The Conversation is Changing, Part 1
There are two important ways the religious conversation in America is changing and needs to keep changing.
First, we need changes in the way we address our points of controversy and conflict. Two cases in point:
Abortion - thirty-plus years of pro-life versus pro-choice debate have gotten us nowhere. Nothing has changed. Polarization paralyzes, and that's worse than a stalemate, because huge amounts of money, energy, and loyalty have been expended that could have been invested more profitably differently or elsewhere. So now, the conversation is shifting from abortion criminalization to abortion reduction. That, to me, is an encouraging sign. People can be both against abortion and against criminalization, and they can be both for choice and for reduction. The old, hard-bitten categories may soon be identified as part of the problem. Where can this shift in conversation lead?
Homosexuality - the conversation is shifting from how laws can be used to marginalize, shame, disadvantage, and otherwise express disapproval of homosexuality (or the opposite) to how gay and lesbian people - who probably make up about six or seven percent of the population, and always have, and always will (estimates range from three to ten percent)-- should be treated in a civil society, and how people who disagree on the issue of gay marriage can avoid polarizing, paralyzing discourse that goes nowhere constructive. I anticipate (thinking of Melissa Etheridge's beautiful insights on the subject) that the conversation will continue to shift to how the glbt and straight communities can work together for the common good in critical areas of peace, poverty, and care for our planet.
But there's another way the conversation is shifting, and it is probably even more important. (stay tuned)
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green energy update
For those interested in alternative energy (as we all should be!) ... here's a new development in a vertical axis wind turbine, presented by Jay Leno.
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Countdown Day 32
No, we are reassessing as a humble act of ethical responsibility…. We are in fact following the example of our ancestors, who again and again from the margins did this very kind of collective self-examination and repenting. (27)
From A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (available February 9, 2010)
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women’s convergence …
Emergent Village just announced a gathering organized by some good friends for whom I have great respect ... Highly recommended!
It's for you if ...
If you are a woman who is drawn to or longs for:
* a way of leading that creates open space for all,
* sisters to journey and quest with,
* friends to stand in solidarity with,
If you are a woman who:
* lives in the tension and the beauty of embracing the ordinary as holy,
* values the redemptive power of story
* values learning from others, listening well, asking questions
Leadership in the Round
More after the jump, and links at emergentvillage.com.
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Countdown Day 33
We have created many Christianities up to this point, and they call for reassessment and, in many cases, repentance. We are not reassessing for the purpose of vilifying our ancestors in the faith or in order to contrast a dark, backward “them” with an enlightened, progressive “us,” snarkly implying that they got it wrong all along and (insert trumpet fanfare here) we have finally got it right after all these years. (27)
From A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith (available February 9, 2010)
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