Tag: protest

The right to assemble

As part of Open Lines on Power Talk last night, we asked the listeners, “when is it Ok for Christians to protest?”

Is there a point when Followers of Jesus should stand up, wave their picket signs and protest for a cause? And if so, where do your draw the line between simply quiet, peaceful protests and civil disobedience?

While protesting is generally protected as a right here in the US, is it the most effective use of time and energy?

We had some interesting points brought up by the callers but I’d like to get your input as well.

What do you think?

Ten reasons why I make a poor pacifist

pacifist demonstration
Pacifists Demonstration (03) - 17Jun08, Paris (France) | By Philippe Leroyer
  1. I still get a kick out of watching professional wrestling and will still “mark-out” from time to time during a great match
  2. I want to pummel anyone who hurts my wife or boys
  3. I often think it would be far easier to just bomb the heck out of evil dictators
  4. Truth be told – part of me was excited that we got Osama bin Laden
  5. I can have a horrible temper if I’m not careful
  6. I still want to flip off half the drivers around me on the road
  7. I can still get caught up in nationalism and military pride from time to time
  8. I still love movies where the good guy wins by destroying the bad guy
  9. I’ve never participated in an anti-war rally
  10. Forgiving my neighbors who sprayed paint on the back of my house is hard enough – and you want me to forgive my enemies?!

And two reasons I want to be a really good pacifist…

Tomorrow needs you today
My boys and my new Two Futures Project t-shirt | Photos by Jonathan Blundell

Where do you struggle with putting your ideals into practice?

On the verge of something big

distributed christianity

Boy if there’s ever a week that things really seem to be aligning this might be it. Maybe it’s just my limited perspective.

I’m not sure where this post is going so bear with me.

More and more across our country – and around the world – groups are coming together to declare their independence. There’s a restlessness afoot. People are growing weary of institutions of all shapes and sizes.

And the Internet seems to be bringing many of these forces together in ways not seen before.

Just like the invention of the printing press – when suddenly every person could own a copy of Scripture, or the latest pamphlet or newspaper – now everyone can own those things, as well as create and distribute their own versions.

You’ve likely heard much said about how Obama should credit much of his success to his campaign’s use of new media and the Internet. And putting great tools like my.barackobama.com to use gave every Joe Democrat with a computer a voice and a platform to share it on.

People had grown tired of the institution/administration that was in place and they saw Obama as their savior (we’ll leave that up for later debate).

And now, on the other side of the aisle, tea parties or tea baggers (depending on which side you’re on) mounted protests around the country to declare they’re no longer interested in paying taxes that bailout Fortune 500 Countries or social welfare programs. They organized via the Internet and social networks with no clear leadership. They even refused the “professional politicians” opportunities to speak at the protest rallies.

When Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele asked to speak at the Chicago tea party, his request was politely refused by the organizers: “With regards to stage time, we respectfully must inform Chairman Steele that RNC officials are welcome to participate in the rally itself, but we prefer to limit stage time to those who are not elected officials, both in Government as well as political parties. This is an opportunity for Americans to speak, and elected officials to listen, not the other way around.” – WSJ

Alongside the tea parties, Gov. McDreamy jumped in and told folks he supports a bill that would lead Texas to succeed from the Union. Could be an interesting idea – as long as we don’t simply replace Washington D.C. with Austin, Texas.

(And BTW – I’m with Mike Morrell, in asking “Where were these folks during the last eight years when the government continued to rack up ginormous debt for a war in Iraq and took away our personal freedoms and securities in the name of ‘National Security?'” Why aren’t they also calling foul when we’re about to send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan? But I digress…. be sure and read Mike’s great post on this topic as well.)

Today, I saw news about two new local Farmer’s Markets in the Dallas area. One is opening in Mockingbird Station, the other has already started in Oak Cliff.

And in that spirit, I also watched a trailer for Food Inc. That seems to discuss the institutionalizing of our food supply. (see also Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma)

Of course if you’ve followed this blog or my podcast for long you know I’m a fan of organic churches and the empowerment of the priesthood of believers.

I was told this week that a group of youth from our tribe discussed the future of the church during their weekly gathering and after dividing up into separate groups they each came back with very similar ideas…

  • small groups meeting in homes
  • no church buildings
  • very relational
  • reaching out to the community
  • “contemporary” music without the big band or production
  • elational music with one or two guitars

Sounds pretty anti-institutional to me. Love it! I hope they start seeing that as they move into “leadership positions.”

And this theme just continues to grow in more and more areas. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. I can’t wait to see where it all ends up. Something big is coming down the pipe. Are you ready?

What about you? Do you see other stories that line up with this realm of thinking? Do you think its a good course? Dangerous course? What side do you want to be standing on?

Students protest

Students from Irving, Dallas, Plano and Mesquite ISD protested at City Hall for a 2nd day today.

The students were protesting new measures discussed by the House to make helping illegal immigrants a crime.

Many Hispanic leaders are asking the students to remain in school now, after two days of walk-outs and protest on Saturdays and Sundays.

After thousands of North Texas students left classes for a second day in response to proposed legislation that would make it a felony to enter the country illegally or to help illegal immigrants, community leaders issued a plea Tuesday afternoon for the students to take more “constructive” action.
In a quickly-arranged news conference in City Hall’s Flag Room, the leaders talked about the need for students to end the walkouts, and gave several students the opportunity to speak about their feelings.
“The walkouts have been very effective, but it’s time for everyone to go back to school and start writing letters and making phone calls to your senator or congressman,” said Domingo Garcia, a Dallas lawyer and current National Civil Rights Chairman for LULAC.
Garcia said a civil rights march will be held in Dallas on April 9, and encouraged students and others who felt strongly about the issue to plan on taking part in that event rather than missing additional classes.

I wonder how much of the protest was heard about in Washington. And sadly I wonder if it has made any difference.

An interesting sidebar: KTVT had video of several students saying they were organized by using Myspace.com. Makes you realize how powerful a tool it can be if used properly. Several thousand students organized the rally on Dallas City Hall with Myspace. It’s a powerful tool for sure.