An atheist weighs in on Rev Wright and the UCC

[eridani]

Worth supporting their ad, I think. I got the following from a WA state email list--

For Obama supporters, the equal rights community, and people nurturing alternatives to fundamentalism – it is in our collective best interests to help UCC advertise the welcoming, theologically humble, inquiring, and inclusive nature of their denomination.

Note: UCC’s ad a couple of years back got turned away by major media stations because it showed a congregation welcoming a gay couple along with others including families from various ethnic heritage groups.

Note: They are the only denomination I know of that actually paid for a media campaign rebuking bibliolatry (worship of the Bible as literally perfect and complete revelation of Divinity): the “God is Still Speaking” campaign. You might recall seeing churches with a banner that said, “Never put a period where God has put a comma.” Several other denominations share their priority on inclusion and social justice: United Methodists, Quakers, Unitarians, and Congregationalists, most prominently. But none that I know of have publically taken on their fundamentalist Christian brethren about the source of their moral corruption – the fact that they make an idol of the Bible including river-of-blood parts.

Note: Two of the right wing strategies for bringing down Obama have been (1) to link him in people’s minds to Islam or now (2) to link him in people’s minds to radical Christian racial militancy. UCC, by showcasing who they actually are, have the power to create a competing frame that neutralizes either one of these.

As a non-theist, I don’t share their theology, but they share my moral, spiritual, and social values. So I figured I’d shoot the campaign a little help.

V

www.ValerieTarico.com
www.spaces.live.com/awaypoint


We want to place a full-page ad in The New York Times - perhaps as early as next Wednesday - to proclaim the truth about who we are as the United Church of Christ. Will you help make this a reality?

One week ago, I received a call from the Rev. Tom Stiers of Riverside Church in Manhattan, who said his congregation was sending a check for $6,000 for the purpose of supporting the purchase of a prominent, full-page ad. He encouraged us to invite others to join this effort.

The vision for the ad is to speak proactively to the breadth and diversity of our denomination, while also acknowledging the hurt that many in our country have experienced in recent weeks, including the members of Trinity UCC in Chicago.

This will be an occasion to explain the uniqueness of our polity, to acknowledge the freedom of our pulpits, and to affirm the rights of our members to agree or disagree in love. The statement will speak to our oneness in Christ, who strengthens us to be agents of justice, peace and reconciliation.

Of course, the cost will be significant, perhaps in excess of $120,000. That's a lot of money. But the potential positive impact of such a statement is worth much, much more.

People are looking at the UCC like they never have before, and that's why it's critical that we respond proactively and tell our church's story. Otherwise, we will let others continue to define us in narrow and distorted ways.

We have a few days to raise a significant amount of money. Can we count on your support? https://secure.ga3.org/03/ucc_tell_our_story

[babylonsister]

1. Wow, and thanks for this! Remember that umbrella, Dems? nt

[tishaLA]

2. Your post highlights what has troubled me about the reaction

to TUCC here on DU: TUCC and the UCC have had extraordinarily progressive policies throughout their history. And yet some here on DU (and throughout the "progressive media") have taken the Wright sermons as a mere political opportunity. We accepted the reactionary framing too easily. Instead of talking about the good works TUCC (and Wright) have done with HIV/AIDS, with the homeless, with the poor, with the disenfranchised, we decided to talk about Wright's "race" "problem" and his "hate speech." Instead of circling the wagons in support of their position on LBGT and gender issues, we talked about birds coming home to roost on September 11th. And, because of our weakness, we made Sen Obama respond in the weakest way possible, too. Although he made a noble performance out of a terrible situation, we should have helped him collectively--no matter which candidate we support--instead of asking ourselves whether he had said enough or done enough or expressed enough contrition.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. I'm in. nt

[eridani]

4. Just thinking of the various religious organizations I contribute to (as a non-believer)

How many others do likewise? I donate to Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights, American Friends Service Committee, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Witness for Peace and the Quixote Center.

[Catherina]

5. 5th Rec Thanks n/t

[il_lilac]

6. k&r

That is my denomination and I am very proud of our progressive work. One thing people don't realize about UCC is that it was formed by merging many churches and denominations. The background and cultures are often very different from one church to the next. Makes for a diverse and lively bunch.

[roguevalley]

7. One should consider if one is truly not a hypocrite on this issue

that if you are a Catholic, you need to get up out of the pew and leave the church because they spew hate all the time. If you don't, don't get your butt in a twist over Wright. You can't have it both ways.

[blue sky at night]

8. I am a UCC member.........

The power of association is the prime reason I attend, I love to work with our members to help others....we do many things to help the community at large and our own members as well, like socialization of some pretty crazy children. Proud to be associated and thanks for the awesome post.