Little do all those sex-crazed homosexuals (whose libido we’re supposed to be afraid of) know that actually it is only gender difference that creates sexual desire.  When men and women have similarities, in their work lives or clothes or musical tastes, there is no way for them to be attracted to each other.  Even though women have been attracted to women and men to men for eons.  Because of course people are not attracted to each others’ personalities or actual bodies, but only to their (complementary) gender performance.

Or so says Paglia.  Through the rambling generalizations about class, race, and gender that she somehow manages to get all squished in to one little article, ranging far from the alleged point of the piece (discussion of a female libido-enhancing drug), Paglia fails to make a case for anything really.  We must infer a problem, because she sure isn’t stating one.

The main crisis she seems to identify is her wistful longing to see more of Mick Jagger’s genitals.  Which seems like something she might want to keep to herself from now on.  Please, Paglia?

The timing of this hallowed day is poignant. Within the span of a month, running from late August through mid-September, our nation mourned three anniversaries of events over the past decade that have profoundly shifted our understandings of ourselves and the human species.

• Eight years ago, we witnessed planes crash on September the 11^th, from the horrific attack of fundamentalist terrorists, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand religion and warfare in America.
• Five years ago, we witnessed hurricane flood waters pour through cities and homes around the Gulf Coast, devastating historic New Orleans, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand race and the environment in America.
• One year ago, we witnessed the implosion of financial institutions, banks and insurance companies and housing markets, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand the economy in America.

 All these collapses happened in this end-of-summer season.   And all these have dramatically changed the human experience in our nation, changed the ways we experience conflict and violence and oppression and survival and healing – paradigm shifts we cannot turn back from. All these things reflect the new face of an ancient yearning: the world’s need for true, lasting peace: for shalom in our city, in every city, in the peaceful image of the city of God. 

 And so we collect our prayers for peace. We perceive the immensity of the world and its pain, and we do our small piece.  We know that if and when every soul prays fervently for peace, and prays that peace into existence in their own lives, that on that day, war shall be no more.   When each one lets go of striving to fix the entire world and instead simply says, “Let peace begin with me,” then peace on Earth will be made, one step and billions of prayers at a time.  Let it be.

————————————————————————————

Prayer

from the worship service Sunday, September 20,

at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Illinois

God of life, eternal,

we join the many others, Christians and other people of faith,

across this country and around the Earth,

in lifting our prayers to you for peace –

peace in our hearts and spirits,

peace in our homes,

peace in our neighborhoods,

peace among nations.

We pray especially today

for the shalom of our city here in Elgin.

 -

We pray for strength and clarity of purpose,

for all those surviving and escaping violence and abuse

in their homes and families,

that they know they do not deserve abuse

no matter who they are.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for our youth to withstand the glorification of violence

by the military in their schools,

and that all our youth be empowered

to choose peaceful vocations for their futures.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for the many among us hit hard by the financial recession,

struggling with sudden changes

and an uncertain world.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for those who are hungry and homeless in our community,

that they may be nourished in body and in spirit.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

 -

We pray for the healing of our ailing health care system,

that the needs of real human bodies

might take precedence over the wrangling of parties and policies.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for immigrants to this land,

that they might be welcomed just as warmly

as all our ancestors were when they arrived here,

and that together we might celebrate

the ever-changing face and the immutable character of our nation.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for people of faith and people of doubts

across the city of Elgin and the Chicago area,

that we might partner with them in the ministries our community needs

and that we might be empowered to share our peace witness with them, as well.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for climate justice for our world,

radiating out from Washington, D.C.

and our brethren and sisters lobbying there this weekend,

and also from this place,

through the commitment of people in this town

to leaving a whole, healthier planet Earth for coming generations.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for our fellow citizens

displaced by natural disaster and human neglect,

that their plight might not be forgotten as quickly

as the evening news cycle moves on.

-

 “We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for victims of racial intolerance,

sexual harassment, and religious persecution,

that our nation’s history and our individual ambitions

might never be used to block us from seeing the humanity

within each of our neighbors.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for our sisters and brothers

across the world and across the street,

in every place where ‘hatred rages and wars defile the land,’

that we might listen to their stories

and weave them into our own,

to build a different future, together.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

We pray for ourselves,

that we might find peace in our hearts and homes,

in our minds and bodies,

so that we might be prepared

to be instruments of your justice, mercy, and love.

-

“We seek your shalom, O God.”

-

God, we pray for deep, abiding love of peace.

We pray for wisdom to know the ways of peace.

We pray for strength and courage

to look into the depths of violence and pain

and take that reality into account in our lives.

We pray that you guide us in shaping

a true city of God,

that takes in the whole world,

and is founded in deep, deep shalom – salaam – paz – peace.

In the name of the Prince of Peace, our Christ,

Amen.

New Haven Police Chief James Lewis stressed that this crime was workplace violence, in an AP article:

“It is important to note that this is not about urban crime, university crime, domestic crime but an issue of workplace violence, which is becoming a growing concern around the country,” Lewis said, adding he wasn’t ruling out additional charges.

But the location of the crime is far less significant than the persons involved: a (white) man enacting violence against a woman (of color).   There are many factors in play here, and preventing such horrendous crimes in the future will require a multi-pronged approach.  But it won’t be ended unless we explore (and change) how men feel that lashing out violently against women resolves problems.  Why do men resort to violence and why are women deemed their choice of victims?

It can be a scary world to be a woman in, and it shouldn’t be that way.

Read this BBC article to get a sense of the conversation.

Of course, intentionally hyping oneself up on drugs to improve your athletic performance (whatever the drugs are) is sad and against the rules of fair play.  But this challenge of Semenya’s SEX are of a different sort.  As the article details, there can be many natural variations of sex – across a whole spectrum, some might say.  Which then leads to the question of how much it would matter at all if Semenya or any athlete were not biologically ‘equipped’ like the average or idealized member of her gender? 

Is the underlying assumption that intersex persons are entirely excluded from professional athletics?  If her body revealed her as a female, by and large, both biologically and socially, then why ought she not compete in the women’s field? 

It seems that there is a fear of acknowledging that a person’s intersexual identity might actually be an asset to her!  Those pushing for disqualifying her because of her ‘ambiguous’ sex seem determined to deny the obvious: that intersexuality may distance a person from the center of the arbitrary gender binaries of a society, but may also make a woman a better athlete. 

I suppose that if the media, sporting commissions, and fans admitted that, then they’d have to let go of their prejudice that intersex identity is a “sexual development disorder.”  Cling on to that gender binary!  Cling hard!

Treat others as you would have them treat you

Take responsibility for your actions

Do not kill

Be honest

Do not steal

Protect and nurture children

Protect the environment

Look after the vulnerable

Never be violent

Protect your family

- Peter K Stevenson & Stephen I Wright, Preaching the Atonement [Westminster John Knox]

I must wonder how much differently this might have turned out if Gates had whipped out a handgun from concealment and ‘defended’ himself with it, thereby illustrating the weapon-lovers’ constant fantasy break-in scenarios.  Then the NRA and gun lobby would be praising Gates for his bravery to exert this ultimate human right in their book. (Of course, race changes the scene, but let’s just imagine for a minute.)   Instead, because he used strong words to defend himself, he’s seen as an aggressor?  It’s a mixed up world….

Vote! Click here!

Of course, you are free to choose whichever you like best, but WE think the CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN rain barrel is pretty spiffy……..

“It’s about what small town values really mean.”

2. Freedom Writers

3. The Vernon Jones Story
James Earl Jones delivers a tour-de-force performance as courageous civil rights leader Vernon Johns. Spurred to action when two parishioners are brutally attacked in racially motivated incidents, Johns — a church deacon — uses his power and charisma to begin the battle for equality that will reverberate for decades. Mary Alice, Joe Seneca, Clifton James and Cissy Houston provide first-rate support in this inspiring true story.

4. The Visitor

5. A Lesson Before Dying

6. Praying with Lior?
Lior Liebling, a Jewish boy with Down syndrome, spends his days praying endlessly to God, much to the delight — and occasional befuddlement — of those around him. Follow Lior, nicknamed “the little rebbe,” as he approaches his bar mitzvah. Ilana Trachtman‘s coming-of-age documentary paints a touching portrait of a family, while raising tough questions about notions of faith and disability.

7. Millions (faith)

8. Amazing Grace (good parallels re modern abolition movements)

9. A Man for All Seasons

10. Sarafina!
Whoopi Goldberg stars in this inspirational story about a girl battling the oppression of apartheid in South Africa. Schoolgirl Sarafina lives in Soweto. Her mother lives in Johannesburg, where she works for a white family. Missing her mother, Sarafina puts her energy into fighting for freedom. When police shoot and kill protesting students, Sarafina is arrested as a demonstrator and must face prison and torture.

11. Catch a Fire

12. Cry the Beloved Country

13. The Power of One

14. Life is Beautiful (with older children)

15. Iron-Jawed Angels – Some gruesome scenes but well worth it for the reminders about how hard our foremothers fought for the civil rights we now take for granted.

16. Rabbit-Proof Fence

17. Hairspray! – A musical that’s just as socially-progressive as it is fun to watch!

18. Beautiful Boxer – If your church can handle a gorgeous movie about a trans Thai kickboxing champion.

19. Fast Food Nation and Food Inc.  – Why aren’t churches that practice communion as one of their central rituals not more active in discussions about food safety and health????

20. Renewal – Great documentary with short segments about different faith communities (not all Christians) doing what they can for the Earth.  Easy to watch in parts, easy to discuss.

21. Eyes on the Prize – series