An article in the Washington Post On Faith section in response to their question: President-elect Obama hasn’t been to church in three weeks, saying he doesn’t want to disrupt the service for others. Reagan and Bush said the same thing, but Carter and Clinton attended church regularly. What’s your advice? Where should presidents worship?
Since Barack Obama ran to bring hope in a time of change, I’d like to see him extend that to how he worships. Presidents are forced to attend church as an empty ritual. A cynic would say that if they wanted to worship the way that 70% of American males do, they should attend the church of televised football and golf. Other honest alternatives would be the worship of ambition, money, and political revenge, wherever those dogmas happen to be preached. To overcome such cynicism, and to end the masquerade of public piety, soon-to-be President Obama might consider the following innovations:
Worship where your conscience takes you: He might go to a church in the worst ghetto of gang-infested East L.A. or the scene of a recent disaster. A President praying with the victims of Katrina inside the refugee camp of the Astrodome would have done a lot for their healing and our national sense of compassion.
Worship where “the other” worships: Our so-called enemies consist of “the other,” people we claim aren’t enough like us. So let Obama worship in a mosque in suburban Maryland. Let him spend a Sunday with Black Muslims in Detroit. Film him praying with illegal immigrants in an impoverished corner of southern New Mexico.
Worship on the fringes: Millions of Americans prefer alternative churches, such as the hundreds of Unity churches scattered around the country. Some of the most humane and liberating theology to be found is preached there. I’d like to see Obama expose himself to these new ideas — for his own good, really — and make fringe believers feel more included. By the same token, he should pray with the fundamentalists in Dallas or Columbia, S.C. who think he’s a Muslim and vociferously opposed him.
In short, if Obama went to a different church every week, with the intention of healing the wounds of divisiveness, he’d be extending the message he was elected on. It’s already a sign of hope that we are going to be led by a uniter and not a divider. Even better would be a uniter of souls.
Visit www.intent.com to read more from Deepak Chopra and other prominent voices.
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posted November 26, 2008 at 3:58 pm
After being raised Presbyterian by parents who neglected and abused me, I went to a Unity church in the midwest for over a decade. After being asked I reluctantly agreed to be on the board, where I lasted a few months. The “unity principles” I had heard preached for years were not practiced by the leadership, who strove to kick a man out of the church who had a longstanding history of a personality conflict with the minister. My attempts to translate their principles into action when push came to shove were met with absolutely no support, indeed I was looked at like I was crazy. This “liberating” theology liberated me from ever going to church again. I now tithe to animal organizations and individuals directly. Church takes me away from God, so I don’t go.
posted November 29, 2008 at 1:08 am
Kathy,
I understand how disappointing the petty actions of people who you believe should have been more enlightened was to you. However, please consider continuing to feed your soul and continuing to grow in spirit. If you have never read the book Journey of Souls by Michael Newton, browse through a copy at a book store.
Keep seeking that which will get you closer to your true nature and life plan purpose(s).
All is well no matter what.
posted December 1, 2008 at 11:12 am
Anima08:
Who says I am not continuing to feed my soul and continuing to grow in spirit simply because I do not feel able or inclined to attend church? Apparently, you do. Quite the contrary, I have had a good many mystical experiences of communion and profound healing since leaving “the fold.” I feel much closer to God, and have discovered healing abilitites I didn’t know I had. I plan to continue studying energy healing. What I need to connect to my higher self, my God and my purpose, whatever that is, is not to be found in a building or an organized church community, and the assumption that it is is dangerous and hurtful to me. When I left Unity, not one person called to find out even as much as if I was OK. For all they knew, or apparently cared, I was dead. I know I am not the only one who feels this way or who feels closer to God “out on our own” away from an apathetic or suffocating “church family.” My soul can not be contained in one building or one faith.