God's Bullies

[criselkins]

I am new to posting and reading on this forum although I have been part of Soulforce for 6 years so I am not sure if sharing a post from another listserve is appropriate. However, I feel this post of an article by Rev. Jim Rigby, a Soulforce supporter, to the First Light listserve by Lawrence Reh very prophetic. Cris Elkins (not sure how to create a profile but I am 62, male, partnered for 32 years, and living in Greensboro, NC.

I had an almost visceral distaste for the word 'Lord' long before I enrolled in seminary, and was exposed to the influence of both iconoclastic professors and feminist theologians, all of whom encouraged me to look beyond my childhood religious conditioning which, until that time, had been only modestly challenged by the self-understanding of my sexuality, the activism of the civil rights era, and the anti-war movement of the Vietnam era.

But it was in seminary that I became confirmed in the conviction that 'Lord' is problematic to my understanding of a loving, gracious God who exists for me in a mystery that knows no gender or hierarchy, but lives within the human creation by virtue of having breathed into us divine spirit. And that the word 'Lord' presumes an authoritarian relationship which seems to me antithetical to the winsome, interactive intimacy that I believe is God's will for how we might relate.

I have absolutely no quarrel with folks who experience God differently. I can understand those who explain their understanding of 'Lord' as a sign of superiority far beyond our conceptualization, or as master whose teachings are the highest ideals we can aspire to, or as authority and guide for their own lives. But for me it negates the freedom of will and freedom of conscience that God has given us. And it's so male, and so controlling, and so easily twisted into a justification for assuming there can be only one answer to any question God's mystery poses... What do you think?

Lawrence
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Clipping: AlterNet, June 15, 2006
http://www.alternet.org/story/37565/

DON'T BOW TO 'GOD'S BULLIES'

By Rev. Jim Rigby.

If you want to know why Americans are so frightened and why we attack anything that challenges our dominance over others, read the Bible. Whereas American theology was born out of a hope for democracy, much of it is wedded to a picture of Christ as a benevolent dictator.

Should we be surprised that a hierarchical cosmology would produce hierarchical churches and nations? Should we be surprised that religious nations that picture Christ as a loving dictator have produced conquistadors, inquisitors and crusaders? What else could they produce? As the tree is, so shall be the fruit.

The word 'Lord' was not in the original Bible. It is an English word from feudal times [adopted by the translators who produced the 'authorized' King James Bible -- authorized, meaning it was a project of the king and had to meet with his approval, therefore it supported the power of the ruler. --Lawrence]. Whereas the Greek word 'kyrios' had a range of meanings, from a title of respect to a title of leadership to a name for the sacred, the English translation "Lord" refers specifically to a male European land baron.

Many people have softened that interpretation in their own minds, but in times of great stress, such nuance falls away and many Christians seek a white male king. He may be called "Pope"; he may be called "the decider President"; he may be called "televangelist"; but the title only masks what he is, a benevolent (or not so benevolent) dictator.

Neither Calvin nor Luther spoke English, but they helped the popes [who had their own investment in blind obedience to authority --LAR] lay the groundwork for the view of God as a cosmic dictator. From popes, Luther and Calvin we have some of the ugliest slurs ever recorded against women, intellectuals and those who refused the church's message. How did Christians justify holding slaves, oppressing women, slaughtering nonbelievers? Perhaps they could not see Christ in non-male, non-European, and non-Christian people because they were limited by their theology. Their "Christ" was merely a glorification of the most powerful member of their own culture.

To picture God in terms of power is also one of the great bait-and-switch gimmicks of all time. People within the power hierarchy proclaim God as the ultimate authority, and then appoint themselves as God's interpreters and enforcers. They are God's 'humble' bullies. It has been one of the most successful con games of all time.

The real Jesus was born illegitimately. He called himself "the human one." Just like Buddha, his authority came from truth, not power. He taught that whoever has love has God. He said those who work for the common good are his church. The real Jesus was an anarchist. He spent his life refusing to claim power over anyone. He said that God is understood in terms of love, not power. We add nothing to the majesty of "the human one" by giving him a throne or a crown. If he did not want to rule over others in life, why should he want it in death? That is why Jesus is called "lamb of God"; he spoke not as the king of the universe, but from its vulnerable heart.

If you want to know why Americans are so frightened and why we are attacking anything that would challenge our dominance over others, read the Bible. Like Cain we have murdered members of our human family. Even when we silence our victims, the ground beneath our feet cries out against us.

Today's church lifts its arms to praise Christ wearing liturgical garments woven in sweatshops. So called "Christian America" is still a nation built on the work of slaves. We do not see them because they toil invisibly in other countries. Today's church doles out bits of charity from booty stolen from God's powerless people the world over. Anyone who claims to believe in a just God, or even in justice itself, has to know at some level that the prayers for liberation coming from third world countries will be heard and answered. At some level, people of faith have to know that unless America repents of the sin of empire we are a doomed nation.

Whatever prophetic voices survive in the church must take a message to the mainstream denominations. "We are guilty of our leaders' crimes. Just because we are silent and passive does not mean that we are innocent. If we have any status in the power hierarchy, we are partially responsible for its misdeeds."

I realize that most of the church consists of wonderful and compassionate people, but that does not matter if we turn over our power to those less charitable. The moderate mainstream church is helpless against fundamentalism because it is built on a nuanced version of the same cracked foundation of a theology of power.

Whether or not we can change America in time to avoid a political and ecological apocalypse, it is never too late to do the right thing. All of us can begin to plant seeds of a better future for our children's children. For Christians today, that means suffering the consequences of refusing to bow to the dictator Christ of this culture.

[The Rev. Jim Rigby is pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Tex. He can be reached at jrigby0000@aol.com.]

[Lawrence adds: Jim Rigby is active in More Light Presbyterians, the most progressive LGBT advocacy group in the Presbyterian Church (USA). His name may be familiar to you from recent reports when he was cleared by his presbytery of allegations that he violated the PCUSA constitution by participating in a 'festival' of same-gender relationship blessings in Austin. He is a staunch advocate of LGBT equality in the denomination and full recognition of same-gender unions.]

[BruceChris]

I agree with most of what you say, although I admit that I have been attending a very liberal GLBT UCC church for so long that it can be all too easy to forget these things. Now and then, I call up any one of countless conservative (un)Christian websites, just to remind myself. And, it is all too easy for me to bury myself in books on feminist or liberal theology.

The problem as I see it is a matter of encouraging a love-based belief system, instead of a fear-based system. And apparently it is almost always easier to sell a fear based system than a love based one. But I believe that we were put here to try, which I guess sums up why I am a Christian.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom" but, "Perfect love casteth out all fear"
Let's just keep focusing on the second of these verses.

God only knows why we still use the word "Lord", and She isn't telling.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[matthillnc]

Hiya Cris... nice to see you in here. It looks as though I won't be going to Denver but I'll be doing something or another!

See you around!

[Zerbie]

Hello Chris Elkins.

When I first saw your screen name, I read it not as chris-elkins, but- ready for this?
As chrisel-kins.

Welcome to the forums!

Zerbie

[criselkins]

The crux of this message is in these 2 paragraphs:


To picture God in terms of power is also one of the great bait-and-switch gimmicks of all time. People within the power hierarchy proclaim God as the ultimate authority, and then appoint themselves as God's interpreters and enforcers. They are God's 'humble' bullies. It has been one of the most successful con games of all time.

The real Jesus was born illegitimately. He called himself "the human one." Just like Buddha, his authority came from truth, not power. He taught that whoever has love has God. He said those who work for the common good are his church. The real Jesus was an anarchist. He spent his life refusing to claim power over anyone. He said that God is understood in terms of love, not power. We add nothing to the majesty of "the human one" by giving him a throne or a crown. If he did not want to rule over others in life, why should he want it in death? That is why Jesus is called "lamb of God"; he spoke not as the king of the universe, but from its vulnerable heart.

[nowvoyager]

Hi Cris,
Welcome too, and thanks for posting that great article. I agree entirely with your reservations about the word "Lord", and when I do find myself using it during a service, I tend to use it more as a word of respect rather than authority (which means I've changed the meaning to suit me).
I've also thought that God must exist somehow outside of or above the concept of authoritative power, as love and authoritative power have tended to be mutually exclusive in history. When "power" is used instead as a metaphor for strength, eg the power of love, or the power to help another person, I see it as more God-like, as it sits within the context of love.
Definitions and words have changed so much, that's why I think the Bible should be read for its themes rather than its literal meaning - else we are led astray, such as that example you gave of the meaning of Kyrois vs Lord
PS I read your name like Zerbie did, 'kins! HA!

[tdogg]

Cris,

Same here with your name - Crisel Kins!

Welcome Cris Elkins!

T-Dogg