Recommended Reading, Listening and Watching--4-6-16 edition

Recommended Reading and Listening

On a more or less regular basis, I share my thoughts with the congregation I serve including a list of links to stuff I think are worth reading, watching and listening to.  Here's the latest list: CCCUCC in the News Here I am on channel 41 explaining Pope Francis' statement today. Because I'm an expert on Catholic doctrine?????  (Actually I'm just saying that my church welcomes everyone and respects all kinds of families.) Legendary Gee's Bend Quilters Bring Their Magnificent and Humble Creations to KC--great article in the KC Star I'm quoted in this article on KCPT's Flatland KC site speaking out against MO's so-called "religious liberty" bill SJR 39 which would put a constitutional commandment on the state ballot legalizing discrimination against LGBTQ people. United Church of Christ in the News UCC Leaders Speak Out Against North Carolina Transgender Law Great story of what happened when a UCC church in OK was picketed and harassed by an extreme anti-abortion group--area Muslims, Jews and atheists came out to protect their Christian neighbors. For Earth Day this year, the UCC is urging congregations to speak out on keeping existing fossil fuels in the ground rather than exploiting them and furthering climate change.  The campaign is called "Keep It In the Ground." SJR 39 the MO LGBTQ Discrimination Bill The CEO of St. Louis Magazine on the consequences of SJR 39: "The Bigotry Protection Act" St. Louis Business Executives Speak Out Against SJR 39 Missouri Religious Liberty Bill Could Cost Millions, Commission Warns Stop Discriminatory "Religious Liberty Bill" From Harming Missouri--KC Star editorial Sports Commission: "Religious Liberty" Bill Could Cost KC Millions Business Outcry Doesn't Stop Religious Objections Bill MORE2 in the News I was glad to stand at KCMO City Hall with fellow MORE2 clergy and laypeople on March 30. The workforce folks of Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity - MORE2 led by Tex Sample have done so much good work researching and resourcing the community on what needs to happen in terms of hiring for construction jobs in KCMO, it is time for KC City Council to listen and act.  More about the MORE2 action at KCMO City Hall for workforce justice--Group's Message; KC Needs More Youth and Diversity in Construction Trades LGBTQ What Does it Mean to be Genderqueer or Non-binary? three KC folks tell their stories to the Kansas City Star Paypal Bails Out of North Carolina  I'm a Transgender Christian in North Carolina: My Faith Should Not Stop at the Bathroom Door A local trans girl who has come to our church before is trying to get a transgender-friendly house across from Westboro Baptist Church next door to the Equality House Same Sex Couples Can Now Adopt Children in All 50 States Faith and the Election Season Sympathy for the Devils: I was Pastor to Trump Supporters--a fascinating read  Race and Racism When Whites Just Don't Get It--part 6 in a series in the NY Times--thanks to Jan Parks for sharing this with me Why Health Depends Partly on Where People Live--thanks to Michael Smith for passing this on to me Why Jesus Skin Color Matters--I was asked last week why I made a point of telling our kids during the children's sermon that Jesus had dark brown skin--this article does a good job of explaining why being accurate about Jesus' skin color matters. God and American Culture What Dave Ramsey Doesn't Get About Poverty by Rachel Held Evans--I'm the first to admit my family uses Ramsey's financial management tools, and they work for us, but my wife and I are white and middle class. I don't think Ramsey's financial management principles are unique to him, but rather he's just better at marketing them to Christians than others. When Ramsey gets into politics, he steps out of financial principles and into an ideology that ignores systematic racism and systematic poverty as barriers to economic advancement. As Rachel Held Evans says, his "blame the poor" philosophy ignores scriptural precedent, not to mention the teachings of Jesus. We will continue to use Ramsey's tools, because they are accessible and they are working to get us out of debt, but I never have nor will I ever respect the man Dave Ramsey. Persecute Me Please: God's Not Dead 2 and the Evangelical Lust for Victimhood  This nails what's wrong with American evangelicalism. It's written by a skeptic, but I feel closer to him than I do to people who turn out for awful films like this one. Misc. Stuff I think is Cool ESPN host wears "Caucasians" t-shirt to call out Cleveland Indians logo Spring is Mud and Miracle by Parker Palmer--Palmer is one of the writers who has most shaped my spiritual journey I hope you've checked out the great new series about faith in Kansas City calledBeyond Belief. A Psychiatrist Who Survived the Holocaust Describes How Meaningfulness Matters More Than Happiness--I read Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" last year. It pretty much blew my mind in the best way possible. 70,000 Muslim Imams Issue Fatwah Against Terrorism--but I"m sure talking heads on cable news will still wonder why Muslims don't condemn terrorism Pope Celebrates Holy Week By Washing Feet of Syrian Refugees If you haven't discovered the satirical Christian news site, The Babylon Bee, I highly recommend you do so.  It's like The Onion but about the ridiculous things Christians do.  For instance, I laughed out loud reading: "Witty Church Sign Sparks Revival."