post for 4/24

Woohoo! We have finally made it to the (almost) end of the semester. I am excited and nervous for what is to come, for this week, and for the next years. I realized that I only have a little over a year till I will graduate and that is sort of scary. This class has been very interesting. We have examined many interesting points of view that I had never even considered before. We have closely examined liberation theory, which is the idea that God stands with the oppressed, and that Jesus came to liberate the oppressed. I had never really thought about it in those terms, but I think it is hard to ignore this idea. It is hard to understand Jesus as not being a liberator for the oppressed after taking the class.

One of my favorite things about this class was our discussions. I felt they were always very civil and respectful. That made this class very enjoyable and even fun.  One of the most interesting discussions revolved around gay marriage. Not everyone agrees about this, but we still had very eye opening discussions around this topic. I learned that Adam comes from the word Adamah, which means from the earth and that this was a non-gendered creature that later became Adam and Eve.  When the Bible discusses  Adamah it uses the word that in Hebrew can mean mankind. When Eve was created Adam is referred to as exclusively male or husband. I had never heard this argument and was surprised to learn that even ancient Rabbis believed this. I will remember this information as I progress on my quest for equality for all.

I also really liked how we did not have tests in this class. This class lends itself very well to discussions and even to writing papers. I was very pleased to discover that we did not have any tests.  Sometimes, I felt the homework was a bit overwhelming, but I would rather do more homework and less tests, so I guess it worked out in the end. I felt that the paper was a good way for us to be able to reflect on our own beliefs.

I really enjoyed taking this class. It was insightful and eve, at times fun. I enjoyed listening to others and learning from their perspective. I would likely recommend this class to others, especially if they wanted to have to question their beliefs. I really enjoyed examining the Bible in new lights. I really enjoyed this class.

(PS this week has been really stressful for me, which is why I forgot to get this done on time. I am very sorry)

post for RFRA panel

Recently, the State of Indiana passes their version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It is a rather startling bill to protect people’s religious freedom. It is based on a federal bill (which by the way, many of the original signers have revoked their trust in this bill). However, there are many differences from the Indiana bill. The first difference is that, in order for RFRA to be implicated the government must be involved.

However, the Indiana bill will allow individuals to bring suit. Because (unlike in the federal government, and other states), sexuality is not a protected class, it will allow individuals to discriminate. This makes me feel very uncomfortable, I wonder where the line is drawn, and what else people will be able to discriminate for. For instance, I have blonde hair will people be able to discriminate against me because their religion says it is wrong to have blonde hair (hair color is also not a protected class). As ridiculous as it sounds, it seems possible to me that people could discriminate against me.

It is also makes me feel uncomfortable, as one person pointed out at the RFRA panel, it will be hard to explain this to our children. We must love everyone. We must provide a safe, happy place for everyone, including people that are not exactly like us. This is especially important to confer on to our children.

Now, I would like to attempt to turn my attention to the panel that happened last week.  I have to say, Dr. Ware’s argument that people who are more orthodox have the right to their religion. I hadn’t really thought about it from this perspective, but I do not think he is right. The problem is, when a person opens a business to the public, they do not get to determine who or what that public is. They do not have to break laws (which is why comparing conservative religious bakers to those who will not bake for the KKK a bit problematic), but you do not get to choose your public.  Also, no one has the right to force people to make them things. If an item is not on the menu, or say the restaurant keeps Kosher they do not have to make pork. So I think that arguing “Oh well Jews will be forced to break Kosher, and then spends THOUSANDS on a new stove” is a bit outlandish, no they won’t, breaking kosher is not on the menu. This will hold as long as they server everyone equally.  

Furthermore, there was discussion of the Pizza bakery in Marrian Indiana. Apparently, the fact that they were not in Indianapolis disproves that no one will discriminate against LGBT. Well, we are still in Indiana are we not? Oh okay, so then people in Indiana will discriminate okay great (PS don’t mess with Zoe Post, regarding the Bible).

This bill is so discerning to me. I think it goes too far. I think when we examine the context it seems clear that the bill was intended to allow for discrimination. I think the bill needs to be fixed (if it were me I would attach a bill creating a protected class for sexuality to a bill that no one was paying attention to, but that is just the political strategist in me). Really, I could say so much more about this. I am really disheartened by the course this country seems to be taking, which to me is absolutely backwards. 

post for 4/17/15

                Since I forgot to do this last week, I will discuss what we have been talking about for the last two weeks.

                Last week we finished our discussion of different viewpoints of the Bible. I read a Palestinian perspective on the Exodus story. This Palestinian was a Christian. His argument is that the Israeli Jews and the Palestinians must learn to work together; he argues that Palestinians must be allowed to love and respect their homeland. He argues that many Palestinians were born in Palestine and have a right to their homeland. This right is justified by the Bible. He also argues that western culture ignores the second exodus story, and that it should be given more attention.

                I also read a Native American perspective of the exodus story. They also argued that it is important to remember the second Exodus story. In many cases the Exodus story was used to oppress the Native Americans. It was used to conquer Native American lands. The west has often ignored the stories of those that they oppress. It is time for the west to recognize the harms that it has caused.

                It is important for the west to begin to recognize the problems that it has caused. The western culture has long been oppressive to other cultures. It has long been the problem and not the solution. IT is time for the west to recognize this and begin to take steps to fix the problems it has caused. The west must solve the problems that it has caused.

                Next, this week we began work on our group projects. I am a bit nervous about this because we will present the final products in front of people that I do not really know. I guess I am a bit afraid of being judged. Anyway, my group is researching “The Bible and Refugees”. We are researching what the Bible calls Christians to do regarding refugees. We will also do research regarding specific problems of refugees. We will do a case study of Palestinian refugees; this is a specific area of concern. This is because it is a modern day conflict, in modern day Israel, which has ancient origins. We will examine specific issues faced by Palestinian refugees. We will conclude by examining solutions for refugees and for states. The refugee problem should be solved in a way that ensures human dignity, human rights and human security, but also grantees state sovereignty.

                The last two weeks have been rather interesting. We have examined many perspectives that I have never thought of. We have also begun to do our group work; my group is doing the very interesting work of researching refugees. I am looking forward to continuing this work.

post for Seder dinner

                I have just returned from UE Hillal’s Seder dinner. This is a special diner that occurs during Passover. It is a special diner to remember the Israeli’s escape from slavery in Egypt. The Seder is a fifteen step process. Each step remembers a different aspect of the Israeli escape from slavery.  During Passover, Jews do not eat leavened bread and so the food, which is consumed in the 11^th stage, is often very yummy. We had Matzo ball soup and barbecue chicken, as well and apples.

                Throughout the whole dinner, I was struck by how welcoming the Jewish faith is. Over and over the Jews remember that not everyone is free. They remember that not everyone is equal, and that not everyone has food and water. Seder is a call to serve those people, as well as to remember their ancestors who escaped from slavery.  One of the stages of the Seder is to remember that the Egyptians suffered for them to be able to escape, the Jews do this by dipping their finger in the wine or grape juice, and placing the grape juice on a plate.  They remember that the Egyptians had to suffer as well, and they Egyptians are also God’s people.  Even though the Egyptians caused them to suffer, they pray for the Egyptians suffering. That philosophy and fundamental kindness is amazing to me.

                It is also interesting the amount of wine that is consumed. After the Seder was complete there was a question and answer period. It is interesting that there are Jewish events, or holidays were they drink until they cannot see straight. In the Seder they drink four cups of wine. That is so much alcohol. Methodist traditionally did not drink at all, we do not even use wine for communion, it is interesting to see wine used in religious festivals and celebrations.

                The Seder dinner is also interesting because there are many sections that are designed to teach children about the Seder. I like that the Jewish faith is particularly careful to teach children about their religion, and very careful to include children in their religious ceremonies. While, Methodist include children in religious ceremonies, such communion, there is never really a special investment. I think it is really cool.

                Seder dinner was a very cool experience. It reminds Jews of their escape from Egypt, but it also calls for action for the needy. Seder is also a time for friends and family to get together and have a good time and a good meal. It was a very interesting experience and I am so grateful that I got to experience it this year. 

post for 4/3/15

                This week we continued our discussion of world views and the Bible. It is very interesting to look at other interpretations of the Bible. It is also very important. It is important to understand other views, to better understand our own.

                 We also read an article concerning the spread of HIV/Aids. Many people believe that disease, including AIDS is a punishment from God. They take this view from the book of Proverbs, which says that being Godly will ensure reward. However, the book of Ecclesiastes seems to argue that life is fleeting and that it does not matter. However, the book of Job is in direct conflict with the book of Proverbs. It outlines the story of Job who was a very upstanding man. The devil challenged God to remove Job’s blessings, and challenge Job. God wanted to see if Job would remain faithful.  Through all of his pain Job remained faithful. This seems to illustrate that suffering is not kin to punishment. In other words, just because life is not exactly as you planned, does not mean that you are in conflict with God. This gives hope to people suffering with AIDS, because they should understand that God is not in conflict with them, they are simply suffering a disease.

                People must change their view of AIDS. AIDS is construed as a punishment, all though this hardly makes sense. Africa is the poorest continent, yet the most afflicted. It does not make sense. God would not choose to wipe out an entire continent. Furthermore AIDS does not affect only people who broke one of God’s laws. AIDS in fact can affect everyone.  The fact that AIDS alone affects everyone is sign enough that it is not punishment. Also, AIDS affects women who have done nothing wrong other then be raped. Raped is already enough suffering God would not choose to punish people for being rapped. AIDS can also affect children. Children have done nothing wrong, and are not being punished. This would be hardly fair.  We must change our perception of AIDS as a punishment. AIDS is not a punishment, but rather a disease that can and does affect everyone.

                AIDS is a horrible disease. It can affect everyone, at anytime. The book of Job seems to suggest that suffering, especially disease and poverty is not necessarily a punishment. It is simply just a fact. Sometimes are afflicted with disease and humans must take care of each other, and must fight to end the horrible AIDS epidemic.

post for 3/27/15

                This week we began discussing world views of the Bible. Obviously, people who experienced colonization, or whose ancestors experienced colonization read and interpret the Bible differently than those who have not. It is possible to experience colonization as a colonizer or as the colonized. Post-colonial interpretation of the Bible is the newest interpretation.

                It is very important to promote other readings of the Bible. It is important to examine other perspectives of the Bible and to learn different perspectives. As a person of European decent it is important to remember that the Europeans where pretty horrible to the rest of the world. It is important that often, the whites where not the first people in an area. The white people often trampled on other cultures and ideas. They often exterminated nonwhite culture. Now, it is time to recognize the beauty and wonder of other cultures. It is time to apologize for the harm. It is time for nonwhite culture to shine. I think that people should be exposed to other nonwhite cultures. It will help people to discover more about themselves and about their beliefs. It is important to remember that for others, the European view is not the right view, it is not the productive view, and it is not the proper view. It is important to accept other’s views in order to fully accept other’s in to the church.

                Next, it is also important to recognize the harms of colonization. It is important to recognize that colonization eradicated peoples and cultures. In order to right this wrong, we must begin to recognize other interpretations. We must bring other cultures in to the fold. And European cultures must recognize the harms that they caused. In order to properly do this, they must listen. In order to truly listen they must observe and reflect on other cultures, including post-colonial interpretations of the Bible.   

                So, the Europeans did horrible things to the people that they concurred and colonized. They destroyed several cultures, or at least suppressed them. It is now time to fix these mistakes. It is time to listen and observe other cultures. It is time to understand that the European interpretation is not the only one. For many people the European interpretation is simply wrong.  It is not productive, it is not helpful and many may even view it as harmful. It is time for the Europeans to recognize other interpretations and to recognize the harms that they caused. 

post for 3/20/15

                This week we discussed debt and the Bible. The Bible instructs the rich to lend to the poor. This commandment can be found in Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus though the amount of responsibility varies. The Bible speaks exclusively to the rich and not to the poor. In fact, the Bible does not give much voice to the poor. It gives clear and meaningful instructions to the wealthy but does not give a voice to the poor. The Bible does not consider what it was like to be poor in ancient times. It does not consider the life of the poor.

                This is a clear call to the wealthy. The wealthy must help the poor. The Bible is addressed to the wealthy. The Bible does not address not becoming poor; rather it addresses what to do for the poor.  This can be applied to modern day. The Bible demands that the wealthy take care of the poor. In modern day, we must take care of the poor. The rich must support the poor; the wealthy countries must support the poorer countries. The Bible also demands that creditors relieve debt. In our society we should implement this policy. Debt should be relieved periodically. No one should be forced into lifelong debt because they dared to go to college or bought a house or a home. The US government should mandate a limit on all public and private loans.

                This process is necessary. It is often difficult to pull yourself out of poverty if you are always in debt. It may be hard to get more loans, because the person may have bad credit. This could mean that they cannot gain access to housing or necessities because they may not be able to pay.

                There are also several other necessities for the poor that must be addressed. For instance more and more companies are moving to automated pay checks. This means that companies directly deposit money into their employee’s accounts. However, a person must actually have an account. Often, in order to get an account a person must have a permanent address. If a person is homeless they do not have a permanent address.  Also, a person often must have an initial deposit. If a person does not have a job they may not have an initial deposit. There for people who are homeless cannot open accounts. Because they cannot open accounts they cannot get jobs. This creates a never ending cycle of poverty. There are stories and problems like this.

                Poverty and debt is a significant problem that still plaques our society. As a society we must address this problem. We must recognize that everyone has a duty or obligation to take care of their fellow humans. After all, the Bible demands that we take care of each other.