February 26--Freedom of Religion Is Worth Keeping

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.  
--George Sand

    While I don't think he did a lot of acquiring, Jesus lived the Sand quote. Father Richard Rohr, in his "Daily Meditation" of Feb 25 offers this about the experience where Jesus angrily cleared the temple:

Jesus’ actions in the temple are what finally get him killed. After this, religious leaders are dead set against him. Whenever law and order are based on interpretations of divine proclamation, what invariably happens is that the church and state, or religion and government, start working together and operating as one. It’s still true in many countries to this day. Government leaders like to have religion on their side so they can feel like everything they’re doing is blessed by God.

A few years ago, I was at a meeting in Washington, D.C. with nineteen representatives of various denominations. We wrote a statement that listed six different issues where we felt what Jesus teaches and what our government was doing are almost exact opposites. The issues revolved around racism, nationalism, classism that always favors the rich and the powerful, the terrible lack of truth in government, and our constant idealizing of money, war, and power. On every issue, the teaching of Jesus is in direct contradiction to the way our government has often operated. 

    Does this give you a clue as to the importance of separation of church and state?!?!?!? How screwed we are that our Supreme Court has become a religious body?!?!? This past week, this happened:

The Kansas Senate voted 40-0 for Senate Bill 431, which would require the Capitol Preservation Committee to develop plans for a permanent memorial honoring the life of Emil Kapaun.

    Kapaun is a Catholic saint. STOP THE MADNESS!!!! It is so troubling to me that most folks don't even see anything wrong with this! Please note that I am not pushing Christianity with the references to Jesus. He was Jewish. Contrary to what many confused people believe, the United States is NOT a Christian nation.

    OK, I'm stepping off my soapbox now.

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    Another day in paradise began with a peaceful spiritual practice and large cup of coffee. This is my ritual at home, too, but I'd rather do it in Florida! Three of us girlfriends walked to the beach and back. After a brief swim, we headed out to the family tree farm, 160 acres in a very vast pine forest. We enjoyed a picnic feast of venison and assorted fowl, cheese biscuits, fried okra, green beans, on and on. Then we rode many miles in a Kawasaki Mule to see a huge, crystal-clear blue lake, a smaller swimming pond, and acres and acres of timber in various stages of growth and harvest. We even saw an alligator, from a very satisfying distance. Back home we finished off the day with pizza and Rummikub. I enjoyed one last night-time dip in the pool. 

    This evening we head home 😞😞😞😞😞

        Leta

Our foursome by the lake