iHOPE

Some Jewish Responses to Divestment

Earlier in the week I posted some information about the resolution to divest from three companies (Hewlett Packard, Caterpillar & Motorola) working in the occupied territory with Israel. It included one link from John Bell with a summary of what was (and what wasn't) decided, as well as the actual wording of the decision. I would recommend you read that since much of what is being reported is exactly the opposite of what was actually done.

One of the consistent assertions is that the actions are anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. To be sure, some of the most vocal critics of the actions are Jewish and Israeli. Benjamin Netanyahu minced no words about his opinion of divestment. His views would certainly reflect the majority of views that have been expressed by Jews and Israelis. But it is not unanimous. There are more than a few Jewish voices that not only support the decision to divest, but actively encouraged it. 

I was interested to read the text of a speech given by Rabbi Brant Rosen in Detroit last week as he was supporting the resolution to divest, as well as his follow-up article. Then there was this piece called, Two Perspectives on Presbyterian Divestment. None of the above is meant to dissuade anyone from whether or not they support the move to divest from these companies (I still have mixed feelings about it and wish another approach could have been taken). Instead, it is to underline that this was not an easy nor simple choice. It certainly is more complex than whether or not we support Israel. It reflects a conversation going on in parts of Israel and in the Jewish community in this country.

The intent of the vote was to signal our ongoing support for Israel even as we also support Palestinians rights (including thousands of Palestinian Christians) that are being ignored in the occupied territories. We want to be a part of the peace process and can't do that while we are profiting from companies that are allegedly part of the problem.  The move was largely symbolic. Israel was not intended to be hurt and they weren't. The companies stock prices either held or went up after the news. We are no longer have to worry about investing in companies that we think may be obstacles to the peace process. Then again, we probably have less influence on events in that region than ever.

The problem with symbolic gestures is that what was intended to be communicated is not always what is heard. Its not unlike telling a joke. If you have to keep explaining it, you might want to rethink your approach. I'll let this article speak to that problem. 

 

GA and Abortion: What was decided- and what wasn't.

The last two posts addressed the two most controversial of the decisions of the General Assembly (divestment & Same-gender marriage). While I intend to expand on each of these, my initial concern was to clarify the facts in each of these decisions. Before we can have a discussion or debate, we need to have the facts about what was actually decided- and what wasn’t.

 Which brings me to a third controversial issue:  Abortion.

 This one caught me by surprise.  In following the debates and decisions of the General Assembly last week, I hadn’t heard a thing about abortion. That all changed in the past couple days when I started receiving emails from people with links to op-ed pieces asserting that the PCUSA  doesn’t care about the fate of babies who survived botched abortions or, even more troubling, is “OK With Killing Born Babies”  (or here, or here).  How did I miss this story?

 Because it didn’t happen.

PCUSA Divestments and Israel

Our General Assembly met last week in Detroit. General Assembly meets every two years and is the broadest governing body within our denomination. It is not unlike Congress, with representatives from various regional bodies (in our case, Presbyteries). that gather to direct, debate and decide many things which affect the entire church. As always, there were a number of decisions made (for a quick, one-page review, click here), though two decisions are getting most of the attention. 

 I mentioned the decisions regarding same-gender marriage in my last post and more is coming on that.

The other decision that is getting lots of attention is the one to divest our stock holdings from three companies (Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar and Motorola) whose products were used (in the opinion of the GA) to hamper the peace process in Israel. This has been a contentious issue for more than a decade. It is made more contentious because the perception of what was decided is not the same as the decision itself. Below are some resources to help understand what was done- and what wasn't:

Same-Gender Marriages Allowed by General Assembly

You may have heard that our General Assembly has been meeting in Detroit this past week. You may also have heard that a couple actions that were taken allow for the possibility of ministers to perform same-gender marriages in the states where it is legal.  The news has been broadcast across many paltforms including this article in the Washington Post.

There were two actions:

 

1. An "Authoritative Interpretation (AI)" was given which allows ministers and congregations to exercise their "discretion and conscience" and perform same-gender weddings as they deem appropriate, in states where it is legal. An AI has immediate effect and does not need to be approved by Presbyteries. No minister is compelled to perform a same-gender marriage nor is a congregation compelled to allow such a wedding to be performed on their property if they so choose. 
2. A amendment was proposed to our constitution (Book of Order) that would re-define marriage to include the possibility of same-gender relationships. In part, it reads: Marriage involves a unique commitment between two people (traditionally a man and a woman) to love and support each other for the rest of their lives. Because it involves a change in the constitution, it will now be sent to the presbyteries. If a majority of the 172 presbyteries approve this amendment, it will become part of the Book of Order.  

You can read about these decisions and their implications in two articles here and here.

Same-gender marriage is not permitted in Colorado so these actions will not have immediate effect on weddings at New Hope. That is not to say these actions won't have an effect. We have a congregation that spans a diverse spectrum of opinions. Some are rejoicing in these actions. Others are greatly disturbed. Such is New Hope. To be a "Big Table" congregation necessarily means we will have people who don't see things the same way. It means we have some work to do. What we do with these decisions and (more importantly) the way we do it, will be  critical to who we are for years to come. I look forward to working through all this together.

I will be adressing these actions in the next week with some articles here. I will also bring back "Pastors' Q&A" after both services next week (June 29). I'll make myself available to talk to individuals as well as groups, if you'd like to discuss this. If you have some comments, concerns or questions, I hope you won't hesitate to contact me.

In the meantime, the General Assembly has posted a document with some Frequently Asked Questions concerning the recent actions and their implications. I found it helpful and if you would like, you can read it here.

 

Stories of Hope: Roy Koerner Interview

 

Sunday we showed a portion of an interview with Roy Koerner.  Here is the whole thing.

The interview was with Gregg Macaluso and is the first in what we hope will be a series of interviews of people telling their strories. This one is about the decision to be involved with prison ministry- a decision that was more than 3 decades in the making!

Thanks, Gregg & Ben (another  Macaluso), for bringing us this story. Thank, Roy, for telling it and giving us a glimpse at the many ways God is at work today. It's all part of God's Story of Hope.

Friday Five for June 6

Each week I go through a lot of posts. Most aren't worth more than a single read.  Some are worth a second. Each week I pick out five that I think are worth passing on.  Often they have something to do Faith and Life, but sometimes its just because I think it's interesting!

This week is a sampler that includes thoughts on a new Disney film, death bed regrets, N.T. Wright, a You-Tube video and an exhortation to get more sleep!

Nurse Reveals the Top Five Death Bed Regrets

Its always good to get a reminder on the things that are most important- and what aren't. Here's a good one.

Time for a Nap!

Michael Hyatt on some of the latest (but consistent research) on the importance of sleep: Why People Who Sleep Longer Achieve More.

Maleficent the Feminist?

You may just want to go watch the film, but if you want a deeper reflection, check this out.

Nada te Turbe

From the Taize songbook. Put it on, close your eyes and soak it in:  Nothing can trouble; nothing can frighten. Those who seek God shall never go wanting/God alone fills us. Check it out here.

The Problem with Biblical Authority

If you take my classes, you know I am a big fan of N.T. Wright. Here is an article that summarizes his thought from Scripture and the Authority of God. Its a helpful explanation of what it means to talk about the authority of the Bible- from the point of view of the Bible!