Who's up next?
When I first moved to Greensboro, I often found solace and inspiration in the sanctuary of St. James Baptist Church. The pastor, who spoke to my heart, also spoke to my consciousness.
The Rev. Prince Edward Graves, who died Jan. 15, at the age of 83, shattered stereotypes of what a preacher should be and say.
"If the gospel is going to be relevant," he often said, quoting theologian Karl Barth, "then I've got to have a Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. I hope the church will never get so heavenly-minded that it does not earthy good."
Graves grew up in poverty. "You usually fight the things that pester you when you're young. Being plagued by it (poverty), I fight it now."
For decades his church doubled as a community social service agency.
At the funeral, the Rev. Howard Chubbs spoke lovingly of Graves being the most recent in a long line of civil rights heavyweights who have passed away.
Is there a next Prince Graves?
Some of my best friends -- Big Bird included -- are embroiled in controversy over a children's video which essentially says 'let's let me be me and you be you.'
The "We are Family" video, paid for by the Anti-Defamation League and the Disney Channel, among others, also featuring Clifford, Barney and SpongeBob. It has come under attack by James Dobson's Focus on the Family, a popular conservative Christian group. Dobson's group says the video of pro-homosexual because of a tolerance pledge associated with the video, which accepts a person's "sexual identity" as something to be respected.
Comments (4)
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Nancy,
The story about Dobson and the video using Sponge Bob Square Pants is not quite as reported by our friends at the NY Times. I commented on this at The Lex Files but to repeat I suggest people who are concerned about getting balance when pondering this controversy read the opinion piece by Maxie Zeus at " The Toon Zone " ( 1-21-05 )
Posted on January 24, 2005 7:13 PM
Nancy,
Dr. Dobson is not one to get worked up over nothing, and after reading up on what happened as well as reading the Focus on the Family statement, I agree with him. Homosexual activists (including some in Guilford County) are trying their best to get "sexual identity" and other similar comments included in non-descrimination policies (as they did in Guilford County schools) so that people will see any negative remarks about the "gay" lifestyle as discriminatory. That will probably include any reference to Biblical teaching on homosexuality, called "an abomination to God" in the Scriptures. I am sure you have heard that many homosexual activists are comparing their desire to legalize same sex marriage to the civil rights movement of the sixties. They also tend to be "intolerant" of anyone who disagrees, especially conservatives and Christians.
Jesus taught the greatest message of love and loves all regardless of their ethnicity, language, nationality or ideology. He does, however, call us to recognize SIN for what it is, and to repent of it in all forms. Dr. Dobson is simply trying to warn parents of the agenda to normalize sin in order to desensitize their children. This is one of MANY reasons why our family is choosing to homeschool. I will teach my children to treat all people respectfully, no matter what they believe, their lifestyle, and whether or not we agree with them. However, I will also teach them what the Bible teaches about SIN and what all is included in the Bible as sin(of which ALL are guilty, hence the need for a Savior). There is a big difference between respecting people's differences and acting as if all lifestyles are healthy and normal. You can treat people in a kind and loving way but still recognize the destructiveness of their behavior and choose not to participate or condone it. I will be praying for a balance as I teach my kids.
Posted on January 25, 2005 2:22 PM
Nancy, I agree so much with you about Rev. Graves and his outstanding leadership. He really understood the function of organized religion, both as a tool for the spiritual development of unfinished souls, and for the ultimate transformation of our unfinished world. However, I was amused by the rather strange juxtaposition of your comments about a giant of a spiritual leader, combined with the foolish and divisive tilting after windmills of James Dobson. I cannot understand how anyone, especially anyone who has genuinely become blessed by the love of Jesus, can be upset with the positive and joyful message of the "We Are Family" video. For a humorous but very relevant response, I recommend the following link to the United Church of Christ website: http://www.ucc.org/news/r012405.htm.
Just a note about "sin." As I read Holy Scripture, it is clear to me that there is only one "sin". The word has no plural form. As such, any action that divides us from the love of God is sin. The way one "is" cannot be "sin" since, by definition, "sin" is the result of an action (or inaction toward God). Therefore, as Holy Scripture makes so very clear, we are all sinners, every one of us, and our sin is identical. One must be careful to describe another's sin as in any way different from or worse than one's own, because there is only one sin and we are all guilty of it.
Posted on January 26, 2005 9:44 AM
When you can prove that being a homosexual is the "way one is", then you can argue that point. Where do you get the idea that our sin is "only one and we are all guilty of it". We are certainly all sinners and if you read the list of people who won't make it into Heaven in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 pretty much everyone is covered in that list and Paul concludes with "you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Therefore, without Jesus we could not enter the presence of God. Also, if you read the ten commandments, you will find that you have broken at least one. We all have. "There is no one righteous, no not one." Romans 3:10, and cross reference with Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3, and Ecclesiastes 7:20. Romans 1:24-31 discusses sexual sin in depth. People also claim that they MUST get drunk because alcoholism runs in their family (it runs in mine, but there must be personal responsibility as well) or that they have sexual addictions and therefore cannot be faithful to their spouse or must engage in fornication. We are to love others, but we are not called to love or ignore their sin. I did not "make this up" and neither did someone like Dr. Dobson, but it is directly from the Word of God. If it is a problem, you will have to take it up with Him.
Posted on February 15, 2005 8:49 PM