Interesting times

We are cursed to live in interesting times. This week we saw some incredibly self-centered people threaten the financial security of the nation. One of the chief instigators, a man named Ted Cruz, happens to be the son of a Christian dominionist* preacher (* dominionist is a follower of R. J. Rushoony). His platform consists of getting rid of taxes because the rich do not want to pay them. Perhaps I am missing something but I see no evidence of compassion in him. In fact . . . he looks more like a golem following his precious.

The sequester and shutdown gambits have deliberately harmed the people with the least in our society. These cuts were made without any alternative plan in place. Politicians even used a sentence from the Apostle Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians to justify letting the poor starve. That fails the test of Christ. Everyone who calls themselves a Christian should know what Jesus thought of not taking good care of those in need. Food banks and other community service organizations are now scrambling to raise funds because of overwhelming demand.

It is virtually impossible to spot anyone in government walking in the footsteps of Christ. Both parties have no real objection to violence. Bomb here. Drone strike there. Kidnapping and torture over there. Prisons without due process offshore. I do not see any moral high ground on either side of the political divide. Does anyone? I have yet to hear much of a sermon on the evils of greed from Republicans or Democrats. Jesus and the Apostle Paul spoke forcefully about those evils. Taxes are at the lowest level in 70 years, corporate profits and stock values are at record highs, and those with little are tumbling into the abyss.

The 21st century is shaping up to be a highway through hell. More and more people are living in communities that have become socially toxic thanks to poverty, gang violence, substance abuse, and emotional despair. We will face enormous challenges in the near future from rapid climate change, the human population hitting 10 billion, and rapid resource depletion. Too many political and corporate leaders are morally bankrupt. Too many high profile religious leaders are preoccupied with wealth and power rather than bearing witness to God’s love. 

People of faith have invested substantial time and effort in advocacy for those in greatest need. Unfortunately, appealing to the consciences of political and corporate leaders has proven to be remarkably ineffective to alleviate social, economic, and environmental injustices in our society. Our fervent public prayers, harshly worded letters, and nonviolent protests are too often ignored or mocked. We are told that the “invisible hand of the free market” will save the day for those at the bottom of the economic ladder if they only work harder for less money. It is odd that the “free market” savior has not shown up in periods of economic prosperity or contraction for those living in poverty. The “free market” is even destroying God’s creation at an ever more rapid pace. When Christians preach the gospel of the free market I wonder if they even understand that it is of Mammon, not God. 

Some Christians in America encouraged Christians in several African nations to stone homosexuals. Amazing what you can do when you believe that you are without sin. They better hope the Lord does not see any sin in them. 

More and more young adults are walking away from organized religion. Perhaps they are not turned on by how much we squabble about the appearance of angels on the head of a pin, who God loves and who God hates, and fiddle while the social fabric of the society unravels. I don't blame them. 

If you are truly a follower of Christ what do you think that the Lord would say about our train wreck of a nation? Do you think He would say, "nice work, disciples," or "what the hell were you thinking?" My money is on the later. I am also guessing that it is probably unwise to piss off the Lord.