Another day, another agitation

In case you weren't depressed, this should do the trick: Christian nationalism. I'm not suggesting that "the Nazis are coming, the Nazis are coming." Still, it's worth remembering that Hitler acted "mit Gott." The picture of Nazi trinkets at the foot of the cross is haunting. American civil society remains strong enough that a slide into fascism is neither imminent nor inevitable. On the other hand, the part of the church that is not cheerleading the rightward drift of the nation is incredibly weak and adrift. Powerful voices of faith speaking out for equity, justice and peace -- and against the scapegoating of immigrants, gays, and Muslims -- are more important now than ever. Pass it on.

Memorial Day

In between painting the front porch and heading to the Depot to prepare for more holiday fun I paused for a moment's reflection on this day. As is often the case, James Carrol has given powerful expression to the necessary distinction between soldiers and the wars they fight. Memorial Day is as good a time as any to think about the narratives that frame the war and opposition to it. Honor, duty and courage are the dominant themes of the story we are told by those in power leading this war. There are other themes and other stories -- stories of nonviolence, of justice, of peacemaking. We must tell them again and again and again until we are sick of telling them for only then might they be heard above the martial drumbeat of war.