bias | MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Posts Tagged ‘bias

Apr

G-6.0106b Amendment 08B

Categories: GLBT & Queer Theology and Justice & Mercy
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, oppression, PC(USA)

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UNOFFICIALLY, The “NOs” have won with Northern Plains Presbytery being the 87th negative vote. While the voting of the remainder of the presbyteries may represent some interest, one more time the majority of PC(USA) members/churches have shown their blind adherence to tradition even in the face of evidence to the contrary, lack of informed theology and dearth of compassion. It is another sad day in a line of sad days. May God forgive us.

ALBANY PRESBYTERY IS ONE OF SIXTY-FIVE SIXTY-EIGHT TO DATE (INCLUDING TWENTY-FIVE TWENTY-EIGHT THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY VOTED AGAINST) VOTING FOR THE AMENDMENT.

This will undoubtedly only be of interest to other Presbyterians – or maybe not.

A full tally can be viewed here, courtesy of Presbyweb.

While not the nail in the coffin, so to speak, San Francisco Presbytery provided the biggest shock and disappointment when it became the first to flip from support of LGBT to opposition. This is less likely to be a sign of growing opposition and more likely to be a sign of complacency, laziness and arrogance on the part of usual supporters. 58 fewer members of the presbytery voted this time when compared to the last attempt at an amendment, presumably because many didn’t feel the need to show up and vote. How commendable!

Continue reading ‘G-6.0106b Amendment 08B’

Apr

Thanks, Emproph

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Justice & Mercy
Tags: bias, cultural competence, immigration, oppression, poverty

cartoon-1

Apr

Imperialism, Colonialism and “Disciple-Making”

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Economic Theology, Ethics and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Capital, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Economy, Equity, Ethics, Faith, history, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, reconciliation, remembrance, society, Theology

The adherents of Christian religions include upwards of 2 billion people – almost one-third of the world’s population, according to David Barrett, an Evangelical Christian who is the compiler of religious statistics for the Encyclopedia Britannica.[1] While Christianity began in the Middle East, it is generally considered a European/American religion. Those areas, however, do not encompass the majority of adherents. More Christians, in fact, are found in the “third world” – those areas that were formerly colonized by various European powers. The story of the spread of the world’s most prolific religion during the second millennia of Christianity is at least interesting, if not informative of the current political and military efforts of the West, most notably the U.S., seemingly aimed at making converts of another sort – disciples of Western democracy and capitalism. Continue reading ‘Imperialism, Colonialism and “Disciple-Making”’

Apr

Resurrection – Pain & Joy

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Ah! Easter Sunday! Christ has risen. Alleluia.

I always imagine the early morning Easter sun breaking through the darkness of the night. I picture the angels Mary saw dressed in white. There she was, standing in a garden filled with the color and the smell of Easter lilies, hyacinths, and azaleas. Okay! So it’s not exactly accurate, but it is, for me, a brilliant and dazzling scene – a scene that inspires me and brings hope.

There are substantial differences in the four Gospel versions of the resurrection story. Much has been made of these differences – perhaps more than has been made of the other differences that exist in scripture. There are enough differences that, while each depicts a brilliant and dazzling scene, it is tough to know which, if any, may be historically accurate. Continue reading ‘Resurrection – Pain & Joy’

Apr

Post-Christian or Pro-Christlike

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, God, group dynamics, history, Holy Spirit, inclusive, initiatives, Kingdom of God, oppression, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, reconciliation, Theology

” “A remarkable culture-shift has taken place around us,” Mohler [R. Albert Mohler Jr.—president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary] wrote. “The most basic contours of American culture have been radically altered. The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus of the last millennium has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-Western cultural crisis which threatens the very heart of our culture.” When Mohler and I spoke in the days after he wrote this, he had grown even gloomier. “Clearly, there is a new narrative, a post-Christian narrative, that is animating large portions of this society,” he said from his office on campus in Louisville, Ky. ” Quoted from Jon Meacham’s The End of Christian America.

My good friend, Daniel, posted a link on Soulforce.org to the above article in order to start a conversation about what “Post-Christian” might mean. Daniel, a former Assembly of God member now more comfortable with Buddha, has an attitude about Christianity that may best be descibed using Gandhi’s statement, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Continue reading ‘Post-Christian or Pro-Christlike’

Apr

Vermont legislates equality – where is New York?

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Marriage & Sexuality
Tags: bias, Ethics, GLBT issues, homophobia, inclusive, marriage equality, oppression, reconciliation, society

Shortly after Vermont’s legislature voted to override Gov. Douglas’ veto earlier today, we released the following statement:

“We are thrilled that Vermont—another one of New York’s neighbors—has passed a marriage equality bill through the state legislature. Less than a week after Iowa’s Supreme Court recognized the need to recognize and protect same-sex couples and our families, more than two-thirds of Vermont’s legislature sent the same message by overriding Governor Jim Douglas’ veto.

Vermont was the first state to pass a law recognizing same-sex couples through civil unions and now becomes the first state to provide real marriage equality for same-sex couples through a vote in the state legislature. This is truly a victory for LGBT people in Vermont and across the country.

But I’m embarrassed for New York State. Continue reading ‘Vermont legislates equality – where is New York?’

Mar

Homophobia, Apartheid, et al

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Economy, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, homophobia, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), poverty, Progressive, reconciliation, society

Periodically, I suffer from the delusion that culture and society can actually be understood, and that I can speak with some knowledge towards that understanding. This fabrication in my mind, fortunately, passes with time, saving poor innocent bystanders the terror of witnessing the inner workings of my mind. Alas, this is not one of those times.

Reader beware! These may be nothing more than the ramblings of a madman.

I am recovering from my former life – being a recovering addict, recovering economic exploiter, recovering sexist, recovering racist and recovering homophobe. In my newer life, I am a combatant in a war against all manner of exploitation, oppression, manipulation and dehumanization of any and all people. There is, as you know, no worse critic that someone recovering from a particular expression of a disorder. Continue reading ‘Homophobia, Apartheid, et al’

Mar

A Parable based on Gen 19:1-15

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: GLBT & Queer Theology
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christian, Church, Ethics, Faith, Genesis, GLBT issues, group dynamics, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, reflections, Sodom, Theology

Two gay men and two lesbian women came to Sodom in the evening as Rev Lot was communing with some local folk downtown. When Rev Lot saw them, she rose to meet them and extended her hands, because she saw, in the faces of these people, the image of God – the very tired and rejected faces of Christ. Continue reading ‘A Parable based on Gen 19:1-15’

Mar

Critical Life Incidents – Entering Seminary

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Personal Stories
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, God, initiatives, memories, Progressive, reconciliation, remembrance, Theology, writing

In August 2001, I began my seminary education as a “special” student. The special classification was because I had no undergraduate degree. I was allowed to take three courses for each of two semesters, after which the admissions committee would decide if an exception to the undergraduate degree requirement would be granted.

Two seminary professors I had met in different circumstances had originally told me of the exception. Each had been aware of my interaction with students who were experiencing difficulties – some while on an immersion trip in Mexico, and another while doing her internship at a church where I worked. In each case the exception was used as a trump card when I played my “I can’t go to seminary – I don’t have a degree” card. Continue reading ‘Critical Life Incidents – Entering Seminary’

Mar

“Abstinence Only” Rears Again

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics and Marriage & Sexuality
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, Ethics, Faith, oppression, poverty, society

I would always prefer to avoid criticizing other religious beliefs, opting instead for simply offering an alternate view. I find myself, however, struggling in order to deal with the Pope’s stand on condom use in the battle against HIV/AIDS in a way that is not derogatory. I understand that Catholicism takes an official stand against contraception – well, that isn’t quite true – I accept that it does, even though I do not understand it. In the case of HIV/AIDS, however, the issue isn’t contraception, but the very life of millions of Africans. Continue reading ‘“Abstinence Only” Rears Again’

Mar

Running Someone Through the Wringer … several times

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Justice & Mercy
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, group dynamics, history, homophobia, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, reconciliation, Theology

Paul Capetz is my one sorrow from the two years I spent at United Theological School in the Twin Cities, my alma mater. I never took a class from Paul, although I benefitted from his faith, wisdom and intellect in other ways. I have no doubt that Paul would have joined the ranks of Chris Smith, Jann Weaver, Eleazar Fernandez and Sharon Tan as exceptional teachers I have experienced first hand. Don’t get me wrong, NONE of the professors at United from whom I took classes were less than great, but these just stood out as truly inspiring. To my great disappointment, I will never know Paul firsthand as a teacher.

I could also never know, firsthand at least, the stress and agony that Paul must be feeling at the hands of an unwieldy ecclesiastical judicial process that is far better equipped at passing a “hot potato” than actually making informed, judicious decisions. Rather than fill some with awe at the intricate workings of judicial machine, which is how I have read some comments, it should fill all Presbyterians with shame. As always, the hand-wringing and juggling of important matters has a human face, and I can only imagine the agony that Paul must feel at times. Continue reading ‘Running Someone Through the Wringer … several times’

Mar

Right (Re)Defining “Bashing”

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics and GLBT & Queer Theology
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, homophobia, inclusive, initiatives, oppression, reconciliation, society

“BASHING” – a word that has long been used by minorities to describe the actions of mobs and people motivated by hate. Some on the religious-right, because of the attention on gay bashing, have started to appropriate this word to talk about how they are being discriminated against. This video is potentially troubling because of some fo the images, but is a must see for those who wish to understand how the word “bashing” in being co-opted and watered down. Continue reading ‘Right (Re)Defining “Bashing”’

Mar

Doth Thou Protesteth Too Much?

By Rev Andy Little 4 Comments

Categories: Ethics and GLBT & Queer Theology
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, cultural competence, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, group dynamics, history, homophobia, oppression, Progressive, reconciliation, society, Theology

There was an interesting study recently released that measures the appetite for pornography based on scales of religious and social conservatism. The results of this survey are not surprising when compared to other results released years ago.

In the old report, arousal was measured in men, who self-identified from very anti-LGBT to liberal, when they watched “gay porn.” Not surprisingly, those who had the most negative attitude about GLBT had more erectile arousal than those who had less. The results of the survey showed that homophobia is as or more likely to be caused by shame and suppression of innate homosexual tendencies as any other cause.

This recent survey, and the summary article in New Scientist, seems to show a similar pattern Continue reading ‘Doth Thou Protesteth Too Much?’

Feb

No, Please! Tell Us What You Really Think

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Marriage & Sexuality
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Ethics, GLBT issues, inclusive, initiatives, marriage equality, reconciliation, writing

If you are looking for the perfect example from which to learn to write a “quirky, snide, and very thoughtless comment” to someone with whom you disagree – look no further. Sen Paul Koering’s aid seems to have the technique down to a fine science, and will gladly send you an example should you want to disagree with the senator on anything.

News from the Minnesota Independent: Gay Republican responds to criticism: Same-sex marriage is a ‘pointless issue’

The office of state Sen. Paul Koering, a gay Republican representing a district near Brainerd, Minn., is responding by e-mail to criticisms over his decision not to vote for the Marriage and Family Protection Act. The gist? Legislators can’t “waste their time” with “pointless legislation.”

The mass e-mail, penned by an impassioned Ken Swecker, Koering’s legislative assistant, concludes with a punchline that shows someone’s got their knickers in a wad over something. Swecker wrote: Continue reading ‘No, Please! Tell Us What You Really Think’

Feb

Is Hate a Mental Disorder?

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Ethics and Justice & Mercy
Tags: bias, Church, conflict resolution, cultural competence, Economy, Equity, Ethics, GLBT issues, group dynamics, history, homophobia, inclusive, marriage equality, Obama, oppression, PC(USA), poverty, reconciliation, society

We live in interesting times. Since the election of Barack Obama, hate groups have begun growing. Since the economy has tubed, hate groups have begun growing. Hate, it seems, flourishes whenever major change occurs or disaster strikes. According to a CNN article, “Growing Hate Groups Blame Obama, Economy“, hate proponents seem to think they have very rational grounds for their attitudes and actions. As a culture we seem to regard hate with varying degrees of disdain or apathy. Blatant racism is largely disdained, while blatant sexism is discouraged and heterosexism seemingly encouraged. All, however, are based on irrational fears and anti-social behavior. In what way are any to be considered normal responses? Continue reading ‘Is Hate a Mental Disorder?’

... or, preaching from both ends

Rev Andy Little

WELL, HELLO! YOU’RE HERE.

That's too bad - I'm so sorry. Oh, well, just try to make the best of it. What you'll find here is a variety of essays and ramblings to do with things theological, social, whimsical and, sometimes, all three. I don't write to get famous - trust me, I've been told how futile that would be - but to express myself. I love to communicate and browbeat - ummm, I mean dialogue - about the things I find intriguing. Since you're here, and the door's locked, why don't you stay a while. There's a page bar under the header with links to information about us - I mean me. Don't forget to tell me what you think - in a nice way, I mean.