Prop. 8 - Why Conservatives Should Hope it gets Overturned
I’ve been thinking a lot about “Prop. 8” lately. It’s rather odd, actually…
- I don’t live in California (where Prop. 8 actually happened);
- I’m not Gay (whom Prop. 8 seeks specifically to prevent marriage for, by changing the state constitution);
- I’m not connected - in any way - to the Mormon church (who were so involved in Prop. 8 that I find myself rather hoping they lose their tax-exempt status, but knowing that they won’t)
- It doesn’t directly effect me in any way, shape, or form (although it DOES directly effect a number of people I care about and respect)
The reason I’ve been thinking about Prop. 8 a lot lately is because I’m deeply concerned with what it does on a political level. Whatever you happen to think about the theology of gay marriage or the relationship between the institutions of legal marriage and religious marriage, Prop. 8 says that the theological voice of “the many” (at any given point in history) can somehow overpower the political and legal status of “the few.” Or, to be more precise, the majority can legislate against those in minority… and not just legislate against (legislation is often temporary - it’s changed, updated, and thrown out on a regular basis) but actually change a state constitution (which should be above the whims of a particular time period).
Partly this is a problem with democracy. A pretty good argument can be made that it may often be the best system of government, but it has some incredible flaws - the most glaring of which is that democracy, at a basic level, prevents governments from doing what governments are supposed to do: protect their people - both from those “outside” who would seek to overcome the nation and from those “inside” who would seek their own personal gain with a fervor that often uses, misuses and abuses those who are in a minority or who have no political voice or power.
So, I believe a fundamental responsibility delegated to governments is to protect those who do not have a majority voice from those who do. Majority may rule in a democracy but majorities are often not “right.” Majorities are also set in time. As the history of race-based inequality has taught us, the difference between a position being in a majority and the same position becoming a minority view is simply a few decades.
Here’s where I think conservative Christians (and, indeed, all Christians) should hope that the California Supreme Court overturns Prop. 8 (regardless of whether or not they think gay marriage is right or wrong): I believe that state (and national) constitutions - indeed, governments themselves - ought to protect people from their time-period’s particular majorities.
Prop. 8 aside, Christians may be capable of scraping up a majority vote right now… in 10 years we may not be… in 20 years we almost certainly will not be able to. Who knows what theology will be in majority in 5, 10 or 20 years?! Do we want a legal system where majority can constitutionalize their theology against a minority? I sure hope not!
(Oh, and for the record, I don’t think it’s legitimate to try to make the argument that it’s really about being “pro-traditional-marriage;” while that may make a good argument, even the most conservative people I know admit that it’s about being “anti-gay-marriage.”)
Grace and Peace,
`tim
The Pride of the Pulpit and the Pride of the Pews
I promise not to cross-post everything I put up on my Church Herald Blog, but I managed my first post last night and thought I’d let you know I’m up and running over there. You can check it out at:
Grace and peace,
`tim
What’s Cheaper than Therapy?
So… It’s raining out. The sun hasn’t truly shone in several days. My thesis is still not done; my sermons are not finished for Sunday (although, that’s nothing unusual nor particularly frustrating)….
And yet, I’m a happy camper this morning. Today is November 14th.
Do you know what November 14th is? Let me guess… probably not. November 14th is the first day of registration for Ragbrai XXXVII!
I don’t even know if I can go (indeed, schedules being what they are, chances are pretty high I can’t), but the joy and anticipation created simply by having registered is enough to make me smile. Totally cheaper than therapy! (And if I make the lottery and can’t make the ride I can always sell my wristband without a loss!)
Talk about an investment! WAY better than my pension or my insurance (which - shame on the RCA - doesn’t have parity of coverage for mental health.)
Grace and peace,
`tim
A New Blog, In Case You’re Interested
For those of you with connections to the Reformed Church in America (RCA), you may be interested in a new project the Church Herald is starting; it’s a blog project! Essentially, they’ve asked people from across the RCA to post to a blog under their site and I’ve been asked to be one of those bloggers. My direct site is:
http://heraldblog.squarespace.com/tim-ten-clay/
For those of you will little or no interest in RCA stuff, this means you might be able to side step some of it here. For those of you who have specific interest in RCA stuff, that blog should be a great place to check out.
It’s a new and young project, so it’ll be under development for the next months. In any case, come on over and check it out!
Grace and Peace,
`tim
A Post of Points…
I haven’t posted in a long time and would love to craft something witty and creative but I don’t have the time or the energy. Here’s what I’ve been up to, even if it’s just by bullet points:
- I’m dramatically excited about the outcome of the election and looking forward to the first president that I voted FOR, rather than a nominee whose opponent I voted against.
- Despite the above statement, I am increasingly less impressed with the concept of democracy. It boils down to the fact that I have realized more and more that “majority rules” is often neither right, righteous, nor gracious nor does it protect those whom Christians have the biblical mandate to protect and care for.
- I love ministry. And I’ve realized that I am a minister who has no interest in “ecclesial hospice care.” I like working for a congregation that has potential and future (like Dunningville) and don’t want to work for a congregation that’s simply trying to do “pain management” until it finally closes its doors.
- Ministry is exhausting.
- I’m a “passive extrovert.” This is my own newly-created category. Extroverts are those who, fundamentally, get energy from and are rejuvenated by being around other people. I’ve learned that, while that is true for me, I get my energy “passively.” The difference? Classic extroverts get their energy by interacting with people at parties, in groups, etc. “Passive extroverts” get their (our) energy from being around people in crowds (like at coffee shops, etc.) but that doesn’t necessarily mean actually interacting with them.
- I finished a pumpkin hat for Sophia and it turned out wonderfully. You can see it over at my blog on MenWhoKnit.com. I’m currently working on my third “Habitat” hat designed by Brooklyntweed — what a great pattern.
- We purchased a Vinturi: Essential Wine Aerator. They’re a little pricey, but WOW, it’s perfect aeration can turn a mediocre red wine into a very pleasant one - I’d definitely recommend it and wish I’d picked it up last year on vacation (instead of waiting until this year!)
- I’ve finally finished a little document about “church membership personalities” — keep your eyes open, I’ll be unveiling it to you soon
- My thesis is not finished. It is hanging over my head like a private little storm of misery. If you believe in prayer, please pray that I will get it finished… and soon. I can’t imagine having it hanging there for much longer without going truly insane.
- I graduated from college in 1997. When I was in college most anti-racism and cultural competency trainings used resources that were a decade old. It’s not 2008 and, disturbingly, my experience is that they’re still using many of the same resources that were old a decade ago.
- The current collection of people on the RCA’s Commission on Christian Worship (which I’m the moderator for) is an incredible group. I’m wonderfully excited about it’s future.
- Ragbrai registration opens up later this week. I don’t know if I’m able to go or not, but I’m applying. I need the hope and joy of anticipating the possibility for the next six months!
- I can’t believe it’s almost time to start practice for the Christmas program at church. I like Christmas programs and enjoy them but wish we didn’t lose a month and a half of Sunday School practicing for 45 minutes.
- Tomorrow I’m teaching the first half of a 2-part tatting class at Lizzie Anne’s Wool Company… fun! I’m excited about it!
- I’d go absolutely crazy without the connections I have on MenWhoKnit.com, Ravelry.com, and Facebook — that’s everyone! (My bloglist is a little outdated — I’ll pass on some of my favorites in a later post!)
Well, that’s all I have time for - smells like I need to go change someone’s diaper…. Hope each of you are well!
Grace and Peace,
`tim
Happy Halloween & Home from Vacation
First of all… Happy Halloween. I’m told ministers aren’t supposed to like Halloween. Apparently the fact that it has pagan roots is supposed to condemn it from celebration (which makes me wonder a little about baby-fat-cherub angels and Christmas trees). Either way, I like Halloween. I’ve always liked Halloween. Even in those couple of years where I might have fallen rather close to the evangelical-fundamentalist line, and when I might have been more likely to see the danger of satanism lurking behind every corner I still liked Halloween. Not because I do anything about it. I don’t really go to Halloween parties. I don’t even usually dress up or get a costume (although this year I toyed with putting a costume together as the scariest thing I could think of: a presidential pit bull with lipstick!) I hand out candy though, and pop in The Nightmare before Christmas (an absolute favorite of mine!) So, first and foremost: Happy Halloween!
Secondly, we’re back from vacation. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that, quite frankly, vacations are exhausting. I inevitably get sick (and did this time); our daughter is inevitably off of her schedule (and is going through a rather unpleasant tantrum stage anyhow), and they’re simply not relaxing. Being back is a blessing. It’s also something of a curse. Now I’m just a week further behind on everything and still dealing with the end of a cold. Either way, life is what it is and I’m “back at it.”
Vacation had it’s high points though. The place we stayed was less expensive and quite a bit better than the one we rented last year. Although it wasn’t right on the water like last year, it was right in Northport, Michigan - a wonderful little town on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.
The other high point (no pun intended) was that we managed to visit several of Leelanau’s wonderful vineyards and wineries (and there are MANY of them). In case you’re interested, our favorites were:
- Shady Lane Cellars (One of our top two favorites! Great wines, great tasting experience, great ambiance, great staff, whites and reds are both excellent - especially the Baco Noir and Semi-Dry Riesling. They charge for tastings, but they include four pours, cheese and crackers)
- Longview Winery (the other of our top two favorites! Again, great wines. their only drawback is that the tasting room in Cedar is quite small. Oh, and the staff is great with kids)
- Peninsula Cellars (Fun tasting room in an old school house. An unbelievable number of wines and very diverse. Quality reds and strangely low prices! This was a new one for us this year, but we’ll be back)
- Bel Lago (last year I swallowed wrong at this place and have been rather dreading it all year. I tried their one riesling again and the taste brought the whole experience back to me. On the other hand, good wines, pleasant tasting experience, nice room and good staff.)
If you decide to take a 1-day trip to the area, I’d suggest checking these out. They were the best (and except for Peninsula Cellars, which we visited for the first time this year, have been good two years in a row). If you decide you don’t want to go to the Old Mission Peninsula, skip Peninsula Cellars and pick up Gills Pier or Blackstar (although be prepared for a crowd if you decide to hit Blackstar, it’s crazy). Be prepared for some of the wineries to charge for tastings though - usually in the $5 range, although sometimes that includes souvinier glasses or snacks. (The ones in italics above, charge.)
I don’t have time for much more right now, but will put up some more pictures later.
Grace and Peace,
`tim
Some things have actually changed in the last 20 years
Ok, here’s the deal, I was graced by the “opportunity” to endure another anti-racism training last week. I say endure because, it was - as many of them are - nothing new, not ingenious or creative, and seriously outdated. I saw the same image of the old lady/young lady, the same quiz on the “invisible knapsack” and the same videos about the children and white doll vrs the black doll and the teacher from Iowa who did the blue eye/brown eye experiment. Each of these has been within the content of any of a dozen (probably closer to 18 or 20) of such seminars I’ve attended and while they are interesting and perhaps even moving at some level, it’s time to realize that the world is not the same place it was 30 years ago.
The ironic thing is that I don’t argue that we live in a society where color still effects people in ways that it shouldn’t. I’d never question that we are a world of massive inequalities and that our history is plastered with indignities based on race. However, I didn’t grow up in the world my parents and grandparents grew up in. These “trainings” may be effective for a particular generation (although I don’t know) but they simply don’t take seriously some of the things that have changed in the past decades.
Unlike many of the white people in my parents’ generation, many in my generation…
- have been taught by people of color
- have been supervised by people of color
- have had academic deans and managers and school executives who were people of color
- have seen teachers, professors, deans and executives mistreat people of my color because of assumptions based on color
- have been told that color makes me ineligible for scholarships that I would otherwise be eligible for
- have been instructed to not persue career paths because my gender and color would disinclude me from employment
- have been instructed to not apply for specific jobs because color would disinclude employment
- have been passively (and sometimes actively) excluded from groups and clubs because of whiteness
- have been repeatedly told I can’t dance, jump, clap, sing, worship (and a variety of other things) because of my color
- often hear racial/ethnic/color-based jokes derogatory of my color that would not be socially appropriate if it were another color
- have assumptions made about my abilities and preferences based on whiteness
- regularly have my color described as a “lack” of culture, color, or ethnicity
- look at activities we would like to excel in and don’t see very many people of our color among the elite ranks
- have my ethnicity and cultural background lumped into a large category with people who are nothing like me and whose ancestory is nothing like my own
- are repeatedly reminded and held responsible for the sins of our ancestors (although my ancestors were not involved in them)
The list could go on and on, of course, but it serves to make the point. Racial issues are still a huge problem in our country but they are not the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago. Trainings and “events” need to take that into consideration. I also know that, even in the above list, arguments can be made about the appropriateness of the inequality “for the greater good,” and that there is an institutional side of things that must be balanced with the personal side - I’m not arguing with either issue. The point is: the world is a different place now. Perfect? Of course not! Equal? Nope, not that either! But different.
The same old stuff simply isn’t going to work (if it ever did, I don’t know).
Grace and Peace,
`tim
Taffy Pics!
We had our annual harvest festival at church Saturday - it’s one of the highlights of the year. I look forward to it almost more than anything else during the entire year! This year I brought 2 pies (Sour Cream and Raisin and Chocolate Espresso Pecan), 2 soups (Cream of Jalapeno and Broccoli Cheese), and some salt water taffy. [For the record, I don’t recommend chopping a chunk off your finger while preparing the veggies for the Jalapeno soup like I did…ouch!] I also brought a few things for the auction, including an embroidered blanket my mom made, a little over a half a pound of fresh-roasted coffee (from the Duhingekawa Women’s Coop) and a “coffee of the month club” (1/2 a pound of fresh roasted coffee every month for a year).
I’ll have to say: the Chocolate Espresso Pecan pie is absolutely wonderful. I definitely recommend giving it a try; this is the second year in a row I’ve taken it and it’s been the first or second to be completely gone both years! It’s especially satisfying since I have an incredibly horrible time getting pecan pies to turn out and this one always sets up perfectly!
Sour Cream and Raisin pie is an old-style pie - I gave it a new twist this time though by using a brown sugar meringue instead of a regular one (simply replace the white sugar with an equal amount of packed brown sugar - it really works!) It started to sweat by the time I took a picture, but I’m quite happy with how it turned out:
This year the “new thing” I wanted to try was the salt water taffy though. What a blast! I’ve made regular taffy before (with varying degrees of success) but every batch I’ve made with this turned out great - it’s practically fail proof! You can find the recipe here, and it’s small enough that you can pull it by yourself (although it makes around 90 pieces!) I thought I’d share some pics (from the third batch -the first was root beer, the second was butter rum and the third peppermint). Oh, and I used a full dram of candy flavoring not the recommended 1/4 dram — definitely a good choice.
If you every want to have a get together with some people and do something different - this would be a great group activity.
To top the evening off we raised almost $5000 for local charities and had a great night of food and fun! Wish you could have been there (I’ve only met a few of you in real life and would love to change that eventually) - maybe next time!
Grace and peace,
`tim
Hubris Post… hrumpf!
I had a wonderfully observant and well-written post all ready to publish right here on this blog just a few days ago and the horrors of dial-up internet leveled their curses at me and the post was exorcised somewhere into the irretrievable world of hyperspace. Now that a few days have passed and I’m no longer angry enough to throw my computer through the window I’ve decided not to attempt a re-create (which never turns out as well).
The point of the post, however, was this: I am sick of the hubris exhibited by colleagues and religious professionals in the name of Christ. Take the latest in the increasing stack of propeganda I’ve received in relation to the upcoming election. It started out…
[name deleted] a Pastor and teacher of the Holy Infallible Word of God in the city of Allegan; given this privilege not by men but by Jesus Christ our Lord and God the Father who raised him from the dead. Not I alone but all those who are with me in this battle for the defense of truth in the country God blessed us to be a part of….
The November election is fast approaching…
It appears to me that [name deleted] has bought his seat on the family Court…
There is no greater need in our country than for God’s leaders to stand for Him with the courage that He will bring us victory…
Now, I’ll be the first to admit, none of the above is strictly speaking incorrect (minus the unwarranted accusation of purchasing the position). There is a certain sense in which it is true (minus, again, the accusation). But who writes like that these days? No one (I think), unless they view themselves as comparable to the biblical authors. Such language is intended to place oneself and one’s opinions on the level of scriptural authority and beyond debate. Hubris. It is nothing short of hubris.
Honestly, isn’t it about time leaders in the church started exhibiting some of the humility Jesus so clearly had? That’s not to suggest that he was “wishy washy” or “wimpy” but never did he behave with such self-puffery and neither should we.
Well, that’s what I think anyhow!
Grace and Peace,
`tim
FO: Cabled Scarf (FO=”Finished Object”)
I usually try to keep some kind of a “brainless” knitting project in the car for those times when I’m waiting for someone or stuck at a train stop. Since January, that project has been a cabled scarf from a book entitled “The Knitting Man(ual),” but I’ve been getting sick of it so decided to bring it in and finish it (which I did during the debate last night).
The cool thing about this scarf is that it’s entirely local - in other words, it’s made from yarn “grown” just a few miles from here by Barb and her husband of Marr Haven Wool (Barb is mhyarn on Ravelry). I originally purchased the yarn for the Labyrinth I knitted last fall/winter and when I had some left over went back and bought a little more so I could make a scarf out of it. It’s a little rough and smells slightly of lanolin (it’s very lightly processed so retains some of it’s natural oils), but I like it.
Details:
- Needles: US8
- Fiber: 100% Marino-Rambouillet Wool, Worsted
- Color: Natural (Undyed)
- Model: Carina (our lovely Italian Greyhound)
Grace and Peace,
`tim
