Prop 8: The Musical!

Empire or Humanity?

"Has America not reached a point in history where we are ready to embrace a new way of living in this world... expanding not our military power into the World, but our humanity?"

Tolerance Is a Moral Value: My Thoughts on Legislating Hate As a Value

As a Quaker I believe the movement to isolate and scapegoat homosexuals, to promote hatred against them, and to impose in law one group’s religious beliefs on us all, is blatantly immoral and contrary to Jesus’ teachings.

With half of marriages ending in divorce, unquestionably the right thing to do is to strengthen marriages. But diverting the question to whether two people of the same sex can have legal rights together completely loses track of the problem of frail marriages.
The now, sadly passed, constitutional amendment really had nothing to do with marriage; but thinly veiled attacks on gays and lesbians, part of a pattern of discrimination and institutionalized hatred. It is a strategy of power practiced by would-be tyrants throughout history.

Some have portrayed persecution and hatred of gays as a Christian thing to do. Nowhere is it found that Jesus said anything about homosexuality. Nor did Jesus ever suggest encoding Christian teachings into a Sharia-like law to force religious beliefs on society.

I believe that God loves us all equally, and that we are called to treat each other with the same love in which God created us. We have no need to hate, or to discriminate against, any group for any reason. It is simply not Christian to do so.

Several Quaker meetings have married gay and lesbian Quakers, and many other meetings have passed minutes affirming their willingness to do so.

Quakers have often appeared at the forefront of social change in the United States. Just as Quakers abolished slavery within their communities long before the Emancipation Proclamation, so have many Quaker meetings recognized gay and lesbian marriage in advance of our nation's courts. Let us hope that soon, history will not fall so far behind its conscience.

That One

Image: mcmay on Flickr

where is matt harding

In 2007 - 08 video game developer Matt Harding went on a 14 month trip, dancing his way through 42 countries, inviting people to dance with him. Matt's trip around the world was sponsored by Stride Gum. Even though it's sponsored by a gum company, the video is inspired and an inspiring look at the unity of dance. Enjoy...

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Via: @laughingsquid on Twitter

Technorati Tags: Matt,Harding,dancing,where the hell is,stride gum,2008

exactly

(Copyright 2008 by Tony Auth/Phila. Inquirer)

via: quaker agitator

A Thought About My Grandfather

I just finished watching the second part of American Experience's FDR. It was a wonderful show about a fascinating and complex president. It led me to ponder my grandfather.

My Grandfather, Clyde Brown, was a Hoosier farmer. He was an wonderful, honest and guileless man. He was humble, never put "on airs" and never spoke overly glowing of public figures. Everyone in his eyes, was an equal.

The decor of my grandparents home was simple and uncluttered. There weren't many pictures or paintings hanging on the walls. It just wasn't their way.

One photo they did have hanging, was in the hallway leading from a breeze-way to their living room. It was an old, badly faded black and white photo of a man with odd glasses, a pointy jaw, a long cigarette holder and a wide smile. One day, when I was about eight years old, I finally asked my grandfather who the man in the photo was, "Is he a relative?"

He looked at me then back at the photo. He fixed his gaze hard on it, as if he'd almost forgotten it was there. I remember looking at his reflection in the dusty glass covering it. Then, in a hoarse whisper he muttered, "That's the President ... that's the President." A visible tear rolled down his tanned and weathered face. Something he did not do.

He had a wonderful laugh, and a whimsical, almost mischievous smile, but he didn't cry. He was born a Mid-Western Baptist in 19th Century, stoicism and he were good pals. I'd only see him emotional again when he lost my grandmother, then later, when he was in his mid-90's, loosing his battle with age and reason.

For me, that moment was indelible. I remained forever fascinated with presidents and the presidency. I studied history, eventually becoming a Presidential historian. Knowing what I know about FDR, I consider him a great president, but I don't hold him or any president with the same esteem my grandfather had. I know too much, I've become too cynical. What I do retain from that moment, is a respect for the office. I may not always respect the person in office, but I have a great and profound respect for the Presidency; The idea and ideal of it.

I've seen first hand how FDR's programs allowed my family to stay afloat during the depression. Allowed them to keep their farm, and feed their family, neighbors and America. I witnessed a silent moment of gratitude to that man and those programs. I witnessed a "thank you" simultaneously sent across four decades in time and to heaven.

My interest in history was born from that moment, and that grateful tear.