Progressive United Church of Christ (UCC) Feed by IPC

CrossLeft blogs: Theology Panel conference call on Tuesday, October 14th, 8:30 EDT

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:54:07 -0600

I would like to invite all those interested to the next Theology Panel conference call on Tuesday, October 14th, 8:30 EDT. To particpate call 1-218-339-2500, use 727705* as your access code.

The panel seeks to provide a progressive Christian theology to our our activist work in achieving social justice.

We have had several lively discussions thus far, and the value of those discussions can be enhanced with continued participation.

The agenda for the discussion is always open to amendment, but I would propose that we bick up last month's un-addressed topic:
2 Views of God: strict father vs nurturant parent.

To refress our collective memory:
"I just re-read an article by George Lakoff wherein he states his belief that the difference between conservative and progressive Christianity is whether God is seen as a strict father or a nurturant parent.

CrossLeft blogs: Let's discuss debate tonight here

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:49:19 -0600

let's discuss here!

CrossLeft blogs: The Question Catholics Must Ask Sarah Palin

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:27:23 -0600

Originally posted at Talk to Action.

Bruce Wilson and Ruth have reported here at Talk to Action about Alaskan Governor and GOP Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's ties to the Wasila Assemblies of God Church, a congregation involved with the Latter Rain (aka the New Apostolic Reformation) - an international network that views Catholicism as one of several "corrupt religious systems."

CrossLeft blogs: Why Crossleft Has Been Important To Me

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:42:53 -0600

It's been a year now that I've been in Crossleft, a Progressive Christian site. Why have I stayed? For the most part it's because Crossleft dovetails my two prevailing interests: an interest in liberal and progressive politics and an interest in a more progressive Christianity. I've learned a lot from reading the bloggers in this site. A few years ago I was in a painful church conflict that really shook my faith in God and Christianity. A small part of me though, still wants to believe in God and Jesus, so I've embarked in these past few years to try to figure out what parts of this Christian faith do I still believe. During this time, I found Crossleft. I've always felt that Crossleft has been like a Godsend to me.

In order to better understand why, a little of my history is in order.

CrossLeft blogs: Olbermann's Special Comment on Palin

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:38:42 -0600

Great lead in to our petition. Be sure to sign it: http://www.crossleft.org/node/6557

The Christian Agnostic: Palin Pals With Her Own Home-Grown Terrorists

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:32:00 -0600

It's no secret that Sarah Palin has had an abusive past in her relationship with facts – but as I learned in the newsroom, it's never wise to let the facts get in the way when there's a good story to tell. Palin's latest fact-light charge is that Barack Obama is "palling around" with terrorists because of a tenuous link to William Ayers, founder of the violent Weather Underground in the late Candace Chellew-Hodgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17318466652462866480noreply@blogger.com

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Why Won't John McCain Release All His Medical Records?

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:49:23 -0600

John McCain is not a young man. Age by itself shouldn't be a factor in voting. But the Republican nominee has had cancer and has chosen a running mate who clearly isn't qualified to be president.

Health is an issue with McCain and as Frank Rich writes in The New York Times it is an issue that hasn't be fully examined:

Back in May, you will recall, the McCain campaign allowed a select group of 20 reporters to spend a mere three hours examining (but not photocopying) 1,173 pages of the candidate’s health records on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Conspicuously uninvited was Lawrence Altman, a doctor who covers medicine for The New York Times. Altman instead canvassed melanoma experts to evaluate the sketchy data that did emerge. They found the information too “unclear” to determine McCain’s cancer prognosis.
read more

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Why Won't John McCain Release All His Medical Records?

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:49:02 -0600

John McCain is not a young man. Age by itself shouldn't be a factor in voting. But the Republican nominee has had cancer and has chosen a running mate who clearly isn't qualified to be president. Health is an issue... The Rev. Chuck Currie

CrossLeft blogs: McCain: A Short Bio

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:06:12 -0600

Rolling Stone just came out with a 10 page biography on McCain.It is interesting reading.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_re...

The article makes the point that McCain is strangely a lot like George W. Bush. Born into American royalty, a screw up and loser himself ,but with big ambitions to exceed his Father and Grandfather, and now through strange twists of fate, he has the opportunity.

CrossLeft blogs: Press Release: Catholic Democrats Corresponds with Pastors Across Ohio to Keep Parishes Safe from Divisive Politics

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:11:05 -0600

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 5, 2008
Media Contacts:
media@catholicdemocrats.org
Ph: 617/817-8617

Catholic Democrats Corresponds with Pastors Across Ohio to Keep Parishes Safe from Divisive Politics

Letter Publicizes US Bishops' Guidelines

Cincinnati, OH - Catholic Democrats, an organization that advances the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching within the Democratic Party and in the public square, has corresponded with all Catholic pastors in Ohio this weekend encouraging them to keep their parishes safe and free from disruption by divisive partisan politics during this presidential election campaign. In a letter faxed to, and received by, more than 600 Ohio parishes in advance of "Respect Life Sunday," the Catholic Democrats wrote to support the pastors who found themselves inundated this weekend by conservative organizations and representatives from the McCain campaign who have used the divisive issue of abortion to polarize Catholics for political gain. In 2004 it was well documented that the Bush Campaign employed similar tactics in Catholic parishes to their advantage.

CrossLeft blogs: Updated Features on CrossLeft

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:23:21 -0600

I finally had some time this weekend to get some of our functionality up to date on CrossLeft. We've brought back some old functionality, updated some existing functions and brought in some new features that I hope you will appreciate.

CrossLeft blogs: Wall Street's amorality and the current financial mess. An actual easy solution, newly put in place.

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:50:58 -0600

Amoral 1. Neither moral or immoral. 2. Not caring about right or wrong.

If Sen. Obama wants to yet again administer a coup de grace, this time on economic policy, and prove once more he is a Christian, let him quote 1 Timothy 6:10, which begins "For it is the love of money that is the root of all evil--." It is not money but the love of it that corrupts the human soul, with all the greed and power that comes with it.

We are given at birth with both a free will and the responsibility for the consequences of our freely taken actions. In the financial community, i.e. on Wall Street this seems to mean that they can create any exotic product they can concieve, take all the profits, bank it off shore to avoid paying taxes on it, hire lobbyists to; limit any taxes they might have to pay to 15% and pressure govenment to not regulate these new products. In addition, they beleive if the financial community grows so big that if it fails they can fall back on Uncle Sam to bail them out, insuring that failure to do will have catastrophic consequences for the overall economy. A sort of "economic black mail."

It's like they can go to 'Vegas, play the crap tables, keep all private winnings and pass the losses off onto the public. If caught, they take Golden Parachutes and escape any hardships, any penalities for their bad bets.

CrossLeft blogs: Obama Must Ride Out the Storm

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:52:56 -0600

I keep getting outlandish emails attacking Obama. I find it amazing that he continues to endure countless smear campaigns, rumors and out right lies about his faith, his wife, his past associations, his platform and his intentions. In spite of the intensifying hellish fury of his opponents, he is actually leading in the latest polls. Is that evidence of God's powerful and sustaining hand?

It is my Republican friends that send me this kind of stuff. I have never received anything besmirching the character of John McCain or his wife even though they are both potentially huge targets with some obvious vulnerabilities. It seems the more liberal folks are generally taking the higher ground and the conservatives continue in the Karl Rove approach that operates from a mentality of fear, lies and distortions. This is the Party that gains the support and endorsement of many of my Christian friends? I honestly don't get it. Is it because the Republicans lend empty lip service to being anti-abortion and anti-gay?

CrossLeft blogs: Frank Capra and the Populist Film

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:07:57 -0600

One of the hallmarks of Christmas since I was a child has been watching It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s a great film, one that makes me appreciative of my friends and family. The director of It’s A Wonderful Life is Frank Capra, one of the finest directors of the 1930s and 1940s. One of the things that I love about the Capra films is the love that Capra has for the average American and it’s extolling of the values of American community. The characters are fun, energetic and humble, and they have supportive and loving family and friends. The optimism and sentimentality in these films though are balanced by a willingness to look at the harsher aspects of American life. Frank Capra’s films offer us a look at how Americans viewed themselves in the Roosevelt era, and they influence how we would like America to be today.

CrossLeft blogs: Neither Candidate Blinked, But She Winked

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:47:34 -0600

The Vice Presidential debate revealed that Palin and Biden were obviously well coached on every subject. Her tactic of ignoring questions and dropping into rehearsed monologues didn't work for me. Whether it's prepared notes in front of her or a teleprompter, she proved once again that, like most Americans, she can read. I don't expect her to be giving many more live interviews that require thinking on her feet or spontaneous answers.

Considering the magnitude of the event and knowing that millions were watching, I don't think she helped or hurt the ticket. Biden on the other hand, was crisp, poised, demonstrated a deep grasp of the issues and defended the top of the ticket well while effectively linking McCain to the failed policies of Bush. He did a good job skewing the mythical "Maverick" moniker Palin likes to refer to. He also underscored the fact that McCain has not put forth any detailed policy proposals for significant change on any issue. This point needs to be perpetually emphasized for the remainder of the campaign because it demonstrates the "more of the same" reality of the Republican nominee.

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Why Joe Biden Won The Debate

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:02:12 -0600

Joe Biden clearly won the debate tonight. He was more informed on the issues and obviously the Obama / Biden platform is more progressive and in tune than anything Governor Palin offered the American people. The governor simply isn’t qualified to be president and John McCain is wrong on the big issues. Her biggest achievement tonight was that she didn’t fall down or offer any horrendous blunders (except perhaps lauding Dick Cheney). What the Republicans needed tonight was a huge victory and instead Senator Biden offered Americans compelling reasons to vote for Barack Obama.

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Why Joe Biden Won The Debate

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:02:02 -0600

CrossLeft blogs: VP Debate?

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:31:27 -0600

Any thoughts on the VP debate?

Lets discuss?

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): "Church Leaders Counter Economic Crisis With Faith"

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:14:36 -0600

NPR.org got in touch with me eariler this week with questions about the economic crisis and my recent sermon on that topic. Here's the story that resulted:

NPR.org, October 2, 2008 · There's financial tumult all around and people are thirsty for answers. Across America, religious leaders prophesy and preach about ways to deal with the roller-coaster crisis. And they counsel congregants who have deep questions, unquenchable anxieties.

Trinity Church on Wall Street sits smack dab at the epicenter of the financial cosmos. Brokers, traders and "masters of the universe" fill its pews. The Rev. Anne Mallonee says the Episcopal church — with a 900-household membership — is seeing a definite increase in attendance. Especially on weekdays, when people from the financial district drift in for services, for solace and for solitude.
read more

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): "Church Leaders Counter Economic Crisis With Faith"

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:12:18 -0600

NPR.org got in touch with me eariler this week with questions about the economic crisis and my recent sermon on that topic. Here's the story that resulted:NPR.org, October 2, 2008 ?? There's financial tumult all around and people are thirsty... The Rev. Chuck Currie

CrossLeft blogs: US Catholic bishops condemn US immigration raids

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:24:16 -0600

This is a bit of an older story but still a very prevalent issue that still has not been addressed. These raids should be condemned for the atrocities that they cause and continue to cause among undocumented workers!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080910/ts_alt_afp/usvotepoliticsreligionim...

Wed Sep 10, 7:36 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Roman Catholic bishops on Wednesday charged that immigration raids on US workplaces break up families and disrupt communities, without addressing the country's flawed immigration system.

"The humanitarian costs of these raids are immeasurable and unacceptable in a civilized society," Bishop John Wester, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committee on migration, said.

"I call upon the Department of Homeland Security and President (George W.) Bush to reconsider the use of these worksite enforcement raids, and without the implementation of necessary human rights protections, to please abandon them," he told a news conference.

CrossLeft blogs: Homelessness?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:35:44 -0600

I joined LinkedIn earlier this year but never got all that involved with it. I of course added the group CrossLeft based on Kety's invite and while there decided to check out other groups that were available within the site LinkedIn.

I went to the "groups" section and typed in homelessness (in search of groups that support 'human' homelessness) and what did I find? Well I can tell you that there are a lot citizens out there that are very, very concerned about dogs and cats and not so much so for men, women and children! Seriously there must have been a ratio of 3 to 1 that is for every 3 'shelters' there was maybe 1 group designated for the homeless. We as a society have turned our backs for far too long on these forgotten men, women and children that many of us probably walk by every day.

I recently read a post on here about how Progressive groups lack organization and the ability well simply put...to get things done. Let me worry about that...

I have already reached out too and communicated with a grassroots organization located in Chicago. They have had much success with helping the homeless on the Upper West Side over the past 3 years and I would like to use their success as a model to develop something here (Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC regions) and possibly in / near your geography as well.

CrossLeft blogs: A familiar name..."NCLR Death Threat Punished in Court of Law"

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:57:44 -0600

I have read a lot recently about the hatred and venom being spewed by 'special interest' groups and even our main stream media. If I remember correctly I believe the FBI has shown an increase of 35% in hate crimes this year and over 25% in California alone. This increase is a direct result of the deep underlying racism that exists in America and it's also directly tied to the ongoing debate on immigration that tends to be marginalized by the main stream media oulets and therefore termed 'normal' if not expected behavior. I'm happy to see that something, however small, at least something has been done to show that this type of behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Unfortunately, I doubt that this story will make the main stream media feeds so I'm glad that there are bloggers and journalists out there reporting on these topics. Though not that ironic that this guy is actually a son of a first generation immigrant after all unless you're Native American we are ALL (yes that includes all of you Caucasians out there as well) ALL descendants of immigrants!

Here is the post I am referring to in the headline, Kety Esquivel writes...

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Did This Governor Attend High School?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:19:41 -0600

You've got to be kidding. Really. I mean, oh my God. No one could possibly take her seriously. Besides Phyllis Schlafly.

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Did This Governor Attend High School?

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:19:33 -0600

You've got to be kidding. Really. I mean, oh my God. No one could possibly take her seriously. Besides Phyllis Schlafly. The Rev. Chuck Currie

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Don't Vote

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:53:06 -0600

Or, you know, do.

The Rev. Chuck Currie (UCC): Don't Vote

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:52:58 -0600

Or, you know, do. The Rev. Chuck Currie

CrossLeft blogs: Speaking Truth to Power

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:37:49 -0600

Barack Obama didn't call Sarah Palin a pig by using the expression "lipstick on a pig" but when the Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, he effectively called her a dog when he said, "It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs." (Matthew 15:26) And this after Matthew reported on Jesus' own view that what goes in the mouth doesn't defile a person, but what comes out of the mouth does. Perhaps Palin and McCain would accuse Matthew of "gotcha journalism" but I think the rest of us can plainly see the contradiction in Jesus' own position. Certainly the Canaanite woman saw it as well as she pressed the issue to the point of reminding Jesus of his own understanding of his mission to serve the least, the last, and the lost (even the dogs get the scraps).

CrossLeft blogs: Jesus Says Lou Dobbs is a Goat

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:32:41 -0600

This morning I received an email from a dear friend with the attached video of Lou Dobbs talking about certain features of an immigration bill being considered. Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxwR26HnW5s

Here is my response to my friend and this editorial...

Dear friend,

I am not familiar with the legislation that Dobbs is referring to. I am familiar with this man's rabid hateful position he takes on the idea of any form of amnesty for the illegals living in the shadows of our land. So, I am skeptical of his ability to present a fair or truthful editorial on this matter.

The truth is, amnesty in some form is the only workable solution to what we currently face. Estimates of upwards of twelve million men, women and children are currently here living and working illegally. Some, like Lou Dobbs, advocate rounding them all up and sending them back to wherever they came from or even imprisoning them. On the surface that might seem like the best thing, but it would not only be impractical, but impossible and inhumane.

CrossLeft blogs: Apathy?????

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:23:44 -0600

Apathy?

Let me preface this diatribe by stating that I mean no offense to those of you to whom the following statements do not apply. If offense is taken, I would urge you to examine yourself for the root of that offense.
The progressive Christian movement is growing. There are new individuals, congregations and organizations appearing frequently. On the other hand, many of us seem content to identify ourselves as progressive and remain silent. Sure, we join groups like The Center for Progressive Christianity, CrossLeft, and Progressive Christians Uniting, et al. We click the “join this group” buttons on Facebook. Then what? Is it enough that we identify ourselves as Progressive Christians, and rest in the knowledge that we have found a spiritual home without inviting others to the nurturing environments that we have found?