Sam PF's Journal
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Below are the 3 most recent journal entries recorded in the "Sam PF" journal:
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11:36 pm
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Jeremiah
Some interesting comments from a fellow-United Church of Christ Minister on Revd. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's pastor, whom he has now repudiated over videos of a sermon in which he condemned the USA for its racism and described 9/11 as chickens coming home to roost. Also some good comments here. Hat-tip to ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) kynn in both cases.
Inclined to agree - his language might be somewhat OTT - but basically, OMG saying true stuff about America, and clearly stuff that resonates a lot with much of America's black population. Can't have that. As the first link points out, he is also speaking in the prophetic tradition of "speaking truth to power".
One thing I haven't seen commented on though is his name. Hello, JEREMIAH! Perhaps some of those so shocked and horrified that he could say such horrid things about the Best Country in the World (TM) should go back and read what the original Jeremiah had to say about his country and its rulers, who also believed themselves to be chosen by God and unique. And how it was the FALSE prophets who insisted that everything was fine, God was on their side, God bless America Judah.
A shame that Obama's felt the need to repudiate his mentor and friend, but I don't entirely blame him. Politicians may listen and hopefully learn from prophets, but they can't afford to be quite as honest.
Tags: politics, religion
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12:35 am
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The fuel pipe that stole Easter (or at least the Vigil)
Bugger.
Got back to Bristol this evening four hours late, thus missing the Easter Vigil service at St Mary on the Quay, where I was supposed to be singing. (Was able to inform people). I've been in Scotland the past week, at the Scottish Economic Society conference and visiting family - my mum's been over from Bulgaria staying with my sister in Edinburgh, where my brother also now lives. It was a bit of a dilemma this being Holy Week, whether to stay as she was in the country, or come back down to Bristol for the Triduum. The compromise I settled on was to remain in Scotland for the Thursday and Friday, and return today in time for the Vigil. (Went to Good Friday liturgy in Edinburgh Cathedral, which was very good, but was ill for Maundy Thursday.)
Depending on British trains not being more than two hours late? Really not a good plan.
Virgin excelled themselves today. The train stopped a little way before Alnmouth (not far south of the border), and they said that something was causing ballast to be thrown up from the track, so they needed to take a look see what it was. Didn't seem to bad. Then they took it to Alnmouth, then to somewhere just past Alnmouth to try to get better looks, and eventually found that some fuel pipe was dragging on the ground or something, and we later found out that it had actually ruptured the fuel tank, which is clearly a bad thing. (I think they glossed over that bit before so as to avoid unnecessary anxiety). In the end they decided they would have to 'detrain' us, so we waited till the next train arrived - same service two hours later, and then we all had to climb out the front of the train down a ladder, and up into the other train, which fortunately wasn't too crowded. By that time the new train was an hour and a half late, which edged up to two hours what with knock-on effects.
All conducted with remarkable British good humour and long-suffering of course. Not a word raised in anger that I observed. But by the time the new train finally rolled into Birmingham New Street, it was already just a few minutes before 8 o'clock, when the SMQ vigil was starting in Bristol. The train from Brum was a mere twenty minutes late, but that somehow proved the straw that broke the camel's back for me and left me thoroughly pissed off. Eventually got into Bristol at 10pm, about when the service would be finishing. All in all, took me 11 hours from Edinburgh, which is about how long a coach would have taken.
So yeah, missed the biggest celebration of the Christian calender. Let all my fellow music-group people down. Plus I've been nursing this cold, and hardly slept last night following a late night. Ah, I am tired, very very tired. Still, at least Doctor Who was good (OK, very silly, but still fun), so that has cheered me up somewhat.
In other news, Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia! Not feeling particuarly Eastery at the moment as you can perhaps discern. But there will be the Easter Sunday mass tomorrow, so hopefully that will revive my spirits.
Tags: family, religion, travel
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02:58 am
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On being a liberal Catholic
In danger of breaking my Lenten vow here...
OK, this follows from a conversation I had with shreena not long ago, followed up by discussions with various other folks at Unite4Peace last weekend.
Unusually, I am going to ask a question rather than go into a lengthy exposition of my own thoughts and opinions.
Is it morally and intellectually honest of me to remain a communicant member of the Roman Catholic Church given that I differ from the Church's teachings on a whole range of issues, including (as key examples) gay sexual relationships and marriage, issues of sexuality in general, (though I would not say my views there are fully worked out), and women priests?
Opinions welcome from all shades of belief and unbelief.
NB: It would be easy for someone of a liberal bent to say, "Of course it's OK to be a Catholic and hold those views, it's bad and wrong of the RC Church to be so authoritarian and insist on the degree of conformity it does - the Church should be inclusive!" That may be so, but the question is, given the position the RC church does in fact take on what one has to accept to be considered a faithful member (and exactly what that is is one thing I'm not entirely clear on, and I expect I would get different answers from different priests), is it honest and consistent to remain a communicant member? Or, as shreena put it, is the only reason I (and many others with similar views) have not been excommunicated because I haven't told anyone who could do so what I think?
NB2: I can, however, for example say the Nicene Creed in full without a qualm. (Except that I omit the word 'men' from "for us men and for our salvation", which is merely a matter of translation.)
Tags: religion
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