Existential Punk

Meeting between Two Theological Giants

Pope Benedict XVI met with Swiss Rebel Theologian, Hans Kung as reported here . Kung was one of the Catholics who drafted Vatican II. He fell out of favor with the Vatican when he came out in controversy saying he did not believe in papal infallibility. He was not excommunicated but was forbidden to teach in Catholic institutions.

I am currently taking a class on the Introduction to Christian Tradition and we are using Kung's "Christianity". So far, I like what Kung says. I think he is rather progressive and fits in well in this postmodern/emerging movement quite well. There is a quote in the front of the book that I have starred and deeply resonate with as a follower of Jesus navigating through the 21st Century. What I believe is that another paradigm shift in the history of Christianity, that of shifting from modernity to postmodernity, is currently in process. It is something we emergent types are trying to figure out how  to navigate. I think the quote in Kung's book is apropos and serves as a rich place to reflect:

"THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION OF OUR TIME

                                Christianity

                        No peace amomg the nations
                    without peace among the religions.

                        No peace among the religions
                    without dialogue between the religions.

                        No dialogue between the religions
                    without investigation of the foundation of the religions."

At war against Gays, Again

The Vatican has decided to ban ALL gay men from joining the clergy. This includes celibate gay men, as reported on the website of BBC News.  I think this is a terrible injustice. The Catholic Church is concerned especially in light of all the recent sexual abuse scandals. Yet, as the article states, "But some Catholic leaders say there is no proof of any direct connection between the presence of gay clergy in the church's ranks and child abuse scandals."  This is just another conservative batallion polarizing people once again. We are in the 21st Century, so can't we move on?! One priest said, "They couldn't believe that after centuries of either explicit or implicit welcoming of celibate gay clergy that church would turn its back on them."  Some ar even considering leaving the priesthood, including both straight and homosexual priests.  Since the Vatican is making this sweeping decision, they had better rethink allowing women  into the priesthood, or else there may be no more Catholic priests some day.                    

PC way too far

According to the Baltimore Sun, Jesse Jackson and other African American leaders are calling the use of refugee for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina racist. Oh, brother, what a load of crap! According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, a refugee is "a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster." Therefore, the term is appropriate and not meant to put people of color down. Jesse Jackson is never happy unless he is complaining of racism or taking on some cause he has no business sticking his nose in.

Don't get me wrong. . .

Don't get me wrong, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina are the two most tragic events to occur in our great nation, especially in my lifetime. But, our country is so self-absorbed, like a drama queen. Television is inundated with almost 24/7 coverage of Hurricane Katrina. It was the same for 9/11 as I sat in shock and watched for myself. This rant is in no way meant to minimize what the precious people of the Gulf Coast are going through, having their lives devastated and changed forever. It's just that these kinds of things plus other atrocities committed against humanity at the hands of evil people have been going on forever. Darfur, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, and more, but I hardly see any news coverage on these stories on USAmerican cable and network news. We see celebrities coming together to raise money for the families of those killed on 9/11, for the Tsunami last January and they are coming together again to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. AWESOME! Yet 2 of those three things are USAmerica related. I only ask why we do not see more of this coming together to aid the children in the Sudan who are being kidnapped by the militias and forced to kill, to help in the fight against the selling of children into prostitution in India and Thailand and other places, and the poor people suffering under the terror of Mugabe in Zimbabwe. It seems to me that the war in Iraq has much to do with oil and our own self-interests. Whenever it affects the good ol' USA, then we are first in line to do whatever. It's alright to look out for yourself and, as a leader of a nation, for those you lead, but it should never be selfish and at the expense of others. I thank God for people like Bono and Brian McLaren, and places like Sojourners, Oxfam, and Amnesty International who are making inroads. Those on the fringe of the world's societies need more help, more advocates, more selflessness, and more involvement of people around the world, but especially from the wealthiest nation of the world. And, I am speaking to myself as well.

God, forgive me where I have criticized and not do my part to be a part of the solutions our world needs. Help me to be more aware and how to prioritize my time so that I can see where I am to participate. Please be with all the victims and their families as they wrestle with where their lives are going. Please make yourself known to them in this dire and dark time. Amen.

I'm Baaaaaccckkkkkkk!!!

Well, it certainly has been a crazy summer - Moving into my house, raising a puppy, dealing with my health, and getting ready to start Graduate school. I needed this hiatus but am very happy to be back in then flow of ranting again! i hope all of you out in blogland had a wonderful summer. Wishing you all a brilliant fall! Pax, Adele