It is Finished, at least in Minnesota. Next!

After volunteering for Minnesotans United and writing about it here this weekend, where people were rallying on the house vote for same-sex marriage, it was a no-brainer for to me to come back when the senators would be voting on it yesterday. 

I arrived fairly early in the morning.  I got a new sign and I went to the top of the steps.  I saw that there was an overwhelming amount of people in favor of gay marriage, but only four or five people against it.  I commented that we’ve really come a long way from being the minority.

As more people arrived, there was a large group of people that sang songs together.  We had the steps split into two sides, with a middle area for the senators to arrive.  There were large paper hearts covering the steps for the senators, like rose pedals for a bride. 

The time had come for the senators to arrive.  Some of them walked up, very happy to see all of us.  Jeff Hayden, the senator for my district, looked very excited and happy to see us, high-fiving people as he ran up the stairs.  Scott Dibble followed up the stairs with his boyfriend.  When Scott reached the top, he gave a speech that basically proclaimed that this was a beautiful day for equality. 

Slowly we walked in, singing “America the Beautiful.”  I went up the stairs and held my sign on the second level of the rotunda.  It was pretty crowded, with those group of singers in one section.  From the beginning, the singers started circling around, with other people joining in, then eventually left the rotunda and started singing throughout the building.

It was around this time when I began to move down to the bottom of the rotunda.  The people against marriage equality started expanding, so I started walking around the rotunda, holding my sign.

Soon, a conservative preacher arrived, shouting against homosexuality.  As he was holding up his sign, he got up onto a platform.  Then a few in support of marriage equality started singing “Jesus Loves Me.”  Slowly, one by one people joined in, including me. 

All of a sudden we were joined by a large number of clergy, and we started singing songs together, encouraging the rest of the people to join in.  We sang a couple of traditional spiritual songs, and then a couple of members of a Jewish synagogue joined us.  They taught us a fairly simple “Hallelujah” song, and made some other song suggestions.

During the rally, whenever a quick announcement was made, what we did was one person would shout “MIC CHECK!” and the crowd would repeat "MIC CHECK"!  Then he would announce another update, and the crowd would repeat that.  One update that was made was that certain new amendments had been proposed.  These amendments were very similar to the amendments that we voted against last year, proclaiming marriage was only to be between one man and one woman.

This continued on for hours; singing, shouting certain chants, and a few updates.  It was then that an update was made about the wrap-up speech being made on the voting.  One person who was next to me was listening on his iPhone and said the person was going on forever about the history of marriage. 

We didn't realize that a final update was given, but knew something had happened because all of a sudden there was extremely loud cheering.  People started crying in joy.  This was it.  What had started as a mustard seed grew into a large group of people who finally succeeded.  Love truly did win.

God bless.

~Robin, co-administrator for Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented

I'm Christian and I Support the Freedom to Marry

In November 2012, Minnesotans voted over a proposed amendment, that marriage would only be between a man and a woman.  Although this amendment was rejected, I found it upsetting that this amendment had even been proposed.

Last Sunday, at a local festival, I stopped at the marriage equality booth, where I first heard about the talk of legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota.  I was told about a rally, and I put my name down to possibly participate.  On Wednesday night, I was asked if I would be willing to volunteer, and I said yes.

The next day, I went down to do my volunteer work.  We met in the state office building to hear what we were to do.  We were all given matching t-shirts that said, “I support the freedom to marry.”  We were also warned that there would be people in opposition to our view, and that we were to be friendly to them.  If we were to see an argument, we would break the argument up.

In the State Capitol, the rotunda was filled with people holding signs for marriage equality, and others who carried signs against it.  I was lead up to the top of the grand staircase to greet people, encourage them to grab posters, and I was soon later asked to go around and get people to sign up for the mailing list, et al.  Unfortunately, I only got one person signed up, me.

Around the end, I was allowed to join in to participate in the rally. 

Standing on the second floor of the rotunda, I witnessed a group of children on the first floor, siblings, actively shouting to vote no.  The redness and sweat on their faces, and the aggression in their shouts showed that they were scared and angry.  Next to them were others shouting in favor of marriage equality. 

A lesbian couple came to stand behind where I was, and they started talking with a young woman in opposition, who happened to be standing next to me. After arguing for a while, I finally did my job, interrupting them and telling them that their argument wasn’t going anywhere.  They agreed, and the couple walked away.

At the bottom of the rotunda was a group of clergy.  Most of them were Christian, but there were a couple of Jewish rabbis as well.  There were also many others with the clergy, including a Wiccan.  Together, they sang hymns. On the second level, those of us for marriage equality started doing the wave, circling the rotunda.

Soon later, it was passed, and many people cheered and clapped, “THANK! YOU! THANK! YOU! THANK! YOU!...” 

At the same time, I felt sorrow for those in opposition.  Although I disagree with them, I have sympathy.  We shouldn’t forget that we were in their spot for a while.  No matter who is right or not, we should remember that we are all people, and we all have feelings.  We also shouldn’t forget that we were once the minority.  However, I know that in the end, nothing will happen to them, and I hope they see that, but it will take some time.

I will be returning on Monday, as we rally to the senate, with the hope that love truly does win.  No matter what happens, however, I am proud of how far we have come.

God bless.

~Robin, co-administrator for Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented

The War Prayer

It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping, the bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering; on every hand and far down the receding and fading spread of roofs and balconies a fluttering wilderness of flags flashed in the sun; daily the young volunteers marched down the wide avenue gay and fine in their new uniforms, the proud fathers and mothers and sisters and sweethearts cheering them with voices choked with happy emotion as they swung by; nightly the packed mass meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory which stirred the deepest deeps of their hearts, and which they interrupted at briefest intervals with cyclones of applause, the tears running down their cheeks the while; in the churches the pastors preached devotion to flag and country, and invoked the God of Battles beseeching His aid in our good cause in outpourings of fervid eloquence which moved every listener.

It was indeed a glad and gracious time, and the half dozen rash spirits that ventured to disapprove of the war and cast a doubt upon its righteousness straightway got such a stern and angry warning that for their personal safety's sake they quickly shrank out of sight and offended no more in that way.

Sunday morning came -- next day the battalions would leave for the front; the church was filled; the volunteers were there, their young faces alight with martial dreams -- visions of the stern advance, the gathering momentum, the rushing charge, the flashing sabers, the flight of the foe, the tumult, the enveloping smoke, the fierce pursuit, the surrender! Then home from the war, bronzed heroes, welcomed, adored, submerged in golden seas of glory! With the volunteers sat their dear ones, proud, happy, and envied by the neighbors and friends who had no sons and brothers to send forth to the field of honor, there to win for the flag, or, failing, die the noblest of noble deaths.

The service proceeded; a war chapter from the Old Testament was read; the first prayer was said; it was followed by an organ burst that shook the building, and with one impulse the house rose, with glowing eyes and beating hearts, and poured out that tremendous invocation

*God the all-terrible! Thou who ordainest! Thunder thy clarion and lightning thy sword!*

Then came the "long" prayer. None could remember the likes of it for passionate pleading and moving and beautiful language. The burden of its supplication was, that an ever-merciful and benignant Father of us all would watch over our noble young soldiers, and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work; bless them, shield them in the day of battle and the hour of peril, bear them in His mighty hand, make them strong and confident, invincible in the bloody onset; help them to crush the foe, grant to them and to their flag and country imperishable honor and glory --

An aged stranger entered and moved with slow and noiseless step up the main aisle, his eyes fixed upon the minister, his long body clothed in a robe that reached to his feet, his head bare, his white hair descending in a frothy cataract to his shoulders, his seamy face unnaturally pale, pale even to ghastliness. With all eyes following him and wondering, he made his silent way; without pausing, he ascended to the preacher's side and stood there waiting. With shut lids the preacher, unconscious of his presence, continued with his moving prayer, and at last finished it with the words, uttered in fervent appeal, "Bless our arms, grant us the victory, O Lord our God, Father and Protector of our land and flag!"

The stranger touched his arm, motioned him to step aside -- which the startled minister did -- and took his place. During some moments he surveyed the spellbound audience with solemn eyes, in which burned an uncanny light; then in a deep voice he said:

"I come from the Throne -- bearing a message from Almighty God!" The words smote the house with a shock; if the stranger perceived it he gave no attention. "He has heard the prayer of His servant your shepherd, and will grant it if such shall be your desire after I, His messenger, shall have explained to you its import -- that is to say, its full import. For it is like unto many of the prayers of men, in that it asks for more than he who utters it is aware of -- except he pause and think.

"God's servant and yours has prayed his prayer. Has he paused and taken thought? Is it one prayer? No, it is two -- one uttered, the other not. Both have reached the ear of Him Who heareth all supplications, the spoken and the unspoken. Ponder this -- keep it in mind. If you would beseech a blessing upon yourself, beware! lest without intent you invoke a curse upon a neighbor at the same time. If you pray for the blessing of rain upon your crop which needs it, by that act you are possibly praying for a curse upon some neighbor's crop which may not need rain and can be injured by it.

"You have heard your servant's prayer -- the uttered part of it. I am commissioned of God to put into words the other part of it -- that part which the pastor -- and also you in your hearts -- fervently prayed silently. And ignorantly and unthinkingly? God grant that it was so! You heard these words: 'Grant us the victory, O Lord our God!' That is sufficient. the *whole* of the uttered prayer is compact into those pregnant words. Elaborations were not necessary. When you have prayed for victory you have prayed for many unmentioned results which follow victory--*must* follow it, cannot help but follow it. Upon the listening spirit of God fell also the unspoken part of the prayer. He commandeth me to put it into words. Listen!

"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it -- for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

(*After a pause.*) "Ye have prayed it; if ye still desire it, speak! The messenger of the Most High waits!"

It was believed afterward that the man was a lunatic, because there was no sense in what he said.


-------
Twain apparently dictated this around 1904-05; it was rejected by his publisher, and was found after his death among his unpublished manuscripts. It was first published in 1923 in Albert Bigelow Paine's anthology, Europe and Elsewhere.

The story is in response to a particular war, namely the Philippine-American War of 1899-1902, which Twain opposed. See Jim Zwick's page "Mark Twain on the Philippines" for more of Twain's writings on the subject.

Twain’s opposition to incipient imperialism and American military intervention in Cuba and the Philippines, for example, were well known even in his own time. But the uncensored autobiography makes it clear that those feelings ran very deep and includes remarks that, if made today in the context of Iraq or Afghanistan, would probably lead the right wing to question the patriotism of this most American of American writers.

The Big Squeeze

What a week (April 15, 2013).  I don't know about you, but I'm overloaded with news.  I don't want this article to be another heavy weight of more information about Boston.  Instead, I want to focus about how the type of news we experienced last week puts pressure on us as a society (generally) and as humans (personally).  It doesn't take long to discover who we are as a nation and who we are as people when the pressure is on.  Pressure squeezes out of us the very thing that is hidden inside, the very thing that may not be exposed in normal circumstances (good or bad).

There have been some fearfully motivated comments made that have exposed the heart.  Despite the few, ignorant generalizations made by people of faith, it was heartening to read an article written by Saadie Farugi called Boston Attack a Test Case for Interfaith Relationship Building.

When referring to a Fox News guest's comments about killing all Muslims, he says "What was pleasantly surprising, however, was the fact that the general public wasn’t listening to the media this time. The average Joe – Christian, Jewish, even atheist – was refusing to give in to the Islamophobia."

I was encouraged to see my country coming together, when the squeeze was on, to embrace their fellow human being and ignore the voices of fear.  Saadie writes, "It seems to me that Americans have truly been making an effort to bridge the gap, learn about each other and stick together in trying times."

Jesus addressed the squeeze in Matthew 15 (10,11) when he said, "And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person."

Let others defile themselves with their fearful comments about other faiths.  I don't know about you, but CToBM chooses to rise above the Christianist, fear based attitude and make the effort to walk in compassion and understanding.  We are responsible for our heart, personally and as a country. 

"The price of greatness is responsibility." [Winston Churchill]

It's time to take responsibility for our lack of understanding of others and start, well, understanding.

By: Janet

A Poem - by CToBM member, Linda Thompson

Now you look at me with different eyes;

whom you once respected but now despise.

You cringe and say our affections are vile. 

Well, perhaps you should sit with us for a while.

You may be surprised by what you'd learn and see.

 But even if so, would you dare to tell me?

You fear I'm on a slippery slope, assuming I should feel no hope.

"You're just deceived", you proudly say, on your knees for me you'll pray; insisting this "depravity" must go away, and if it doesn't then you cannot stay.

You aren't interested in hearing ME.

The letter of the Law is all you see.

My worth has been tainted by pages that have been twisted by prejudice throughout the Ages.  Truth was perverted to perpetuate hate and used as a weapon to seal "sinners" fate.

God's grace is enjoyed as unmerited for you, but for me it'll only be given if it's due?

The gospel of Christ is Good News for you, but for me it's the expectation of Judgment to ensue?

Friend, where did your love for me go?

What happened to the compassion you claimed to show?

You care so deeply for the homeless and poor, but for the likes of "someone like me" you abhor?

You think you know what's wrong and what's right, and in condemning me you seem to find delight.

The stone in your hand, the scorn in your voice, withholding God's grace from me, that's YOUR choice.

It didn't have to turn out this way, and for your lack of mercy now I will pray.

I truly hope there will come a day when with humility and new sight you will say, "Forgive me for misrepresenting God's Love" and know that I'll indeed be with Him Above.  For He created me just as wonderfully as He did you, fashioned me with amazing purpose and callings, too.

My hand is extended, so is my heart. Will you care enough to reach back, even just in part?

Surely, the Body in harmony was His intended Art.  There's no reason why we can't serve Him in unity, for when He looks down on our diversity all He sees is....BEAUTY.


(if you have a story to tell, a poem to share, send us an email.  If it fits with our Page, we will post it)

Light Has No Sound

Unequally Yoked - New Meaning

Since creating "Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented", we've had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life.  Funny thing is, when you actually stop and get to know people, you start to realize that you have more in common than you thought.

To all my Christian friends out there, I'd like you to read the following scripture taken from 2 Corinthians 6:14.  It reads as follows, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?"

That scripture has compelled us to run away or turn away from anyone who makes the claim that they don't believe in God.  Yet, Jesus clearly instructs us to love our neighbor.  If we see someone who needs a shirt, give them your shirt.  He didn't instruct us to first ask what that person believed or didn't believe.  What if an Atheist gave the shirt instead?  Would Jesus rebuke him/her because they didn't accept Him as savior or believe in Him?  Of course not.  Love involves communication, interaction, and involvement - not rejection. 

I propose that being unequally yoked with unbelievers has new meaning in the 21st Century.  Do you believe that Christians and Atheists can have common ground?  Do you believe that everyone has the freedom to worship, or not worship, in this country?  Do you believe that the Lesbian, Homosexual, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender population should be given the same human rights in the pursuit of happiness as you do?  Do you believe in the separation of church and state as a way to protect everyone's religious and non-religious rights?

If you answered NO to any of those questions, then I propose that you are an unbeliever.  A believer is someone who isn't fearful of people who don't hold the same beliefs as you do, or don't believe, because you have confidence in your faith in Jesus Christ.  You understand that God is much bigger than the one Christianity defines.

What fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness?  Nothing.  Righteousness loves people enough to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find God in their own way or to allow everyone the freedom not to believe in a God.  Lawlessness takes place when you dictate, indoctrinate, mandate that everyone must believe exactly the way you do.  Lawlessness is fed by fear. 

What communion has light with darkness?  Nothing.  Light allows you to see the whole picture, the whole person, the true view of what is before you.  If you are in fear, it is because you don't see the whole picture - you are in darkness.

That brings me to the word "Secular".  In the Christian community, that word brings with it the connotation of evil, darkness, wickedness.  That's because not many of us Christians take the time to shed light on that word.

~ Sec·u·lar [sek-yuh-ler] - adjective - (1) of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests. (2) not pertaining to or connected with religion.

Does that mean someone who says they are secular (i.e. atheist, humanist, agnostic) have no values, no love, no compassion, no morals?  That's what most Christians think.  How blinded by darkness we are if that is what we think.  That's why CToBM has decided to partner with Be Secular.

"Be Secular" is not against religion.  They are against religion in government, religion being used to control the masses, discriminate against people, and as a shield for abuse.  They welcome anyone who can separate their personal faith/lack of faith from what is best for everyone....a secular government that neither favors nor condemns religion.  A secular government ensures that if a Muslim became President, they would not push that religion on the country.  If an Atheist became President, citizens would not be forced to renounce their faith.  It's that simple.

If you are a believer in ensuring that the United States of America protects the freedom of religion, the freedom to not believe in God, the freedom to be a nation of people with diversity, not dictated by Christianists, then take a moment and visit this link: http://www.besecular.com/CToBM.  If you buy a braclet or shirt, you will be making the above statement and 50% of the proceeds will be directed to CToBM.

** NOTE **  We have instructed Be Secular to direct our proceeds to Practical Christians.

** NOTE 2 ** Here is the link to The Practical Christian Radio Program, aired today, where Rev. Guy Lynch talks to the creators of Be Secular.  I called into the program too.  *smile*

Article written by CToBM creator, Janet

 

 

21st Century Reformation

Yes, we are Christians.  Just not the kind of Christians that have evolved into the 21st Century. We've chosen to put on new wine skins, ready to receive the new wine, lest we crack and come apart at the seams.  21st Century Reformation?   Absolutely!

Inspiration

We all need it.  To be inspired.  What inspires you?

Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented took a chance this last week and launched another Facebook Page dedicated to inspiring our Members.  It's called "Inspiration - for those outside the "BOX".

There are 100's of inspirational Facebook Pages out there.  That's why this is a "chance".  It may flop and that's okay.  Yet, we saw a gap that needed to be filled.

That gap is where many of our members live in.  You're living in the Gap if you call yourself a Christian, but don't want to associate yourself with the Christians you see in the media or on other Christian Facebook Pages.  You're not into the Kumbaya group, where life is all wonderful because of its exclusivity and everyone out there is going to hell because they don't look like you or act like you.

Maybe you grew up in "the church", but found it hypocritical or you were rejected there because you questioned something.  You now choose to identify yourself as an Atheist, Pagan, Theist, Agnostic, but deep within still find inspiration through thoughtful introspection.

A “BOX” is the limitation of conventionality.  You are living outside the limitations of Christian conventionality if;

• You question whether there is a “Hell” 
• You don’t accept the idea that there is only one way to God
• You understand that diversity is a strength, not a weakness
• You accept that God created Evolution
• You understand that the Bible isn’t inerrant
• You have come to realize that Homosexuality isn’t a sin as taught in the Christian church
• You don't believe that owning a gun is a God given right
• You acknowledge that America isn’t God’s chosen country
• You now realize that non-Christians won’t burn for eternity
• You consider everyone to be your brothers and sisters, not just those within the Christian faith

If this speaks to you, then you are living outside the "BOX".  You are not alone.  There are many of us out here.  Won't you join us?


 

Jesus, Hell and Arrogant Religion

If we are going to take Jesus seriously in our discussions and debates about heaven and hell and who goes where, then we need to see not only how Jesus talked about hell, but who he talked about it to, and we need to pay very close attention.  What we see may surprise us.

Although preachers and evangelists most often preach about hell to try to convert people to Christianity, it is highly significant that Jesus never tried to scare people into the kingdom of God by threatening them with hell.  The only people to which Jesus talked about hell were his own followers and to the self-righteous religious leaders of his day.  He never once threatened hell to an "outsider."  Not once.  He reserved threats of hell to religious "insiders," to shake them out of their spiritual complacency and their sense of religious superiority.

We often assume that heaven is for good people and that hell is for bad people.  But according to Jesus's message and ministry, it is the reverse: heaven is for bad people and hell is for "good" people. Heaven is for people who know they are in need of large doses of grace, while hell is for people who alienate themselves from God and others through the self-sufficiency and self-centeredness of their own pride (Luke 18:9-14).  Jesus didn't see those who were outside the bounds of proper religion as the ones in danger of hell.  He saw the ones on the inside as being in the most spiritual danger, because when we are on the inside, it is easy to become complacent and presumptuous and turn our focus on making judgments about others.

This is precisely what many of the Pharisees, the self-appointed spiritual and moral guardians of society, did in their day.  They were so sure of their insider status with God that they turned their energies towards using threats of hell to those who didn't measure up the way they did.  Jesus's teachings on hell took the Pharisees to task by turning their judgments back on themselves.  The threat of hell was used by Jesus, not primarily to encourage speculation about others in the world to come, but to encourage examination of our own lives here and how concerning all the ways in which our pride, greed, lust, anger, judgmentalism, and apathy may be leading us down a wide road to self-destruction. (Matt. 5:21-30; 7:13-14).

When it came to "outsiders," Jesus tried to love them into the kingdom of God.  Jesus did not try to convert people by threatening them or heaping guilt or shame on them, as did many of the Pharisees in his day and as many church leaders do today.  He tried to transform them by eating with them, by scandalously welcoming them into an unconditional embrace of love.  This shockingly inclusive compassion that Jesus showed to notorious and egregious sinners like tax collectors and prostitutes was what magnetically drew the crowds of ordinary people to him, and at the same time enraged the religious leaders to conspire against him.

I am convinced that we Christians have for too long preached about hell as the Pharisees did, not as Jesus did.  We have made it only about "them" then, not "us" now.  It is a tragic irony that so many of us Christians have become just like the people Jesus most strongly opposed.  I suspect Jesus doesn't find the irony very amusing.

By Rev. Heath Bradley

Adapted from Flames of Love: Hell and Universal Salvation 

Rev. Heath Bradley is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and blogs at: http://www.thesundaydrivehome.blogspot.com