R.I. Episcopal bishop seeks to quell political rancor

From Rhode Island-

In the wake of the presidential election and the bitter divisions exposed throughout the country, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island is calling for people to show respect for each other and not delve into hateful language.

The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, who leads the diocese encompassing 53 congregations in Rhode Island, acknowledged on Friday the turmoil and heated rhetoric over the election.

"Our country is deeply divided along regional, racial, gender and economic lines. The divisions are real and painful," Knisely said in a statement. "The divisions are ending friendships and threatening family relationships. There are people in our communities and congregations who are delighted and people who are devastated. The emotions are real and raw, and their intensity is hard for some to understand.

More here-

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161111/ri-episcopal-bishop-seeks-to-quell-political-rancor

Trump's victory sparks protests and prayers

From Michigan-

It looks like Donald Trump's honeymoon may be over before he has even gotten a chance to say "I do" and put on the ring.

They protested in Detroit election night, yelling nasty comments and chanting "not my president" for three hours. Police were there to keep order. Similar protests erupted around the same time in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

Protestors appeared at the White House, Texas, southern California and Seattle. There was violence and the destruction of property and businesses in Oakland.

There will be a protest Thursday evening in Grand Rapids. Grand Valley State University students are the organizers. They have plans to converge on Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids at 5 p.m.

On Facebook, several hundred have indicated they will attend.

Kalamazoo went in a different direction, with a communal interfaith prayer for peace.

Over a half-dozen religious leaders from all different beliefs convened at St Luke's Episcopal Church in downtown Kalamazoo to share religious writings and music all with a theme emphasizing peace. 

More here-

http://wsau.com/news/articles/2016/nov/10/trumps-victory-sparks-protests-and-prayers/

Episcopalians meet fellow voters with vigils, prayer, hospitality

From ENS-

In the hours leading up to the Nov. 8 general election and all during Election Day and evening, Episcopalians across the United States are voting and praying and welcoming fellow voters into their churches.

Many congregations held vigil services on Nov. 7 and many are hosting services on Nov. 8 with still more planned for Nov. 9. Still other congregations have left open their doors and invited their neighbors into their prayerful spaces. And some Episcopal churches serve as official polling places and have been welcoming their neighbors into their buildings.

Meanwhile, Episcopalians and their congregations and dioceses were tweeting photos and encouragements to vote using the hashtag #EpiscopaliansVote.

Among those offering prayer services Nov. 7 were St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sandwich, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookline, Massachusetts, and St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/11/08/episcopalians-meet-fellow-voters-with-vigils-prayer-hospitality/

As vote looms, faith leaders say it's time to bridge the political divide

Lots of places holding prayer vigils for Voting Day-

 Massachusetts-

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20161107/on-election-eve-new-bedfords-grace-episcopal-church-prays-for-healing-and-unity

Virgina-

http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/fredericksburg-church-holds-election-themed-prayer-vigil/article_9d5dddcf-feda-5599-841f-ecdd259edec9.html 

New Hampshire-

http://www.newhampshire.com/religion/as-vote-looms-faith-leaders-say-its-time-to-bridge-the-political-divide-20161106 

New Jersey

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/nj_churches_to_pray_before_during_and_after_this_e.html

Boston-

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/11/07/prayers-for-healing-after-lacerating-campaign/deQ8TLjNnged7BkmL6QNwK/story.html

Miami-

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article113148358.html

Indianapolis-

http://www.wthr.com/article/indianapolis-churches-offer-prayer-reflection-before-election-day 

Seattle-

http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/feeling-gross-this-election-churches-offering-healing-vigils/

South Carolina-

http://www.thestate.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/cindi-ross-scoppe/article113070318.html

The Christian right is split, but far from finished

From The Pittsburgh Poat-Gazette-

Continued strong support for Donald Trump among many conservative evangelical leaders and activists has led a number of commentators to declare the death of the religious right movement. Yet the history of the movement suggests that it is too resilient to be destroyed by a single electoral defeat.

The argument for the end of the religious right hinges on the following: (1) the likely defeat of the candidate supported by the movement, Donald Trump; (2) the likely election of the person considered the arch-enemy of the movement, Hillary Clinton; and (3) most important, the movement stands exposed to all as hypocritical — willing to support for president a deeply flawed character who appears to be everything the religious right claims to be against.

On the surface, these conclusions seem credible. The movement put its heft behind the likely loser, and with massive GOP defections from the party’s presidential nominee, the religious conservatives now look to be odd outliers in their steadfast continued support of Mr. Trump.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/10/30/The-Christian-right-is-split-but-far-from-finished/stories/201610300021

Inside the evangelicals: How religion has shaped American politics over the past 50 years

From Salon-

On Oct. 3, Longwood University, a public university in Virginia, hosted the first and only 2016 vice presidential debate. In what were described as the debate’s “most sincere” and “most honest” moments, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) discussed their religious faiths.

Pence, a Roman-Catholic-turned-evangelical, appealed to familiar concerns of the Christian right, such as abortion and “the sanctity of life.” Kaine, a Roman Catholic, emphasized the moral responsibility of honoring individual choice.

That Pence pivoted toward abortion is not surprising. Since 1973 — when the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade legalized the right to an abortion — the Christian right has put abortion, as well as homosexuality and “family values,” at the center of conservative politics.

More here-

http://www.salon.com/2016/10/19/inside-the-evangelicals-how-religion-has-shaped-american-politics-over-the-past-50-years_partner/

Will Evangelical Women Turn the Tide Against Trump?

From Sojourners-

She never used his name. Or mentioned the recording that roiled so many of his evangelical Christian supporters.

But popular evangelical speaker and author Beth Moore clearly repudiated Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s remarks about women, and the Christians who have defended him, in a series of tweets on Oct. 9.

“Try to absorb how acceptable the disesteem and objectifying of women has been when some Christian leaders don’t think it’s that big a deal,” Moore tweeted.

And Moore isn’t the only prominent evangelical woman who has spoken out in the week since the release of the now-infamous “Trump tape,” a 2005 recording of Trump bragging about forcibly kissing and grabbing women, and attempting sex with a married woman.

More here-

https://sojo.net/articles/will-evangelical-women-turn-tide-against-trump

If Donald Trump has done anything, he has snuffed out the Religious Right

From The Washington Post-

Donald Trump once bragged to radio shock-jock Howard Stern about walking through the dressing rooms of his beauty pageants while contestants were getting dressed. He could do it, he suggested, because he owned the place.

This year, religious conservatism stands naked and exposed before the world, while Trump smugly surveys what he has come to own.

Journalist Mark Halperin noted this weekend that virtually all of the “reaffirmation of support” for Trump, following the disclosure of his sexually predatory recorded comments, were from religious conservative leaders. This is a scandal and a disgrace, but it should not be a surprise.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/10/09/if-donald-trump-has-done-anything-he-has-snuffed-out-the-religious-right/?postshare=5051476191965548&tid=ss_fb

Analysis: Will Faith Decide the 2016 Election?

From NBC-

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will square off at Washington University in St. Louis for their second presidential debate and while the topic of faith and religion was neglected during the pair's first encounter, it is possible that the conversation may go beyond generic statements about the significance of the Black church, and engage the issues of faith and belief.

Many pundits, writers and political strategists are convinced the African American community will determine the next President of the United States and that faith will play an important role in their decision-making.

Faith has been at the core of survival for the black community and for Robert M. Franklin, professor in Moral Leadership at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, faith should continue to be such a driving force.
More here-

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/analysis-will-faith-decide-2016-election-n654511

Political climate subject to interpretation

From Massachusetts-

Once upon a time, when I was a fraternity pledge, one of the brothers came up to a group of us and demanded to know the lyrics to the song Louie, Louie. We had one hour to present them. Or else…well I don’t know what, but something bad.

Now, if you know this 1960’s-era classic by The Kingsmen, which has been played by every garage band that ever played in a fraternity basement, you know that the lyrics are unintelligible. I mean, nobody has any idea what they say beyond “Louie, Louie” and “we gotta go” and “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” The rest is pure mystery.


More here-

http://cohasset.wickedlocal.com/news/20161009/in-good-faith-political-climate-subject-to-interpretation

Episcopal bishops call for 'period of intense prayer' before Election Day

From Western Massachusetts-

The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, is among the state's Episcopal bishops calling for "a vigil period of intense prayer from noon on All Saints Sunday, Nov. 6 through noon on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8."

The diocese has scheduled a prayer vigil Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the court yard of Christ Church Cathedral. Others are being planned, including in Worcester and in Pittsfield, and will be posted on the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts website.

"We must pray that all those elected on that day be moved, strengthened and guided by the Spirit, to lead us through fractious and dangerous times," the statement reads in part.

More here-

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/massachusetts_episcopal_bishop_2.html

Staying Sane, Involved, Prayerful, and Kind in an Election Year

From Central Florida-

In this election season, isn’t it tempting to get caught up in the frenzy? Everyone we encounter seems to want to polarize and divide us. “Whose side are you on?” “If you vote for him/her you are voting to dismantle our democracy!” “If you don’t vote at all, you’re just giving a vote to him/her.” “How can you call yourself a Christian and vote for him/her?”

Yes, the upcoming election is very important, but losing our kindness and generosity in the process can be worse than voting for any particular candidate.

All of this touches me, too. It’s easy to get frustrated when other people don’t see it your way, right? But I know that if I find myself demonizing people on the other side, I’m on spiritually dangerous ground. The world may act that way, but such behavior has no place in the body of Christ.

More here-

http://cfdiocese.org/bishopsblog/staying-sane-involved-prayerful-and-kind-in-an-election-year/

The Christian Right is on the ropes

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

Since the 1980s, the bulwark of the Republican Party has been its reliable support from conservative evangelical and born-again Christians, as well as conservative white Catholics. These groups compose the core of what is called the Christian Right, and it is unimaginable that the GOP can win the presidency without strong support from these voters.

During this same period, the GOP has nominated for president candidates who either had a very strong affinity with the Christian Right and its agenda (Mitt Romney, George W. Bush) or were authentic conservatives who pledged support for the movement’s positions on social issues (Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, John McCain). Never in this time has the movement seriously been confronted with the dilemma of whether to support the Republican nominee, sit out the election or vote for the Democrat or a third-party candidate.

Election data show that all of these previous GOP nominees commanded huge majorities of votes from the Christian Right. In the era of Donald Trump, the solid support of its constituencies for the GOP nominee now seems in doubt.

More here-


http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/08/07/The-Christian-Right-is-on-the-ropes/stories/201608070050

Is it possible for politics and religion to co-exist?

From Tallahassee-

In a recent New York Times article, Dr. James Dobson, a leading Christian Evangelical, stated that Donald Trump has become a born-again Christian, that “Mr. Trump had recently come ‘to accept a relationship with Christ.’”

While I would never presuppose to judge anyone’s personal faith, it does beg the question whether political candidates and their campaigns can stand the test of living up to the faiths they profess.

Each religion upholds ideals to which its members are expected to adhere. While none of us do so perfectly, it is expected that we do our best.

Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or other religions are not a clubs that members join. These are ways of life to which believers commit themselves. They are invitations into relations with the divine, as each believer understands the divine to be.

More here-

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2016/06/26/possible-politics-religion-co-exist/86411312/

Born-Again Donald Trump? Believe It, Evangelical Leader Says

From The New York Times-

Has Donald J. Trump become a born-again Christian?

That is the suggestion of James C. Dobson, one of America’s leading evangelicals, who said Mr. Trump had recently come “to accept a relationship with Christ” and was now “a baby Christian.”

Dr. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family and one of the country’s most prominent social conservatives, gave his account at a meeting Mr. Trump had in New York on Tuesday with hundreds of Christian conservatives.

In an interview recorded at the event by a Pennsylvania pastor, the Rev. Michael Anthony, Dr. Dobson said he knew the person who had led Mr. Trump to Christ, though he did not name him.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/us/politics/a-born-again-donald-trump-believe-it-evangelical-leader-says.html?_r=0

Episcopal bishop urges political engagement during election year

 From The Diocese of Western Massachusetts

The Right Rev. Douglas Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, has issued a statement on the upcoming presidential election encouraging "our church leaders to urge people to vote, to be informed and to bring Gospel values into their discernment."

While he notes that clergy "cannot endorse any candidate publicly" nor should they "speak against a candidate by name from the pulpit or in church publications," he calls Christianity a "world-engaging faith."

"If we are to engage the world, then we need to be good citizens and be informed about the issues of our time. And we need to speak to those issues – even when those issues are complex and they always are," said Fisher in the statement posted on his blog, where he has advocated for better gun safety legislation, written about his Church's support for same sex marriage and the impact of global warning.

More here-

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/western_mass_episcopal_bishop.html

Can the Christian Left Be a Real Political Force?

From Slate-

In late November of 1973, about 50 evangelical leaders convened at a shabby YMCA hotel in Chicago for what they hoped would be a generation-defining gathering. Attendees at the Thanksgiving Workshop of Evangelical Social Concern got to work assembling a document that would serve as a manifesto for the future of their movement. They condemned institutionalized racism, unfettered capitalism, and the Vietnam War, and they proclaimed that “God lays total claim upon the lives of his people.” The stakes were high, and they knew it. “For better or for worse,” activist Ron Sider predicted, American evangelicals “will exercise the dominant religious influence in the next decade.”

As we now know, Sider was right—just not exactly as he hoped. A few years later, Baptist pastor Jerry Falwell and other leaders began to coalesce around a right-wing political agenda very different from the one laid out at the Thanksgiving Workshop. Since then, conservative evangelicals have dominated election narratives and policy battles and prompted cultural skirmishes over things like Kim Davis’ visit with the pope. If you read only the headlines on religion in America, it would be easy to assume that Christians are a unified mob of anti-gay, anti-government caricatures—as President Obama uncharitably put it back in 2008, those clinging to their guns or their religion.

More here-

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/cover_story/2016/05/how_liberal_christians_can_turn_the_democrats_into_the_party_of_god.html

The Kasich Conundrum

From Christianity Today-

At a time when incivility is perceived as courage, and a lack of anger equated to a lack of understanding, Kasich is the odd man out.

In this upside-down presidential election, Kasich was the most offensive candidate running.

How so? His faith hurt him more than it helped. Laura Ortberg Turner described this dynamic in an article in Politico, “How Kasich’s Religion is Hurting Him with Conservatives.” Kasich is a member of the Anglican Church of North America, formed following a split with the Episcopal Church over divisions regarding biblical authority and the sacrament of marriage, among other issues. Kasich has belonged to a small group of men that have met every week for more than 20 years, which is the subject of his 2010 book, Every Other Monday. He also contributed a short chapter to a book celebrating the life and ideas of Dallas Willard.

More here-

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/may-web-only/kasich-conundrum.html

The article from Politico is here-

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/john-kasich-2016-religion-213735

How Kasich’s Religion Is Hurting Him With Conservatives

From Politico-

If the role of religion in Kasich’s life isn’t well-understood, that’s in part because his complex faith journey led him to a denomination that most Americans have never heard of. He was raised Catholic with ambitions to be the best altar boy in his parish, earning him the nickname “Pope” among his friends. But around the time he left for college at Ohio State, Kasich’s belief began to wane. He “drifted away from religion as a young adult,” he wrote in his book. It wasn’t until a drunk driver killed his parents in 1987 that Kasich returned to church. But this time, he entered the Episcopal Church, which his parents had joined later in life.

This is where things get a little tricky: He stayed with his church as it broke off with the mainstream Episcopal Church in the United States in protest over the denomination’s embrace of openly gay priests and bishops. In 2011, Kasich’s home church, Saint Augustine’s Anglican Church in Westerville, Ohio, is one of those that split off under a new, more conservative denomination called the Anglican Church in North America. In departure from mainstream Episcopalians, the ACNA gives local churches the autonomy to decide whether to ordain women, and it politically opposes abortion and euthanasia, while the Episcopal church acknowledges “there may be cases that stand beyond judgment.”

More here-

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/03/john-kasich-2016-religion-213735

What’s a Christian to do?

From Pittsburgh-

The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes opens with a famous phrase: “Vanity of vanities ... All is vanity.” I look at the state of public Christian faith today and wonder if it should say: “Ironies of ironies … All is irony.”

And there is irony on both the right and the left.

On the right, many Christians, including some of our presidential candidates, reject Darwin’s theories of evolution while embracing social Darwinism.

Social Darwinism is based on “survival of the fittest”: Those who rise to the top — the most “fit” — deserve to enjoy the fruits of their success and should not be encumbered by those near or at the bottom who cannot secure their own rewards.

Christian belief runs counter to survival of the fittest. Christ’s teaching and example in the gospels oppose survival of the fittest. They promote the fittest lifting up the least fit, telling those at the top that they should do everything they can to lift up everyone else, especially those on the bottom.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2016/03/06/Many-conservatives-share-our-faith-but-not-our-compassion-while-many-liberals-share-our-compassion-but-not-our-faith/stories/201603060034