No politics!

And while I'm at it, let me say "no politics" either. What a bunch of crap. No wonder we're not supposed to talk about religion or politics, they both stink. Oh, John Lennon, where are you when we need you? "Imagine!"

Steve

No religion!

Religious debates and theological discussions can be so boring and uninspiring when persons just want to argue their position. Religious dogma kills real theological inquiry. Those from alternative, "new age" persuasions can be as dogmatic as their more conservative counterparts. As for me, I have a life to live, things to do as I walk my path in life through uncharted territories. Let me live in the present free from "thought". No mind, no preconceptions, no babbling chatter in my head. Peace, tranquility, pure being, Om. Save me from religion and its believers of all stripes.

Steve

Climate change

I normally check my email in the morning, and this morning I was greeted with disturbing news from the United Communities of Spirit (UCS) forum. One of the disturbing posts was this one, The Observer | International | Now the Pentagon tells Bush: climate change will destroy us. In 1979, I was the state networker for the New Age Caucus in Los Angeles working on environmental protection among other things. Twenty five years ago, I was aware of a report commissioned by President Jimmy Carter, which I believe was called "Global 2000" which studied what we could expect around this time if we continued on our present course. Of course, we largely ignored the predictions and warnings. Now here we are in 2004 facing dramatic climate change in the near future. We have a president who still wants to deny that climate change is real while the Pentagon prepares to defend the country against the hoards of displaced masses which will result from these changes. I even get news of this report through Canada and England rather than our own government and U.S. media. Here is some of what is in the report Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Key findings of the Pentagon.

Another post from UCS talked about the impending depletion of natural gas and oil reserves in the near future. This will lead to a collapse of the whole energy system and our current way of life unless we can develop sustainable energy alternatives quickly. All this along with Bush's plans for Dominion (see my blog of February 16) makes a person wonder what they can do. Live a simple, sustainable lifestyle, keep up your spirits with a strong spiritual vision and practices and work for systemic change starting with a change in the White House.

Solidarity,
Steve

The Passion

Yesterday, I read Gibson's gospel, an article by the Grand Rapids Press Religion Editor about Mel Gibson's new movie. Frankly, it amazes me why anyone would want to make or watch such a movie. I certainly will not see it. Just reading about it disgusts me. I have a hard time watching the crucifixion scenes in any Jesus movie, what to speak of two hours worth. I found it hard to watch the end of Gibson's "Braveheart" also. So why anyone would want to see it repeatedly and take their children to see it is incomprehensible. If you love someone, do you really want to see them suffer and die a horrible death?

I want to make it clear that I write as a seminary educated, ordained Christian clergy person. I also want to make it clear that the idea Gibson wants to promote, showing how God required this awful sacrifice of his son so that God could forgive us is abominable and barbaric. Who would want to worship such a God? No wonder we have so much violence in the world if that's what we think God is like. This is called substitutionary atonement, which says that Jesus died for our sins and now we are forgiven. Do you think God is so hateful that God couldn't forgive us without Jesus having to die that way? There are other reasons to follow Jesus than because he died so that we could be saved. We are saved by the grace and love of God. Jesus died because we are a sinful people who killed an innocent man who tried to help us evolve spiritually. We have killed many who came in the name of God to help us, and it is not because God wanted it. Rather God was on the cross with Jesus suffering along with him and crying over the cruelty of humankind. This idea of substitutionary atonement has been much promoted for two thousand years and is believed by many, however there are other informed theological views of salvation and Jesus' death.

Gibson wants to promote this movie as being historical, but we need to understand that the gospels themselves are not historical as we currently understand history. Rather, they are more like a historical novel or myth. All four gospels differ in their accounts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Other, non-canonical gospels give different accounts and interpretations. The gospels lack many details of Jesus' final hours, and what we do have is not necessarily based on eye witness accounts since it is said the disciples deserted Jesus when he was arrested except for possiblely some women and the beloved disciple who watched the crucifixion. They certainly were not in the Jewish court or the inner chambers of the Praetorium. Scholarly opinion does not accept that any of the gospels were written by eye witnesses.

Another point we should remember, is that Jesus and his original disciples were Jews, and Jesus did not intend to start a new religion. It wasn't until around 70 CE when the Jews expelled Jesus' followers from the synagogues and persecuted them that they became a separate sect known as Christians. It is most probable that the Romans were responsible for Jesus' death since they saw him and his followers as a security threat during the nationalistic, Jewish holiday of Passover. However, it was politically convenient for the gospel writers to shift the blame from the Romans to the Jews in order to avoid further persecution from the Romans who were able to administer the death penalty at will.

Shalom,
Steve

Androgyny

I embrace a transcendent spiritual dimension that is beyond this material universe as well as permeating it in a different dimension.

I do not disagree that God is an all pervading energy and that in fact all energy is God's energy. On one level, there is nothing but God. I agree that God is love. I do not think of God in purely masculine terms, but rather androgynous containing both masculine and feminine qualities. For the sake of enjoying the pastimes of love, God divides into masculine and feminine personalities. We are also part and parcel of God created to engage in loving pastimes. While we are predominantly embodied as male or female, we are also really androgynous but our conditioning tries to deny that.

I do not accept a traditional, patriarchal theistic view of God, but rather God is a great mystery that we can never fully comprehend. Therefore, we should not limit what God may or may not be by our limited concepts.

Peace,
Steve

The divine couple

While I admit that we can never totally conceive of God with our conscious minds and that God has both impersonal and personal aspects, is it not possible for God to reveal God's self to us? What if rather than imposing our personal conceptions on God, God imposed God's personhood on us, and we are actually created in the image of God?

While I have experienced the bliss of merging with the impersonal aspect of the Godhead, I have also experienced the bliss of engaging in a loving relationship with God in the form of the divine couple Radha Krishna. Even though I have experienced great pain as a result of this relationship (esp. due to the actions of my guru and some of his disciples) and have tried to distance myself from the relationship, there is no getting away because the bond is eternal, blissful and full of the sweetest love I have ever experienced. There is nothing I want more than to live in the service of Radha Krishna eternally.

Radha and Krishna are the divine moiety, the two complementary female and male halves of the androgynous godhead. Yes, it is easier to conceive of God in a personal form since we are persons, but that does not mean that the personal form of God is less than the impersonal. We need to drop our limited concept of person when applying it to God. God is an infinite, unlimited person beyond our imagination.

Peace and love,
Steve

Another view of gay marriage

Wow! My friend Spence sent me this link. What an eye opener regarding the history of same sex unions in the church dating back centuries. This is what those who oppose gay marriage do not want us to know. They accuse those who support gay marriage as breaking with 3,000 years of history, but this is simply not so. Rather it is a continuation of an ancient tradition. History is written by the victors who only want you to know their views. Read "When marriage between gays was by rite" Opinion / The Irish Times on the Web / ireland.com

Don't believe everything you hear or read. Think!
Steve

Gay marriage

I was just reading a post of "Gay marriage isn't what it used to be" by Richard Louv when I got a call from my friend Fred Stella, President of the Interfaith Dialogue Association, asking me to tape a radio show with him Friday on the issue of gay marriage. He said that any facts and figures I could bring with me would be most helpful. This article indeed contains some interesting facts that I will take along.

I agree with Louv that this issue is very divisive, and I would not like to see it become the center piece of the electoral campaign. However, this issue has been brought to us by the right, and if we do not act now to stop the legislature, a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage will be on the Michigan ballot in November bringing even more attention to it.

I hope that we are early enough in the election cycle that the issue will die down by November and other perhaps more important issues can be discussed. However, we must try to hold the line and not let any more rights be trampled by this Republican juggernaut.

Peace and solidarity,
Steve

Impersonal or Personal?

Many seekers who turn to the East come under the influence of the impersonalist school of thought taught by many Indian teachers. I on the other hand am of the personalist school of thought having passed through the impersonal approach previously. Rather than seeking to annihilate the ego/self, I seek to purify the ego/self/spirit soul from the false identification with the body and materially conditioned consciousness by reawakening its spiritual identity as an eternal part and parcel of God who is both personal and impersonal in nature.

This spirit soul reincarnates from life to life until it becomes self-realized and re-establishes its eternal loving relationship with God. This is a personal relationship in which the individual soul and God are both one and different as lover and beloved. Rather than seeking to merge the individual soul with the Supreme as a drop of water merges with the ocean which is nihilistic, the individual soul and the Supreme Personality of Godhead engage in eternal loving pastimes which are much more appealing to me.

I have been in control of my many lives as an independent, free agent able to make personal choices. In addition, the providence of God has been at work in my life guiding me to make the right choices which lead to liberation. The choice is mine however. I am and I will always be. The many changes of body are like changes of clothes or buying a new car until I reach the eternal spiritual abode where my pure spiritual nature will be revealed.

Rather than merging in impersonal oneness, it is more of a merging with a lover in a passionate embrace in which the two become one and yet remain two, inconceivably simultaneously one and different. It is a oneness of quality, relationship, purpose and love.

The false ego has to give up control and surrender to the love and will of God trusting in God’s goodness to guide us in life and death. We can live this eternal life here and now. We still live within the illusory dream of this material world. Yet, we can be conscious dreamers. We know who and who’s we are. We act out of love and service rather than self centered ego. I am talking about, the transmutation of matter into spirit, time into eternity. The question is do you want to awaken to impersonal nothingness or personal variegated ness based on loving relationships that are eternal?

Peace and love,
Steve

Dominionism

I am a member of United Communities of Spirit, an interfaith, spiritual community linked on the internet. Last night, I received a post from their forum by a member in New Zealand. I found it quite revealing and disturbing. It's not that this is all so new and unknown to me, but the way many different aspects of our current situation are tied together in an authoritative, well documented manner is quite eye opening, revealing the sick scope of the right's ambitions. What they plan is a Machiavellian theocracy not unlike Iran only of course following the laws of conservative "Christian" assumptions of how we are to live. If you are concerned about your future, want to know what is really at stake in this upcoming election and are willing to look into the face of the beast, read The Despoiling Of America by Katherine Yurica. I am so involved in political and social issues because I see that they are really spiritual issues. The right is very well organized but the left is not. While we are now used to speaking of imperialism and culture wars, this article will show you that it is really Dominionism and spiritual warfare that is at the heart of it. We need to come together in strong opposition before this corruption of all we believe in is able to take over totally.

Solidarity in the struggle,
Steve

Happy Valentines Day

Love the one you're with.

Steve

Perfect or imperfect?

With so many terrible things happening all around the world and being bombarded by them constantly through the media, it's very easy to let them influence us, become depressed and give up hope. Remember though, it's our choice. We may not be able to immediately change all the things we would like to in this world, but we are able to change the way we respond to them.

There was a period in my life when I was a Hindu when I didn't watch TV, listen to the radio or even read the paper. I focused on developing a transcendent, spiritual life. Now, I practice a much more incarnational spirituality. I believe I am here to make changes in this world and not just transcend it. I listen to a lot of NPR, watch television, enjoy movies and use the internet avidly. I also am involved as an activist in peace and justice issues. I was the 2003 recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award for my work in Grand Rapids to promote a living wage.

While recognizing the temporary, illusory nature of the material world, I seriously play the game of life but with a spirit of detachment. I have fun doing whatever I do whether it's writing a blog, testifying at the capital, going to a rally, eating drinking, watching TV or being with friends. So even though we may need to protest the terrible things of this world and try to bring about change, it can be fun. Even though we live in an imperfect world, it can be perfect for us as we work to make it more perfect. There is a paradox in seeing perfection in imperfection, but life is full of paradoxes and the sooner we can learn to go with the flow, laugh at things (including ourselves) and not take life so seriously, the sooner we'll have a more perfect life. Perfect or imperfect, life is what you make it.

Peace,
Steve

When will we ever learn?

I have been part of the counter cultural movement all my life. For eleven years, I tried to infiltrate mainstream society as a pastor and bring about change from within. I could not adequately hide my agenda and so was rejected by those interested in maintaining the status quo. I am again working as an outsider.

During the Iran-Contra scandal of the 80s that Daddy Bush was behind, I became very happy and excited when the Christic Institute and others began exposing the secret, shadow government and its illegal actions. I foolishly thought that if they impeached Nixon for a mere break-in and cover-up, this will bring down the whole corrupt structure. But no, they got away with it and Bush became president. Therefore, I wonder what it will take to wake people up. I hope our present situation will do it.

I realize we need more than a change of the man at the top. As I have long believed, one is not that much different than the other. Yes, they are all bought by big money. Yet, I cannot help but believe we would be much better off today if Gore were president. I also believe we will be much better off with Kerry as president (he does appear to be the favorite). I would like to see more radical systemic change to stop the oppressive control of wealthy capitalists, but that is not going to happen anytime soon as far as I can see. In the meantime we have to choose the lesser of two evils.

Peace and solidarity,
Steve

Scary thoughts

Listening to WAMU : The Diane Rehm Show this morning, Kevin Phillips, the fellow who wrote American Dynasty the recent book about the Bushs, reminded me of how Daddy Bush stole the election from Carter by negotiating the October surprise with the Iranians, getting them to not release US hostages until he and Reagan were in office. Then W stole the election from Gore using the Supreme Court. What's next? All the anger against Bush and the desire to remove him from office no matter who the Dems want to run against him may just be met with even more dirty tricks that we can't begin to imagine. I hope some powerful persons are keeping an eye on things so that we don't wind up with the idiot Bush as president for life. God forbid.

Hang in there,
Steve

Why I oppose the war

Let me explain some of the reasons I am opposed to the Bush administration and the Iraq war. For one thing, during high school I had congressional appointments to the Air Force and Coast Guard academies and an NROTC scholarship. The Air Force turned me down because I couldn't broad jump far enough and the Coast Guard because I had too much acne on my back. I thought these were B.S. reasons probably so some rich kid could get my place, turned down the NROTC and went to college on a no-strings-attached engineering scholarship for one year until I dropped out. Then when they tried to draft me for what I learned was an unjust war in Vietnam, I managed to dodge the draft and protested that war. I wasn't about to be cannon fodder for a corrupt lying government.

I prefer peaceful means of ending conflict whenever possible for a variety of religious, moral, ethical and practical reasons.

Now, my son (22) is in the 6th year of his Army National Guard duty. He enlisted partly to rebel against his mother and I. He has already spent seven months in Egypt disrupting his college education. We hope he will not be called up again for active duty again during this last year of enlistment. This was not what he signed up for. The game has changed in mid-course.

When I consider all the U.S. and coalition soldiers who are dying and being wounded needlessly over there due to the political and economic agendas of our leaders and the untold needless suffering of the Iraqi people who I question whether they are actually better off today, I have to say, "Is it really worth it?" What is really worth the sacrifice of so many lives? What could possibly be worth it? Anything we are willing to sacrifice our children for is idolitry.

Even though I don't completely support Kerry, esp. his vote to go to war with Iraq, I do respect that even though from a wealthy family, he served with distinction in Vietnam and then came back and protested the war. He is a much better choice as a leader than the deserter Bush who now sends our children to slaughter.

May there be peace,
Steve

Learning to live with differences

I can't believe how busy I've been lately. I haven't blogged for three days. As an independent, solo entrepreneur/minister, I have many roles to fulfill and anything that has to be done, I'm usually the one to do it. While I love to write, it seems many other things are demanding my time right now and time seems to just fly by as life unfolds at a rapid pace.

As for my trip to Lansing, eleven clergy including myself spoke at the press conference. About forty other persons were present. Unfortunately, the only press represented was "Between the Lines," a gay publication. After the conference was over, an NBC TV crew came and interviewed two Episcopal priests and me.

I got to my representative's office (Kooiman) just as several members of our group were finishing up with him. He wouldn't come out again to meet with me, so I just left my card and said I was opposed to the amendment. I then went to my senator's office (Hardiman). He was speaking with an aide, and said he had to go to a meeting but would call me. He did the next day. We had a lengthy conversation. I basically asked him how as a Christian and a black man he could support this constitutional amendment which would restrict the rights of others and oppress an entire class of people. We discussed things from theological, civil rights and separation of church and state points of view. We had to agree to disagree. He is one of the main supporters of this amendment and a real staunch advocate of conservative "family values." I was pleased that he was at least willing to have a good discussion with me on this divisive subject. I long for the day when such discussions will no longer be necessary because we all learn to accept one another despite our differences.

Peace,
Steve

It's a shame

It's a shame I have to drive to Lansing early tomorrow morning to participate in a press conference and lobby my legislators. It's a shame Republican legislators are set on imposing their conservative Christian values on all residents of Michigan. It's a shame they have such a narrow definition of family values that it excludes LGBT couples, some of whom have children. It's a shame they cannot just love their neighbor regardless of sexual orientation. It's a shame they do not favor equal rights for all. It's a shame they do not believe in separation of church and state. It's a shame we are such a divided people.

Michigan Clergy Come Out Against Anti-Family Amendment to State Constitution

(Lansing) Michigan clergy and people of faith from The Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan will descend on the State Capitol this Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at 10a.m. to urge legislators to vote against House Joint Resolution U and Senate Joint Resolution E, the so-called “marriage” amendment.

“Instead of amending our State Constitution to expand civil rights for Michigan citizens, this legislation writes discrimination into law,” explains Michael Gibson-Faith of Quaker-based organization, The American Friends Service Committee, which is co-organizing Wednesday’s events. “As spiritual people, clergy, and community leaders, we are committed to working for justice and equality for all Michigan citizens, and strongly oppose consideration of any legislation that would limit the rights and benefits of same-sex couples and families.”

Gibson-Faith admits that the group of spiritual leaders calling itself The Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan is diverse in its understanding of homosexuality as a moral issue, but are all one in affirming the full rights of all Michigan citizens and families to equal legal protections that secure and strengthen the family.

Wednesday’s events will begin with a press conference in room 428 of the Capitol building in which Coalition members representing Michigan churches and spiritual organizations will explain to the press why Michigan must defeat this cruel, anti-family legislation. After the press conference, Coalition members will fan out to lobby legislators to vote against the proposed Constitutional amendment.

The Religious Coalition for a Fair Michigan represents over 100 Michigan clergy and faith communities. The group includes several Bishops and large churches, as well as many Quakers, Unitarians, and other spiritual communities. While not all members are able to attend Wednesday’s events, the group believes that, if passed, the proposed Constitutional amendment would only serve to heighten an already hostile climate of discrimination and violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender couples and families in Michigan.

May we grow beyond this narrowness,
Steve

Here's an article covering Moore's appearance last night. Hundreds listen to Moore politics Too bad they had to include the negative attacks of Michigan GOP chairwoman Betsy DeVos who is a real elitist. So much for fair and balanced.

Don't give up the fight

It is important to maintain a positive attitude, see the good in all things, be non-judgmental of our neighbors, etc. Yet in these times that we live in, it is essential to maintain our God given intelligence and clearly discriminate between good and evil. Then we must actively oppose evil.

Last night my wife and I went to dinner with friends and then went to hear activist Michael Moore speak. The church where he spoke was packed with 1,600 people. Another 700 who could not get in were standing outside in the snow and freezing cold. Moore came out and spoke to us on the street corner so that we would not miss out. We then went to a friend's house and continued our discussion of society and politics. After we got home, my wife said she was so tired of hearing all the bad things that are going on. I sometimes feel the same way. I explained the necessity of not being in denial, of not disengaging and abandoning the field to the destructive, neo-con opposition.

We all deserve peace of mind, but not at the price of freedom. God put us in this world for a purpose, and to just transcend, seeking personal peace while millions are suffering unjustly is not right. Especially those of us living in the U.S.A. have a special obligation in this election year to bring about regime change and end the imperial rule which is destroying our nation and the world.

Peace through solidarity,
Steve