Tuesday Open Thread: people of faith under the gun
I had an open thread all set to publish this morning at 7:15 as usual ... but the shooting in Santa Fe, Texas moved me to post the following thoughts and videos and sound clips instead. There will be no separate look into the history of May 22nd.
Virtually all spiritual paths begin their training with breath and tone—conscious breathing, following the breath, vibrating the mantra—and for good reason: these are the actual tools and technologies for engaging and energizing our more subtle inner being. - Cynthia Bourgeault
Poetry, like chant, is meant to vibrate through the uniqueness of our own voice for it to come alive. Don’t take my word for it! Find your favorite poem and see if it becomes real in a new way when you say the words out loud. - Richard Rohr
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
No I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darling, darling stand by me
Stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-- Ben King / Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
[video:https://vimeo.com/55134974]
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.Give me your hand. - Rainer Maria Rilke
Angered by the Paris terror attacks in 2015, a former US Marine fired dozens of shots at a mosque near his Connecticut home. Filled with regret, he tried to make amends.
He Shot at a Mosque , and His Life Changed
Sikhs have returned to a temple in the US state of Wisconsin where a gunman shot dead six worshippers there. Wade Michael Page, a former US soldier who was responsible for the shooting, took his own life after the massacre in the temple. In India, where all of the victims of the shooting were originally from, the families of the fallen have been speaking about their grief.Families of Sikh Victims Speak Out
On the one-year anniversary of a fatal gun shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, the Knoxville, TN, congregation and supporters gathered for an evening dedicated to peace and unity.
Instruments of Peace: Anniversary of Hate Attack On Unitarians
Pastor Frank is pastor at First Baptist church, Sutherland Springs, Texas. Six months ago 26 of his parishioners were killed by a gunman during a regular Sunday service. “Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the Centurion” – why Pastor Frank and his parishioners still, even after that horrific tragedy, carry firearms into their church.
In 2006, a gunman barricaded himself inside a one-room Amish schoolhouse near Lancaster, Pa. Then he opened fire. Charles "Charlie" Roberts killed five children and injured five others before killing himself. The Amish community responded in a way that many found surprising: They forgave the shooter. And, in the years since, they have grown close to his family.
A Decade After Amish School Shooting, Gunman's Mother Talks Of Forgiveness
A place of worship, led by the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, turned into a crime scene when police say a gunman opened fire during a regularly scheduled prayer group.
South Carolina Church Shooting: History of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church
"The Armor of Light,” by Abigail Disney, follows the evangelical minister Rev. Rob Schenck, an evangelical known for his anti-choice activism, and Lucia McBath, the mother of Jordan Davis, the African-American teenager who was shot to death by a middle-aged white man in a gas station parking lot in 2012 after a dispute over loud music. The shooter, Michael Dunn, was later sentenced to life without parole. Schenck describes how McBath inspired him to begin speaking out about gun violence. "It was her passion in the wake of that pain and horror of losing a son to murder that was really what pulled me across the threshold of decision to start speaking to this, even though for me it is at great personal risk," Schenck says. "In our community, when you break with a kind of orthodoxy on social issues — guns being one of them — you are seen as a renegade or as a defector."
I invite you to share your thoughts.
Comments
(No subject)
Few are guilty, but all are responsible.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Prophets
my sister watching TV news here in Germany with me
(she is old, old... ) just asks me every time she watches someone shooting into a crowd of humans, no matter if in a school, a church or somewhere else, HOW can they do this and WHY are they doing it. Apparently she thinks I know, because I know the US better than her and I am always with no answers.
Thanks for the Open Thread. It's good to have a feeling of some people "standing by me" with their thinking online here. So, now, I am going to look up the Rilke poem in German ...
see, I learn something everyday here from good 'ol Americans, right?
Have a good day. What a beautiful arrangement of the St. Francis Prayer. The only thing that makes me miss churches is the music I hear coming out from them. The beauty is just impossible to not touch you. Thanks.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Lately I've been thinking...
about the meme ...we're fighting over there, so they don't attack us here. What they don't see is the violence of a country that uses over 1000 bombs a month in at least seven different countries, starving children, spreading cholera, supporting open air prisons, and on and on...creates a violent culture at home. It becomes reflected in our violence towards one another...in schools, by police, in our immoral prisons, and on and on.
We need a constant and wide spread peace vigil in this country.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
We do indeed. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
We need an anti- war movement, Lookout
You raised some good points. As has philliebluesfan.
I would have thought a movement would spring from the religious community since they are taking the brunt of these attacks. Turning the other cheek seems to be their response, largely.
Children, schoolchildren appear infinitely more courageous in their response to attacks in their schools. Under 25 voter registrations are busting records. Is meaningful change being left to the children and young adults?
I remember the 60 and 70s anti-war movement was predominately young adults,from high schools to universities nationwide. They too were left to carry the weight of protest and civil disobedience. Some, like at Kent State paid the ultimate sacrifice.
To oppose the war back then, you were labeled a draft dodger, a coward, commie, or dirty fucking hippie.
Today, church members are being cut down right in their pews. And still, silence.
What is wrong with these religious people? Have they become so brainwashed into thinking speaking out is somehow anti-American?
Have they chosen government teachings over God's?
Have they become actual sheep?
This is certainly not the way to attract the younger populace into their churches.
We need an bonafide Anti- War Movement of all people across the nation.
Four died at Kent State, to stop an unjust war.
Hundreds have died at churches, schools, concerts, and theaters all across the nation, for nothing at all.
When will America become the home of the brave?
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Bernie's ideas winning!
Bernie's "Leftist" ideas kicking ass!
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Please define "winning"
I read the article, and as near as I can tell, there are a handful of candidates running on progressive ideas. Like I said in another thread, as long as "Berniecrats" or any other progressive candidates remain largely impotent and inconsequential to the establishment, they will be allowed to "win". But that changes the moment there is a momentum in the number of progressives candidates running, and then the levers of power that oversee the entire electoral process, stop it.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Winning nonetheless.
When presented with
progressive ideas unspun by the M$M most Americans on board.
As in completely. Well, mostly completely.
Now to translate that to winning at the polls. That's the hard part.
But certainly not impossible as you and other naysayers make it out to be.
Yes, The Establishment DCCC and DNC will push back, as will TPTB.
Here, most Berniecrats simply ignore the DCCC bull$h!t with a "bite me, I'll run without you."
After all, Bernie did.
Naysayers seem to think it's impossible for Bernie and Berniecrats to win.
Not.
Is difficult, but not impossible. Will be done sooner rather than later.
If it were damn near impossible I'd stop the campaigning bull$h!t and start the commune building. Way more productive. But, Berniecrats gonna win. Maybe not this year, maybe not 2020, but Much sooner rather than later. Even some Republicons tired of TPTB /oligarchy bull$h!t.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
"Winning" what?
electoral majorities?
And what happened to Bernie?
Running is not winning ELECTORAL majorities needed to gain power to effect policy change.
How EXACTLY are progressive candidates expected to win ELECTORAL majorities when the only means to do that are controlled by the establishment and the DHS?
Persuading constituents to vote for progressive candidates when we cannot ensure their votes will even be counted because the entire electoral process is corrupted by the very power structure we are ELECTORALLY running against?
That is illogical.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
One of two candidates
is going to win
the Dem nomination to run against Repub incumbent "Beltway Elise" Stefanik here in NY-21.
One is a Berniecrat. The other is former MSLSD host, Dylan Ratigan, a (barely) centrist "Democrat."
Both are capable of beating Beltway Elise.
Will they? The Berniecrat has no money. Ratigan could spend a $Million. Won't, but could.
Beltway Elise will have as much as she needs, thanks to the KochBros, Karl Rove and Repub coffers.
So who knows? My heart is with the Berniecrat, who supports Bernie's view on issues. But I want to win. Which takes money. So, I'll likely end up supporting Ratigan. He is, in person, exactly as we saw him on MSLSD, quite capable of duking it out with Beltway Elise.
Should Beltway Elise win election for the third straight time, she will be on the GOP fast track for the presidency. That's no exaggeration. She'll first duke it out with Schumer. If she wins, then the presidency next. So... so this race is a Joe Biden bfd to Repub insiders, and they'll spend the money to see that she wins. Dims on the other hand will do what they do best and simply ignore it.
Point being there are a bunch of Berniecrats in races like this one all across the fruited plain. And there will be more in 2020 and even more in 2022. yeah, yeah, yeah, "TPTB, Homeland Security, blah blah blah... they got the keys to 'The System' so Berniecrats going nowhere!!" Nowhere!! whatever.... 60% turnout cures that bull$h!t. Eventually. Becuz eventually voters figure out that TPTB, Homeland Security screwing with their vote.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Ah, I see
And here I thought we were going to have a conversation based in reality.
[video:https://youtu.be/tbU3zdAgiX8]
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
@Anja Geitz Fabulous
Fabulous harmony! Gonna pilgrimage into Mulenburg county(yes, the one J. Prime songs about going back to) and visit the Everly brothers monumen-museum.
Few are guilty, but all are responsible.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Prophets
You think this DHS,
PTB bull$h!t gonna
last forever? Americans may be dumb but they ain't stupid.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Largely agree, Wink
The tide is turning, and the tide cannot be stopped. It can be contained somewhat, and redirected, but not for long.
"Even some Republicons tired of TPTB /oligarchy bull$h!t."
Most Republicons are dead set against the Globalists/New World Order powers infesting our government.
Same people, different labels.
They are convinced the Globalists/NWO represent the "Democraps", the godless "libturd" commies, pampered by the "liberal" MSM. The DNC and DCCC are the movement leaders supported by Soros and Hollywood moguls.
The fact is we are fighting the same people.
Interesting development in Italy.
The Far Right and the Far Left have come together and formed a coalition government to return Italy to Italians. To return control to the people.
Imagine that. Putting aside their culture warrior differences and focusing on pressing problems effecting both sides equally.
We will want to keep a close eye on this unusual experiment in Italian polity.
If you subtract the IP issues here, we have more in common with the far right,those I consider the former "Teapartiers", than we have in differences.
Unite, and we stand a chance.
Divided we fall.
IMHO
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Exactly. I suspect the same
happens here.
Regardless of team jacket, team colors, people have had it up to Here with this bull$h!t.
Gonna end sooner rather than later.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Dusting off your crystal ball
of political fortune telling again? Remarkable what kind of paraphernalia people still drag out of those cobwebbed attics of theirs.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
DNC still can't raise money
what a shame
Looks like cash on hand exceeds debts outstanding, so they're
playing the float. The question is, who is floating them?
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
I'm trying like hell
to work up a tear.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Me too
We'll never make it on Broadway at this rate.
Good morning, philly, thanks for the OT.
Buddham sarinam gocchami
Dhammam sarinam gocchami
Sanghan sarinam gocchami
Indian government troops killed over 5,000 Sikhs in a 3 day attack on their golden temple on June 3, 1984, FWIW.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
You started by quoting two of my favorite folks . . .
And then the lovely choral version of the Prayer of St. Francis.
Yes we need a peace movement.
Thanks.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
@mhagle gonna share this poem
gonna share this poem from today's R. Rohr daily meditation when I have dinner and talk poetry with our Louisville group Thursday night:
Talking Poetry & Sharing Stories
Joy Unspeakable
is not silent,
it moans, hums, and bends
to the rhythm of a dancing universe.
It is a fractal of transcendent hope,
a hologram of God’s heart,
a black hole of unknowing.
For our free African ancestors,
joy unspeakable is drum talk
that invites the spirits
to dance with us,
and tell tall tales by the fire.
For the desert Mothers and Fathers,
joy unspeakable is respite
from the maddening crowds,
And freedom from
“church” as usual.
For enslaved Africans during the
Middle Passage,
joy unspeakable is the surprise
of living one more day,
and the freeing embrace of death
chosen and imposed.
For Africans in bondage
in the Americas,
joy unspeakable is that moment of
mystical encounter
when God tiptoes into the hush arbor,
testifies about Divine suffering,
and whispers in our ears,
“Don’t forget,
I taught you how to fly
on a wing and a prayer,
when you’re ready
let’s go!”
Joy Unspeakable is humming
“how I got over”
after swimming safely
to the other shore of a swollen Ohio river
when you know that you can’t swim.
It is the blessed assurance
that Canada is far,
but not that far.
For Africana members of the
“invisible institution,” the
emerging black church,
joy unspeakable is
practicing freedom
while chains still chafe,
singing deliverance
while Jim Crow stalks,
trusting God’s healing
and home remedies,
prayers, kerosene,
and cow patty tea.
For the tap dancing, boogie woogie,
rap/rock/blues griots
who also hear God,
joy unspeakable is
that space/time/joy continuum thing
that dares us to play and pray
in the interstices of life,
it is the belief that the phrase
“the art of living”
means exactly what it says.
Joy Unspeakable
is
both FIRE AND CLOUD,
the unlikely merger of
trance and high tech lives
ecstatic songs and a jazz repertoire
Joy unspeakable is
a symphony of incongruities
of faces aglow and hearts
on fire
and the wonder of surviving together.
Few are guilty, but all are responsible.”
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Prophets
A total desensitization has taken place.
http://johnpilger.com/articles/sixty-dead-in-gaza-and-the-end-of-israeli...
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/05/21/israels-new-ideology-of-genocide/
Becoming desensitized and accepting killing as normal in one place, tends to lead to becoming desensitized and accepting killing anywhere, even at home.
Once enough desensitization has occurred, committing any horror / becoming the victim of any horror is possible — no one, besides a few posters on a blog, will care.