"There is all the rest of Kent County to meet with these folks."

Don't just pass by this hyperlink... Read this article.

So this group called Soulforce, comes and protests schools they believe to be hostile to homosexuals . They were on tour and planned on protesting at Cornerstone and Calvin (maybe Hope too, I can't remember). The group sends the school they are planning on visiting a letter to let them know their intentions. Cornerstone responded by saying that the group is not welcome and that they would be arrested if the came on school grounds.

So, the group showed up and two students came on the property and were arrested. But I got in to some discussions with some friends about the subject. Here are some of the questions asked by one another.

1. Isn't it Cornerstone's perogative to allow them on campus or not?

2. What would it hurt to let them on campus?

3. What is the "homosexual agenda"?

4. Is it "cool" to be gay?

5. How do we dialogue with people who disagree on the issue of sexuality (especially Christians)?

I'll try to give some of my opinions on these 5 questions.

1. Yes- But it makes them and Christians look stupid, arrogant and not willing to dialogue about issues that afeect our culture.

2. This was actually something I hadn't thought of but that I thought was a good point. My friend said that since they are not affiliated or supported by a denomination but instead by individual donors, that they had a lot to lose. Money. I can see how this would be a concern, but don't think it's a very noble or honorable one.

3. According to Wkipedia, Dr. Dobson has stated this "homosexual agenda" as: "Those goals include universal acceptance of the gay lifestyle, discrediting of scriptures that condemn homosexuality, muzzling of the clergy and Christian media, granting of special privileges and rights in the law, overturning laws prohibiting pedophilia, indoctrinating children and future generations through public education, and securing all the legal benefits of marriage for any two or more people who claim to have homosexual tendencies."

Any thoughts on this "agenda"?

4. I stated that in 10 years of youth minstry, I had only met 3 youth who thoguth it was "cool" to be gay and none of them were outside of Wedgwood.

5. I don't know how. I think it starts with discussing these tough issues with people that it affects most. I know very few LGBT people, and have little personal experience with this issue, but hope that I can continue to see things from somebody elses perspective. My problem has been discussing hot issues with other Christians that I disagree with.

Fundamentalism

I am so under qualified to blog on this subject. But since I'm usually under qualified, I'll just do it anyways. If you have any info that would be good for all of my readers to know about, please include it.

I watched PBS tonight at work. It had some great programming on about Islam. The name of the program was America at a Crossroads. Check it out if you get a chance. One of the programs was specifically about Indonesia. Apparently it has more Muslims than any nation on the planet. Who would have thought? As I've said before, I don't have a ton of knowledge in the area of Islam, but I've always been alarmed when Christians talk about Muslims in a negative way. This must be the liberal media's influence on me making me tolerant of pagan religions and people. One time, I was on a men's retreat and a guy that was a little... I can't think of a label that isn't offensive, said that Muslims want to kill Christians. Quite a statement for somebody who didn't know any Muslims I thought. But I don't know any Muslims either... so I wondered secretly if maybe he was right.

But this program was good for me. Actually there was a program on before that by a "liberal" Muslim. It was uncanny how her language was so non-offensive to me but how many fundy Muslims felt threatened by her ideas and language. She has the audacity to say that maybe much of Islamic law wasn't really what God (Allah) wanted for His people. She specifically mentioned issues of gender and war.

Sounds familiar doesn't it? She was saying that the text itself wasn't flawed, but that how Muslims interpreted it was flawed and needed to change. She actually used the word blasphemy. A Muslim cleric (I don't really know what a cleric is, but the guy was an important Muslim figure in the U.S.-- maybe like a local pastor type) talked about how dangerous this type thinking was to Islam. She made a great case about the roots of Islam and how it was formed on education, reason, good dialogue, and religious tolerance. She said, that this is what allowed Islam to flourished before fundamentalism hi-jacked the faith.

She kept quoting the Quran and it didn't sound kooky or angry. It sounded friendly and loving. This really rankled some of the folks being interviewed. But it was good for me to watch. She kept making the statement that tolerance is different than oppression. Some Muslims were justifying horrific acts, like suicide bombings, because somebody had offended Islam or Muhammad. It was very complex and I am not doing it justice.

But I feel the same way about Christian fundamentalism. I feel like this movement worships the text rather than God and let's the sinful part of humanity get in the way of how we are to view God. For a long time, I felt like I needed to keep any views that were not the view of the masses under my hat because of how dangerous they could be for my soul or for young Christians. To be honest, as I started to explore some of these thoughts, it was a little dangerous. It has caused me to have some real doubts about my faith. But it has also brought me to a higher level of truth than I have previously known. I feel like I know God in a healthier way. I feel like I have a better grasp on what I doubt and am unsure on but this too seems healthy and truer than the faith I had even a few short years ago.

Has anybody else had this experience? What parts about Fundamentalism are healthy for Christianity?

A Happy/Non-Controversial Post

Here is a link to my friend Jonathan. He is in Uganda doing important things while I'm here blogging about star bellied Sneetches. http://jryskamp.blogspot.com/

If you get a minute, check out his blog and throw one up for him and the work he's doing. Maybe even give him a little comment to let him know you are thankful for the way he is furthuring the kingdom of peace.

The "Fix-it-up-Chappie"

I blogged last week about the guy who tattled on me. He was pretty clear in his last e-mail that I am not a Christian. This got me thinking about the Sneetches. I love Dr. Seuss. Well, I really like him. It brings me back to a convention I went to a couple years ago in San Diego. It was a convention put on by Jerry Falwell and Chick Tracts. As I was reading about the "Death Cookie", it made me think... Just kidding. It was an Emerging Church Conference.

A pastor and author named Doug Padgitt did a session on rethinking theology or something like that. I'll try to be honest about how I felt during the session.

1. I felt naughty. Seriously. Most of what I had been taught about Christianity this man was saying wasn't important. That's not totally true. My judgment is that he was saying, there are NO BOUNDS to the faith.

2. It was kind of an awkward time as well. I remember during the Q+A time feeling very awkward. Some people were pretty hot and I remember feeling sorry for Mr. Padgitt and wanting to make peace and smooth things over. But this got me thinking about what I DO believe are bounds for the faith. I have totally figured it out now and want to tell you exactly what God wants you to think on this issue.... heehee. Just kidding.

3. For some reason, when I think about the picture in my head about this topic, I think of railroad ties. I think of this inanimate object called "The Christian Faith" that is in a box with Railroad ties for its boarders. Isn't that weird? I have railroad ties in my backyard and i think about Doug Padgitt when I'm gardening or picking up trash. Or watching my daughter play in her new sandbox.

4. This did get me to read some other books that have been good (I think) for my spiritual formation. One was called "If Grace is true, why God will Save Every Person". Sounds scary doesn't it? It isn't. Though I am not a Universalist, I hope that God will indeed save every person. Even by this statement, I kind of mislead about my thoughts on salvation in general. Sozo (Thanks Rob Wondergem) -- or salvation-- comes in many different forms. This is where redemptive theology comes in. We can offer salvation to those around us as Son's of God. Yes? Not the kind of salvation that most think of when they hear the word, but a salvation from many things, mostly ourselves. Or from loneliness. Or from self-destructive behaviors. or from consumerism. Or anything else that opposes the true kingdom.

So to try somehow to connect the EC and Sylvester McMonkey McBean and Chick Tracts, and Sozo: So, in the parable of the Star Bellied Sneetches, Who is who? (Should that read who is whom? or whom is who?). Who is the exclusive group and who is trying to fit in? I guess it doesn't really matter because both groups are victims to their own desires. And victims to an outside force who has come to exploit. Nobody would really believe that McBean is a literal figure, but instead an evil force. (just kidding. That was for Oscar). The point is, McBean came to kill and destroy. And the sneetches fell for it... but in the end, they were all still redeemed and relationship was restored.

The Sneetches

THE SNEETCHES by Dr. Suess
Now the Star-bellied Sneetches had bellies with stars. The Plain-bellied Sneetches had none upon thars. The stars weren't so big; they were really quite small. You would think such a thing wouldn't matter at all. But because they had stars, all the Star-bellied Sneetches would brag, "We're the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches."
With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they'd snort, " We'll have nothing to do with the plain-bellied sort." And whenever they met some, when they were out walking, they'd hike right on past them without even talking.
When the Star-bellied children went out to play ball, could the Plain-bellies join in their game? Not at all! You could only play ball if your bellies had stars, and the Plain-bellied children had none upon thars.
When the Star-bellied Sneetches had frankfurter roasts, or picnics or parties or marshmallow toasts, they never invited the Plain-bellied Sneetches. Left them out cold in the dark of the beaches. Kept them away; never let them come near, and that's how they treated them year after year.
Then one day, it seems, while the Plain-bellied Sneetches were moping, just moping alone on the beaches, sitting there, wishing their bellies had stars, up zipped a stranger in the strangest of cars.
"My friends, " he announced in a voice clear and keen, "My name is Sylvester McMonkey McBean. I've heard of your troubles; I've heard you're unhappy. But I can fix that; I'm the fix-it-up chappie. I've come here to help you; I have what you need. My prices are low, and I work with great speed, and my work is one hundred per cent guaranteed."
Then quickly, Sylvester McMonkey McBean put together a very peculiar machine. Then he said, "You want stars like a Star-bellied Sneetch? My friends, you can have them . . . . for three dollars each. Just hand me your money and climb on aboard."
They clambered inside and the big machine roared. It bonked. It clonked. It jerked. It berked. It bopped them around, but the thing really worked. When the Plain-bellied Sneetches popped out, they had stars! They actually did, they had stars upon thars!
Then they yelled at the ones who had stars from the start, "We're exactly like you; you can't tell us apart. We're all just the same now, you snooty old smarties. Now we can come to your frankfurter parties!"
"Good grief!" groaned the one who had stars from the first. "We're still the best Sneetches, and they are the worst. But how in the world will we know," they all frowned, "if which kind is what or the other way 'round?"
Then up stepped McBean with a very sly wink, and he said, "Things are not quite as bad as you think. You don't know who's who, that is perfectly true. But come with me, friends, do you know what I'll do? I'll make you again the best Sneetches on beaches, and all it will cost you is ten dollars eaches.
Belly stars are no longer in style, " said McBean. "What you need is a trip through my stars-off machine. This wondrous contraption will take off your stars, so you won't look like Sneetches who have them on thars."
That handy machine, working very precisely, removed all the stars from their bellies quite nicely. Then, with snoots in the air, they paraded about. They opened their beaks and proceeded to shout, "We now know who's who, and there isn't a doubt, the best kind of Sneetches are Sneetches without."
Then, of course those with stars all got frightfully mad. To be wearing a star now was frightfully bad. Then, of course old Sylvester McMonkey McBean invited them into his stars-off machine. Then, of course from then on, you can probably guess, things really got into a horrible mess.
All the rest of the day on those wild screaming beaches, the Fix-it-up-Chappie was fixing up Sneetches. Off again, on again, in again, out again, through the machine and back round about again, still paying money, still running through, changing their stars every minute or two, until neither the Plain- nor the Star-bellies knew whether this one was that one or that one was this one or which one was what one or what one was who!
Then, when every last cent of their money was spent, the Fix-It-Up-Chappie packed up and he went. And he laughed as he drove in his car up the beach, "They never will learn; no, you can't teach a Sneetch!"
But McBean was quite wrong, I'm quite happy to say, the Sneetches got quite a bit smarter that day. That day, they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches, and no kind of Sneetch is the BEST on the beaches. That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars, and whether they had one or not upon thars.

I Love to Play Basketball

I played basketball on Wednesday and then again Thursday night. Here are the details:

On Wed. I played with guys from work. I didn't move very fast and I didn't play very good defense. But I think that is what basketball looks like after 30. I did however make about 7 three pointers. Seriously. And I maybe missed 3-4. That's a better percentage than any NBA player in the league. I wonder if I could play in the NBA? I am going to go to the Pistons website and see when they have open tryouts.

This morning (Thursday) I played with kids from work at a lock-in. The rim was lowered to maybe 9 foot. It was great to be able to dunk again. I noticed with the extra 100 pounds, I shook the rim more. The kids couldn't believe I could dunk like that. I was just like Darryl Dawkins or Shaq. Seriously, just like them. My back hurts now though.

Bet you thought I wasn't going to say anything about hell didn't you? Well, Hell might be figurative. Anybody want to debate it with me for a change? Larry is such a stud!

A Busy Weekend

1. I built a sandbox. If you have never built a sandbox, you need to do it. It's pretty complexed. I bought some wood and nailed it together in the shape of a square. Then I put sand in it. Now Mo can play in it. She dropped her apple in it a few times. Mom showed her how to brush the sand off. When she did it again, she tried to brush it off herself and wasn't very effective and ended up eating sand. Yuck.

2. I built a garden box. This was even more difficult than the sandbox. It was a rectangle shaped box. The hard part came when I needed to load cow-poop into my van and then put it in the box. Yucky. Mo-mo liked the texture but not the flavor. Hopefully this will get us back on the path to become more involved in our neighborhood. We are hoping to share our vegetables with the neighbors. Being outside all weekend allowed us to re-connect with some of the neighbors and meet others.

3. Privacy Fence. Not sure how to feel about this still. I want to not keep people out of my space, but it seems necessary in our hood. Hopefully our space will be more welcoming to our neighbors in terms of hosting a barbecue. We'd like to host a pig-roast this summer. We'll see.

4. I met with a bunch of kids from church for lunches and breakfasts and what-not. I got wings, a burger, a chimichanga and some mex-brex at my meetings. They were all delicious except the chimi. Kind of underwhelming. I was surprised at the different levels of trust allready being formed and not formed. I still find it a challenge to interact with highschool girls. I need a good volunteer.

5. I also spent an hour or so writing e-mails to somebody who has been peeking in on my blog. This person e-mailed the priest at our church to let them know my views on hell. I guess I'm not really surprised, (other than I'm not sure about my view on hell). It seemed though that this person seemed only interested in getting me in trouble. Hopefully I won't. I honestly can't think of a situation where I would track down a person's boss to try to get them in trouble. Well, if there was somebody being harmed I suppose I would. I'm sure he fealt that my words were harmful and I guess justified his actions that way. Different paradigms I suppose.

It was interesting to dialogue about different styles of confrontation. I actually take what I would consider a "biblical" approach to the matter. Mathew 18 seems pretty clear on how Christians are to handle conflict between believers. Maybe he doesn't think I'm a believer though.

It was amusing to see a biblical literalist wiggle and weasle his way out of following Jesus' wishes on how the Church is to handle these kinds of situations. He knew I wouldn't fall for "The Devil made me do it" but instead tried to convince me that since the military handles things this way that it would be OK for him to. It's hard to argue with that. Since we are in the Lord's Army. Amen!

But, since I am adamant on the Mathew 18 principle, I have confronted him in private, and am now looking for a brother (sorry ladies) in Christ to help me confront him. The next step is the elders and then after that I shall treat him like the pagans and tax collectors. I think that means I have to buy him a beer and thank him for holding my money before I spend it on stupid things.