Now see, Julie. That column is way more appealing, IMO, to a "wayward" person than all of the hellfire and brimstone praying, the sign-holding, the "saving." And it is honest. If it is what Christianity could become, the world would be better off. Thanks for a great read! Kim
Even though I've read bits and pieces of this story before, I was still moved by your description of the angst you felt in the lead up to this talk you'd been invited to give. I can relate to that sense of dread! And I'm still amazed that you came forth as candidly as you did - that shows a lot of character and integrity, since I'm sure the backlash reaction was no surprise to you. You knew what your audience (or more significantly, the conference organizers!) would think of your dramatic departure from the norms.
That strong mandate within so many branches of the church (really, just about *all* of them) to keep everything within safe and predictable limits underscores a troubling insecurity and even worse, dishonesty, that lurks at a deep place within our broad religious community. There's a sense of palpable danger that if someone like yourself speaks candidly and unreservedly, the bubble will be burst, the spell broken, and all sorts of bad things will happen. If we are really talking about "ultimate reality" here, one would think that dissent, doubt and skepticism about preconceived notions would be welcomed, not shunned. And that alternative approaches would be sufficiently explored to see just where they might take us.
Wow, what a marvelous post. And can I ever relate. I went through months of this very thing when exiting "church work" back in the early 80s. Wish I had been in touch with myself then enough to respond like you did.
My "saving experiences" have rarely happened in churches or conferences - they've almost always been in the "world", or when someone you least expect to get it actually does. My favorite is still Todd Rundgren saying "let us beat our swords into plowshares on the anvil of a pure heart" on No World Order - right after "Fascist Christ".
I've just started reading "The Shaping of Things To Come". Probably more orthodox theologically than I am, but I really appreaciated that they began with a detailed analysis of "Burning Man" festival as an indicator of what people are looking for in terms of creative community and radical engagement with life.
Thanks for all the comments! I had no idea I was going to write about that particular event when I sat down to write this blog. It's interesting to me to see what is coming up.
I don't know if UPI allows comments. I will ask my editor. I am flattered that you all want to talk about this stuff with me and each other. Please do!
I enjoyed reading your column. Hopefully, more than a few people left that conference with a new outlook on their faith. Can't wait to see you in March.
6 comments:
Now see, Julie. That column is way more appealing, IMO, to a "wayward" person than all of the hellfire and brimstone praying, the sign-holding, the "saving." And it is honest. If it is what Christianity could become, the world would be better off. Thanks for a great read! Kim
Even though I've read bits and pieces of this story before, I was still moved by your description of the angst you felt in the lead up to this talk you'd been invited to give. I can relate to that sense of dread! And I'm still amazed that you came forth as candidly as you did - that shows a lot of character and integrity, since I'm sure the backlash reaction was no surprise to you. You knew what your audience (or more significantly, the conference organizers!) would think of your dramatic departure from the norms.
That strong mandate within so many branches of the church (really, just about *all* of them) to keep everything within safe and predictable limits underscores a troubling insecurity and even worse, dishonesty, that lurks at a deep place within our broad religious community. There's a sense of palpable danger that if someone like yourself speaks candidly and unreservedly, the bubble will be burst, the spell broken, and all sorts of bad things will happen. If we are really talking about "ultimate reality" here, one would think that dissent, doubt and skepticism about preconceived notions would be welcomed, not shunned. And that alternative approaches would be sufficiently explored to see just where they might take us.
Nice job provoking our thoughts here, Julie!
Wow, what a marvelous post. And can I ever relate. I went through months of this very thing when exiting "church work" back in the early 80s. Wish I had been in touch with myself then enough to respond like you did.
My "saving experiences" have rarely happened in churches or conferences - they've almost always been in the "world", or when someone you least expect to get it actually does. My favorite is still Todd Rundgren saying "let us beat our swords into plowshares on the anvil of a pure heart" on No World Order - right after "Fascist Christ".
I've just started reading "The Shaping of Things To Come". Probably more orthodox theologically than I am, but I really appreaciated that they began with a detailed analysis of "Burning Man" festival as an indicator of what people are looking for in terms of creative community and radical engagement with life.
Will the UPI Blog ever allow comments to be posted there?
Thanks for all the comments! I had no idea I was going to write about that particular event when I sat down to write this blog. It's interesting to me to see what is coming up.
I don't know if UPI allows comments. I will ask my editor. I am flattered that you all want to talk about this stuff with me and each other. Please do!
Julie
I enjoyed reading your column. Hopefully, more than a few people left that conference with a new outlook on their faith. Can't wait to see you in March.
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