Sabbatical?

Perhaps the mathematicians among us can find some multiple of seven in the number of my posts or in the days or weeks of the duration of this blog. But even if there is none, I have decided to take a sabbatical from this endeavor. I tire of the via negativa of this approach. I will continue to faithfully read Engaging Your World to be aware of what is being said. I choose not to shoot from the hip in response. A good example is Pastor Tom's concern about Islam. He may have studied this topic extensively, but I have not done enough study myself to feel comfortable either agreeing with his assessment or finding fault. His abiding concern has led me to study Islam as objectively as I am able, but I cannot respond with a quick blog reply. Since I am writing a weekly 500 word column I need to focus my thoughts and craft them accordingly. Thus, this reactionary blogging has become a distraction.

I hope you will read my weekly offerings (and respond to them) at OpEdNews.com and at my primary blog, Culture Dove. I will leave this blog here and will notice if any comments are left, but for now I will not be posting daily.

Blog you later?
Pastor Ian

PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

The lesson I take from this high profile hypocrisy of talking the talk without walking the walk is simply that we all need to humbly walk the walk. We should be careful to avoid preaching black and white while living in the gray.

Now this may be a stretch if you are not a fan of Babylon 5 (quite possibly the best TV series ever), but bear with me. There was a threat of total annihilation from a force known as the Shadow. They had overwhelming strength and could simply materialize at will. Now there was surely some psychological meaning involved there. But there was also a wise race governed by what was called the Gray Council. They were so named because they stood in the place between the darkness and the light. Shadows are a difficult place to be, but we must go there. Carl Jung spoke of the "shadow side" not as a force of evil but the necessary consequence of standing in the light. True danger exists in denying the shadow side, true humility and power to do good comes from accepting its presence. Should Randy and Paula White be held accountable for their behavior? Absolutely! In fact, likely the best thing for them is to learn through the consequences of their behavior. I think that that lack of logical suffering due to their wealth and the likely blind following they will keep is what is upsetting Pastor Tom most. I would agree.

Blog you later,
Pastor Ian

DR. DOBSON, WHAT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION?

If the Religious Right makes good on its threat to start its own political party it will be very interesting to see if they will admit that this is a pluralistic country and that the president is president of all the people. The exclusive language put forth by Dr. Dobson has no place in the government. I certainly defend his right to speak up about his beliefs and to try to influence government policy. But a political party representing an exclusive Christian position would violate constitutional law if it began treating the government as a theocracy. As much as civil liberties have disappeared under this current administration I shudder to think what this political party would consider appropriate obedience to God. Would they support laws against all that they consider blasphemous? What would the fate of Muslims in America be under an administration of their candidate.

I do share Pastor Tom's assessment that splitting the vote on the right would be helpful to any candidate to the left. I would certainly welcome that.

Blog you later,
Pastor Ian