My life in church ministry began in 1979 when I told a couple buddies in a hot tub conversation in Campbell, CA that I was “going to go into the ministry but did not want to make a lot of money or become famous”. After the Newtown Shootings in 2012 I hastily prepared U2’s “Peace On Earth” for my worship leaders to sing in Sunday morning services replacing the names of Irish children in the song with names of children killed in the Connecticut shootings that Friday. . . I was asked to resign because “my style was no longer accepted by the congregation”, gave a final message, and left the church a week before Easter in March of 2013. . . . I have been trying to figure out what the “heck/suck” happened these years since. . . . I remain passionately committed to Jesus and to a vision for the thriving of all Creation, all Creatures, and all Humanity.
I’m a few years older than you Diana but have been reading your books for years thanks to my good friend, Byron, at HeartsAndMindsBooks. When I am fortunate enough to find someone to engage in conversation about church in the USA I frequently share that my “successful” career in ministry had not so much to do with my competency as it had to do with being white and male. . . and tall ;-). . . MUCH appreciate your work. With much GRATITUDE from the SF Bay Area.
Thanks for that history. I was raised in a family of free thinkers so my early years were never like kids raised in “controlled thinking” families. I’ve seen Christianity “bad Christianity harm so many young minds. I can understand what you’re going through. The Universalists, of which I’m 3rd generation, used that phrase about revelation all the time. Linda
Thanks you for sharing these again. As I read this, I am reminded of a quotation from Church Historian Martin Marty that has stuck in my mind, but I have been unable to locate the source. The gist was that in studying church history, his conclusion was that when there is one religion allied with the dominant political power, they are both corrupted. When there are two religions dominating a country, they lead to constant strife and conflict. When there are more than two, when there is a multiplicity of views, they feed and strengthen each other. Harvey Honig
, i just watched the Billl Maher 2008 documentary "Religulous" (religious + ridiculous) and i think i am seeing the same basic theme flying thru in your post and in all the folks bill interviewed in his documentary, it is the "weaponizing" of the arrogant, no -compromise "I am right so you must be wrong" attitude that is/has been slowly replacing the art of debate, ponder, of supposing, of actually acknowledging that you do not know it all and thirst for more. Always thirsting for more.
And I agree, I also don't see this as anything new, I feel, for me this mindset was seeded way back in sunday school where asking questions was not something you did, this was "THE GOSPEL"
WOW....thank you sooooooooooo much for this thumbnail bio/history of where we were in the 60s/70s and how we got to where we are now--unChristian Nationalism. Short, but insightful. PLEASE SEND IT -- perhaps even an expanded version? --TO THE NYTs as an opinion piece. And please keep "standing up" to those who would drag the US back to "the good (Godly, I'm not so sure) days."
I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to have a clear historical perspective on what’s happening now. Your brilliance and scholarship treats the reader with respect and it means a lot to us.
This piece resonates with some thoughts I have had recently on the same subject. The violent reaction to the New Deal and the run up of Jim Crowe to Brown v. Board have the same roots of Christofascism. The rise of private schools in the South gave validation to that same strategy of white exclusivity. Welcome 1964 and Barry Goldwater, Nixon's Southern Strategy, and the manufactured conspiracy that you mentioned and the stage was set for Moral Majority, anti-Clinton etc etc. I think there is a book in there somewhere.
Just had to share the wisdom of the late A. Paul Davies, one of my favorite Unitarian ministers. Note I didn’t add “Universalist” (my faith tradition) since the two denominations had not incorporated at that time. My question the. becomes, will this work for us today? (Note his birth and death dates.)
Does it sound too simplistic? Would this have been the approach of Jesus, The Rabbi?
Just won’drin’.
〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️
“I become more and more certain, as the years go by, that wherever friendship is destroyed, or homes are broken, or precious ties are severed, there is a failure of imagination. Someone is too intent on justifying himself, or herself, never venturing out to imagine the way things seem to the other person. Imagination is shut off and sympathy dies. If we know what it is that makes other people speak or act as they do, if we know it vividly by carefully imagining all that may lie behind it, we might not quarrel. We might understand. Often we could heal the wounds.
Man, I'm a social studies teacher and very scared that I WILL lose my job, because I work in Ohio. I also feel like if I'm cut, and all others that think like I do, then the people trying to hold back a literal river will fail...
I've been reading a long time about American politics, and have seen the connections between the 60s, 70s, and now, but never knew that some of these books came out at the same time as Zinn's.
You put this so succinctly, thank you so much for an enlightening post. As an exvangelical myself, this really hurts, but... I'm an exvangelical for all of the reasons you said that evangelicals are pushing for, because the God I thought I saw fought for equity and love...
Fear is such a powerful motivator, and I have thought for such a long time about how Americans, who have fought for democracy could just change. It makes total sense that since Democracy has been leading to more liberal ideas and Democrats in our country that Republicans are now shifting even that idea to grasp at their last vestige of power.
I continue my work, because I do believe in a better future for all... and I can't let democracy die.
Thank you, Jeremy, for these comments. Stay true and brave. And make sure that the powers-that-be don't isolate/silo the teachers at your school. If you let the political divisions divide the faculty, that's the worst possible place to be. The only way to protect each person is for all to protect others.
Years ago, I lost my first teaching job as the result of institutional politics and conflict. It was terrifying and painful. But one thing I held in mind the entire time: LOVE THE STUDENTS. Keep loving them, no matter what was happening to me. Love overcomes hate and fear - sometimes not in the short term, but always in the longer run.
Dear Diana - I met you briefly at Wild Goose 4 years ago. I just want to say thank you for continuing to be a thoughtful, bold, and courageous voice for the Jesus I came to know in college 40 years ago. The radical love of the Jesus I met once upon a time resonates in your writing and is desperately needed in a world in which so many have simply painted their racism, nationalism, sexism, etc. with the patina of Christianity. I believe that you and I, as mainstream white clergy people, absolutely must step into the roll of those saints like Bonhoeffer who went before us. I appreciate your wisdom and your courage. Please keep offering your prophetic words.
As I read this I am aware that when reading history about history of events in that happened is my lifetime, I wonder: "How did all that happen and I not be aware of it?" A bit humbling and discouraging. Seeking to be a Christ follower seems so hard to discern.
Mary Chapin Carpenter has written a song, American Stooge, found on her album The Dirt and The Stars, "power on his left, conscience on his right, a soul in the balance in a knock down fight...it's the American Way, to hell with the truth...I'm an American stooge...don't care if there's hell to pay".
Diana, Becca is rolling over in her grave with historical developments. Thanks for the post.I remember her copy of The Light... Such lousy work. Makes one ashamed of one's roots.
My thought re: this is a perennial fight because of who evangelicals are and what they believe i.e. a providential view of America, that only Christians of their sort matter, that there's no compromise with anyone who isn't white/Christian/MAGA Republican.
So we can adopt a "same shit different day" attitude towards evangelicals and Republicans. No matter what they may say at a campaign moment their core beliefs are dominionist/white Christian nationalism/patriarchy/white supremacy. They believe the world should believe exactly as they do, that government should only work for those few people who they approve of, that the world exists only to serve them. Therefore ignore, block, delete, vote out, object to people who believe things like this. Even so the evangelicals and Republicans will not stop. They believe "god" is on their side. They believe some really whacko shit. It will continue to be the same shit, the same damned things, one after another, day after day, election after election. Because that's who they are. They've repeatedly told us who they are. Let's respond accordingly. Let's take care of our own mental and physical health. Let's care for each other. Let's continue to create a multicultural pluralistic democracy that is diverse and accessible to everyone as much as we can make it. The Christian Republicans will fight us like they already fight all of our efforts to create and maintain a democracy. Same shit different day. We win by voting, by embodying and embracing, on a daily basis, multicultural pluralistic democracy. We win when we keep our eye on the bigger picture of creating and keeping a democracy; a government and a society that works for the majority of people.
My life in church ministry began in 1979 when I told a couple buddies in a hot tub conversation in Campbell, CA that I was “going to go into the ministry but did not want to make a lot of money or become famous”. After the Newtown Shootings in 2012 I hastily prepared U2’s “Peace On Earth” for my worship leaders to sing in Sunday morning services replacing the names of Irish children in the song with names of children killed in the Connecticut shootings that Friday. . . I was asked to resign because “my style was no longer accepted by the congregation”, gave a final message, and left the church a week before Easter in March of 2013. . . . I have been trying to figure out what the “heck/suck” happened these years since. . . . I remain passionately committed to Jesus and to a vision for the thriving of all Creation, all Creatures, and all Humanity.
I’m a few years older than you Diana but have been reading your books for years thanks to my good friend, Byron, at HeartsAndMindsBooks. When I am fortunate enough to find someone to engage in conversation about church in the USA I frequently share that my “successful” career in ministry had not so much to do with my competency as it had to do with being white and male. . . and tall ;-). . . MUCH appreciate your work. With much GRATITUDE from the SF Bay Area.
Thanks for that history. I was raised in a family of free thinkers so my early years were never like kids raised in “controlled thinking” families. I’ve seen Christianity “bad Christianity harm so many young minds. I can understand what you’re going through. The Universalists, of which I’m 3rd generation, used that phrase about revelation all the time. Linda
Thanks you for sharing these again. As I read this, I am reminded of a quotation from Church Historian Martin Marty that has stuck in my mind, but I have been unable to locate the source. The gist was that in studying church history, his conclusion was that when there is one religion allied with the dominant political power, they are both corrupted. When there are two religions dominating a country, they lead to constant strife and conflict. When there are more than two, when there is a multiplicity of views, they feed and strengthen each other. Harvey Honig
This essay helped me understand where Rep. Boebert and Taylor-Green are coming from with their skewed interpretation of history. Thank you, Diana.
Hey, nice words, thank you.
, i just watched the Billl Maher 2008 documentary "Religulous" (religious + ridiculous) and i think i am seeing the same basic theme flying thru in your post and in all the folks bill interviewed in his documentary, it is the "weaponizing" of the arrogant, no -compromise "I am right so you must be wrong" attitude that is/has been slowly replacing the art of debate, ponder, of supposing, of actually acknowledging that you do not know it all and thirst for more. Always thirsting for more.
And I agree, I also don't see this as anything new, I feel, for me this mindset was seeded way back in sunday school where asking questions was not something you did, this was "THE GOSPEL"
WOW....thank you sooooooooooo much for this thumbnail bio/history of where we were in the 60s/70s and how we got to where we are now--unChristian Nationalism. Short, but insightful. PLEASE SEND IT -- perhaps even an expanded version? --TO THE NYTs as an opinion piece. And please keep "standing up" to those who would drag the US back to "the good (Godly, I'm not so sure) days."
I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to have a clear historical perspective on what’s happening now. Your brilliance and scholarship treats the reader with respect and it means a lot to us.
Diana,
This piece resonates with some thoughts I have had recently on the same subject. The violent reaction to the New Deal and the run up of Jim Crowe to Brown v. Board have the same roots of Christofascism. The rise of private schools in the South gave validation to that same strategy of white exclusivity. Welcome 1964 and Barry Goldwater, Nixon's Southern Strategy, and the manufactured conspiracy that you mentioned and the stage was set for Moral Majority, anti-Clinton etc etc. I think there is a book in there somewhere.
Thanks for all you do
Just had to share the wisdom of the late A. Paul Davies, one of my favorite Unitarian ministers. Note I didn’t add “Universalist” (my faith tradition) since the two denominations had not incorporated at that time. My question the. becomes, will this work for us today? (Note his birth and death dates.)
Does it sound too simplistic? Would this have been the approach of Jesus, The Rabbi?
Just won’drin’.
〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️ 〰️
“I become more and more certain, as the years go by, that wherever friendship is destroyed, or homes are broken, or precious ties are severed, there is a failure of imagination. Someone is too intent on justifying himself, or herself, never venturing out to imagine the way things seem to the other person. Imagination is shut off and sympathy dies. If we know what it is that makes other people speak or act as they do, if we know it vividly by carefully imagining all that may lie behind it, we might not quarrel. We might understand. Often we could heal the wounds.
A. Powell Davies, 1902 – 1957
Man, I'm a social studies teacher and very scared that I WILL lose my job, because I work in Ohio. I also feel like if I'm cut, and all others that think like I do, then the people trying to hold back a literal river will fail...
I've been reading a long time about American politics, and have seen the connections between the 60s, 70s, and now, but never knew that some of these books came out at the same time as Zinn's.
You put this so succinctly, thank you so much for an enlightening post. As an exvangelical myself, this really hurts, but... I'm an exvangelical for all of the reasons you said that evangelicals are pushing for, because the God I thought I saw fought for equity and love...
Fear is such a powerful motivator, and I have thought for such a long time about how Americans, who have fought for democracy could just change. It makes total sense that since Democracy has been leading to more liberal ideas and Democrats in our country that Republicans are now shifting even that idea to grasp at their last vestige of power.
I continue my work, because I do believe in a better future for all... and I can't let democracy die.
Thank you, Jeremy, for these comments. Stay true and brave. And make sure that the powers-that-be don't isolate/silo the teachers at your school. If you let the political divisions divide the faculty, that's the worst possible place to be. The only way to protect each person is for all to protect others.
Years ago, I lost my first teaching job as the result of institutional politics and conflict. It was terrifying and painful. But one thing I held in mind the entire time: LOVE THE STUDENTS. Keep loving them, no matter what was happening to me. Love overcomes hate and fear - sometimes not in the short term, but always in the longer run.
Dear Diana - I met you briefly at Wild Goose 4 years ago. I just want to say thank you for continuing to be a thoughtful, bold, and courageous voice for the Jesus I came to know in college 40 years ago. The radical love of the Jesus I met once upon a time resonates in your writing and is desperately needed in a world in which so many have simply painted their racism, nationalism, sexism, etc. with the patina of Christianity. I believe that you and I, as mainstream white clergy people, absolutely must step into the roll of those saints like Bonhoeffer who went before us. I appreciate your wisdom and your courage. Please keep offering your prophetic words.
As I read this I am aware that when reading history about history of events in that happened is my lifetime, I wonder: "How did all that happen and I not be aware of it?" A bit humbling and discouraging. Seeking to be a Christ follower seems so hard to discern.
Mary Chapin Carpenter has written a song, American Stooge, found on her album The Dirt and The Stars, "power on his left, conscience on his right, a soul in the balance in a knock down fight...it's the American Way, to hell with the truth...I'm an American stooge...don't care if there's hell to pay".
I like Mary Chapin Carpenter. Thx for tuning me into the lyrics of that song.
Diana, Becca is rolling over in her grave with historical developments. Thanks for the post.I remember her copy of The Light... Such lousy work. Makes one ashamed of one's roots.
My thought re: this is a perennial fight because of who evangelicals are and what they believe i.e. a providential view of America, that only Christians of their sort matter, that there's no compromise with anyone who isn't white/Christian/MAGA Republican.
So we can adopt a "same shit different day" attitude towards evangelicals and Republicans. No matter what they may say at a campaign moment their core beliefs are dominionist/white Christian nationalism/patriarchy/white supremacy. They believe the world should believe exactly as they do, that government should only work for those few people who they approve of, that the world exists only to serve them. Therefore ignore, block, delete, vote out, object to people who believe things like this. Even so the evangelicals and Republicans will not stop. They believe "god" is on their side. They believe some really whacko shit. It will continue to be the same shit, the same damned things, one after another, day after day, election after election. Because that's who they are. They've repeatedly told us who they are. Let's respond accordingly. Let's take care of our own mental and physical health. Let's care for each other. Let's continue to create a multicultural pluralistic democracy that is diverse and accessible to everyone as much as we can make it. The Christian Republicans will fight us like they already fight all of our efforts to create and maintain a democracy. Same shit different day. We win by voting, by embodying and embracing, on a daily basis, multicultural pluralistic democracy. We win when we keep our eye on the bigger picture of creating and keeping a democracy; a government and a society that works for the majority of people.
WOW. Yes, thank you!