Rainbow Sash Movement

Our Canadian neighbors to the north in Ontario are preparing to go to the polls in the October 10 provincial election. The two questions that Canadian’s must face are, “is religion relevant when it comes to respecting individual’s rights or conscience?” Is it permissible for any religion to promote social violence in name of “Freedom of Religion against different groups in society?” These are the same questions the United States will eventually have to address because of our growing and diverse population.

The Canadian elections will be pitting homophobic socio/politico/religious forces against the anti-homophobic forces. The Catholic hierarchy, and most Christian Church’s in Canada have chosen darkeness in this debate, and not illumination. Their arguments are based on fear and bigotry. The question of abortion has been thrown into the debate, like a child throws a baby rattle out of a crib, with as much thought.

I would remind my fellow Christians in Canada the Christian faith has been used to justify slavery, genocide, sexism, and in more recent years, discrimination against the physically and mentally challenged. Where is the compassion and love in this whole debate? The forces of doom and gloom would have you think that giving GLBT people equal footing under the law, with their straight brothers and sisters will bring about the end of our value system, instead of its development.

Canadians of differing opinions will have to look to themselves and their own lived experiences to make their decision how to vote on these matters. It is neither the Church’s or Christianity's place to promote so called Christian ideals through politics. Instead they should be about serving Christ, and encourage Christians to follow their consciences. Fundamentalism only brings about social disharmony, and violence.

I would like to speak directly to the Rainbow Sash Movement’s Canadian supporters. The Lord is with you, be not afraid. You are part of the Children of the light. Vote first with integrity, do not vote out of fear. If you are going to use any yard stick to guide you in this matter, look to the life Christ, and ground your decision in love and prayer.

Posted by Joden at 12:58 PM | Permalink

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The Church has two choices either grow, or die. We are witnessing in the United States, and Western Europe the demise of influence of the Church within the cultural and political arenas of life. The Church which had a place of privilege now is lucky if it can partially fill its Churches, not alone staff them.

Some are evening using Pope Benedict XVI's call to renew a Christian Europe as a way to stem growing influence of radicalized Islam within Europe. Moslem's are not the problem rather I would suggest political bigots under the mantle of Christianity are. Moslems are our neighbors. Christian and Moslem fundamentalist are the real problems. The  Pope would do well to look at his own  Curia if he wants to  renew a Christian  Europe.

The Church under its present leadership has been unable to tackle the twin problems of sex abuse and power. Instead of directly confronting the problem of sexual abuse within its clerical ranks, it merely manages it. I fault Pope John Paul II, and Benedict XVI for allowing the sexual abuse crisis to ravage the Church. 

Obligatory celibacy - not celibacy itself is the problem within our traditional seminaries and novitiates. Obligatory celibacy only produces unhealthy places where one cannot develop into maturity. Especially if the candidates are at young ages.

 There must be a way to balance the sensus fidelium of the people of God, with the Teaching Magisterium. The distribution of authority is the only way save our dying Church. There must be accountability and not privilege. This would bring about a radical change in authority within the body of the Church, and allow for growth and reform.  

The way we understand the sexual ethic must be addressed. Love must be focus not sexual orientation and/or divorce. Diversity in the Church is the starting point for our understanding of unity. Diversity is a sign of the Holy Sprit among us, not authority.

In order to breathe vitality into the structure of the Church there must be first a change of heart. We have talked far too long about the reform since Vatican II, and nothing has changed. The re introduction of the Latin Mass is the most recent sign of our march into darkness. Cosmetics and theater will not make the Church relative in the world we live, authentic diversity will.

Posted by Joden at 06:39 PM | Permalink

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Summer is about over and we are moving into Fall. With each passing season I am reminded of how much we have to be greatfull for. In my life time I have seen so much progress in the areas of GLBT Rights.  Yes, there is much more to be accomplished, but we should also celebrate the progress, and be thankful.

Our Community is very deversified, and I think in that diversity we have a form of unity.  We build from the concept of respect for each other, and celebrate our many faces. There are those in our community who have given much to move us forward, and should be remembered.

"One of those individuals is Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998) was an American student at the University of Wyoming who was fatally attacked near Laramie, on the night of October 6 – October 7, 1998 in what was widely reported by international news media as a savage beating because of his homosexuality. Shepard died from severe head injuries at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 12, 1998. His murder brought national attention to the issue of hate crime legislation at the state and federal levels." (From Wikipedia)

Mathew was brutally murdered for simply being gay. Where did the hate come from that motivated this act of brutality? This question continues to trouble me as I move into the later part of my life. Is it possible to be  a Christian, and hate GLBT people at the same time?

The Chicago Chapter of the Rainbow Sash Movement will honor the memory of Matthew Shepard with the Sacred Liturgy of Rememberance on October 12, 2007. The Liturgy will not be hypocritical we will welcome all people openly and honestly.

I am making a special outreach to the membership of Chicago Dignity, the Archdiocese Gay and Lesbian Outreach Ministry, and Cardinal Francis George to join us. I repeat all will  be welcome to this Sacred Liturgy. If you live in the Chicago area, or will be traveling to Chicago during this time frame please consider joining us, by emailing us at Sacred Liturgy attendance.

Mathew's memory calls us to move beyond our own fears, and to love one another. His memory also challenges us to speak out against any Christian based homophobia as anti Gospel; therefore anti Christ. God bless

Posted by Joden at 02:10 PM | Permalink

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As I read the news about Senator Larry Criag I felt deeply sorry for his family, and yes him. He was a very public icon of the pro life movement. He protected his rights by walkng on the rights of others. His home was the closet a place of shadows, a cave for protection, a result of religious homophobia. Larry was against gay marriage and aboriton, he was opposed legislation for the rights of newly arrived immagrints in this country. His actions promote the do what I say, and not what I do mentality.

Our Church is in a place where we have many men like Senator Cariag in places of leadership.  Theocracy seems to be the currency of the day. From a Pope who refuses to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse in the Church, to group of bishops who have forgotten what Vatican II was all about.

But like Senator Larry Criag who riles against homosexuality, Pope Benedict XVI may have the same problem as Mark Foley and Ted Haggard. The clinical term for this is "reaction formation," where a person avoids one position by taking a polar opposite position. For gay people it's called "being in the closet."

Repressed sexuality whether heterosexual or homosexual, will lead to these unacceptable behaviors as we see with Catholic priests and bishops. We can start by not being judgmental about what other consenting adults are doing in bed. By really listening to each other instead propagandizing the issue of authority through the promotion of dogma, we could start the process of healing in the Church.

The Hypocrisy of Senator Larry Criag, is reflective of the hypocrisy of the pro life movement, and the Papal homophobia.  If you are going to promote the Gospel message of love you need to reflect that in your relationships with your neighbors.

Posted by Joden at 10:27 AM | Permalink

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