Guantanamo Bay Detainees

Plans are now in place to transfer a significant amount of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the Thomson Correctional Center here in Illinois. There is fear that this may pose a security threat to the United States by making it a possible target for more terrorism. As we are living in post 9/11 times - the threat and fear of terrorism is significantly heightened. But this reality seems not to be considered over capitalistic motives of the government. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is in grand support of this move. He is quoted by saying, "The prison would house fewer than 100 Guantanamo detainees and would have a "significant positive impact on the local economy" by generating more than 3,000 jobs." But what's more important, money or security?

As we are clearly living in times of economic hardships - many are going to drastic measures to generate more money. Thomason Correctional Center has been desolate for several years now, and with the housing of the Guantanamo Bay detainees it would be in full effect again. I can empathize with the reality of creating more jobs, but we must keep in mind that as we are trying to identify those within our borders that pose a significant threat to our National Security, we are adding more to that list of security threats. Since ownership of Thomson Correctional Center will be in the hands of the federal government - it’s imperative that the federal government makes sure that they give us the total security as they would give any other federal building that was a target for suspected terrorist activity.

Creche at the White House

As we are fully engaged into the holiday season, many faith traditions are engaging in their religious traditions across the nation. With these traditions come a diverse community of icons, artifacts, signs, and symbols. At the White House there are Christian Christmas symbols that are on display that include the display of the crèche. The display of the crèche at the White House has been a tradition since 1967, but with religious pluralism being a realization - its display "only" is being debated. The display of the crèche should be allowed as long as there is a respect and honor for other religious traditions within the White House as well.

As an employee of Corporate America I see many Christian Christmas decorations, trees, and lights on display across downtown and in many buildings. In my place of employment we have two 30+ ft. trees and three wreaths that have been added to the décor of our main lobby. To my surprise in one of our windows we also have the Jewish menorah in honor of Hanukkah, and the African kinara in honor of Kwanzaa. The display of all three of these holiday traditions in my place of employment gave me a sense of joy that the diversity that our corporate policy entails is not only being shown through the demographics of our employees, but also in honor of the faith traditions that are within the walls of our corporation as well.

This same type of diversity should be employed at the White House. The White House is looked upon as being the pedestal of America since the president of these United States resides there. As being the pedestal it should be sending a message of love, community, and acceptance. Since we do not just have Christians who celebrate religious traditions during this holiday season, there ought to be the display of a plethora of religious traditional symbols in the White House to acknowledge this. If Corporate America can do it…so must the White House.

Why Is Muslim Humanity Not Honored in Switzerland?

Switzerland voters have crossed over into dangerous territory by their hurtful decision to ban further construction of Muslim minarets. Minarets are apart of the mosques that Muslims are called to prayer to everyday, but now in their near future they will have to go without their sacramental architecture in the construction of further erected mosques. This places Muslims in a place of the "otherness". Muslims have been singled out and their faith is now being criticized and demeaned by the actions of right-winged Switzerland groups such as Swiss People's Party, and the Federal Democratic Union. The ban passed because the Switzerland constitution allows for a group of people to gather 100,000 signatures to promote an initiative, and once this is done a vote can be taken for or against it. This is not right.

We live in a pluralistic world that encapsulates many different religions and practices. Everyone has their own right to worship in their own way. To ban these Muslim minarets - is stripping the Muslim world of their full humanity. In order to realize the full humanity of a person you must accept their decisions in totality - religion included. We do not live in a world that has a universalized global religion. This Earth is one big melting pot of religious views. I am quite sure that the Muslims feel a bit of uneasiness now to be a resident of a society that bans the totality of their religious freedom. To the Switz's minarets are just architecture, to Muslims it’s an important religious monument. In fact it’s been said that Muslims believe that minarets are the "gate from heaven and earth". The erection of this in addition to their mosques is important and pivotal to their faith. This should be taken into consideration.

Muslims account for the lowest percentage of practiced religions in Switzerland, with Catholicism and Protestantism being the head leaders. The Muslims are already a minority in Switzerland, but now they are the majority in being marginalized. What if other world leaders sent out a petition to ban the construction of crucifixes in cathedrals or altars in the sanctuaries of the Catholics and Protestants? The people of Switzerland must not be so conservative when it comes to religious freedom. There must be a call for love and a realization and acceptance of diversity. There is a beauty in diversity, because it allows for us to appreciate and to experience the totality and the beauty of our Creator. Within this beauty lie the lives of Muslims, not only their lives, but the beauty and sanctity of their minarets.

Remembering Not Only Our Own This Holiday Season!

The Holiday season is well under way. Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas is on the Horizon. What most did you give thanks for? Thanksgiving can truly be a time of good reflection and joyous times, but some people may feel like they have nothing to be thankful for. Someone may not have a family to share with. Someone may not even have a home to eat a warm cooked meal in. While we are giving thanks and breaking bread - lets not forget about those that are less fortunate. Lets not forget about those who may not be as blessed to share with a family.

Even though Thanksgiving is not truly a religious holiday, and has been adopted by the Christian church - we can still attach our loving Christian values so that the peace and love of God people can be spread among the masses. As we are out shopping this season - why not pick up an extra sweater to give to someone in a shelter? While we are baking cookies and making pies - why not make an extra one to share with someone other than our own? Let's not only remember our own this holiday season, but let's have the attitude of Christ and seek the less fortunate so that they too can fell happy and joyous - even in the midst of any sorrow that they may be encountering. Its more to the Holiday than just making our own happy, but our love should expand so that it can leak into the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters as well.

Violence and Suffering: Why must we encounter them?

Amid the ever rising violence that plagues our cities and states, and the ever growing suffering that has always had a place in our societies...questions comes to my mind. If we serve an all powerful and loving God - why does He allow for us to encounter such strife in our lives if we are truly his beloved children? What parent wants to see their child suffering? What parent will not intervene when they see there child suffering and being a victim of violence?

I feel that there is no one concrete answer to these questions. There are no reasons that can speak to a child that is suffering in poverty. There are no reasons that can speak to the senseless killings that have raided the youth of the city of Chicago. You can't just tell a mother that has lost her six year old child to a drunk driver - "that it was just in God's will". But there are a few thoughts that I have that can speak to these situations and help us to keep a faith in God in the midst of our encounters.

Paul asked of God in II Corinthians 12 that the He would remove the infliction that was over his body three times. The Lord said no, but He didn't leave him there. He said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul's response was, "most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." In our times of affliction God is the only one that we can lean on. If we don't put our trust in God...than putting our trust in man will fail us every time. I feel that sometimes we may have to suffer for a positive purpose. In order for one to learn and to get stronger and sharper...sometimes we'll just have to sweat and tear. Its like lifting weights. In order for your muscles to get bigger and stronger they have to go through rigorous trauma. Sometimes we suffer in order for us to attain higher heights and higher knowledges through our experiences. Also, I think one of the maybe most convincing reasons why we suffer is because its just an effect of natural order. We live in an imperfect world...so in an imperfect world that is full of free will...suffering happens.

Whatever the reasons are for ones suffering - we must not let go of our faith in God. Even though He is all powerful - I don't feel he intentionally inflicts violence and suffering all of the time. Its just a part of the free willed imperfect world that we live in. Whatever the infliction is - lets trust God. Violence and suffering is a big deal in society, but God is even bigger. Why not trust and depend on Him? For He is the only one that has the liberating power to assist us in our negative encounters with life.

Health Care Reform

Health care reform in the United States is a concern for both those that are inside and outside of the U.S. government. One group of individuals who feel strongly about voicing their opinion and wanting to have an influence in the shaping of health care reform for the nation are the U.S. Catholic bishops - rightly so. Any religious group, including the Catholic bishops of America, should be given the opportunity to voice opinions to congress about health care reform. I feel that the church has a duty to raise morale concerns and to be the "religious aggressors" that push for the wellness and well being of those subjected to health care.

To me it seems that sometimes the ultimate goal of health care in the United States is to make money. We live in a highly capitalistic society - so making money is always a deciding factor. Let's think about it. If there were no sick people in the world than the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't be in business. Certain epidemics such as cancer, AIDS, influenza, diabetes, and hypertension keep monies rolling in year after year into pharmaceutical "banks". There’s a push to make sure that medicines and care options are at the forefront and available for those that can push money into electing these care options. But what about servicing those that are in poverty, and are poor, and can't afford these medicines and health care options? This is where the church should have an influence. As religious leaders getting involved in the policy making - we should not be pushing "religions" - but rather we should be just practicing the love and care for humanity that our faith so duly charges us with doing through our deliberations.

In the end the government is going to decide what it’s going to decide, but sometimes it takes that little voice far off in the distant to help move one to look at things from a different perspective. As our nation is set up - it’s not the governments’ duty to show love and compassion from a religious perspective. They make and set laws for the land. It's the church's duty to be the religious foundation for the world and to help bring certain cares and concerns through a loving perspective. The church does not have the final say in the government, but it ought to have an influential effect on those that make decisions that effect personal lives on a day to day basis.

Ft. Hood: Religion, Terror, and Education

Within the United States we are infused with many races, creeds, and religious practices. One of the most diverse things about this melting pot - is that against the whole world - we have our very own complex pluralistic society that enables everyone to be able to have the freedom to choose what religion they want to practice. In wake of the most recent shootings at Ft. Hood, I feel that there must be an awakening and a realization that just because we accept one's freedom to choose their religion, we must also be aware of any pending dangers that may come along with it. Since we live in the "land of the free" - we can not simply place a discriminating limitation on ones entrance to the military due to their religious practices, but we've got to be a bit more educated and proactive in staying abreast to the "ins and outs" that one's beliefs may consist of.

Since at this point we do not have 100% assurance that the shooter is connected to any religious extremist group - we can not associate him with any particular group. In wake of September 11th, everyone wants to associate his actions to that of homage to Allah in the name of martyrdom. All individuals who practice in the name of Allah are not religious extremist. But since we do allow for Muslims to join the army - we must stay on top of any dangerous theological perspectives that one may have that may advocate martyrdom. Muslims are not the only religious practice that propagates dangers to society, but Christians and Jews as well. One may not practice them, but their "canons" do suggest it.

Where does America go from here? If this act was truly an act of religious extremism - than terrorism has his American soil again. What makes it worse is that it not only hit American soil, but it’s penetrated into our military services as well. This places a great deal of fear in the hearts of Americans, because if our military can be hit - than our line of defense is weakened. We need to take a situation such as the Ft. Hood shooting as a wake up call. In light of our love and compassion for ones thoughts, beliefs, and decisions, we must still stay aware and educated to any pending dangers that we may be up against. If we do this - than we may be able to prophetically name a danger and offer an alternative outcome before the lives of others are placed in danger. We must stay educated and take the necessary precautions when necessary.

End of Life Counseling

There comes a time in everyone's life where we must come to the realization that our journey here on Earth must come to an end. Coming to this realization - there should be support systems in place that make our last days here as peaceful as possible. My mother is a nurse manager of a hospice unit at a well known hospital in the Chicagoland area. She shares with me all the time the stories of how her and her team provides care and counseling to the patients as well as their families. She tells me that comforting the patient as well as the family is a big part of helping and preparing both for the transition from life to death. It’s a fact that some do to suffer more than others in their dying bed. When one is suffering in a great way - I feel that effective counseling such as the end-of-life counseling should be a great option that is sought out for a dying loved one.

Dr.'s Alexi A. Wright, Baohui Zhang, and Alaka Ray did a study with patients who received end-of-life counseling vs. those who didn't. The results of the study showed that patients who did have end-of-life discussions were admitted to hospice earlier and that a longer stay in hospice adversely gave the patient a better quality of life. Those who did not engage in end-of-life counseling had a worse quality of life in their last days, and not only did the patients suffer more, but their caregivers adversely were effected psychologically as well. Preparation and acceptance are key. Some may say that accepting the imminence of death is giving up on life. I feel that this may not so much be true. It’s a fact that our life begins and ends with the hand of God, but He never promised us an infinite life here on Earth. It’s up to God to make the decision of whether we are to be healed from a disease - or if He will call us home. The best that we can do is to just be prepared.

Our U.S. government is debating rather Medicare should be able to fund such an option - as well as if it should even be apart of Obama’s health-care reform. I feel that it should be. Our country is one of the most difficult when it comes to aiding those that are in need of health care and its benefit. Not including end-of-life counseling in the health-care reform to me is a way of whispering "I don't care". We should be doing everything that we can in our power to make sure those who are suffering - are as comfortable as they can be. Battling with denial can make matter worse, but when you accept something - you can move on and feel free in accepting whatever outcome that will come to pass.

Good and Evil

What drives the good and the evil of this world? What fuels the evil mind, and romanticizes the gentle heart? Is it God? Or is it just innate human nature? As a person of faith I believe that it’s God that has created both the good and the evil. God is the creator of this world and all that inhabits its dimensions – and good and evil is surly a small piece of the handy work. One thing about God is that He has given us free will, and this free will allows us to choose to permeate either the good or the bad through the actions of our lives.

A person’s beliefs are the lever to the triggering of their actions. Whether you believe in God or not, that which you believe is going to be the driver of your actions. A person can be good without being grounded in a belief of a higher deity – if their beliefs circle around the welfare and social-justice of a fellow human being. In religion good and ethical behavior is usually taught. So if one has devoted their lives to believe in a particular faith that expresses this – than the lever that is attached to their beliefs is expected to be gauged to good. So good is what they practice – even with falling into bad temptations at times.

Good and evil has been shaped and evaluated through the “fall of man” of Adam and Eve. This is where most original sin theologies are birthed from. But really what is sin? Is sin something in particular – or that which seems to go against common practice or morale? Sin to me is that which tends to go against the grain of the good of a systematic society. So in this there is a bias to naming exactly what sin is. I lean towards the canonical scriptures to govern my life by, but others may not. The bottom line is that regardless of what faith one is attached to – if any – there is a common knowledge of morale that one should uphold that will direct one to govern their lives and actions in a manner that is compatible for positive interaction with all of humanity. This restrictive plumbline is true whether you name it human nature – or God.

The Swine Flu Vaccine: Is it Ethical to Say No?

There have been children and adults alike that have died from the outbreak of the swine flu. In light of these deaths - is it ethical to deny anyone – especially your child a defense against this virus? There is always the scare of will this medicine work? Or will I have side effects? Truth of the matter is that anyone can have an effect – even with taking Tylenol. Forcing someone not to take this vaccine to me is creating a mini genocidal atmosphere. Not taking the vaccine can cause death among those who didn’t take it if their bodies cannot handle the virus if they get it. Who would want someone else’s blood on their hands in that manner?

There are many religious denominations that teach against science and medicine. But what logically are you against? Are you against the medicine or the humanness that produced it? If ones religious beliefs center on a creator of all things - than that belief should extend with a trust that ‘all things’ includes the minds and hands of pharmaceutical producing men and women as well. I feel that it’s not ethical to say no to this vaccine, especially for children solely on the basis of ‘I’m scared’, or ‘I’m against science’.

Living with a health professional for the past 26 years has truly had its perks when it comes to staying on top of the most current health topics and issues. I was excited when I heard that my job may have been offering this vaccination through our health program, but when I came home and shared the news – I was instantly shut down. I was told not to take the vaccination, because all of the ‘kinks’ had not been worked out of the shot yet. So – I instantly began to think. Was this an ethical issue if they are pushing out thousands of possibly flawed or dangerous vaccines? Or why would the FDA approve something that may turn out to be potentially harmful to the society? September 15, 2009 the H1N1 Vaccine was approved by the FDA, but through its approval – which was only approved through preliminary data – there are still clinical testing that is still to be sought out. But there is something that we have to take into account. All drugs have potential to be harmful or cause unknown side effects. We’ve got look at the benefits that outweigh the consequences of not taking the vaccine.

Pro Life or Pro Choice

One of the most leading arguments among conservative and progressive activists is the abolition vs. the right to abortion. 95% of conservatives believe that abortion should be illegal, and 80% of progressives believe that abortion should be legal and an option given to a woman. What really is the issue that formulates the views of both parties? It’s known that conservative “rights” tend to be pretty traditional and narrow-minded in certain issues, whereas progressive “lefts” tend to focus on the welfare and open-mindedness of society. But is this an issue about religious morale, or just the human right to chose through their free will options?

I tend to believe that the issue is pulled more towards religious morale – with a twist of human freedom. Even though a person has the right to chose what they may – it gets a little complicated when one tends to fidget with the choice to end a life. Being one that does not totally agree with capital punishment, abortion can be a pretty ‘itchy’ topic for me. I feel that if a life is given – than a purpose must be fulfilled. Everyone has a purpose for being brought into this world. In these post modern days – life is sometimes brought about through un-married couples, rape, or even incest. I don’t focus too much on the means of how a human got here, but I try to look beyond to the beauty of the procreation of God that was made through two of his created beings.

I recently had someone who was close to me to ask me whether or not they should get an abortion. They went through all of the ramifications of what they thought would happen if the child was allowed to be born. I felt they were a bit selfish, because what is more detrimental; someone being mad at you for a few months…or you taking a life? I think I’d take the scolding over ceasing a life. I told them that I did not believe in killing an unborn child, but their choice was their choice. They decided to go ahead with the abortion – and I found myself irate. When I sat and pondered on why I was upset…even though I gave the confusing atmosphere of both a pro life/pro choice individual – I found that my views lent more towards pro-life.

It’s true that free will can be exercised, but when your free will in life stops another life from flourishing – it’s a bit problematic for me. I hope that I do not offend anyone who may have had an abortion, but all I’m trying to do is to express to the world that life was created and given by God. As Christians we believe that we are made ‘imago dei’ – made in the image of God. If that life is formed – than the image that of that child rests in the essence of God. It’s not our choice to end that which He created. Especially a child that was never given the right to play their first note on their clarinet, or score that touchdown in the homecoming football game, or the one that would become a successful doctor or lawyer, or the one that could very well take care of you when life has taken its toll on your body.

So let me end this way. God does not make mistakes. If God has given us a blessing – lets choose to love, care, and nurture that life, because we all have a right to make choices. If one’s choice is to not care for that being – than make the choice to submit that life to another life…and not the grave.

The Answer to Youth Violence: Political or Religious Solution?

In the wake of the senseless killings of our youth across the Chicagoland area - there has been a call by the Obama Administration in sending top officials to Chicago to meet about solutions to ending these sick and contagious actions. The reaction of the White House is surely a good one, but is this really a political problem that calls for a political solution? Or is this a religious issue that calls for a religious solution?

Since January of 2009 - there has been over 40 recorded killings of youth to date in Chicago this year. This is a total outrage! Quite frankly whatever is in place now (if anything) in keeping our youth safe - just isn't working. I feel that the political leaders of our state and country should have been reacting from the first killing...let alone 39 killings later. But, would a reaction have done anything better than what's being done now?

To me the political moves haven't worked. How does the penal system answer the call of a solution to end youth violence? How about the blue light flashing police cameras that are on certain corners? What about the citywide curfews that are rarely enforced? What have these done to help?

I feel that our solution could sway more to the religious genre. The leaders of our church today should be taking these killings personal. I know I do. I don't have any biological children, but I have enough God-Children, as well as youth at my church to place myself in a thought of a parent that has fallen victim to their child being murdered. Something has to be done. Taking anyone's life is a bad crime, but when we are loosing our "futures" and our "tomorrows"...there is something that should rise up in the average individual to want to do something about it.

One thing I feel that is important that we ought to be doing is setting up youth mentoring programs through the church so that our young men and women can have good role models to look up to. The sad fact is that our youth are just mimicking that which they are exposed to. So why not implant good behaviors in their minds from credible religious leaders? Behaviors are learned! Whether it is through what they see in their everyday lives, see on T.V., or hear on the radio. True enough the world can't do everything, and good teaching needs to start at home, but when home is what's causing the conflict - other means need to be sought.

So I challenge the religious sector of our city to open their eyes, and to challenge themselves in trying to reach out the the city of Chicago. True enough most of us do a good job with keeping the youth within the four walls of our churches in line, but true mission work and kingdom building must take place outside those walls. So let's start with the virus that has spread throughout our beloved city of Chicago. Our kids are our future...lets preserve them! Not only preserve them, but teach and mentor them to be productive leaders of today and tomorrow.

U.S. & Afghanistan: Modern Day Israelites & Canaanites?

It has been over eight years since the U.S. has invaded the soils of Afghanistan. What is our purpose there? Do we hold a moral responsibility to them - or are we operating through a hidden agenda? Moral responsibility means that one is obligated to do something for the other. Our defining factor for invasion was to seek and to find mastermind Osama bin Laden and cease the Taliban and al-Qaeda terror networks. We have not found Osama bin Laden - nor have we totally wiped out the terror networks. It seems that we have done nothing but allowed Osama bin Laden to slip through our fingers, and have allowed the terror networks to strengthen.

We never invaded Afghanistan on moral responsibility. We invaded with intentions to seek and to destroy. If one is to say that we had moral responsibility for invading - than one is really saying that we had a responsibility to kill. The Bush Administrations’ motive was that the U.S. would go over to Afghanistan to kill out everything that was against our own beliefs and standards.

This is much like the charge of the Israelites over the Canaanites. Was President Bush trying to act like a god? It seems he may have, because he tried to rid the ‘world’ of evil. He was operating in a god-like manner and called for the demise of those whom he felt did not live up to the standard he wanted. Are we operating in a modern day Israelites vs. Canaanites battle? One fact is that even though the Israelites won their battle over Canaan…they had Yahweh empowering them. President Bush was not a god, but he has still charged this battle…so we are not guaranteed to come out as the victors in the end.

Religion is a big factor that fueled the killings on U.S. soil. The religion of the Afghanistan people allows for martyrdom – where as religion in the U.S. does not. The Martyrs called a holy war against a nation that did not have similar views. Since the views of the U.S. are different than those of Afghanistan’s – religious views/motives may not be the best way to defuse the tension. The only way that religion can be apart of the solution is that we as a nation that is “under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” should practice that which we creed not only on American soil, but abroad as well. Our moral responsibility is to treat the Afghanistan people with dignity and respect as humans, and as a nation. We should not try to wipe them out, and brainwash what’s left with American viewpoints. Nor should they us.

Is your ministry effective?

I am a firm believer as a seminarian and ordained minister who engages ministry on a day to day basis, that the only way to categorize your ministry as effective is when you've made a lasting impression and have penetrated the surrounding and abroad community in a positive way.

If your ministry stays within the four walls of the church, than you are not being effective towards Kingdom building. You are doing no more than sitting on tools that can be used, and need to be used in the community.

My local church ministry has been and is engaged in street evangelism and crusades. It wasn't until we stepped into the outside that we began to see change in our community. In some instances we found out and realized that some people weren't coming to church, because we weren't taking the church to them.

Effective ministry involves your moving out of your comfort zone into unknown space, so that the Good News can be spread and not sat upon. What more is the mission of the church than to bring in the lost sheep? If you don't focus on the outside, than what you have on the inside will become stagnant and repetitive...and eventually die out all together.

Time to work!!!

The authorship of the gospel of Matthew 9:37 says it best – “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few”. There is a lot of work to be done out here on these grounds called life, but God has called those whom He has ordained to go and do a great work.

Even though I am an ordained minister in the Methodist church…God can call and ordain anyone whom he chooses at any point in their life. I’ve always said that God ordained me for a higher purpose way before I received the laying of the hands from my Bishop. My physical ordination was nothing but a confirmation and outward showing of the spiritual ordination that God had already sustained in His own time.

Whether you’ve gone through a systematic process through your Episcopal leader…or if you just feel purpose and drive from God to do work – your ordination is secure. You don’t have to be a minister to do the work of the Lord. Clergy and Lay have a shared responsibility in building and up keeping the Kingdom of God. God can use anyone – even you!

So I say I’m “Ordained for the Labor”… What does this really mean? To me it means that God has placed a burden on my life to be a laborer for His Kingdom. The preceding “ordained” is not my ordination that entitled me Reverend, but the ordination that burdened me a child of God with a purpose to do Kingdom work!!!

Are you Ordained for the Labor??? The harvest is ripe…now its time to go out and work!