Least Trusted: Religious Leader

"Ruh Roh!!!" as Scooby Doo or Astro would say. I think me, and people like me might be in trouble. The Scientific American with it's sister publication Nature offered an online poll which asked the question "Whom do you typically trust to provide accurate information about important issues in society?" The Scientific American then published an article based on this poll in late September. It listed a number of topics such as climate change, evolution, vitamins and supplements, cancer causes and cures, origin of the universe and food safety. Then it listed eight different categories of people such as family and friends, scientists, journalists, elected officials, religious leaders and companies. The scale was 1 (strongly distrust) to 5 (strongly trust).

The results were fascinating and disturbing. In this particular poll, scientists were the number 1 pick, family and friends were second. The bottom end of the spectrum was telling. Number 5 were journalists, number 6 were companies, number 7 were elected officials and number 8 were religious leaders.

Did you get that? Dead last: clergy and religious leaders were the LEAST trusted when it came to providing accurate information about important issues in society. Now I accept that this is not a random sampling. It is 21,000 people who took a poll on websites supported by Scientific American and Nature. By and large these are highly educated people and may or may not be terribly religious.

However, when religious leaders rank behind "politicians" and "journalists", it is disturbing, at least to me. Not because I am surprised, but because it brings home to me how "religious leaders" have squandered our ability to be taken seriously. Those religious leaders who are in the news are those who tend toward the extremes (can we point to Topeka, Kansas and the small church in Florida recently in the news?).

I know, I know, tolerant, thinking theologians are not nearly as interesting as extremists. Pastors/Religious Leaders have offered cliches, judgments and simple answers to complex problems. Pastors/religious leaders have offered biblical answers for complex scientific problems and thinking people have left the church and any kind of faith.

In the Christian tradition we have only ourselves to blame. Those Christian believers who prefer simple easy answers are often the ones who work the hardest to make sure their viewpoint is heard. Many mainline denominations have been so quiet in order to stay middle of the road, that both the extremes, have walked away.

I believe we need well educated, thoughtful theologians and religious leaders to weigh in on those "important issues" in society. While I acknowledge I am no scientist, I work hard to be well read and to keep up on the ethical, moral and societal issues that we face in this culture. I want to be able weigh in ethically, theologically and yes morally on those things that really matter. The only way that can happen is if I am willing to continue to be part of discussions outside the walls of my particular church that I serve, beyond my denomination and beyond even the realm of "believers".

I am committed to an ongoing discussion with people of faith and people of science and people who do not fall into either camp. I believe we must find ways to continue to address the deep needs not only of our culture, but of our world. I will continue to read, to study and to find ways to share ethically, theologically and morally to make the world a better place. In that I am committed to be

Graced to Serve,

Too many deaths

Enough already. Another teenager killed herself last week because of her sexuality. Her memorial service will be held Wednesday in San Diego with a memorial service being held at Howard University where she had been a student. How many more will there be?

There have been so many well written, well articulated commentaries the past couple of weeks. I hesitated to write one more. And yet, the bullying, the comments, the sneers have got to stop. Each generation struggles with this issue. For each generation, it may be a different issue that surrounds the bullying. However, in each generation, voices for justice, for equality and for what is good and right must be raised against the voices of hatred, bigotry and intolerance.

I acknowledge that the "church" doesn't hold the same opinion in terms of sexuality. Some denominations openly accept gay and lesbian persons. Some denominations strongly condemn gays and lesbians. Some, such as my own United Methodist Church, seem somewhat schizophrenic in thier views: i.e. "all persons are of sacred worth" which is combined with "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church."

Even acknowledging different understandings and practices leaves no room for bigotry, name calling, bullying or intolerance. Since not all Christians agree, and all persons are not Christians, we must find a way to protect the vulnerable from attacks by those who are stronger, who gang up on others and who try and force their own theology on others.

I cringe every time I hear some one say, "That's so GAY". While others laugh, I wonder who is joining in so as not to be "outed" by their own discomfort. Crude comments and jokes about other human beings because of their sexuality must not be tolerated anymore than comments and jokes about the color of one's skin.

In my own Christian understanding, I think Jesus was pretty clear about what we say and do. "I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable...and if you say 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5: 22)

Of course, Jesus said many other things as well, but it is clear to me, that Jesus believed and preached that our words and actions matter. And I believe they do too. Faithful people of all kinds are challenged to live out faith in a way that makes the world a better place. Not just for those who are "like us", whoever we are, but for all people.

I have said it before and I say it again, words matter. They can encourage life or death, hope or despair, love or hate. I choose again this day, words of life, of hope, of love. I stand against hate, intolerance and bigotry. May I be

Graced to Serve

Faith, Fortune Cookies and Fortune Tellers

A couple of days ago, the New York Times posted an article on Woody Allen. It was entitled, "Woody Allen on Faith, Fortune Tellers and New York." The article was an interview with Mr. Allen timed around his new movie "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" is being released.

Now I will be honest, I am not a huge Woody Allen fan. His movies have been interesting over the years, but mostly I find myself sad when I watch them. So I usually make a decision to see something else.

I read the article because I usually read articles that have "faith" flagged in the title. I am interested in how we people see, hear, understand and acknowledge faith from a variety of perspectives. I was not looking for anything in particular, just curious as to what Woody Allen would have to say about faith.

I wasn't surprised by he said, but his statements made me uneasy, saddened and disappointed. Here's an excerpt from the article: “To me,” Mr. Allen said, “there’s no real difference between a fortune teller or a fortune cookie and any of the organized religions. They’re all equally valid or invalid, really. And equally helpful.”

REALLY? A fortune cookie is as helpful as faith? Then Mr Allen said, "I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going. And the people who successfully delude themselves seem happier than the people who can’t."

You can read the article for yourself, mostly I found it incredibly sad. I am sure Mr. Allen would say that I am one of those who deludes herself. Instead, I would describe myself and others with faith as those open to possibilities that defy explanation. All the science in the world cannot truly explain the wonder and joy of a sunrise or sunset. There is not way to explain the delight when a child says "i wuv u" the first time or the depth of understanding a long relationship shares.

I could go on. My point is that fortune cookie paper (as fun as they are) in no way defines the values and the faith that guide my life. I would not make a decision based on a fortune cookie or a fortune teller. I would base it on multiple resources within myself, my family and my faith community.

The psalmist writes that all of us long for God, that we thirst, we hunger for the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. I may not always be able to articulate that experience of God, but that does not invalidate it. I stake everything I know to be true and good and real on faith.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." One can not see hope, or love or faith. Yet, our lives are infinitely better because of them. In some ways, it is love, it is hope and it is faith that changes lives, that changes our world into a better place. Otherwise, we get stuck into a cynical, dark world view. Nothing changes, nothing matters, no point in trying or attempting to do anything to change the world.

I do not intend to live like that. I have faith that God loves me and loves the world. I believe that faith can generate the passion and the power to create a world where people are valued, are loved and justice and peace reign. I may not live to see it in my life time, but I believe, I know that I am part of a people of faith that have, that do and that will continue to change this world for the better.

Graced to Serve

Embracing Relgious Freedom

This week, my associate pastor, Christopher Eshelman and I co-authored an article on the controversy surrounding the Islamic Cultural Center two block from Ground Zero in New York City. Pastor Christopher did most of the writing, but we felt a joint statement was important for our congregation. I share it here, because I believe what we have to say as Christians matter.

As you probably know, people fleeing religious persecution in Europe founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. One of Pastor Christopher’s favorite bits of American history is that what became Rhode Island was founded by people fleeing religious persecution… in Massachusetts. The struggle to realize the American ideal of religious freedom – and for whom – is nothing new. Right now the news is abuzz with “debate” over what should be a local zoning issue. Can a Mosque be built near Ground Zero? But that’s just the inflammatory headline – there is actually resistance to any mosque anywhere from groups like the American Family Association. Fear and distrust dominate the debate. One pastor in Gainesville, FL announced plans to burn Korans… once again religious freedom only matters for those who happen to agree with their definition of appropriate religion. There has also been news of the massacre of a group of medical missionaries in Afghanistan, in part because their murderers condemned them for “preaching Christianity.” Surely that justifies calls to prevent Islam from growing here…. We want to be clear. We disagree.

Pastor Christopher: What many of you may not know is that a major part of my experience of call to Christian ministry happened because of my positive interaction with members of the Islamic Society of Wichita. My encounters with them and their path helped me to rediscover, claim and journey on my own. I experienced God present in, with, and through that community and I give thanks for it. I believe God called me home through those interactions. I am to preach Christ, and him crucified – not to overcome these neighbors – but because this is my path, my tradition, my way of relating to God who is beyond all of our definitions. I believe God intends diversity. I believe it is we humans, not God, who turn that diversity into a sinful cause for hatred and exclusion. Certainly I have disagreements with some of what they teach, just as I do with what many different Christian groups teach. Yet if we embrace diversity, we can coexist and serve God well despite, or perhaps even better because of, our differences.

Pastor Cindy: While my journey is different than Pastor Christopher's my sentiments are the
same. As your representative to the United Methodist General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC) and as a member of the Board of Directors of Interfaith Ministries here in Wichita, I have a deep commitment to broadening our understanding and appreciation of other religions and branches within Christianity. "Perfect love casts out fear" and as a people that claim to follow Jesus, we are called to look at others with love, not fear. We are invited into deeper understanding as we dialogue about our differences.

The struggle is to not respond to hateful extremism by becoming hateful or extremist ourselves. We get many pictures of what Islam is – often dominated by terror and violence. Before any of us buy into and respond based on those images, this week we are encouraged to consider the dominant picture the world gets of Christianity from those same kinds of sources, whether it is Fred Phelps outlandish hatred, Pat Robertson calling a Hurricane God’s judgment, nooses on a sign at a rally or the tragic results of Timothy McVeigh’s affiliation with the “Christian Identity” movement. Do they represent our faith? We hope not. There are plenty who use our faith to condemn others and even justify violence, exclusion, and hatred. Those who engage in their faith to become better people, caring neighbors, servants of God and community are quite different from those who engage in religion to control, gain power, condemn others, and elevate themselves. The line distinguishing the two has nothing to do with what name we use for God, when, where or how we worship, and what tradition we call home.

During this season of Ramadan, we wish our Muslim friends and neighbors well, and we would be happy to chat with any of our Christian friends about why we do so. Peace be upon us all.

Graced to Serve,
Pastors Cindy & Christopher

Sermon: 07-11-2010 (Joseph - Part 3)

Sermon - Joseph: Love Calling
By Associate Pastor Christopher Eshelman

The Reading from our Sacred Memory

The New Testament Reading: Ephesians 4:1-8,11-13
The Hebrew Scripture Reading: Selections from Genesis 40-41

By Associate Pastor Christopher Eshelman,
Pastor Cindy Watson and Liturgist Jim Megrail

Election Day

Today is the primary in Kansas. While the voter turnout is lower during primaries, it will be higher this day because of so many contested races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state, city and even county seats. I do not intend to endorse or say who I think the "finalists" should be as we look toward November.

The ads surrounding some of the candidates have been brutal, ugly and have saddened me. I am already dreading the ads, once the primary is over. As a country we are faced with many difficulties and many questions. The problems are complex and can not be answered with a simple fifteen second sound byte.

Perhaps that is the issue. In a complex and quickly changing world,some human beings want fast and simple answers. There is a sense that all of us long for a "simpler" time and place.

The problem is that "we" as a society and as a world can not go back. In those places where they work to control Internet access, people find ways to get information out and stay in contact. The world is becoming smaller and more accessible for good and bad.

As a person of faith, the challenge is not to ignore and to lament the changes, but to find a way to be faithful to the call of justice, mercy, peace and love. The "rhetoric" of faith is one of making real the God who has called to us for generations. In "simple terms" the call is for one to "do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God." (Micah 6:8) Or put in another way, "Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself, all the laws and prophets hang on these commandments." (Matthew 37-40)

These simple truths have never been simple, but have been the challenge for faithful people in every generation. If there is any "truth", people of faith are called to live in a way that gives witness to a different way of living. Not simple, but committed to bringing goodness, mercy, kindness, and justice to bear upon individual and societal considerations.

So today, I will go and vote and to the best of my ability, vote for those candidates who will work for the common good of all people. I will continue to look for ways to build bridges and to "do justice,love kindness and walk humbly with God."

Graced to Serve