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Progress comes from the Supreme Court and Walmart.
And the Presbyterians??? |
The Supreme Court and Walmart lead
the way toward justice ... and maybe someday Presbyterians will catch up?
[9-16-03]
Martha Juillerat, Director of
the Shower of Stoles Project,
reflects on recent developments toward a more just and inclusive society.
This essay was originally published in the newsletter of
Voices of Sophia.
NOTE: This was written before the Episcopal
national convention. Martha was there and actively involved in some of the
events. She promises to share her thoughts on that amazing event
soon.
Two sweeping actions have taken my breath away recently.
First, by a 6-3 vote a relatively conservative Supreme Court struck down the
sodomy laws of Texas and all other states with such laws. In what has been
called one of the most significant decisions since the civil rights
movement, the court effectively decriminalized the behavior of
mutually-committed same-sex couples in the privacy of their homes.
It is fortunate that the Supreme Court did not turn to the
Presbyterian Church for its wisdom on this matter. The church might have
said, "Wait. The people of Texas are not ready for such an action yet. The
time is not yet right."
That very same week an equally stunning action was
announced: Wal-Mart, that bastion of conservatism, sexism and Byzantine
labor practices, added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy.
In so doing Wal-Mart joined most of the Fortune 500 companies in recognizing
that flagrant discrimination against GLBT persons is just plain bad for
business.
It is fortunate that Wal-Mart did not turn to the
Presbyterian Church for its wisdom on this matter. The church might have
said, "The time is not right. Wal-Mart shoppers are tired of hearing about
this. They just aren't ready to agree with this new policy."
Historically, churches have always been well behind
society on civil rights issues, but I am confident that some day the
Presbyterian Church will catch up with the likes of Wal-Mart, the Supreme
Court and the Canadian government as well. However, it will take more than
just waiting patiently for the Presbyterian Church to begin moving in the
right direction. It will require bold action, an uncompromising commitment
to justice and a visionary, prophetic witness on our part.
The Shower of Stoles Project remains committed to the work of justice. We
invite you to become a part of this work. For more information about
arranging for a display of the Shower of Stoles in your church please
visit our website at
www.showerofstoles.org.
The Shower of Stoles
is a collection of hundreds of liturgical stoles from gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender persons from twenty-one denominations in five
countries. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in
the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister,
elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator or active
layperson. This extraordinary collection celebrates the gifts of GLBT
persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who
have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or
gender identity.
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If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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