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May 26th, 2008

Weekly Reflection by Pastor Durrell Watkins 

Memorial Day Reflection
by Rev. Durrell Watkins

Memorial Day is observed in the United States on the last Monday of May. It commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or armed conflict.

I find myself thinking today about the many people who have fallen in one kind of war or another. I think of the Native inhabitants of this land who died in the evolution of what would become the United States.

I think of people who were enslaved to help build fortunes of people in this country; of course, many of those people died in slavery and died resisting the evils of slavery.

I think of women who had to fight for the right to vote, many of whom died before the battle was won.

I think of heroes who put their lives on the line, and sometimes lost their lives, to promote the cause of civil rights in our country.

I think of the many beautiful people who fought on the viral battlefield of AIDS and who lost their courageous struggle.

I think of those who continue to fight against heterosexism and homophobia, risking life and limb so that there will one day truly be "liberty and justice for all."

And, of course, I think of soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen and women who have given all that was possible to secure the interests of their country. I especially want to honor those LBGT people who had to serve in silence. I think not only of the American lives that have been lost, but also of the lives of "enemy" combatants. Every person who fell in battle was a child of God, and God was surely the first to cry for each one slain.

In the history of the U.S., there have been many wars, and fighting continues on several fronts. This Memorial Day, I honor the lives of those who have died in any war, and I also use this occasion to pray for peace and for justice in all the world. I remember the heroes, and I wish for a day when we will "beat our swords into ploughshares" and peace will prevail on earth. Amen.

Durrell Watkins is the Senior Pastor of Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale, FL (www.sunshinecathedral.org). He can be reached at Durrell@sunshinecathedral.org. Sunshine Cathedral is a Metropolitan Community Church affiliated with The Center for Progressive Christianity.

 

May 16th, 2008

Weekly Reflection by Rev. Durrell Watkins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theological Reflection on Gay Marriage Ruling in California

by Rev. Durrell Watkins

 

"[On the Sabbath] Jesus said to the man with a withered hand, 'Come here, stretch out your hand.' And he stretched forth his hand and it was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Jesus." (Mark 3.3-6).

 

The religious rule was unambiguous, no work on the Sabbath, and that included healing. But Jesus wasn't one to be tyrannized by traditions, or rules that were oppressively applied. And so when Religion tried to keep people out, Jesus redefined Religion to be more inclusive, life-giving, and affirming.

 

Whenever prejudice would try to cloak itself in Religion, Jesus would challenge it and dare to allow Religion to become liberating rather than legalistic. Deuteronomy 20.17 calls for the destruction of Canaanites (among other enemies of the Israelites). So, it's no surprise in Matthew 15 that Jesus is initially dismissive of a Canaanite woman who comes to him for help. What is surprising is that he listens to her and changes his attitude toward her. Instead of using scripture as a defense of his prejudice, Jesus chose to see his "enemy" as a child of God and he responded with compassion rather than with religiously sanctioned hatred. The scene ends with Jesus praising the woman's faith and offering the help she sought.

 

In the gospels, we see Jesus embracing women, children, Samaritans, Canaanites, people who were mentally and physically ill (at a time when illness was thought to be caused by demons), even a Roman centurion (when Rome was the empire that occupied his homeland and would execute him). Jesus consistently pushed past the temptation of demonizing difference. Even when his own scriptures seemed to allow for hatred of the "Other," Jesus chose to think in new ways.

 

Yesterday, we received some very good news about California upholding the dignity and equality of its gay and lesbian citizens who wish to marry. In the weeks and months ahead, we will hear religious voices condemning this liberating act, and we will hear them quoting scripture, church law, and tradition to justify their fear and revulsion of same-gender love and attraction. What we will want to remember through it all is that Religion can be wrong; and when Religion uses God's name in vain in order to exclude, marginalize, control, or demonize a group of people, we can be certain that it is wrong.

 

There are religious voices conspiring against "liberty and justice for ALL," but like Jesus, we can remain faithful to the values of empowerment and healing. I am very grateful for yesterday's news. I'm grateful for places like Vermont and Massachusetts and California that have led the way in the pursuit of fairness and equality. And I call on all progressives, those who embrace religion and those who do not, to continue working for equal opportunity for all people. Heterosexism has worn the mask of religion long enough. Let's be like Jesus. When Religion tries to demonize difference, let's insist on thinking in new and empowering ways.

 

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