Quote Wall: Faith Like Jazz and the Blues
In his book Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller compared his discovery of God to his appreciation of jazz saying, “I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve…I used to not like God because God didn’t resolve. But that was before any of this happened.”
At this week’s Mobilization to End Poverty in Washington, D.C., Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America made his own comparison of church to music. He said,
“I think one of the obstacles we need to own–and that’s to use the image of the blues–we’ve become better at riffing than at playing the bass chords. So those that are not part of movements and don’t have passion to end poverty, see the frenzy of our activities–our coming to Washington, our encouraging them to become advocates and writing and mobilizing–but they don’t hear the bass chords that call us to this work, the bass chords of scripture.”
Poverty Can Be Eradicated
Great Depression Era bread line
Did you know that the height of American Christian tithing was in 1933? That’s right–in the midst of our nation’s worst economic depression, the generosity of Christians reached its climax. And as our nation sinks further into a recession, the Christians are at it again.
This past week approximately 1000 Christians descended upon Washington, D.C. as advocates to Congress on behalf of the poor and impoverished. In a time when many Americans are paralyzed by personal economic stress, the community organizers brought together by Sojourners magazine’s Mobilization to End Poverty sprung into action for the well-being of others. While the government bails out Wall Street and stimulates Main Street, these advocates from all over the United States gathered to ensure that those on MLK Boulevard are not overlooked.
Acting as MC for the conference, Reverend Zina Jacque eloquently captured the spirit of the event, saying “poverty offends our religious faith and our human spirit.” Motivated by indignation and sustained by a desire to see the reinstatement of dignity into the lives of those poorest among us, the conference attendees committed to advocating for a 50% reduction of American poverty in ten years. The group also desires an increased establishment of leaders to fulfill the Millenium Development Goals to combat global poverty.
Sojourners CEO Jim Wallis speaking on Capitol Hill
Though their goals seems unachievable, the group believes they’re quite possible. Rich Stearns, the president of humanitarian organization World Vision, explained that an increase in tithing by Christians alone of the 10% mandated in the Bible (up from the current 2% average tithe on income) would amass billions of dollars, enough to completely eradicate poverty. Imagine the impact of the combined resources from faith-based organizations and secular institutions targeted at the poor. The results could be staggering.
Let it be now as it was in 1933. May the generosity of the hopeful and advocacy for the poor withstand the challenges we now face. Let the collapse of our institutions and decline of our economy usher in a new day. Years from now, may we speak of the early 21st century as the Great Elevation, a time when the poor were remembered and pulled to their feet. It’s time.
For more information on Sojourners goals, visit Sojo.net.
Mobilization to End Poverty
Hi All,
This week we will take a brief parenthetical break in pop culture news to bring live updates from the Mobilization to End Poverty in Washington, D.C.
For the next three days, some of the most prominent social justice activists have gathered in the nation’s Capitol to strategize a faith-based response to combatting domestic and global poverty. Emergent church leaders like Brian McLaren and Donald Miller will appear, as well as the godfathers and godmothers of social justice like Congressman John Lewis, Sojourners magazine President Jim Wallis, Dr. John Perkins and Reverend Zina Jacque.
Stay tuned!
Love in the Time of Poverty
This might be a bit of a departure for Cocoa Chanel, but CNN has uncovered an interesting trend on the increase of matchmaking during America’s current economic crisis. Chalk it up to springtime fever if you will, but it does seem like there is an overflow of love and longing in the air.
Who didn’t catch comedian Steve Harvey’s chart-topping success on the New York Times bestseller list for his Oprah-endorsed dating book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man? It was so popular and seemingly “everywhere” that this month we did a review of the book over at UrbanFaith.com to discuss the hubbub.
Then a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to the book launch for Rachel Greenwald’s #1 new release Why He Didn’t Call You Back. It’s a quick, hilarious and surprisingly informative read on why men don’t pursue relationships with women following the first date. Hint: ladies, your blackberry could be to blame. These two books combined with numerous friends getting engaged (congrats Sean and Cara!), celebrities tying the knot (yeah, I’m looking at you Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams) and discussions I’ve overheard among men and women on the quest for love, Cupid must be up to something.
Now CNN is reporting how some matchmaking services experienced double-digit growth for the first quarter of the year. In the article, Ann Robbins, the founder and CEO of LifeWorks Matchmaking explains the dating explosion as the natural result of people coping with the instability of the times.
“People shift their focus in times of economic uncertainty to the things that are sustainable and the things that get them through, and I think that always comes down to relationships. [...] People have an absolute need to love and to be loved. That’s really, at the end of the day, that’s what you have.”
And if that’s true–people are turning to what’s sustainable–one might say that faith is out and love is the new black this season. Just last month CNN reported on the decline of Christianity in America, as the number of individuals who call themselves Christian has dropped to 75 percent, down from 86 percent in 1990. Who is to say what the exact cause of the decline has been, however, the numbers may point to signs of the contemporary Church’s struggle to act as the ultimate refuge for the poor in spirit, and more recently, the poor in pocket.
My vote is that it’s early yet. Once these lovebirds start a 21st century baby boom and financial stress worsens, spirituality could make a comeback as the tried and true go-to for lonely hearts.
Spirituality Doesn’t Change Anything
I missed this a few weeks ago, but it’s worth mentioning. Rolling Stone recently posted their list of 100 “Agents of Change”, showcasing artists, politicians, writers, etcetera who are changing America. Noticeably absent were any spiritual leaders or faith-based organizations.
Bono (#4) was perhaps the closest representation of a spiritual figure. The magazine quoted him saying, “The greatest obstacles to people realizing their potential are of a spiritual nature.” Pretty shabby at best, even if it is true.
I’m not sure whether to be angry at all religious people or at Rolling Stone’s reporting. Even Lil Wayne made the list. Come on people…
The Top Ten were:
10. Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post
9. Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff
8. Tina Fey, Comedienne/Producer/Writer/Genius
7. Kanye West, Musician
6. Henry Waxman, U.S. Representative (California)
5. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, Political Satirists
4. Bono, Musician/Do-Gooder
3. Steve Jobs, Apple CEO
2. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google Founders
1. Barack Obama, President of the United States
A New Model for Faith
Gisele Bundchen, on the cover of Vanity Fair (May 2009). She's currently reading Don Miguel Ruiz’s books of Toltec wisdom: The Four Agreements, The Mastery of Love, and The Voice of Knowledge.
At a glance, Gisele Bündchen may appear to be a goddess walking among mortals. And if not a goddess, surely she is confirmation that God exists–and he’s good. The 5’ 10” Brazilian supermodel is stunning, and her sun-kissed willowy limbs have catapulted the 28 year-old to the top of the highly competitive modeling industry.
Those long legs and graceful neck have also landed her in the pages of tabloids around the world. For years, gossipmongers devoured the details of her relationship with Leonardo DiCaprio, and most recently, readers soaked up the news of her fiancé Tom Brady fathering a child with his ex.
This May, Vanity Fair caught up with the newly married tabloid vixen to discuss her tumultuous relationship with Brady and what’s behind her ongoing success. Within the article, the model, who blesses her food and the animal that gave its life (because “you can’t just take it for granted”), briefly shares a bit about the current influences on her faith.
Raised Catholic, Gisele now has a much more Eastern tinge to her beliefs. The yogi is on a quest to find happiness through doing good and living for a higher consciousness. Vanity Fair writes,
“These days she tries hard to practice the concept of mindfulness, which—when combined with her characteristically sunny, upbeat outlook—seems to produce an ebullience so consistent that somebody should bottle it and sell it.”
Though the Catholic Church may be too demure in tone to contain such a vivacious spirit, Gisele hasn’t thrown out the Christian religion entirely. In reference to her childhood faith, she says, “O.K., Catholic religion, we’ve got to update!” As she continues to deal with the challenges of her husband’s baby mama drama through the years, it will be interesting to see how this mélange of Catholicism mixed with Eastern philosophy sustains her.
To read more of her interview, visit VanityFair.com.
Quote Wall: Moby’s Struggle with the Church
Today’s quote of the day comes from my favorite article (possibly ever), titled “Moby: Faith, Salvation, and Everything in Between” and originally featured in Relevant Magazine’s May/June 2005 issue. In an interview with Darren Philip, famed DJ and artist Moby shares his thoughts on being a Christian in an increasingly self-serving American culture.
Relevant Magazine, May/June 2005
“The sad thing is we’re all sick. It’s part and parcel of the human condition, and it’s especially part and parcel of living in the United States in the 21st century. We’re all sick. We’re all deeply unhappy, disconnected, unwell people. We need each other, and we need God. And if God made the universe and if God made us and if God made the world, it just makes sense to invite God into our lives and ask Him, ‘You made me–what should I be doing?’”
Throughout the article Moby talks about how removed he feels from the mainstream Christian culture, mainly due to the hypocrisy and judgment of many believers. He says,
“As a Christian, I feel very shut out from a lot of contemporary Christianity. [...] My understanding in what it means to be a Christian is to, in our own subjective way, recognize Christ as being God, and recognize our shortcomings and our failings, and try and live according to the teachings of Christ as best we can. And what I find so strange is I look at the behavior of so many Christians, and I don’t see any aspect of the teachings of Christ represented there. [...] I’m very secular.”
When asked what advice he would give to Christians he says the following:
“Go into the world and protect yourself, and be innocent, and understand what the core of you really is. Christ didn’t retreat from the world. Some people have to, but Christ threw himself into the world. Christ hung out with some really sketchy people.”
For more great articles on God, Life and Progressive Culture, visit RelevantMagazine.com.
Jennifer Hudson: Finding Balance in the Church
Following the gruesome deaths of her mother, brother and nephew four months ago, the world has been waiting with baited breath to see how Jennifer Hudson would respond. Having survived rejection on American Idol, speculations of drama with Dreamgirls co-star Beyonce Knowles and the pressures of releasing a debut album, would Jennifer crack beneath the weight of this personal tragedy? Would grief unravel the cord of faith that’s run through the Grammy-award winning R&B singer?
The answer appears to be no. It’s precisely her faith that has pulled her through this difficult time. Though she graciously refuses to speak about the loss of her family, she has been vocal about the source of her strength.
In the current issue of Entertainment Weekly, Hudson points to her Baptist upbringing as one of the reasons for her sanity. “The church has given me balance,” she says. ”Too often we look at things through human eyes. But when you look at the world spiritually, it makes far more sense. I don’t think I would be here without it.”
In addition to leaning on the church for support, Hudson naturally finds a safe haven in her music. “Music is my home. When I’m trying to find my inner peace, when it seems like everything is overwhelming, I put music in my ears.”
To read more of Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive interview with Jennifer Hudson, click here.
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