian alike. He clearly advocates physical violence against children. 

Truth be told, there are a lot of Scriptures in the Bible that advocate for physical violence, even murder. The difference is most thoughtful, spiritual people don't take them literally today. Thank God we've given up stoning, severing limbs, and gouging eyes (although some would argue we still do it figuratively).

I read his retraction and you can hear him in his audio file trying to express his heart while navigating inconsistent ethics and conflicting theology. He says it was hyperbole and talks about Jesus using it in his sermons as well. But Jesus was pretty adamant on condemning any harm done to children.

I really feel for this pastor. Layers of disconnect come through--theologically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually. He now finds himself in a firestorm.

This is when I have to trust that somehow God is working through ALL things, even things like this.

There must be a better way to dialogue on this subject. Here's an article I found helpful which the blogger calls "A Nicodemus Approach." 

Right relationship rather than being right.

Thoughtful discussion rather than thoughtless diatribe.

We can do better than this. In the Church and outside of it.