Love and marriage...

Below is a letter from Bishop Bruno (pictured left) regarding the work of the task force on marriage, including some very helpful educational materials. Do take a look if you have a moment. You will be glad you did!

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The Supreme Court of California has determined that all citizens of our state should have equal access to marriage as a civil right based in our state constitution. The Court's ruling provides the Church with an opportunity to reflect on our own theology of marriage. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, we have sought to provide the Church's blessing to all the baptized people of God. Among those are people who have sought to have same-sex relationships blessed in the community of faith. I know that the acceptance of same-sex unions has caused spiritual struggle and questioning for some members of our Diocese, our Church and the Anglican Communion. My policy has been to allow clergy to respond to the needs of their community with pastoral sensitivity including the blessing of these unions as they deem appropriate to the pastoral context.

Earlier this year, when the court made same-sex marriage an option in civil law, I felt it necessary to convene a task force to develop a diocesan policy by which clergy in our Diocese might officiate at same-sex marriages. The task force has developed educational materials that I hope will help you and members of our Diocese to reflect on the issues involved in same sex-marriage as we discern our way forward. I hope that all clergy in our Diocese might educate our congregations about marriage and have conversations about it.

Performing and blessing these marriages is not simply theoretical. There are real people in congregations large and small who have waited sometimes for many years for this opportunity, and the witness of their faithful love has been an inspiration to me. Other couples will step forward in the future. I hope you will take the opportunity in the next several weeks to listen to their stories. Many among these couples are members of our congregations.

While no one in this Diocese will be forced to move beyond what his or her conscience allows, we seek to provide that gracious space for those whose conscience compels them to bless the marriages of all faithful people as together we discern the work of the Holy Spirit who continues to lead us into all truth.

Your Brother in Christ,

J. Jon Bruno

Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles

For a copy of the Task Force report, click here.

alternatives

Two Sundays ago our gospel reading was from Matthew 22.1-14, which is the parable of a King who throws a wedding banquet for his son. The "traditional" interpretation of this parable is an allegorical one with God as the tyrannical King, the King's absentee son as Jesus, etc. However, there is an alternative interpretation that I stumbled upon during my research. I found it on the Girardian lectionary website. Rene Girard, pictured right, is a philosopher (among other things) who has made quite a contribution to the doctrine of atonement in his scapegoat and mimetic desire theories. It's all heady stuff, but quite helpful to those of us who are working with congregations and Biblical texts. The Girardian lectionary interprets Biblical texts in light of Girard's theories and the interpretation for our gospel lesson above is wonderfully unique! Click here to get to the site. To read the full text of the essay on the gospel reading written by Marty Aiken, click on The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence:
Discerning the Suffering Servant in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet.

Economy

How do we begin to understand the current economic crisis? How do we address it as people of faith? If you, like me, are interested in thinking and praying on our economic state, I turn your attention to Religion and Ethics Weekly's contribution this week on economies human and divine. I hope you will find some food for thought!

The Rabbi and the Religulous

Yesterday I posted a review of Rabbi David Wolpe's book, Why Faith Matters, and this morning, while reading my electronic copy of the LA Times, I came across an article by Rabbi Wolpe in beautiful response to the movie, Religulous. The trailer for the movie is immediately below, followed by the LA Times article. I am thinking of going to this movie (for the sake of being informed and NOT because I agree with its premise, obviously) and it would be great to have some company! Anyone care to join me? Just send an email...




Opinion
Maher's mockery misses the point
His movie, 'Religulous,' is one-dimesional, while religion is varied and colorful.
By David Wolpe
October 7, 2008

There are three problems with Bill Maher's new movie mocking faith: It misunderstands religion, misconceives God and gets human nature all wrong.

I have a fantasy of a counter-movie. I would travel around the world and interview every scientist with a crackpot theory or a quack cure. I'd find researchers who were venal, eccentric, foolish or cruel, throwing in a few responsible scientists for credibility. Call it, say, "Scientifictious."

Of course, that would be no more convincing than "Religulous." Religion is not univocal; there are lots of varieties and personalities. There is no shortage of strange beliefs and practices. There is ample opportunity for derision. Think of the movie he could have made about people's eating habits.

What Maher seems not to know, or to understand, is that religion is not a fantasy flung upward but an intuition of something far greater than ourselves. Everyone who lives with open eyes has reason to question. In the search there will be missteps, even cruelties and division, but also sublimity, kindness, beauty, wonder and faith.

Perhaps Maher's greatest misunderstanding of religion is his central indictment: that religion is responsible for the world's violence. It is not. Violence is a product of human nature. Before monotheism, the Assyrians were not kind; the Romans were bloodthirsty beyond the imagination of religious regimes. When religion became less potent in people's lives after the French Revolution, instead of making the world less violent, it became far more violent: World War I and WWII, communism, Nazism -- all shed blood on an unprecedented scale. None were religious regimes or religious wars.

Maher's dislike of religion is not reasoned, however, but visceral. He told Mother Jones magazine about the Jews praying on his plane to Israel: "Even on the plane over, they were, at a certain point, they all stood up in the aisle of the plane davening [praying] ... they just looked like crazy people, always bowing their head. It's disconcerting." No doubt had they worn Armani suits and been tapping at a keyboard, Mr. Maher would have found them rational; but seeking transcendence in coach -- crazy.

If faith is, in part, the summit of our hopes, a guide and an aspiration, then what does Maher's creed leave him with? Again, as he tells Mother Jones: "I'm telling you. I've got nothing." It should not be hard to understand why someone might choose ancient wisdom over modern nihilism. It is not heroic to believe we are accidents of chemistry.

Maher's view of human nature as essentially animalistic (he repeatedly wonders why anyone would curb their sexual appetites) is dispiriting and plain wrong. Animals we are, but we are much more than animals.

Maher misunderstands God as a projection of human need. This is a common atheistic trope -- your belief is based on psychological deficiencies, while mine is reasoned. In truth, the existence of God is not an antidote to fear but a consequence of wonder. God does not come about through faulty reasoning but through a worshipful and humble orientation of the soul.

"Religulous" repeatedly calls faith irrational. True, it is not a product of pure reason, but then what is, apart from mathematics? Reason does not get us out of bed, or move us to love or kindness. Religion is supported by reason, however. The marvel of values, ideas and consciousness -- nonphysical but powerful phenomena -- can reasonably be thought to have an origin in a nonphysical entity: that is, God. Centuries of people emboldened by, and ennobled by, faith can reasonably be thought to have something more than foolish illusions in their minds and hearts. Nevertheless, Maher calls religion a "neurological disorder."

In study after study, religion proves to make people not just happier but more likely to give to charity and have stable marriages, to reduce drug and alcohol dependence and improve mental health. That does not make it true, but it is worthy of thought: Why should something so "irrational," a mere "neurological disorder," be so helpful to society?

Many of us suspect -- or yes, believe -- that there is more to the world than we know, that there is a mystery at its heart. That mystery may evoke some unworthy speculation, attract some charlatans, occasion some cruelties. Faith is also the spur for everything from the poetry of Psalms to the Cathedral at Chartres to relief missions. "Religulous" is one-dimensional. Religion is as varied and colorful as God's blessed world.

David Wolpe is the rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and the author of "Why Faith Matters."

Room for all...

You may have seen the news this past week about the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh's decision to leave the Episcopal Church (or click here if you haven't heard and would like to read about it). Pittsburgh is a long way away from us here, but it is still part of our church and it is a sad day when any one of our number decides they can no longer remain in relationship with the rest of the church.

Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori (KJS), has made a statement about Pittsburgh's decision which you can see in the video below. Also, check out this interview with KJS by Terry Gross of Fresh Air. KJS has a lot to say to put into context what is happening in the church. However, most important is her take on who we are as Anglicans and what it means to be in this communion. Despite the sad news from Pittsburgh, I found her interview and video to be inspiring and hopeful! I hope you will take the time to both watch the video and listen to the interview. Enjoy!

Why Faith Matters

Hot off the press book review from today's Episcopal Life Daily. The author of the book, Rabbi David Wolpe, is a Rabbi at Sinai Temple on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Click here to see a video of Rabbi Wolpe debating renowned atheist Sam Harris on the existence of God (Sam Harris on the right and David Wolpe on the left).

"Why Faith Matters" from HarperCollins Publishers, by David J, Wolpe, foreword by Rick Warren, 208 pages, hardcover, c. 2008, $24.95

[HarperCollins Publishers] Judging by today's bestseller lists, you'd think that religion is either irrational or extreme. What's missing between the atheists and the fanatics is a genuine debate; someone to point out that religion does have value in the modern world. Why Faith Matters is just such an articulate, nondenominational defense of established religion in America. Rabbi Wolpe presents the case for religion and proposes solutions toward engaging religion in discussions of modernity. By refuting the cold reason of the atheists with a vision of religion informed by faith, love and understanding, Wolpe follows in a literary tradition that stretches from Cardinal Newman to C.S. Lewis to Thomas Merton--all individuals of faith who brought religion and culture together in their own works.

Wolpe takes readers through the origins and the nature of religion; popular misunderstandings of the relationship between religion, violence, and progress; the place of the Bible in modern life; and the compatibility of religion and science. He concludes with a powerful argument against calls for the end of religion.

To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at
http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800-903-5544 -- or visit your
local Episcopal bookseller, http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org

Blessings old and new...

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
(Numbers 6.24-26)

As a lover of all things (or nearly all things) ancient, the Priestly Blessing from the book of Numbers is one of my favorite blessings to use at the end of the Sunday liturgy. And ancient it certainly is, dating at least as far back as the First Temple period (that's Solomon's temple). Amulets with the blessing inscribed on them have been found in burial places from that time period, however, it is not unlikely that the blessing itself is quite older. While there are variations in translations, the translation above is fairly common and might even be familiar!

The image above shows the position of the hands for the blessing. If you think it looks a bit Hollywood, you are right! Dr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) adapted this gesture as the Vulcan greeting on Star Trek.

A few days ago, I came across another, more recently composed blessing. I share it with you below because I think it articulates so well the gospel paradox. Choosing to be followers of Christ does not mean a way of comfort, but it does mean a choice for life, a choice for the peace that passes understanding. Read below and see what you think.

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
amen.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
amen.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort and to turn pain into joy.
amen.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you may do what others claim cannot be done.
amen.

Hey Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat...

Indeed, I am a fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle. I loved that show as a kid! However, the article you will find below is not about the kind of magic Rocky and Bullwinkle parodied, but rather about a recent archaeological discovery that references, "Christ the Magician." Now, isn't that intriguing! It could be Jesus, or it could not be Jesus, but regardless, it's a great read and will give you a sense of how archaeology and Biblical studies intersect. (You can also read the article on the MSNBC website by clicking here.)

Earliest reference describes Christ as 'magician'

Bowl dated between late 2nd century B.C. and the early 1st century A.D.

By Jennifer Viegas

updated 7:23 a.m. PT, Wed., Oct. 1, 2008

A team of scientists led by renowned French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio recently announced that they have found a bowl, dating to between the late 2nd century B.C. and the early 1st century A.D., that is engraved with what they believe could be the world's first known reference to Christ.

If the word "Christ" refers to the Biblical Jesus Christ, as is speculated, then the discovery may provide evidence that Christianity and paganism at times intertwined in the ancient world.

The full engraving on the bowl reads, "DIA CHRSTOU O GOISTAIS," which has been interpreted by the excavation team to mean either, "by Christ the magician" or, "the magician by Christ."

"It could very well be a reference to Jesus Christ, in that he was once the primary exponent of white magic," Goddio, co-founder of the Oxford Center of Maritime Archaeology, said.

He and his colleagues found the object during an excavation of the underwater ruins of Alexandria's ancient great harbor. The Egyptian site also includes the now submerged island of Antirhodos, where Cleopatra's palace may have been located.

Both Goddio and Egyptologist David Fabre, a member of the European Institute of Submarine Archaeology, think a "magus" could have practiced fortune telling rituals using the bowl. The Book of Matthew refers to "wisemen," or Magi, believed to have been prevalent in the ancient world.

According to Fabre, the bowl is also very similar to one depicted in two early Egyptian earthenware statuettes that are thought to show a soothsaying ritual.

"It has been known in Mesopotamia probably since the 3rd millennium B.C.," Fabre said. "The soothsayer interprets the forms taken by the oil poured into a cup of water in an interpretation guided by manuals."

He added that the individual, or "medium," then goes into a hallucinatory trance when studying the oil in the cup.

"They therefore see the divinities, or supernatural beings appear that they call to answer their questions with regard to the future," he said.

The magus might then have used the engraving on the bowl to legitimize his supernatural powers by invoking the name of Christ, the scientists theorize.

Goddio said, "It is very probable that in Alexandria they were aware of the existence of Jesus" and of his associated legendary miracles, such as transforming water into wine, multiplying loaves of bread, conducting miraculous health cures, and the story of the resurrection itself.

While not discounting the Jesus Christ interpretation, other researchers have offered different possible interpretations for the engraving, which was made on the thin-walled ceramic bowl after it was fired, since slip was removed during the process.

Bert Smith, a professor of classical archaeology and art at Oxford University, suggests the engraving might be a dedication, or present, made by a certain "Chrestos" belonging to a possible religious association called Ogoistais.

Klaus Hallof, director of the Institute of Greek inscriptions at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy, added that if Smith's interpretation proves valid, the word "Ogoistais" could then be connected to known religious groups that worshipped early Greek and Egyptian gods and goddesses, such as Hermes, Athena and Isis.

Hallof additionally pointed out that historians working at around, or just after, the time of the bowl, such as Strabon and Pausanias, refer to the god "Osogo" or "Ogoa," so a variation of this might be what's on the bowl. It is even possible that the bowl refers to both Jesus Christ and Osogo.

Fabre concluded, "It should be remembered that in Alexandria, paganism, Judaism and Christianity never evolved in isolation. All of these forms of religion (evolved) magical practices that seduced both the humble members of the population and the most well-off classes."

"It was in Alexandria where new religious constructions were made to propose solutions to the problem of man, of God's world," he added. "Cults of Isis, mysteries of Mithra, and early Christianity bear witness to this."

The bowl is currently on public display in the exhibit "Egypt's Sunken Treasures" at the Matadero Cultural Center in Madrid, Spain, until November 15.