Moving Day!

The actual moving phase of our move is underway. I am signing in for the last time before I unplug and pack up the computer. If anyone is reading out there in the blogdom, whisper a word of prayer. Hopefully, if everything goes well, I'll be back pecking by tomorrow. 

Wish us well! 

Episcopal Schism: Both Sides' Leaders Unsure Of Next Step -- Courant.com

Episcopal Schism: Both Sides' Leaders Unsure Of Next Step -- Courant.com

The North American schism is not news but it has officially, for practical intents and purposes, happened. I was out running an errand this afternoon and my local NPR station was talking about it. The broadcast was highlighting how the schism would affect churches in the Charlotte, NC area. One break away church was interviewed and then an Episcopal USA church was interviewed as well. There were two things in this broadcast that really caught attention. 

First, it was acknowledged that in spite of the schism, most of these Anglican churches will praying similar prayers, having essentially the same order of service, dictated by the same Book of Common Prayer. I find this extremely interesting; if you visited both churches being unaware of each respective church's position on the homosexual issue, and you based your opinion solely upon the worship environment, you would likely leave each church not being aware of any significant difference. 

Secondly, each church highlighted in the broadcast was asked what their church mission was; that is, what was important to them as a body of believers in their community. Each church answered with essentially the same answer. They were concerned about the people around them who were hurting and in need of help and ministry. Neither church answered with the desire to be a bastion of some ideological position.

So, they both worship the same and they are both reaching out the same people, being concerned about the world around them. Consequently, what is this schism doing effectively to the Anglican church in North America? It is weakening their ability to carry out their stated purpose to minister to a hurting world with the love of God. These dividing churches are not just buildings or people with different ideals, they are resources, monetarily and physically, as people with hands to serve and touch a world in need and peril. 

There is allot more I would love to say here to these two groups. I am not a cradle Anglican but I love the Communion; I love the Book of Common Prayer. I am proud to be an Anglican and look forward to many years of worship and ministry within the Communion. But it really grieves my heart that this divide is happening, happening in front of a world that needs the church,  of all places, to be a place safe from contention and strife, hate and bigotry. 

United we stand, divied we fall. That is an old but powerful principle that I think should be heeded here. Perhaps, each side should go back and read the parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30). 

Ecumenical Buddhism: Religions and their Lunisolar, Lunar, and Solar Calendars

Ecumenical Buddhism: Religions and their Lunisolar, Lunar, and Solar Calendars

Ecumenical Buddhism is one of the most interesting blogs I have ran across in a long time. I have really enjoyed following it lately and reading over its large list of postings. Today, a post (linked above) was added that explains the history of different types of calendars and how they are or have been implemented by various religions throughout history. Follow the link above to read this post; there is also a link included in the original post to a Wikipedia article on the same subject that goes a bit more in depth about these calendars and their historical relationship to varied religions. 

At the end of the post, the following statement is made:

"...without realizing it, most Christians do use a lunisolar calendar in the determination of Easter."

This is stated after establishing the fact that a lunisolar calendar  has been and still is used by much of the East and is still employed by the Hebrew, Hindu, Buddhist, and numerous other religions. I do not want to reduce the post to this one statement, but it definitely spoke volumes to me as I read it. 

Anyone familiar with Christian history must realize that the date of Easter has long been the subject of much controversy. Even today, and despite much work at reconciliation by groups such as the World Council of Churches, the Eastern branch of the church and the Western  branch still celebrate Easter on different dates (most years). Ironically, the reason for the controversy is related to calendars: which one  should be used to calculate dates in the ecclesiastical year? The Julian or the Gregorian? Who knows? 

Anyways, before I get too side tracked with history and begin to show my nerdy side, let me just say that the fact that Christians use a calendar predominately associated with other faiths to establish the date of its crowning and most important festival is very indicative of the history of the Christian faith. From its very inception, it has been a compendium of many faiths and sects. This syncretic action has defined much of what Christianity is, does, and believes. It is very important for us to understand this and if this is fully understood, perhaps ecumenism and multifaith endeavors will seem more consistent with the inherent spirit of historical Christianity. 

Lastly, the Christianization (Wikipedia has a great article on Christianization; go read it here.) of pagan symbols, terms, practice, geography, deities, etc, makes up a great part of what Christianity is today. Its simply inseparable. There is a huge segment of Christianity that would rather deny this truth; particularly much of Protestantism. But, one can not effectively argue against substantiated history. With all this said, let me ask a question that speaks to the heart of what this blog stands for and what I believe to be a very beneficial practice in my spiritual journey. If Christianity as a whole can take elements of other faiths and use it to enhance itself and/or make itself more palatable to those around her, why can not I, as a Christain and person of faith do the same? I know how I answer that question. How do you? 

 

Life, Blogging, and Other Things...

Staying sane when your apple cart is turned upside down!

I am sorry that I've not posted much lately. Things have been rather hectic in my personal life. Currently, our family is renting and the house we've lived in for the last two years is simply not big enough for us anymore. Consequently, we are moving. Now, I must admit that I hate to move. I am a person of routine and moving simply messes any routine up completely. It's so hard for me to keep a good attitude when having to do something that I despise.

Fortunately, though, the Lord has shown us favor and what appeared to be a daunting task is turning out to be a miracle. Yes, I'm a liberal, but I do still believe in miracles! You can't define me that rigidly. Only a week into the search for new lodging, we found a perfect place that is not only much larger than where we now live, but its $100 a month cheaper! (Its been a long time since I've constructed this many sentences with exclamation points) My usual discomfort for the process of moving has been greatly mitigated by these developments.

The expense of this move is coming at a bad time and bearing its cost is very uncomfortable, especially with Christmas so close. Even though we are saving money per month on the rent, the transferring of utilities and such is not free. Nor is the rental of a truck and moving accessories, as well as new blinds and curtains and paint and stuff that normally accompany a move into a new place. To be honest, we really did not know how we were going to pull it off but having to sign a new lease here, etc, made it incumbent upon us to make the move.

Here is where the real miracle takes place. This past Saturday morning, less than a day after we signed the new lease and at a time when we were definitely feeling the pressure of it all, we got a package of Christmas presents for the kids and a Christmas card in the mail from a person who is like a mother to my wife and a grandmother to my children. She is a middle-aged lady who just recently lost her life's companion and soul mate for 30+ years to cancer. When I say recent, I am talking about less than a month ago.

In the card, this lady confirmed her love for our family, reiterated the fact that her late husband looked at my wife as his daughter (he left two daughters behind) and our children as his grandkids. She stated that she had received a little bit of money after her husband's death and wanted to share it with all her daughters, including my wife. To our complete and utter amazement, we unfolded an enclosed check to see that it was written for 2000 dollars. Once again, the cynic in me is so likely to say that these things don't just happen often and when they do its more than likely a matter of chance. But, the faith in me knows that the Divine, whom I call Jesus, is looking out for us, knowing our needs and making preparations for them before we are even aware ourselves.

I can only thank God for the grace that he is showing to me and my family during this season of Advent. We are more aware of what we have to be thankful for today than ever. Our entire family is conscious of God and his love being bestowed upon us in all things.

Don't touch that dial!

Although I have been distracted and much of what I've wanted to post has been left on the sidelines waiting to be called into play, we will be resuming our regular scheduled programs momentarily. I have two post in the construction phase; so, I have not been altogether neglectful. Without giving too much away, let me share with you a few ideas that I will be discussing in the near future.

First, the subject of spiritual maturity has been heavy on my mind of late. How is it defined by most of the world's major religions? What criterion establishes the standard for this maturity? Is there any common ground on this subject among different religions; can you reconcile what Christianity believes about it with what the Hindu or Muslim believes? How closely can we walk together in our pursuit of it?

Secondly, I hope to pick up a social issue that has occupied a significant portion of my thinking over the past few days. My son likes to create graphic designs and is becoming quite a talented amateur. Also, he seems to have fallen into the practice of abstract art. One such creation of his recently invoked some thoughts and questions on the issue of same sex parenting.

I know this can be a delicate matter. As a heterosexual parent, I am aware that I may have certain preconceived notions and even prejudices that I am not even conscious of that may affect my ability to speak to the issue in a fair and equitable manner. Consequently, I hope to approach this subject with caution and reasonable discretion. Its my intention to run the post by several gay people of faith that I know in an effort to approach this subject in a way that will be true to my own feelings and yet respectful of others as well.

Participation in this last discussion will be paramount. It is not and never will be a stipulation that we all must agree to participate in this blog. We all come from different backgrounds, have our own ideas regarding faith, and are all in different places in our spirituality. Tension is not always a bad thing; I have learned more from people I disagree with than people just like me. This is the very reason why I have created this blog and seek to establish an environment where divergent ideas can intersect and learning from one another can take place.

Where are all the good authors when you need them?

Speaking of divergent ideas, we are still in need of people who will volunteer to join the team of authors for this blog. If you are a person of faith and are willing to share your ideas in a respectful yet definitive manner, we really want to hear from you! We have no limit set on how many can participate and no legitimate faith will be denied. If you have something positive to say about the divine, religion, faith, etc, then we really need to hear from you!


Is the mission too lofty?
I've thought allot recently of whether or not I was trying to create too lofty of a mission with this blog. Is it too much to expect religious people from divergent backgrounds to come here and play together in the same sandbox? To be completely honest, I am sure that it is not possible for many. Being more of a universalist/pluralist myself, I welcome different views; they don't threaten me or my faith like they do others. And, its certainly not my intent to try and make people see the world the way I do. Too many people like me and the world is doomed to chase its own tail in perpetuity!

But, our world is becoming more connected all the time. We can now discuss issues of faith with people from places and cultures thousands of miles away from where we sit at our computers. We have the benefit, the privilege, to partake of ideas and participate in religious discussions that just twenty years ago was completely unreachable for the common person. This opens up an entirely new world of exploration and learning for those willing and secure enough in their own beliefs to explore. A world that until recently was relegated to the arena of conjecture and speculation. We can now get the word straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Doing so does not mean that you have to lay aside your own beliefs or violate some written code of loyalty. It simply means that you are open to the idea that there may be more to the Divine and more to learn than the knowledge you currently posses. If your capable of accepting this statement then your capable of entering the discussion.

Unfortunately, this will be more than some are capable of giving. Being right is very important to certain groups of religious people. Uncertainty and unexplored territory breeds fear in the hearts of some–the very idea that their body of beliefs could be somewhat incomplete, even in the slightest, is extremely threatening to some. To accept that their dogma could be enhanced or supplemented by another faith's explanation of, let's say, the Golden Rule, insinuates to them that their beliefs are not secure. If everything they have been taught is not true in the most minute detail then nothing is true and their faith is worthless to them.

Personally, I think this is an infelicitous approach to faith and one that is bound to render the adherent incapable of stretching their faith and having their ideas honed by interaction. I couldn't live this way; in fact, I used too think I had all the answers and the idea that I didn't was horrifying to me. But, I could not maintain this approach because of the premium I place upon education and learning. I know this sounds condescending to the group of people who will not be able to participate in our discussions, but if it is, my intent is not malicious and its coming from someone who has at least lived on both sides of the fence. This gives me a unique perspective and legitimacy upon which to offer my opinion and criticisms.

With all this said, I must admit that my initial ideas and ideal for this site was a bit too lofty and naive. In a perfect world, we could all get along regardless of our differences. In a perfect world, we could all agree to disagree and go on. But, this isn't a perfect world and in real life things don't always work the way we want them too. In real life, some people whose view and opinions would be valuable and helpful in some areas here will be reluctant to participate for fear that by doing so they are condoning religious pluralism or ecumenicalism to which they are opposed. Consequently, this site will be more populated with moderate to liberal religious practitioners, which is fine company, in my opinion.

Site Changes

As I updated last evening, I've decided to change the name of the site. I think this name is consistent with the ideas first introduced here and better reflects our overall intention. I'm not sure if I will change the URL or not. I don't think it would be a problem to do so since the site is so new, but a URL is just that, and its really not that important.

If you have any suggestions on this issue or any other issue related to changes or anything you would like to see added to the site, please drop me an email and let me know.

Name Change!

Our name has changed! I think this name reflects the evolving vision of this site more accurately. Please be patient while I update the entire site to reflect this change. The URL will also change. I've got to take care of a few things before I can make that happen. So, bear with me, please. 

I have not been able to post this week. I will do my best to update you later today.