Speaking of values in the election, Steve Swearingen, of Anderson, SC, sent a letter to the editor of his local paper during the campaign, and shares it with us to add to this conversation.   [11-10-04]

Dear Editor,

I read with concern an article about a survey that showed Americans believe that Republicans are more "moral than Democrats. I think morality is not only about personal behavior but also about social behavior and policy, i.e. social justice.

In another survey, 82% of Americans describe themselves as Christian. I assume that most would agree that morality as a Christian would be following the teachings of Jesus.

I fail to see the morality in the following Republican policies:

1) Declaring and waging war on a third world country. The "Shock and Awe" campaign of President Bush, and the continued war in Iraq was and is in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus. I am not defending Saddam Hussein, but two wrongs do not make a right.

2) Economic and political policies geared unabashedly to helping the rich and powerful. The teachings of Jesus encourage us to help the poor and the downtrodden, and historically Jesus was crucified for challenging the domination systems of His time..

3) Environmental policies in America and worldwide geared toward allowing the rich and powerful to take advantage of and often harm or destroy our natural resources and environment. The Jesus I know is for a safe and healthy environment for all, rather than allowing the rich to exploit our earth.

4) Further discrimination against gays and lesbians, with the proposal of a constitutional amendment against their marriages. Jesus teaches us to love one another even if the other is different. Jesus was a champion of the socially unacceptable in His time.

5) Spending priorities that include way too little for the sick, the aged, the poor, the hungry, the unemployed, the homeless. See Matthew 25, verse 45: "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."

I realize that Republicans do not have a monopoly on my points, but President Bush and the current Republican leadership are leading us so far away from the teachings and morality of Jesus that it is scary to me. I think it should be, to all who try to live by the teachings of Jesus.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Eschen-Pipes, a Presbyterian Minister in Santa Cruz, CA, suggests that we consider a "trial separation" between Church and State.   [11-10-04]

Church and State: A Trial Separation

It's time for the State to get out of the Marriage business. The recent election saw conservative Christians attracted to the polls in record numbers partly to endorse a law against gay marriage. The arguments against gay marriage were based not on an interpretation of the US Constitution, but on an interpretation of scripture, usually the Christian Bible. These ballot measures not only deny members of society equal civil rights, but also enforce the religious beliefs of some Americans upon others.

The only way to entirely separate Church from State on this issue is for the State to cease issuing Marriage Licenses and conducting civil marriage ceremonies. Instead, the State should offer civil unions to gay and straight couples alike, with all of the rights previously granted to married couples. Marriages would be conducted by religious institutions alone. The only difference this would make for a straight couple would be that the legal document that they, two witnesses and a member of the clergy or justice of the peace sign would be a Civil Union License rather than a Marriage License. But such a change could make a world of difference for gay and lesbian couples.

By leaving the conduct and definition of Marriage to religious institutions, their members would be assured, not only that the state will not define their religious beliefs, but that members of other faiths will not define beliefs for them. For example, some religions teach that Marriage is a sacrament and some do not. Also, some religions teach that homosexuality is a sin and some do not.

Since the language of state-sanctioned gay marriage will continue to be a stumbling block to voters on the Christian right, let's stop using it. If the definition of marriage is left to each religious organization, no one will have the right to stop a Unitarian Universalist minister from marrying a lesbian couple or signing their civil union license.


Kathleen Eschen-Pipes
Santa Cruz, CA

GA actions ratified (or not) by  the presbyteries   

A number of the most important actions of the 219^th General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries, confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.

We provided resources to help inform the reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.

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PVJ's Facebook page

Mitch Trigger, PVJ's Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!

Voices of Sophia blog

Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:

John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot

John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive

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