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A Church Beyond Belief

A Place of Acceptance

3/27/2015

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As a guitarist strummed light melodies, an older man and a younger woman took seats before the room. At round tables, groups of three and four people chatted while sipping coffee or tea. Conversation subsided as a man rose to introduce the woman and the man. They smiled, then with an attentive audience, the man began to read.

His voice cracked repeatedly. There was pride as he shared his new volume of poems. There also was nervousness as he spoke. His writing was appealing; what it revealed was arresting. Sometimes indirectly, sometimes bluntly, he told bits of his life. Now in his ninth decade, there were assorted missteps along with joys and achievements. He told his story. When he stopped, all rose and applauded.

So also the young woman. Far fewer decades produced no less honesty and power. Again there was applause and some tears. She also dared to tell her story, neither emphasizing nor avoiding painful times. But the telling, and the embracing response, offered a hopeful way forward for all who were there.

The reading occurred in a church basement that briefly became a coffee shop. Both the man and the woman had won acclaim for their poetry and listeners came from afar. But the two poets, so different and yet so alike, were church members. Their readings on their spiritual turf were not accidental. They spoke of struggles toward faith, personal journeys that continued. For each the church offered insight and direction, encouragement and hope. Neither was surprised this was the case.

The church must be where we can tell our stories and find acceptance. Not judgment, but direction; no rebuke but guidance. Affirmed when our true self shines through. Perhaps the church also must learn to tell its story in a way that we can journey together. 




William L. Sachs

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A Strange Religious Unity

2/24/2015

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More than ever, religion seems to be the source of conflict. Long-standing “culture wars” between conservatives and liberals have become entrenched. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and every major religion have felt the impact. Fault lines have appeared over interpretations of scripture, moral standards, leadership, and doctrine. Bitter division is widespread.

The result has been a readiness to divide and to vilify opponents. Oddly there is a common source for these religious fractures. Liberal or conservative, there is widespread emphasis on religious authenticity, on claims for pure belief and practice. There is also a readiness to condemn those who disagree. The mix of narrow standards and rejection of difference has escalated. Opportunities to reconcile are hard to find.

Authentic religion for some represents literal interpretation of scripture or tenacious loyalty to certain dogmas. Authentic religion for others promises inclusion or emphasis on social justice. But whether strict norms or adaptation to new cultural circumstances are your emphasis, the logic is the same. My side has the authentic faith, yours doesn’t.

Yet there are odd and welcome opportunities for unity. Recently a few Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders from Richmond, Virginia traveled together to the Middle East. It could have been uncomfortable for a rabbi visiting Jordan, and an imam in west Jerusalem.

But there was generous hospitality everywhere. And the group found common ground. There was little reference to doctrine; there was much reference to families and to issues facing central Virginia. We assumed we were moderates, or such a trip would not have worked.

We also assumed each of us intends to be faithful. But by being together we found we could be authentic together without competition. Often we taught each other. More often we laughed and shared experiences. It was not difficult. It was the benefit of being together. “Love of God and love of neighbor” came alive.

William L. Sachs 

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Terrorism’s Multiplier Effect

1/27/2015

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On the heels of the Paris terrorist attacks, two Japanese nationals were captured in territory claimed by ISIS. Days ago, one of them was executed. The aftermath of the shocking events has featured speculation about the extent of terrorism globally and the extent of youthful disaffection that fuels it. Many regions have gone on alert and fear of further attacks is rampant.

Tributes paid to the deceased have been heartening. A heartening resolve has surfaced, dramatized by world leaders linking arms in Paris. In public view, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders were united. But they and their nations face a severe challenge. It goes beyond worries about deterring further attacks. As profound as those worries are, there is a more diffuse threat from terrorism. Incidents such as the execution of hostages and the Paris murders have a multiplier effect.

Media, and social media, make distant events immediate. Talk of terror networks and sleeper cells seizes our imaginations. A primal fear of being attacked creeps into our thoughts. Some of us respond by succumbing to prejudice. We vilify all Muslims and declare they intend to take over our cities and our lives. Fear overwhelms reason. We imagine that more than a billion Muslims seem committed to our demise. Desperate to fight fear, some resort to prejudice.

The same fear can prompt withdrawal. Far removed from Paris, we can become wary of people who are different, reluctant to venture from familiar confines. We burden daily routine with steps intended to reassure. More locks, restricted movements, fretful glances, home security systems can appear. All bespeak withdrawal in response to fear.

By fanning fear, terrorism wins. Horribly, people were murdered; now millions resort to prejudice or withdrawal. The meaning of the term is now apparent: people are feeling terrorized.

Instead people of faith must refuse to diminish ourselves because of our fear. We combat terrorism by standing firm, by living our lives fully. Then, we win.

William L. Sachs 



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Does Religion Endorse Free Speech? 

1/9/2015

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The horrific murders of French journalists have prompted widespread condemnations by religious leaders. Religion is in the vortex. “Charlie Hebdo,” the magazine where terrorist violence erupted, has tweaked religious sensibilities repeatedly. Islam has been featured but not singled out. The murders apparently reflect offense given to militants.

French Muslim leaders, and Muslims generally, immediately condemned the murders. But on CNN, Fareed Zakaria speculated this was a tepid response. He suggested that mainstream Muslims may diminish their condemnation because of the extent of “Charlie Hebdo’s” satire. The magazine has published cartoon likenesses of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims shun visual depiction of the Prophet and iconography in general.

As a Christian, I mourn another extremist assault, this time on journalists. This is a complete misuse of religion, as well as an assault on free speech. At the same time, I am uncomfortable with mockery of any religion. The lives of believers, in their most profound aspects, are shaped by their faith. Mockery of one’s faith readily provokes indignation. It is an attack on one’s identity, one’s values and worth. No one sits comfortably with being insulted.

But freedom of speech benefits, rather than hinders, religion. It includes my freedom to worship and to announce my convictions publicly. Sensitivities collide because we live in an age of dramatically differing ideals and faiths. One person’s ideal is another’s threat.

The exchange of ideas, including critical challenge, is vital. Religious life cannot be immune; it must be honed in public. If my faith contains truth, it will be enhanced, not tarnished, by debate and even mockery. Religion requires the light of truth.

Religious people must grieve the violent deaths in Paris. We must oppose any attempt to silence. We welcome public debate. We need “Charlie Hebdo.”

William L. Sachs 

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Seasons of Hope

12/23/2014

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There is an ancient place beside a dry riverbed. Several thousand years ago crowds of people went there. Although located in a scrubby, barren area, countless people found hope there. A strange man named John the Baptist once preached there. He declared that people could be forgiven and could find hope. Even Jesus went to John, and like many others was baptized. Countless people were drawn by the promise of hope.

It is called Bethany. It is near the Jordan River, on the border between Israel and Jordan. The area became a battleground and was forgotten. Then, twenty years ago, the government of Jordan began to recover it. Scientific teams dug and found ancient steps leading down to the river. On a nearby wall thousands of tiny crosses scratched in stone marked the many baptisms. Now people again go there for prayer and baptism. Hope is being reborn.

Holiday seasons are supposed to times of hope. More is involved than having time off to relax. Holidays, and especially Christmas, surface our deep dreams. We want to believe something better is possible. Yet, at this time of year, we buy, clean, and prepare in a frenzy. We believe that hope will surface if we do the right things.

The hope of the holiday season does not require us to do more. Holidays, especially Christmas, are times of grace. We are loved not for what we do, but for who we are. Christians believe that genuine love is simply given. Like Jesus being born, it is a gift that we can receive and share.

The ancient pilgrims who went to Bethany stepped out of their ordinary lives to find new and better life. They received the gift of hope. In our own day, the same is possible for us. 

William L. Sachs 


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