Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Sexuality and Bound Consciences

The ELCA voted yes on three major resolutions relating to gays and lesbians living together in committed relationships being able to serve as ordained pastors or as professional church workers. The first vote approved a broad statement on human sexuality, 676-338, exactly the two-thirds majority needed. The second vote, 559-451, mandated the ELCA to find ways to allow congregations "to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same gender relationships". The third vote, 771-230, was a resolution to respect the "bound consciences" or moral convictions of members and churches that continue to object to the changes.

Following the votes, Emily Eastwood, Executive Director of Lutheran Concerned/North America, a gay rights advocate group, said, "Today I am proud to be a Lutheran". On the other side, members of Lutheran CORE, a conservative coalition, is meeting this week in Indianapolis to pray and contemplate their future relationship with the ELCA, perhaps leading some to drop their affiliation with the ELCA or decrease or redirect their financial support for the ELCA churchwide. We shall see.

How did the church come to these decisions? You could say that the "culture of the times" pushed and cajoled the faithful, and there would be truth in that statement. OK, but then the church, if it is sensitive to life outside the walls of the building, needs to respond. Now, the process is critical to fostering faithful, creative conversation.

It began in earnest about nine years ago with the formation of a study commission. Lutherans like to study! Papers were produced, changed, opinions from clergy and lay were sought, more studies, more papers, more conversation. A major effort was made to produce enough documents for study in all the nearly 11,000 congregations. More study, prayer, and conversation. Additions and corrections. More public meetings to listen and debate. Central to the conversation was the question of how we interpret scripture? Literally? What is the literal truth? Critically? Consider the historical context of the various books of the Bible? Word study? Linguistic sensitivity? As Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod says, "We are good at doing 'head stuff,' but sexuality conversations have to get at the 'heart stuff'". So the human dimension became part of the process. People began telling their stories, gay and straight. If I would have been present, I would have told of hiring gay and lesbian staff, and the quality of ministry they demonstrated, and that I re-hired them. More stories. More tears from those who felt excluded even though they were faithful to Christ and committed to the integrity of the ministry of the church. The human side blended with the head side to provide a fuller expression of how do we interpret scripture. We are both brain and heart.

I was at a gathering last evening and spent some time talking with a friend/colleague about "the votes". The congregation he serves is very progressive and he was pleased with the decisions. As we talked of how we interpret scripture, I made the comment that when I first met him back in college, I knew him to be a conservative fundy. He laughed and said "You're right". I asked him, "What changed you"? He responded "I took classes from Professors Lloyd Svendsby and Paul Sponheim. Svendsby opened me to Biblical criticism and Sponheim introduced me to process theology. Then after college I went to Claremont Divinity School to study under John Cobb, a leader in process theology". Then he said, paraphrased, "I have learned that when you shut-down the mind, limit your critical inquiry, and resort to making rules and laws and move to the right, you end up devouring each other". At the same gathering, I introduced himself to a man who in turn pointed out his partner. Both were leaders in the church. The head and heart coming together.

It must be said that all who were in attendance at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly were faithful and committed Lutherans. Cast no stones. Now comes the future. It is my hope and prayer that diversity be honored, that love abound, and that we can eat lutefisk and lefse together, allowing for meatballs, potatoes and gravy, plus jello and coffee (inside Lutheran diet!). I like to think of Lutherans as having a big tent, that our "bound consciences" will bind each other together in Christ, that we may be one as the Body of Christ, worshipping, praying, serving together, and "keeping the conversation going" as we eat and drink, together. I pray. I hope.

Or, perhaps this will be a time similar to the division between the German Church and the Confessing Church in Germany in the 1930s and 40s. As a bishop friend once told me: "There are times when you just have to let the chips fall where they fall". After all, we all have "bound consciences".

Peace!
Ron Letnes

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Jesus Did an Adrian!

Adrian Peterson. The greatest back in the NFL. Those of us who witnessed his 65 yard run last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns can only be silenced into affirmation. He broke through the line of scrimmage, veered left and right, slowed down, accelerated, and then when confronted by a defensive back, literally threw him aside to the ground like he was a rag doll, perhaps muttering internally, "Get out of my way", and then outracing more defenders to the end zone. He was focused on the task and the goal. "Get out of my way!" Nothing will stop his train!

This is the practical focus I hope is alive and well among enough Senators and Congress people to vote a revolutionary health care bill. The proposals President Obama outlined in his stump speeches are right and fair: Insurance companies cannot drop coverage because of pre-existing conditions, there is no cap on what insurance companies must pay for medical services, insurance companies cannot drop you because you develop certain conditions during your life time, you can keep the insurance and the doctors you already have, there will be an insurance exchange in which people can choose their own insurance, just like the Washington leadership. Then there were some words about a public option being the preferred policy in order to keep the insurance companies honest and provide competition. This makes me think of fast food places. There is a reason why most of these grease paddies have $1 menues! Competition!

It is this last proposal and the iffyness of a public option that has got me concerned. Yes, it is off the table coming out of Senator Baucas' Senate Finance Committee. Why? In great measure because over the years he has accepted $3 million in campaign funds from the health care industry. Never bite the hand that feeds you. Who are the losers in this vote buying, in your pocket, selfish sell-out? The American people.

It is time for leaders to search their patriotic souls (if there is any left!), and do an Adrian "Get out of my way" move! Opposition to the public option needs to be thrown aside, with love, for the sake of the greater good. It is time to say GOMW to the special interests. It is time to say GOMW to the faux capitalists who believe corporate control is in the best interests of America. It is time to say GOMW to the congressional leaders who have been wined and dined, bought-off for the sake of greed. It is time to say GOMW to the "deathers", the "birthers", the "tenthers", the Limbaughs, the Becks, the Bachmans, the Savages, the Hannitys, the Wilsons, the Enzis, the keepers of the status quo, the destroyers of democracy, the prostitutes of capitalism. "Get out of my way!" We are going to cross the goal line of justice, the goal line of compassion, the goal line of being brothers and sisters, the goal line of human rights, the goal line of civility, the goal line of equality, the goal line of "our better angels", the goal line of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", the goal line of "We" instead of "Me"!

And President Obama needs to say "Get out of my way" to those who would deny the public option. He has tried to work across the isle. He has given the ball to the congress, and for the most part, the congress has responded with justice and willingness to support a public option. He speaks with passion. Now, he must act with conviction, put the squeeze on, and use his moral muscle to tell all obstructionists to "Get out of my way"! Or else! The well being of America is at stake. The ability of our government to act with justice for all is at stake. The character of our nation is at stake! We must back away from being "the best government money can buy". Go for the goal, Mr President! Zig and zag and thrown any aside who get in the way! "Get out of my way!"

And Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan"! Peter was trying to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem to be crucified. Peter was saying it has been such a joyful ride, the crowds have been large, you're a celebrity! Eat, drink, and be merry! We have got a good thing going! But Jesus said he must do the difficult thing, the faithful thing, the courageous thing for the sake of the world. So, "Get out of my way, Peter"! Jesus did an Adrian!

Get out of my way! Let us write or call our senators and congress people and urge them to shove aside any and all who would try to subvert this health care effort. Now is the time! Seize the day! Yes, let us be civil; but let us also be committed! GOMW!!!!!

Peace!
Ron

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Praying for a Great speech!

I'm praying for a great speech!

I have been reading Speeches That Changed the World, compiled by Owen Collins. Since President Obama is giving a major speech on health care this Wednesday, I thought it timely to read some speeches that had "gravitas" because it is my hope and prayer that the President delivers a great speech that changes the world, or at least our nation.

Reading these speeches and realizing the events that followed their delivery, it is easy to conclude that great speeches do have an effect. Great speeches set a tone, establish a moral focus, give direction, provide personal leadership, and inspire courage.

Some examples. Martin Luther at Worms: "Unless I am convicted by scripture or by right reason (for I trust neither in popes nor in councils, since they have often erred and contradicted themselves)- unless I am thus convinced, I am bound by the texts of the Bible, my conscience is captive to the Word of God, I neither can nor will recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to act against conscience. Here I stand. God help me. Amen". Thus began the Protestant Reformation. Sojourner Truth, speaking on 28 May, 1851: "Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could lead me! And aint I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man-when I could get it-and bear the lash as well! And aint I a woman?" Sojourner fired one of the first salvos towards women's rights and equality. It took some time, but today women are on that train and the train keeps building power! Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address: "With malice towards none; with charity towards all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive...to bind up the nations wounds; to care for him who shall have born the battle, and for his widow and for his orphan...." Reconstruction and a slow but steady healing. RFK, speaking to a crowd in Detroit following the assassination of MLK, Jr., quoting the Greek poet Aeschuylus: "Let us tame the savageness of Man, and make gentle life in the world". There were no riots in Detroit that night. Gandhi, 23 March 1922: "Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good". Mother Teresa: "Human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity". The sanctity of life is upheld. Churchill: "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence....We shall never surrender". Victory! Then there are Jesus, MLK, Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Chief Joseph, Frederick Douglas, Barbara Jordan, and....

Speeches that changed the world!

I'm ready for another great speech tomorrow night. A speech that can change health care for future generations; a speech of such moral persuasion that what is right for ALL people is enacted. I do not care if all people agree with it, if the right-wing crazies like it, if the "deathers, birthers, and wackos" sign on, if it silences Rush and Glenn, if the "bluedogs" nod in agreement on all aspects. I am hoping and praying for a speech that is proper for justice for all, so that ALL people can receive health care that is their right, that compassion can become a national conviction, that love and politics can work together, that what is justly humane be passionately announced, that mercy stand-up and step-up in unquestioned, non-nuanced language, that there be fire in Barack's eyes, that our leaders be challenged to exercise courage for generosity, for the sake of those beautiful words, "We the people".

I'm praying for a great speech! I'm praying for a national transformation to the good!

Peace!
Ron Letnes