Buddhist Teacher, Hyon Gak Sunim

A commenter on a different post alerted me to this Buddhist teacher, Hyon Gak Sunim. I found this interview with Dennis Wholey of the program, "I Believe," and found it to be a good introduction to Buddhist thought. Thank you for sharing this information with me!

Technology in the Classroom

Painfully accurate parody of how many professors use technology in the classroom:

Spreading the Joy of the Season

Bells that spread a little joy for a couple minutes and then move on:

Obama's Theology

President Obama does not attend any church regularly or exclusively (like the majority of Americans), he does attend to theological, religious, and spiritual beliefs and thoughts that do affect his political decisions. This analysis by David Gibson of Obama's speech accepting the Nobel Prize for Peace offers insights into the particular influence of Niebuhr on Obama.

Got Grapes?

I am considering the Eucharist today, at least I started to after watching this video about the labor conditions of agricultural workers in California. They pick the grapes that go to making the wine that Catholics believe becomes the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ during the consecration at the Eucharist. This video points to the ongoing human sacrifice that happens in order that we may eat our meals...including the Eucharist. For more information look into the Courage Campaign.

When Telling the Truth Can be Heard?

Here is another story of a bold truth teller. This time it's Madonna, who told a Romanian audience who came to hear her perform that the discrimination against the Roma people, known also as Gypsies, "It has been brought to my attention ... that there is a lot of discrimination against Romanies and Gypsies in general in Eastern Europe," she said. "It made me feel very sad." Thousands booed and jeered her. A few cheered when she added: "We don't believe in discrimination ... we believe in freedom and equal rights for everyone." But she got more boos when she mentioned discrimination against homosexuals and others."

Should a performer impose their personal political and social views on their audience during a performance? Was this the appropriate moment to preach and be heard?

I ask because I am starting to think that I am being asked to agree with everyone I have business with (i.e. Wholefoods CEO Mackey). Do I really need to agree with everyone I admire, appreciate, and pay money to see for their talents in something other than politics? I would very soon stop being a fan of much classical music and college football of I did.

And yet, I see that she had an attentive audience...and she was, no doubt, seduced into being an activist to help others.

Maybe to be of service with others, one must first live with them and not presume to help anyone...

What do you think?

Bold Truth Teller

Rev. Roy Bourgeois is a truth teller. He is willing to speak the truth he holds in his heart and is willing to take personal responsibility for the outcome of speaking that truth. Specifically, he speaks his truth about the injustice he sees in the fact that women are not ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. As such, he has endured excommunication from the Church and has responsibily acted accordingly, not wearing his clerical collar, or performing any official acts of ordained priests. But he continues to speak his truth.

Regardless of your stance on this particular issue of women's ordination, what do you think of ordained leaders and their willingness to voice their truth and take personal responsbility for the outcome? For that matter, what do you think of all people of faith and their willingness to voice their truth and take personal responsibilityfor the outcome?

What I find admirable in the case of Bourgeois is his fearless willingness to speak his truth. I experience a lot of fear in the Church these days...ordained leaders who balk at acting on the truth they are willing to speak in private, but are afraid to express publicly either through preaching or active outreach. I hear many priests speak privately of supporting gay marriage, for example. But I've only heard one sermon the came close to openly exploring that issue; and that was back in 2005 or 2006. I undertsand their reluctance. Such an open contradiction to the Vatican's stance would get them into trouble. And they don't want to lose their jobs over this.

What if all ordained priests spoke the truth on the injustices of poverty and inadequate health care? One result could possibly be a personal response to poverty: perhaps priests could start with a reduction in the size of all those liquor cabinets I've seen in quite a few priestly residences, and give that money to the poor. It's just a thought.