I began ministry at a time when Christians were really working hard at getting along. There was an international movement that began working on worship services that were more alike, and we began singing songs in church from other denominations (What?) By the way, I have always thought that most of the best ones came from Catholics – I don’t know why, but they just seemed more singable and had really great theology. And while I was still not welcome at some of the communion tables of other denominations – something that still bugs me – at least we were getting together more. When I came to Calvary, there was a strong movement to develop ministeriums in each of the quarters of the city and in the surrounding communities. With the closing of many churches, and fewer full-time clergy, that has disappeared in some places. Still, we did good work.
It is also important to note that during that same time, Christian Fundamentalism began to grow, involving itself in divisive politics in ways that the Mainline Churches had only dreamed of in the past. The Moral Majority – it was neither, by the way – worked hard to elect a Christian president, and they succeeded in 1976. Pres. Carter, however, was a socially conscious Sunday school teacher who wouldn’t play along with the exclusionary agenda of the MM, so they cut off their support for him and got Ronald Reagan elected. Whether or not you agree with Pres. Reagan’s politics – I often did not – it was clear that he was not a practicing Christian. He also refused some, but not all, of the MM’s agenda, but he was a born-again conservative who many Americans loved.
I will continue to support Christians who follow Jesus, but I often say that I have more in common with non-Christians than with Fundamentalists and most Evangelicals. Religion should help people, not punish them. Religion should be about lifting up the entire community, not just people who believe what you do. Religion should work towards the common good, not Armageddon. And religion should support politicians who care for everyone, not just themselves. I was pleased with Pope Francis’ movement towards accepting other flavors of Christianity, and Pope Leo gives me hope that I might no longer be banned from the Catholic Communion table. But as long as people support Christian Nationalism, I will ask to be excused from the conversation. There is too little Jesus, too much hate, and not enough love for my taste.
Prayer – Holy God, we hope and pray that we all may be one. Encourage all of us to work towards respect. Amen.
Today’s art is “Unity in Diversity” by Ain Vares.