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Thursday, June 07, 2007
 On Monday night, we saw the three Democratic front-runners for the presidential nomination deal with questions about faith in a comfortable way. They showed that faith is both personal and real for them. When John Edwards spoke of how he and his wife Elizabeth were actually “dysfunctional” for a time after the tragic death of their son, and how only “the Lord” got him through that – nobody on either side of the political aisle could have doubted the authenticity. After what many thought was an inappropriate question about Hillary Clinton’s marriage, the Senator responded with a spiritual depth and maturity that deeply impressed everyone who was watching – even her political enemies. The questions about faith, as they often do, ended up revealing more of the honest humanity of these candidates than we often see, and took them off their stump speeches. But at the same time, and very significantly, these three Senators showed an easy capacity to connect their personal faith with the great moral and public issues of the day – to poverty in particular, to criminal justice, to immigration, health care, energy, and even to the problems of good and evil, and war and peace. John Edwards said his faith compels him to spend the rest of his life seeking to end poverty, Barack Obama insightfully argued how believing God to be on your side is so dangerous in making foreign policy decisions, and Hillary Clinton, in response to a question from a representative from Catholic Charities, showed a deep understanding of the religious notion of “the common good” and applied it to what good political leadership requires. Several political pundits and media commentators described the forum as “unprecedented” or “groundbreaking.” And I think it might well have been for two big reasons. First, the presidential forum on “faith, values, and poverty” clearly showed that faith is alive and well on both sides of the political aisle, and that God is, indeed, not a Republican or Democrat. It served to help “level the playing field” on faith and politics, where the Republicans have enjoyed a decided advantage for several decades now. Second, it clearly moved the faith and politics debate far beyond the narrow two-issue agenda of abortion and gay marriage, which have for so long been “the religious issues.” This time the religious issues focused in on the fundamental biblical issues at stake in how we treat the poor. And the traditional hot-button issues were even brought in, with a very thoughtful exchange between evangelical pastor Joel Hunter and Hillary Clinton on how we might actually find some needed common ground on the divisive matter of abortion. But this time religion focused on social justice and that was a welcome relief from the discussion over many years now. All this holds great promise for the future. And I am convinced that the discussion of faith and politics, religion and public life, will be a very different one – and far better one – in the election cycle of 2008 than it has been for a very long time. That broader conversation, with both sides participating fully, will better for the country, for politics, and for the faith community. This commentary also appeared as part of the Washington Post/Newsweek On Faith online discussion.
 I was in the audience at Monday night’s presidential candidates forum and have been reading and reflecting on the blog entries and press coverage of the event. I heard one important point that has so far escaped comment by bloggers and journalists alike. Each of the candidates clearly articulated the idea that living a faith-centered, faith-informed life involves both personal and collective, or corporate, responsibility. This chord was first struck when Senator Edwards answered a question about the government response to Katrina. He talked both about what he did on a personal level, as a man of faith, using his own hands and feet, "for faith without works is dead . . ." but he went on to describe the corporate responsibility that lies with the entire country, and the moral obligation vested in the president to ensure – daily if needed – that this corporate responsibility is being faithfully carried out. Next, in response to Jim Wallis’ question, “If you were the president, what kind of moral and political imagination would you bring to finding some real solutions (to issues of poverty)?” Senator Obama’s reply was based, in part, on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: [W]e have to get beyond what Dr. King called the "either/or mentality" and embrace "the both/and mentality." And our politics have exacerbated this notion of either/or. So we say either people are entirely responsible for their own lot - and this tends to be expressed within Republican circles, but not entirely - pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, act responsibly, act morally, a great emphasis on private morality, or, conversely, that individuals are responsible, society is acting on them, and they are not free agents. And my attitude - and I think the attitude of every religious leader and scholar that I value and listen to - is that we have these individual responsibilities and these societal responsibilities. And those things aren't
mutually exclusive. So what does that mean concretely? Finally, Senator Clinton spoke of her personal responsibility “to do what is right regardless of what the world thought” while also demonstrating her understanding of the corporate responsibility embodied and led by government leaders and actions when she emphatically declared that “every vote is a moral vote.” When it comes to taking a serious, faith-informed approach to solving significant social justice issues such as poverty, I think this understanding that faith requires one to take both personal and corporate responsibility in creating, restoring, and leading a just society was one of the most profound and significant of the evening. Yet we must take it deeper. As Obama asked, "So what does that mean concretely?" We each must ask ourselves that question. Here are a few ideas to get us started: Personal responsibility requires each of us to work hard, support ourselves and our families. Corporate responsibility requires us to ensure that ANY person (including persons with disabilities) who is taking personal responsibility to work should be able to take home a life-sustaining paycheck, being safe and free from harassment while at work. This is where workplace regulations such as labor, industry, health and safety standards, hiring and firing laws (anti-discrimination, etc) and wage standards come in. Personal responsibility to "do no harm" requires each of us to ensure that our actions do not harm other persons or property (including the natural environment) and that we leave other people AND the environment in a better condition than we found them. Corporate responsibility requires us all to care for our environment and to implement standards that ensure there will continue to be safe air, water, and other natural resources for our children and future generations. Corpor
ate responsibility also requires us to provide care, safety, and well-being for the "least of these" among us, particularly children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those who are truly trying to take "personal responsibility" for their lives but are unable to due to circumstances out of their control, whether natural disasters in their communities or man-made disasters on a socio-economic scale. This corporate responsibility for protecting and promoting the safety of all demands that we equip first and second-line responders to safety situations (from the military to police force to fireman to social workers responding to abused children to emergency medical personnel to FEMA) with the resources, tools, and supports needed to do their jobs well and efficiently and effectively. In short, a faith-informed approach to public policy demands that we embrace our corporate responsibility to ensure that the social, economic, and political environment is structured in ways that enhance and increase the likelihood that ALL participants in that society can be successful in taking personal responsibility when they sincerely try to do so. This is the approach I heard each of the candidates articulate on Monday night. This is an approach that is completely consistent with biblical Christianity, and yet respects our founding principle of religious freedom. This intelligent, thoughtful, and reflective understanding that our faith informs how we live as an individual AND how we live together in a society is refreshing and gives me hope.  Susan H. Badeau is the executive director of the Philadelphia Children's Commission, a parent of 22 children by birth, foster care, and adoption, a life-long advocate and a Sojourners/Philadelphia volunteer.
The latest news on G-8, immigration, Darfur, sanctuary, Russia, Iraq, federal budget, Senegal, nuclear weapons and the Mideast. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Immigration-this morning's news. Immigration Bill in Doubt After Vote "A fragile compromise that would legalize millions of unlawful immigrants risks coming unraveled after the Senate voted early Thursday to place a five-year limit on a program meant to provide U.S. employers with 200,000 temporary foreign workers annually."
Immigration-the newspapers. Immigration bill supporters beat back key change "Supporters of a bipartisan immigration bill on Wednesday rebuffed one of the most serious challenges so far, defeating a measure that could have denied legalization to many illegal immigrants and moving the complicated legislation a step closer to passage in the Senate." Senate Rejects Most Efforts to Change Immigration Bill"The Senate signaled support for major provisions of a comprehensive immigration bill by rejecting many proposed amendments, including one that would have made it much harder for many illegal immigrants to achieve legal status." Immigrant Measure Survives Challenges "The plan to overhaul the nation's immigration system survived its most serious challenges, when the Senate defeated amendments to disqualify hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from legalization and to extend visas to hundreds of thousands more relatives of U.S. citizens" White House surprised at GOP anger over speech "President Bush did not intend to single out his conservative supporters for criticism in a speech on immigration reform last week and was "surprised" that his remarks angered Republicans, White House spokesman Tony Snow said."
Sanctuary. A mother's plight revives the sanctuary movement "Sanctuary, in antiquity the practice of providing refuge in a sacred place, has been revived in a rather dramatic fashion by an undocumented Mexican cleaning woman trying to evade deportation by holing up in a Chicago church. … That was nine months and 18 days ago. Since then, her act of civil disobedience has helped spark a new sanctuary movement."
G-8. Leaders scramble to salvage climate plan "The world's industrial powers scrambled last night to rescue one of the most contentious G8 summits in the organization's history after the United States rejected German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cherished climate-change agenda." At Group of 8 Meeting, Bush Rebuffs Germany on Cutting Emissions"As leaders of wealthy nations converged on a Baltic Sea resort for their annual meeting, the White House effectively derailed a climate change initiative backed by one of President Bush's strongest European allies, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany." G-8 Leaders Trade Conflicting Views on Warming "As thousands of protesters clashed with police nearby, President Bush and leaders of other industrial nations traded markedly opposing views on how to combat global warming." Thousands of Protesters Foil Some German Security Measures and Clash With the Police "Several thousand protesters clashed with riot police officers, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators blocking roads and railways leading to the site of the meeting. Eight police officers were injured, and 15 demonstrators were detained,"
Russia. Calmer Talk From U.S. and Russia "Russia and the United States appeared to step back from their confrontation over American plans for installations in Europe relating to a missile shield, as President Bush said Russia was not a threat to Europe and the Russian foreign minister withdrew a threat to pull out of a conventional arms treaty." PM to press Putin on reforms "Stephen Harper will press Russian President Vladimir Putin today to bolster human rights and democratic reform in his country amid increasing anxiety over repression and human-rights violations."
Iraq. Twin bombings near Shiite shrine in Baghdad "Two nearly simultaneous car bombs rocked the district containing Baghdad's most revered Shiite Muslim shrine in an apparent attempt to escalate sectarian bloodshed and derail the latest security plan. … The U.S. military, meanwhile, announced the deaths of four more soldiers in the last two days. That brings to at least 3,503 the number of U.S. military personnel killed since the start of the Iraq war," Bombs Hit Shiites in Baghdad; Turkish Threats Grow Acute "Thirty-four bodies were also found strewn about the capital, the latest evidence of a rising toll of sectarian killings more than three months after the beginning of the increase in American troops. At least 167 bodies have been found in Baghdad in the first six days of June," Turkish officials say troops entered Iraq to chase rebels "Hundreds of Turkish soldiers crossed into northern Iraq on Wednesday pursuing Kurdish guerrillas who stage attacks on Turkey from hideouts there, Turkish security officials and an Iraqi Kurd official said."
Federal budget. House Boosts Clean Energy, Veteran Funds "Democrats gave big increases to programs aimed at making cars and buildings more energy efficient and boosting research and development of alternative energy sources in legislation approved Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee."
Darfur. Tentative Deal Reached for Darfur Peacekeeping Force "The United Nations and the African Union struck a tentative deal to end disagreement over the command of a 23,000-soldier joint peacekeeping force proposed for Darfur." Amnesty Launches 'Eyes on Darfur' Site "Atrocities in western Sudan as well as injustices in Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Burma have prompted American scientists to assist human rights organizations by devising tracking techniques using satellite imagery." Young voices join chorus against Darfur "Since they founded the project "Dollars for Darfur" last summer, Nick Anderson of Conway and Ana Slavin of Sherborn have helped raise more than $300,000 for the cause through a series of benefits organized by high school students on two popular websites."
Senegal. World Briefings: Senegal sees oil as anti-poverty tool "As the Group of Eight meets this week in Germany, one African leader is hoping to use the new flood of oil profits for a novel cause: combating poverty in Africa's non-oil-producing nations. "Energy and infrastructure -- those are the new links," said Senegal's octogenarian president, Abdoulaye Wade, in an interview in Dakar before he left for the G-8 meeting."
Nuclear weapons. U.S. speeding up nuclear disarmament "The Energy Department will announce today that it has accelerated its program to dismantle surplus nuclear weapons by more than 50% and has already met its goal for the fiscal year, about four months early."
Mideast. Abbas and Olmert Delay Meeting; Withheld Funds at Issue "A meeting scheduled for Thursday between the prime minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has been postponed, largely over what appeared to be the issue of the conditions under which Israel would turn over tax revenues it collects for the Palestinians." Fatah to Israel: Let us get arms to fight Hamas "Senior Fatah officials in the Gaza Strip have asked Israel to allow them to receive large shipments of arms and ammunition from Arab countries, including Egypt. The group says it needs the weapons to counter attacks by Hamas, which has an overwhelming advantage in the Gaza Strip."
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The latest news on immigration, AIDS, Russia, Republican debates, Libby's sentence, Rep. William Jefferson ethics investigation,abortion, faith, forum transcript, and select Op-Eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Republican debate. McCain Sets Self Apart in Debate "Sen. John McCain of Arizona found himself isolated as he staunchly defended controversial immigration legislation against a barrage of criticism from his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, who argued that the bill is deeply flawed and should not be approved by Congress." Immigration, Bush in crossfire - "Ten Republican presidential hopefuls, sharing a stage once more, clashed over immigration. But some of their harshest rhetoric was aimed at a surprising off-stage target: President Bush." G.O.P. Candidates Spar Over Immigration "The Republican presidential candidates waged verbal combat in the Congressional battle over a proposed immigration overhaul, with Senator John McCain, an author of a pending compromise plan, defending the controversial proposals in a Repubican debate in Goffstown, N.H."
Immigration. Reid Says He Will Seek to End Debate on Immigration Bill"The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, that he would try to force an end to debate on a comprehensive immigration bill, leaving the fate of the legislation in question." Pressure on immigration bill persists "The Senate defeated a measure that would have made it all but impossible for illegal immigrants to become permanent legal residents, a step toward citizenship, under the bipartisan immigration bill." Illegals bill hits Senate roadblock "The immigration deal foundered yesterday, on the verge of collapse under its own weight just days after it appeared to have a clear path to pass the Senate."
Libby sentenced. Libby Given 30 Months for Lying in C.I.A. Leak Case "I. Lewis Libby Jr., the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney and one of the principal architects of President Bush's foreign policy, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison for lying during a C.I.A. leak investigation that became part of a fierce debate over the war in Iraq." Libby Given 21/2-Year Prison Term "I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for lying to federal investigators about his role in the leak of a CIA officer's identity by a judge who declared
the evidence against him "overwhelming" and concluded that Libby "got off course" as a White House employee." Libby gets 30 months, $250,000 fine "Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr. was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison on his conviction last month on four counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI in an investigation into the disclosure of the identity of a CIA agent."
Rep. William Jefferson ethics investigation. Ethics Panel to Investigate Congressman on Conduct "Under pressure from Republicans, the House ethics committee announced it would open an inquiry into the conduct of Representative William J. Jefferson who relinquished his sole committee assignment in the wake of his indictment on corruption charges." House Moves Against Embattled Jefferson "Monday's indictment of Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) touched off an ethics battle in the House yesterday, with leaders from both parties moving quickly against Jefferson even as they accused each other of having no real interest in tighter ethics rules."
Russia. Why the hot war of words in U.S.-Russia affairs? "President Bush's attempts to soothe rising tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be tested Wednesday when the two leaders come together for the first time since a U.S. proposal to place a missile defense system in Eastern Europe brought a new low to post-Cold War relations between their two countries." Chastising Putin, Bush Says Russia Derails Reform " President Bush delivered a two-pronged message to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, two days before their scheduled meeting in Germany, chiding Mr. Putin for derailing democratic reforms while assuring the Russian leader that he had nothing to fear from a missile defense system in Europe." Blair tries to defuse tension with Russia over US missiles "Today Mr Blair will take part in his 11th G8 and, amid the preparations, he reflected on the changes since his first, and his expectations of the last."
AIDS. New AIDS Cases in Africa Outpace Gains "For each sub-Saharan African who was placed on anti-AIDS drugs last year, experts say, five more were newly infected. The region's rate of new infections has not budged since the late 1990s, experts say."
Abortion. For some, antiabortion is all or nothing "As they gathered Tuesday for a national strategy session, antiabortion activists faced an unexpected revolt in their own ranks. Some of the biggest groups in the movement, including Focus on the Family and National Right to Life, are under attack from fellow activists who accuse them of turning a godly cau
se into a money-grubbing industry."
Faith. 'Rejoice always': a lesson in dying "For much of his career studying scripture, professor David Scholer of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena puzzled over a line from 1 Thessalonians: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. He resisted a part of the verse: How did one "give thanks in all circumstances"? In tragedy? Sickness? Then came cancer and Scholer, a teacher all his life, embarked on what may be his greatest lesson, for his students and for himself."
Forum transcript. The complete transcript of Monday evening's Faith, Values and Poverty Forum sponsored by Sojourners as broadcast live on CNN.
Op-Ed.
The Democrats' Leap of Faith (Ruth Marcus, Washington Post) "This is not Michael Dukakis's Democratic Party. Instead, as was shown by Monday night's forum on faith, sponsored by CNN and the liberal evangelical group Sojourners, it is a party on a mission: to make inroads into Republicans' ability to attract and, more important, turn out religious voters."
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
 Monday night I attended Sojourners' presidential candidates forum on Faith, Values, and Poverty, featuring Democrats John Edwards, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. I expected to hear how their faith informed their policies, but I also longed to hear something of the candidates’ stories and their perspectives on theology and ethics. They met my first expectation. But the conversation buoyed me with surprise as to my second hope. Although all three are Protestants, they represent three discrete traditions. Edwards, born Southern Baptist, left and returned to personal faith; Barack Obama articulated the prophetic hope of the African-American church, himself an adult convert; and Hillary Clinton has been a mainline Methodist all her life. Edwards spoke easily of Jesus (even extending the syllables “Je-ee-sus” in that particularly southern way), Obama extolled the vision of “the beloved community,” and Clinton confessed that she is “private” when it comes to faith (I, too, learned in Methodist Sunday school that faith is “private”) and finds it awkward when others “wear their faith on their sleeve.” In one short hour, they modeled the three great families of American Protestantism: evangelical, African-American, and mainline. Yet, the differences did not obscure a greater commonality. All three made surprisingly modest claims about faith, stressing the limits of human knowledge of divine things. Edwards spoke of how often he sinned (“several times a day, every day”) and said that he often prayed to know the difference between his own will and God’s. Obama ruminated about Abraham Lincoln’s Civil War meditations on the ambiguity of faith. And Clinton confessed to the superficiality of some of her prayers while asserting the importance of “doing the best with what we know to be true at a given time.” All three extended these perspectives into the realm of politics and policy, articulating a desire to move away from the politics of hubris to a politics of humility. Clearly unscripted and unplanned, what emerged was a re-articulation of a great American theology: the ironic strain of Protestant faith. In 1952, Reinhold Niebuhr described this part of American religious-political character in his book, The Irony of American History. Irony, as Niebuhr described, is not humor. Rather, it is an understanding that American history was full of unexpected twists, that the most innocent political intentions had often undermined virtue. “If virtue becomes vice through some hidden defect in the virtue; if strength becomes weakness because of the vanity to which strength may prompt the mighty man or nation; if security is transmuted into insecurity because too much reliance is placed upon it; if wisdom becomes folly because it does not know its own limits – in all such cases, the situation is ironic.” Irony runs deep in the Protestant soul, finding its original voice in St. Paul, who said, “We know that the law is spiritual, but I am flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” In recent years, Protestant irony has been in short supply. From both the Religious Right and the current president we have been subjected to a theology of victory, that which Martin Luther once called the “theology of glory,” a triumphal Christianity. No self-reflection, no sense of “I do the very thing I hate,” no anticipation of wisdom turning into folly. Contrasting the theology of glory, Luther identified “the theology of cross.” Like Niebuhr’s irony, the theology of the cross understands human limitations, recognizes suffering, and acts in humility. It is the way of grace-filled risk, of trusting God – not armies or policies or ideologies or our own righteousness – to bring peace. St. Paul, Mar
tin Luther, Reinhold Niebuhr – all voices of the cross. These strains – triumphal or ironic, hubris or humility, of glory or the cross – have competed for the soul of American Protestantism since its beginnings. And, as expected, the more modest voices have often been less heard, perhaps because they represent the deepest place of Protestant spirituality. After nearly two decades of certainty, no wonder the Democrats sounded that note on Monday night – and it was refreshing to hear it. I was not only surprised by how well these Democrats spoke about faith, but that they sounded like Reinhold Niebuhr while doing it! The irony of American history is clearer than ever. As Niebuhr wrote, we are “involved in irony because so many dreams of our nation have been so cruelly refuted by history.” Iraq? New Orleans? The gap between rich and poor? Will we have a political theology of triumphalism or irony? A theology of glory or the cross? Thank goodness we may well have a choice in the next presidential election.  Diana Butler Bass ( http://www.dianabutlerbass.com/) holds a Ph.D. in American religion from Duke University and is the author of the award-winning Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith (Harper SanFrancisco, 2006).
Faith forum. Last evening, Sojourners sponsored a candidate’s forum on Faith, Values, and Poverty. Here are some of the morning news stories: New York Times. Edwards, Clinton and Obama Describe Journeys of Faith “The three leading Democratic presidential hopefuls opened up at a televised forum about their faiths, the role of prayer in their lives and the ways religion informs their views on policy.” Washington Post. Clinton, Edwards and Obama Discuss Their Faith at Forum “In an unprecedented forum, the three leading Democratic presidential candidates described how faith influences both their politics and their personal lives.” Chicago Tribune. Top Democrats discuss faith “Three leading Democratic presidential candidates offered a glimpse of the role that religion plays in their private and political lives.” Washington Times. Top Democrats open up on faith :Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards all got personal during a forum focused on something much less commonly mentioned on the campaign trail: their religious faith.” Los Angeles Times. 3 Democratic candidates talk of their faith “The forum, sponsored by the liberal Sojourners/Call to Renewal evangelical organization, provided an uncommon glimpse into the most personal beliefs of Clinton and rivals John Edwards and Barack Obama.” Christian Broadcast Network. Brody File Reaction to Sojourners Faith Forum “…Clinton, Obama and Edwards helped themselves last night. These faith conferences further the discussion about religion and politics and that’s always a good thing.”
Plus, more news on immigration, hunger, missiles in Europe, Iraq, corruption, G-8, Lebanon, and Islam.
Immigration.Immigrant bill faces multiple alterations “About 30 amendments: That's what stands between a new plan for controlling immigration into the United States and passage in the Senate.” Immigration bill's key compromise under siege “As senators returned to the Capitol Monday after a weeklong recess, supporters of an immigration bill expressed guarded confidence that it would pass despite raging conservative criticism. A Point System for Immigrants Incites PassionsThe point system, one of the most significant features of the Senate immigration bill, will be at the heart of the debate as Congress resumes work on the legislation.” Fiscal lift, burden in immigrant legislation “The immigration bill before Congress would cost the federal government roughly $18 billion over the next decade, largely
because of the huge costs of additional border control and law enforcement measures,” Hunger. Cost of hunger calculated at $90 billion “Hunger in America leads to $90 billion a year in societal costs, such as mental-health problems that may arise when people miss too many meals.” Missiles in Europe. Bush Seeks to Ease Putin’s Fears on Missile Defense “President Bush, addressing Russian criticism of his proposal to put missile defenses here and in Poland, said today that Russia has nothing to fear from the proposal, adding, “The cold war is over.” Bush: 'Nothing to fear, Vladimir' “Russia should not fear a missile shield in eastern Europe, George Bush said today in his latest bid to placate Vladimir Putin, who has threatened to aim missiles at western countries in retaliation.” Iraq. Discontent Over Iraq Increasing, Poll Finds “Growing frustration with the performance of the Democratic Congress, combined with widespread public pessimism over President Bush’s temporary troop buildup in Iraq, has left satisfaction with the overall direction of the country at its lowest point in more than a decade,” Key US general says it is too soon to judge Iraq plan “The US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, said yesterday it was too early to judge whether a Baghdad security crackdown was successful because the last of five extra brigades had yet to be deployed.”Baghdad areas 'not under control' “US and Iraqi forces control fewer than one-third of Baghdad's neighbourhoods, according to a review of a security crackdown in the city since February.”
Corruption. Lawmaker Indicted on Corruption Charges “Federal authorities accused Rep. William J. Jefferson of using his congressional office and staff to enrich himself and his family, charging the Louisiana Democrat with offering and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to support business ventures in the United States and several West African nations.” Jefferson charged in bribery and corruption “A federal grand jury in Alexandria yesterday indicted Rep. William J. Jefferson, Louisiana Democrat, on charges of bribery and corruption in his promotion of telecommunications equipment and services in Africa.” G-8. 16,000 police deployed for G8 “A multinational coalition of protesters will today begin their bid to physically prevent world leaders from gathering at the G8 summit despite widespread criticism of violent tactics during growing demonstrations in Germany." Lebanon. As Crises Build, Lebanese Fearful of a Failed State “A few miles from Mona Abboud's bookstore in Tripoli, passengers in cars ducked below the dashboard as volleys of gunfire resounded like a jackhammer Monday. Earlier in the day, more clashes erupted at a Palestinian refugee camp three hours from here.” Islam. Blair Calls on Moderates to Reclaim the Public Debate Over Islam “As part of his series of farewells, Prime Minister Tony Blair addressed a government-organized conference on Islam on Monday, and declared that the religion’s “authentic voices” should be given a stage over the voices of extremism.”
Several of the faith bloggers did live blogging during our presidential candidates forum last night. I also include a few conservative blogs to be "fair and balanced." Aaron Krager from Faithfully Liberal: Faith, values, poverty: Sojourner’s Forum - Hillary Clinton Faith, values, poverty: Sojourner’s Forum - Barack Obama Faith, values, poverty: Sojourner’s Forum - John Edwards Final thoughts on Sojourner’s Forum David Kuo: The Faith Forum - a first thoughtThe Faith Forum - wondering about povertyThe Faith Forum - RoundupFrom the Beatitudes Society, Rev. Anne Howard: Live-blogging the Candidates: Refreshing, and even revealing...of all of usAlexander Carpenter at Faith in Public Life: The quick and dirty Sojo presidential ForumJesse Lava at Faithful Democrats: A Groundbreaking Forum on FaithWorld Magazine: The Democratic FaithfulIndependent Conservative: Democrats Talking About Matters of Faith. Total Comedy!UPDATE: I've found a few more since my first round of: Andrew Sullivan: Faith-OffXpatriated Texan: Fluff and Pomp-enstanceJenna Tiitsman at Auburn Media: First-Ever Faith Debate for DemsCollin Hansen, for Christianity Today's Liveblog: Faith Forum for DemocratsFaith in Public Life hosts a conversation between Eric Sapp of Common Good Strategies, Rabbi Andy
Bachman, a private blogger and Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim, and Jamison Foser of Media Matters: Faith in Public LIVE: Eric Sapp, Rabbi Andy Bachman and Jamison Foser
Over the course of the past year, especially this semester, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to live out justice and to be an activist. I have been trying to figure out where that fits into my goals and in my life, and whether my impact will be directly helping individuals or working to change social structures. I feel more called to work directly with people, but I also feel the overwhelming importance of making political and structural changes in order to stop the problems in the first place. It seems overwhelming to know even where to begin, and I am hoping that this conference will help me to find direction in how to implement action in my everyday life upon these issues that surround me and fill my thoughts. I'm also incredibly interested in hearing what politicians have to say about the issue of poverty and how they hope to work to overcome an issue that permeates our entire society but somehow remains so often overlooked. Erika Fox is a 2007 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and is attending Pentecost 2007: Taking the Vision to the Streets as an emerging leader.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Many people are happily conservative in their religion and politics.
For them, the dangers of what could happen for the worse are greater than the injustices of what currently is, so their bias is generally against change and toward preserving (conserving) or returning to the way we were, or the way we are.
Many people are happily liberal in their religion and politics. For them, the injustices of what has been and what currently is are so great that it's worth risking the dangers of what could happen in order to seek a better and freer (liberal) world.
Both sides, it seems to me, have a point. Things could easily get worse, so change shouldn't be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. But the past and status quo both have a lot needing improvement, so change shouldn't be resisted unadvisedly or lightly either. Most of us, whatever we are labelled, try to live within this dynamic tension. But according to the recent Media Matters study, the news media give more air time to the religiously conservative voices, with the probable result being that when people hear "religious," they think "religious conservative."
The consequences of this association are, no doubt, complex. One of them would be that when young (or older) people question and perhaps move away from the conservative political ideology of their family and church, they may assume their only alternative is to become secular and abandon their faith as well. I meet people like this by the scores every month, and I have a special concern for them. There are a number of possible reasons for this bias in the media. Among the most plausible to me are these four:
- Some news editors and reporters have a conservative bias and so give their heroes more air time. They may do this thinking they're correcting a perceived "liberal bias" in the media.
- Some news editors and reporters have a liberal bias and so want to encourage outrage at the latest statements by conservative spokespeople. They don't realize that they may be discrediting religion in general, not just these spokespeople, by their disproportionate reporting.
- All media are prone to "Jerry-Springerization" - meaning that at heart, we never outgrow junior high school and so gather around whenever it looks like a fight is going to break out. In the media, this means that outrageous and pugilistic people will naturally get more air time because they go from fight to fight.
- Conservative organizations have learned how to get air time more effectively than others, so they're working the system with greater skill.
The Media Matters report invites three responses, in my opinion:
- Media professionals should monitor themselves in this regard, whatever their bias (or professed "objectivity").
- Media professionals who are bucking the trend deserve to be appreciated - programs such as "Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly," for example, or the "On Faith" initiative launched by Newsweek and The Washington Post.
- Moderate and progressive faith-based groups such as Red Letter Christians (of which I am a part) need to improve our MSQ - or media-savvy quotient. When faced with "Jerry-Springerization," we don't have to either walk away from the media entirely on the one hand, or jump in the fray armed with a folding chair on the other. We can follow the lead of the prophets - from Jeremiah and Amos to Jesus and Paul - finding ways to be heard in the marketplace, ways that are in sync with the values we hold and the message we stand for.
Brian McLaren (brianmclaren.net) serves as board chair for Sojourners/Call to Renewal. His next book,
Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope, will be released in October. Watch his comments on the Media Matters report at a recent press conference sponsored by Faith in Public Life.
Friday, June 01, 2007
One of God’s true servants on earth, Billy Graham, was honored yesterday with the opening of a library and museum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility will hold memorabilia of Graham’s long preaching career, including photos and video footage of his evangelistic campaigns. The three living former presidents attended the opening, all offering their praise for Graham: ... former President George Bush delivered the keynote address, his voice cracking into a sob as he said Mr. Graham was “the man, the preacher, the humble farmer’s son who changed the world.” And while Graham is known more as a revival preacher than a social activist, he was one of the early pioneers in holding integrated meetings in the segregated South: "He was constantly broadminded, forgiving, humble in his treatment of others,” Mr. Carter said. “He has reached out equally to all people, black or white, man or woman. I am one of the tens of millions of people whose spiritual lives have been shaped by Billy Graham.” Billy, after all the laudatory speeches, had his usual humble response: “I feel like I’ve been attending my own funeral, listening to all these speeches,” he said to the crowd’s nervous laughter. “I’ve been here at the library once, and my one comment when I toured it was that it is too much Billy Graham. My whole life has been to please the Lord and honor Jesus, not to see me and think of me.” Billy Graham’s sincerity, integrity, and humility are very important reminders for the rest of us. I’d glad he is being honored in this way, and on my next trip to North Carolina I’ll be sure to visit the library.
Katie Barge at Faith in Public Life has done a great job of rounding up comments (including GP's post by Rev. Derrick Harkins) on the religious community's advocacy on behalf of family reunification in the immigration debate. Her comments: The current immigration deal under consideration in the Senate needs a family values fix. Right now, there are "an estimated 1.5 million legal immigrants in the United States who have been waiting as long as seven years to bring husbands, wives and small children to live with them." The current immigration bill does NOTHING to fix this, and in fact, reduces the number of family reunification visas available each year. This means that the backlog of families waiting to be reunited will only continue to grow. ...
[S] houldn't there be a lot more noise on this from the faith community, from the left and right? Shouldn't all groups who claim to be pro-family be firing up their constituencies in support of this family values fix? Here are the statements from religious leaders and organizations that we have seen so far ... anyone seen any more? Read her full post, including statements by faith groups.Ryan Rodrick Beiler is the web editor for Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
 During the Tribeca Film Festival, I happened to catch the world premiere of the documentary Pete Seeger: The Power of Song. I have vague recollections of attending the Newport Folk Festival as a toddler, long before it became commercialized as the Dunkin’ Donuts Newport Folk Festival. So, I was curious to learn more about the man that taught me to sing such songs as “Little Boxes,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Turn, Turn, Turn.” Also, through my brief interactions with the nonprofit organization Clearwater, I heard how he lent his voice to a grassroots movement to clean up the Hudson River, thus enabling me to sail, fish, and even kayak in what was once deemed a toxic waste dump. In this only authorized biography of Pete Seeger, director Jim Brown documents the life of this popular folk singer/songwriter who was picketed, protested, and even blacklisted. In his quest to “make a difference,” Seeger saw himself as a New Testament planter of seeds (See Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:2-20, and Luke 8:4-15), who used his banjo as his tool to sow the seeds of music. While some seeds fell on rocky ground and other seeds blew away like dust in the wind, Seeger observed how some seeds flourished and grew into movements to address issues such as civil rights, the Vietnam War, and the environment. In today's cynical world, can we enact positive social change through artistic self-expression or is this notion simply a relic of a bygone era? The recent success of the U2charists as a means to educate congregations about the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals seems to indicate that this spirit is still alive and thriving. Yes, I’m aware of the criticism surrounding a service that has even been parodied by The Daily Show, not to mention the slew of sappy Bono books penned by those who seem to be capitalizing on the U2 buzz. Before discounting this as yet another celeb fest, ask Seattle area residents who were able to check out Church of the Apostles’ city wide U2charist worship service, held May 27 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. There was a MDG fair before the service, and offerings went to Episcopal Relief and Development for Darfur. I know Karen and her crew there well enough to know that this was a spirit-filled adventure that rocked the house. As I explore a bit further the topic of artistic expression as a force for positive change, let me draw your attention to a few other movies that also had their world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Chops follows several multiracial high school jazz bands as they bond through this uniquely American art form while preparing to compete in the 2006 Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. Anyone thinking about cutting music and art from their local high school curriculums should see this flick first. Simply put, I wonder about the fate of some of those kids had music not entered their lives. Also of note is Shame, which started last night on Showtime. Directed by Mohammed Ali Naqvi, this documentary follows the story of Mukhtaran Mai, who spoke out against her community and government after she was brutally gang-raped. She uses the reparations mon
ey granted to her by the Pakistani government to set up the first school for girls in her hometown of Meerwala, hoping to empower the next generation of women. On a side note to Sam Harris and those who blame religion for the world’s woes, this film explores how this tribal system allowed Mukhtaran to be raped and how she found solace in the mosque of all places. If this admittedly illiterate woman can find her voice and in her quest for justice transform her community, what prevents us from doing likewise?  Becky Garrison is senior contributing editor of The Wittenburg Door and author of Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church.
The latest news on the Billy Graham Library, climate change, Iraq, faith and politics. hunger, Blair in Africa, Darfur, immigration, Iran, Turkey, minority students, US military, Europe and select Op-Eds. Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »Full news summary:
Billy Graham Library. Graham's spiritual journey finds home "Three former presidents, more than 80 family members and about 1,500 invited guests turned out Thursday to help Billy Graham dedicate the library devoted to his life and ministry." Accolades, Some Tearful, for a Preacher in His Twilight Years "For a man who has welcomed crowds his whole life, the evangelist Billy Graham appeared humbled and a bit embarrassed to be before this one Thursday in a parking lot near the Charlotte airport." Ex-Presidents at Graham library opening "Visitors to the new, presidential-style museum honoring evangelist Billy Graham enter and exit the building through crosses as tall as 40 feet high, a design meant to emphasize that the $27-million complex is an extension of the minister's work."
Faith & Politics. Faith Playing Larger Role in 2008 Race "Lately it seems all the leading presidential candidates are discussing their religious and moral beliefs - even when they'd rather not. Indeed, seven years after George W. Bush won the presidency in part with a direct appeal to conservative religious voters … the personal faith of candidates has become a very public part of the presidential campaign."
Hunger. Nation's unseen scourge: Hunger "As Congress prepares to wrangle with reauthorizing the Farm Bill, which funds the food-stamp program, anti-hunger advocates are on high alert. Eager to generate public discussion during national Hunger Awareness Week, June 2-10, they worry about the more than 25 million Americans who use food stamps."
Blair in Africa. Blair says G8 must do more for Africa "Tony Blair urged the international community to "step up to the plate" on aid for Africa when the Group of Eight meets in Germany next week." Blair's parting drive to aid Africa "Blair says the trip will build momentum ahead of next week's G-8 summit in Germany, where he will push for leaders to follow through on promises made in 2005." Mandela welcomes Blair to his 'retirement club' "Nelson Mandela welcomed Tony Blair into the ex-presidents' and prime ministers' club as he completed his "farewell" tour of Africa. … "Tony, I look forward to welcoming a young man like you to the club of retiring presidents and prime ministers," Mr Mandela said. "I warn you, however, that some of us only become active after stepping down from office."
Darfur. Saving Darfur, Multiple Steps at a Time "Lobbying groups regularly get their way in Washington, but few have had as much impact in a short period as the Save Darfur Coalition, an organization that has been pressing for international intervention in war-torn Sudan." On Darfur, Bush calls a spade a spade "President Bush reiterated this Tuesday that "genocide" is the "rightful name" for the bombing, murder, and rape in western Sudan."
(Daniel Schorr, Christian Science Monitor)
Climate change. Bush Proposes Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions"President Bush, fending off international accusations that he was ignoring climate change, proposed for the first time to set "a long-term global goal" for cutting greenhouse gas emissions," Bush offers to take climate lead "On the eve of a major international summit, President Bush proposed that the United States and the other nations that produce most of the gases responsible for global warming initiate a campaign to limit emissions and set long-term goals for reductions." Bush urges plan to cut emissions "President Bush, who has long refused to commit the United States to specific limits on pollutants contributing to global warming, took a new turn in proposing that the U.S. and other leading nations by the end of next year set "a long-term global goal for reducing greenhouse gases."
Bush climate plan called all talk, no action Environmental groups dismissed the move as a ploy to avoid tougher actions that other nations favor. US climate plan 'a delaying tactic' Environmental groups today condemned George Bush's proposed global plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, labelling it a stalling tactic lacking concrete details. Baird says he'll push green targets at G8 OTTAWA - The Harper government plans to pressure the Bush administration to accept targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at next week's G8 summit, even though neither side expects that a new global pact to fight climate change will be in before the end of 2008.
Immigration. Unions split over immigration bill "The labor divide reflects a deeper rift within the party, which includes a growing constituency of immigrants as well as middle-class workers afraid of layoffs as U.S. jobs move overseas." Senate bill's critics fear longer detentions for migrants "The bipartisan Senate immigration bill would drastically expand the ability to deport and detain certain immigrants in little-noticed provisi
ons that could increase racial profiling, Los Angeles immigrant rights advocates said"
Iran. No Breakthrough as Iranian Nuclear Talks Recess"Talks between Iran's nuclear negotiator and a top envoy for the European Union ended late Thursday with few signs they were closer to breaking their deadlock over Iran's nuclear ambitions." Iran and the U.S.: New Cold War?"Even as they struggle to find common ground on Iraq, are America and Iran locked in the escalating tensions of a new Cold War?"
Turkey. Turkey deploys extra troops to Iraq border "A Turkish military build-up on the northern Iraq border is fuelling fears of a confrontation between Ankara and Kurdistan's semi-independent government that could further destabilise the region as US forces begin to pull back."
Minority students. U.S. Data Show Rapid Minority Growth in School Rolls "Driven mainly by an extraordinary influx of Hispanics, the nation's population of minority students has surged to 42 percent of public school enrollment, up from 22 percent three decades ago,"
Iraq. General doubtful on assessment deadline "The top U.S. ground commander in Iraq warned that September may be too soon to tell whether the American troop buildup in Baghdad has worked, casting doubt on a crucial milestone set by Congress to reassess Iraq war strategy." 'Small progress' seen in Iraq despite rise in GI deaths "With the past month marking one of the deadliest periods for U.S. troops since the start of the war, the second-ranking U.S. military commander in Iraq said Thursday that some progress has been made in the early going of the troop buildup." US commanders seek cease-fires with insurgents "The US military is working more aggressively to forge cease-fires with Iraqi militants and quell the violence around Baghdad, judging that 80 percent of enemy combatants are "reconcilable," a top US commander said."
US military. Antiwar to the Corps "Going on a mock patrol can get you in real trouble with the United States Marine Corps. In a case that raises questions about free speech, the Marines have launched investigations of three inactive reservists for wearing their uniforms during antiwar protests and allegedly making statements characterized as "disrespectful" or "disloyal." Fewer high-quality Army recruits"The percentage of high-quality recruits entering the Army is the lowest in 10 years, an indication that
the force is struggling to attract top-grade enlistees -- and a troubling sign for the Pentagon, which is waging wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and plans to add 90,000 ground troops to its ranks within the next five years."
Europe. 'Old Europe' tilting toward U.S. "a new set of players emerging on the old Europe bench could tip the balance back toward the Atlantic. Britain, France and Germany are fielding potentially the most pro-U.S. group of leaders to emerge in Western Europe in years."
Op-Eds.
Bush's legacy on AIDS (Editorial, Boston Globe) "HISTORIANS ARE not likely to be kind in judging the chaos President Bush has created in Iraq, or the damage he has done to international agreements like the Geneva Conventions and to civil liberties at home. But he will deserve high marks for his leadership in mobilizing US aid to fight AIDS overseas. On Wednesday, he asked Congress to spend an additional $30 billion in assistance over five years."
Debating In Parallel Universes (E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post) "Our two political parties and their candidates are living in parallel universes. It's as if the candidates were running for president in two separate countries. Their televised debates next week will be productions as different from each other as "American Idol" is from "P.T.I."
Don't Forget the Border(Janet Napolitano, New York Times) "IMMIGRATION is a tough issue and the Senate deserves our thanks for moving a bill forward this year. But as with all things related to immigration, the devil is in the details. As a border state governor with a close-up view of how immigration policy works on the ground, I have seen how easily plans can fall apart, or lose the support they need from Washington."
What Mexico Wants(Jorge G. Castañeda, New York Times) "NO nation is as involved in United States immigration as Mexico, and no government's cooperation will be as necessary as Mexico's if immigration reform is to succeed.'
The biblical use of the word "righteousness" is the moral equivalent of what we mean when we speak of holiness. It incorporates such concerns as a passion for justice and a concern for truth along with the need to live an ethically responsible life. It involves reflection in what we do and the Christian moral vision by which we understand who we are. Righteousness is the human expression of holiness embodying a vision rooted in moral perspective.
- James C. Fenhagen excerpt from "Invitation to Holiness." + Sign up to receive our quote of the day via e-mail
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