For years I have been telling people that most faith communities – yes, most – are places of inequality. Many of them define themselves by who is not welcome, and sometimes, those people who are unwelcome are also met with hate. I don’t like to say these things, and I have worked hard to make sure that my congregation is different from most, but I also remind everyone who will listen that faith communities can love and hate whoever they choose to. They have the freedom to decide which parts of Scripture matter to them, just like I do. If they choose to not ordain women, based on a couple of verses that tell them this is okay, that is up to them. Those women are free to leave and find a place that welcomes them the way Jesus did – as equal partners in ministry.
Recently, a group of protesters entered a church in St. Paul, MN to protest against that congregation’s pastor. They allege (ICE won’t disclose identities of their personnel) that the pastor is the acting field director of ICE in that community. If he is, it is my opinion that he is serving two masters, something Jesus said was impossible for a person of faith. However – please take this seriously – he has the right to worship the way he chooses to. Imagine if a group of anti-LGBTQ people showed up in my sanctuary during my sermon and tried to shout me down, protesting my point of view! Would that be appropriate? I would call 911 and have them removed by the police. Again – to be clear – mistreating anyone, including immigrants, is incompatible with the teachings of Judaism and Christianity – and if this pastor and ICE agent are the same person, he is serving two masters and God will judge him for that. But – he still should not have been accosted in his house of worship.
They could stand on the sidewalk with signs – they could write a letter to the editor – they could tell others how they disagree – but these protesters did not have the right to enter private property with the purpose of disrupting worship and harassing this man and his congregation. I will pray for him, as I pray for any person causing harm to others, but I will also give him the same space I hope he would give me. And these protesters, who I am sure are all going to church and working for Jesus Justice, should be reminded of the Golden Rule – they should do to this man as they would have him do to them. And he should do likewise. As should we.
Prayer – Holy God, forgive us when we lose sight of Your way for our own. Heal us and helps us work for justice. Amen.
Today’s art is “Hypocrisy” by Zaryan Zaryanov.