Recommended Reading and Listening 1-24-16 edition

Recommended Reading and Listening

CCCUCC Folks in the News Congratulations to Bethany Meier, CCCUCC's Associate Minister, on having her sermon, "My Bible was Arrested," published! I was proud to stand with clergy and members of MORE2 a few weeks ago as weprotested the high number of fatal police shootings by KCPD.  I'm glad to see that following the protests KC Mayor Sly James has come out in favor of an independent system of investigating police shootings. United Church of Christ UCC leaders applaud Obama's efforts to curb gun violence. A UCC minister was chosen as the NYTimes "New Yorker of the Year"--she's the first openly gay and first female chaplain for the New York Fire Department Great story about the awesome work of our friends at St. Mark's Child and Family Development Center  Racism As we prepare to remember MLK, Jr. on his birthday, do yourself a favor and watch this video which creatively recasts his "I Have a Dream" speech. White Christians--no matter their denomination--overwhelmingly do not believe the experience of African Americans when it comes to law enforcement.  Research shows that the percentage goes down if you are White and non-Christian.  What does this say about White Christianity in America?  (hint--we're racist) I'm glad to see that at least some students at Liberty think there could possibly be something wrong with having Trump as the university's MLK events this past week, but sadly not surprised that the university administration and president think this is okay. Blecccchhhh! As usual, Ta-nehesi Coates is the most eloquent writer about our culture--in this case he writes about the accusations of rape against Bill Cosby and why so many people refused to believe them.  He doesn't use the word intersectionality but this is one of the best descriptions of the concept I've ever read. Why white people see black boys like Tamir Rice as older, bigger and guiltier than they really are Great "Midwest Voices" column in the KC Star about the killing of Tamir Rice UCC theologian Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite writes that white supremacy is 2016's most urgent faith challenge. NYTimes columnist Charles Blow writes a powerful response to the decision not to indict the police officer who killed Tamir Rice: "Tamir Rice and the Value of Life" The recent standoff with armed right-wing protesters in Oregon is part of a broader history of organized racism in the state. Responding to Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and Actions Wheaton College, perhaps America's premiere evangelical university, is moving to fire its only tenured female African American professor for stating that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.  Christian ethicist David Gushee writes that this is more about politics than it is about religion. When it comes to the question of whether or not Christians and Muslims worship the same God, the editors of The Christian Century provide the most even handed and informative response I have read. Social Justice I love the Kansas City Chiefs, but the "Tomahawk Chop" really does denigrate Native Americans. CCCUCC member and ESU poli-sci prof Michael Smith makes the case for mental health care funding in KS. Too bad the "lunatics" are running the "asylum" in the KS legislature.   God and American Culture Bill Tammeus has a great column about the recent comments by Supreme Court Justice Scalia that God has uniquely blessed America Gun Violence The NYTimes did an investigation of gun violence in Missouri and discovered as restrictions to gun ownership dropped gun violence increased. LGBTQ Equality "Are Parents Rushing to Turn Their Boys Into Girls?" A great article using actual science rather than opinion to talk about the wide spectrum of children not conforming to traditional gender roles. There is no outbreak of parents "making" their children transgender, but there is a tragic epidemic of transgender children struggling with depression and suicide because of parents who try to "fix" them. Despite what the Wall Street Journal editorial page says, there is a huge difference between a "tomboy" or a boy playing with Barbies and a transgender child. Two weeks ago, we sent a video message declaring our love for Rev. Cynthia Meyer, United Methodist pastor in Edgerton, KS, who came out to her church and denomination as a lesbian person.  Sadly, she will be put on trial by her denomination for being the person God made her to be. Plans are underway for KC's first transgender chorus! Meet Allyson Robinson, the first openly transgender Baptist minister. Misc. Stuff I think is Cool This is one of the best explanations of why church attendance matters I have ever read. If only more Christians would understand community this way. A great discussion of what's wrong when we approach church involvement as consumers. "10 Signals that 'You are Not Welcome in This Church'" I found fascinating this account of a Christian college chaplain's experience serving Millennials in the "Land of the Nones"  How an evangelical Christian came to accept evolution.