Chad's Treatise

I recently had to write a piece on my inspiration and motivation. Thought I would share it here as well:

I am a passionate believer in social justice. Race relations, diversity and inclusion, to me, are stepping stones toward the greater goal of social justice. I am moved to this conclusion because without progress towards social justice none of the other values will ever truly be brought to fruition. Minor successes in the areas of race relations, diversity and inclusion are to be applauded—but without working toward social justice, it is the equivalent of baling out a sinking boat with a teaspoon. . . there will always be an overwhelming sense of drowning even as small gains are made.
This deep passion for social justice was first brought to fruition through the words of Jesus where he declared “the kingdom of God is in the hearts of men.” I take this to be an all-encompassing commandment and warning that it is how we act and how we treat others, which defines us as followers of God (by whichever name he may be known) and that is what defines WHO WE ARE. This belief has been bulwarked by the writings of Paolo Friere’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the venerable Malcolm X.
To me “the kingdom of God” is not a utopian wonderland where one sect or group is proven “right” and given rule and authority; but rather it is the collective, altruistic nature and desire of mankind. That innate human desire to be better than we are, and more human than we thought we could be. The wisdom of this single quote is also the key to its success. It is in the “hearts of men (and women)”. Despite what faith or tradition you come from, or whether you hold any faith as tradition or not-the impetus is the same. It is up to each and every person to look within and bring about a better world through our own actions.
The work of social justice is not always accomplished on a grand scale on a world stage. More often than not, is accomplished through the words and relationships and stands of everyday people. And my commitment is to always be one of those people. I believe we must strive and work towards social justice if we are to fulfill the dreams of the framers of our constitution and create a pluralistic democracy that truly functions and truly benefits its citizens.
This is where race relations, diversity and inclusion come in to play. While the greater goal of social justice must be kept in focus; it is through these “teaspoons” and other such values, that real ground is gained. In everyday life, it is my decision and goal to operate in love. This is not a “hippy” mentality, nor a non-reflective Christian jingle. Rather it is a decision to make the hard decisions because they are right and because my actions (or inactions) impact others around me. I am passionate about living my life this way, because in the end, this is what matters . . . is the world a better place because you were in it.
In the Emperor’s New Clothes it is the voice of truth that would not be silent that showcased the absurdity of status quo and group think. We are living in a time when the Emperor of Group Think is parading about and too often no one is willing to speak up and expect a change. We must be willing to not only hold our elected officials feet to the fire of truth, nor just the leaders of business or self-proclaimed “advocates”, but our friend and neighbors, each other and ourselves.
I can only speak from my own experience, and I will not attempt to presume to tell another group how they should handle themselves, that is not my place; but I can speak for groups of which I am a part. We, as whites, must be able to admit racism is a part of our culture, institutionalized along with white privilege and a sin we are all guilty for; we must acknowledge who we are in realistic terms and not as either “white devil” or “great white hope”. We, as people committed to change, must strive hard to acknowledge and be inclusive of groups not only defined by race. We must recognize not only everyone’s right to exist, nor even their right to be successful, but also their right to bring their own perspective and wisdom to further the greater goal of social justice. We, as a community, must move beyond “hate as heritage” on one hand and “token” appreciation and accolades, on the other. Race relations, diversity and inclusion are not the sole property of one paradigm or ideology, but we must not allow them to be derailed or made impotent in the name of bi-partisanship. Compromise should not compromise the greater goal. We, as a country, must acknowledge our past and present sins ranging from the desolation of the indigenous American peoples, to the bitter stain and scar of slavery and Jim Crow to more recent travesties, such as writing discrimination into law. Finally, we as humanity must move towards seeing “those people” as we see ourselves. We must be willing to “walk a mile in another man’s moccasins” and appreciate the unique perspectives that can only be gained from unique individuals. We have to get to the point where we acknowledge another human beings right to feel and interpret based on their beliefs and experience regardless of whether we agree with those feelings or interpretations. We must learn to forgive and we must learn to act in love. This can only be accomplished, as Margaret Mead so wisely said, through a group of committed people. I choose to be a member of that group, not by my affiliations, rhetoric or prose; but through the actions and interactions of my everyday life.

Jesus was anti-religion

OK--this is my first post--hopefully as with all things, this will improve with time and practice.

My first post MUST be about the topic of religion, as that is the name of my blog.

I think politics has to be included because the two often parallel each other and at the least, influence each other.

Plus I think it is important to point out certain things about the man Jesus--on a side note, check out fellow blogger Dave Dickerson's post on Christology for an interesting review of the "duality" of Christ.

I started with the title Jesus was anti-religion, because it is true. Religion in Jesus' time, consisted of the Pharisees. They were one of several sects of the Jewish religion, as you probably know. And it is interesting THEY were the ones Jesus was constatly bashing. It was the prostitutes and theives and waywards he was spending time with and forgiving.

Now, I am sure if you (anyone) reads this, they'll be like "Duh, Chad, we know this." But here comes the major point. Everyone agrees Jesus held the Pharisees in contempt, but we don't quite get what that meant, when applied to today's world. No one wants to be a Pharisee--ask any evangelical--and yet I cannot help but think that the modern day Sanhedrin is the evangelical church.

Let me say I do not want to be condenming or judgemental, and if I am a hypocrite--I want to know--I only mean this to point out truth. and after all, the truth shall set you free. The Pharisees and their comparisons to the modern day evangelical church is overwhelming. The Pharisees were constantly making up extra rules and interpretations. We can start with the age-old rules (most of which HAVE been dropped) like women cutting hair and wearing jewelry; or move straight to the "latent" rules like you must go to youth camp, if your hand isn't in the air on any given sappy praise song--you must not be "feeling the spirit", etc. These "rules" all start off innocently, they're meant--or at least advertised--to keep the everyday believer "safe". The mindset is--"If we create a bunch of extra rules, then people will be sure not to break the BIG ones." We'll address this obvious problem in later blog posts. But for now, keep me from getting on tangents . . .I have a topic here . . .somewhere. :)

Then lets look at the exclusionary policies of the Pharisees, HOW many stories are there where this Pharisee or that Pharisee was refuted by Jesus for being exclusionary. From tax collectors to prostitutes, to lepers; the Pharisees shunned them all, had "laws" against them and in general relegated them to social outcasts. Now, my evangelical upbring talked about this and preached against this--but how many prostitutes do you see in evangelical churches??--and NO I don't mean youth group girls committed to "evangelistic dating". :) I mean the real thing, the dime store hookers coming in to "commune" with those who declare themselves "heirs of Christ". And lets take the same philosophy and apply it to "pariahs" in our world. Sunday is typically the most racially, economically and socially segregated day in America. And is it the heirs of Christ who are picketing writing laws and Constitutional Ammendments that outright BAN civil rights for a minority group of people?? No, they would be the ones campaigning for those ammendments--Explain to me again how Gene Robinson is more of a detriment to society than Ted Haggard.

I am not in a position to judge. I am a man, with all types of failings. I do not hold myself as a judge of either man--but neither should anyone else.

The final point is one of my favorite stories--of Jesus cleansing the temple. LOVE this story, for this simple reason--Jesus was mad as hell and he wanted to kick ass!

Picture if you will a "Desperate For You Cathedral of Love Christian Fellowship" sanctuary. And it is Sunday morning--not only are there sure to be some sort of "vendors" around the vestibule--and all the happy Pharisees are content in their carefully interpreted theology. They have their formulas, rituals and designs. The offering pitch is carefully worded, but it is made clear that "TITHES" is a biblical requirement (translate--"Sin not to pay tithes") and an OFFERING should also be given. Then in from the back walks a goth figure, with tatoos and a nose ring with a bullwhip, and begins to lash out and yell "Why have you turned my father's house into a den of thieves." Be honest--that would be awesome to see, just one time--right??
(This is theory--just theory)

But that is like a modern day equivalent. Economists have said for years that flat taxes are regressive; they affect those who are least able to give the most--and sadly it is those who often are the ones giving the most to fund the preacher's latest suit or car or whatever other "need" he may have. Sadly it is usually those same people, on whose back the church is built, thatare ignored, used and relegated. They are the ones who are often targets of middle class guilt sermons and vitims of middle class values gone awry. These are the single mothers--victims of divorce or adultry or fornication, the paycheck to paycheck workers who have missed out the "Gospel of Prosperity", or the devout, honestly searching individuals who really believe (or want to believe) in the faith they are handed Sunday after Sunday.

I could go on, and probably will in other posts, but I think the initial point is made. Jesus was against the organized religion of his day. He couldn't stand the showboating and moralizing--and he made it clear.

Again, my role is not to condemn, but to enlighten. Those who claim to be Christ followers (I use this term, because Christian has become so bastardized) should and must see the comparison. Otherwise, the hypocracy continues and the real message Jesus shared is lost in a sea of judgement, false humility and "status quo".