|
In what ways are you an activist?
What an intriguing and inspiring discussion! I would like to offer a different perspective, however, from that expressed by Heather. I find no implicit politics in the article on activism: in fact, I find the article taking care not to be political. There are good, faithful people on both "sides" of the war debate in this country who faithfully pray, "thy will be done," and mean it sincerely. To imply that either position on the war is not humbled in the face of such a prayer, or attentive to such a prayer, is unfortunate. War is a public issue, and it is an issue of faith -- a topic on which people of faith disagree, but that disagreement belongs in the public square so that each of us of different perspectives can learn from others. The public nature of such expressions is itself activism, as is the willingness to allow for a public expression of a differing opinion. To discuss war in a public context, and to offer a stance in regard to a specific war, is not political: it is faithful. To speak, to hear, and to prayerfully contemplate all positions -- especially those different from my own is activism incarnate.
Posted by: Charlene (Forest City, IA)
Posted: 6/24/2008 5:35:17 PM
My days of carrying protest signs are over. I did that in the sixties, and found myself manipulated by different "peace" organizations, and ultimately felt I had unintentionally hurt people. At 62 yrs of age, I have settled on the hand-to-hand help and giving in our small community as the type of activism that feels closest to New Testament teaching and the action I can most trust to be pleasing to God (for me). I guess it would be more accurately described as being actively Christian rather than activism, but working with others leads to sharing information. Sharing information helps us make decisions that better the lives of ourselves and others, help the environment, and ultimately we actively carry the message of "peace-filled" living.
Posted by: Kaaren Mayfield (Paducah, KY)
Posted: 6/21/2008 1:35:09 PM
I'm buying Cabot Cheese these days and that makes me an activist working to solve poverty among women and girls. Read more about how that happens at http://www.gooddeedfoundation.org/products. Women of the ELCA has signed on to this effort. You'll learn more about this at the Triennial Gathering and in upcoming issues of our publications. You can also read about it in the June issue of Lutheran Woman Today.
Posted by: Linda Post Bushkofsky (Arlington Heights, IL)
Posted: 6/12/2008 8:00:09 AM
Congregation: Our Saviour's Lutheran
You don't have to know how to knit or carry a placard to be a peace activist. Another woman and I planned a W-ELCA meeting on peace for September--and our church celebrated Peace Sunday in September--the month of Prayers for Peace day. I don't think peace is a political issue. Peace is not only the opposite of war. It is a state to which we should all aspire. As part of our W-ELCA meeting, I made small peace brochures for each member to take for their billfolds, purses, or nightstands. These included peace petitions from our Book of Worship liturgies and peace prayers from some of the saints. One of the ways we can all be peace activists is to pray for peace--quietly, in our closets.
Posted by: Carol Sheffer (Aitkin, MN)
Posted: 6/11/2008 1:19:03 PM
Congregation: First Lutheran
I find the article on activism disturbing. Not for it's value in terms of standing up for what you believe in, as I am taking the time to do that in responding, but for its implicit politics. Activism, as other responders to this article have pointed out, can be applied to many things. For the author to have been given a forum on a website of a major denomination, and for the author to discuss politics under the guise of activism runs the risk of misrepresenting the sentiment of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Christians regardless of their denomination. Make no mistake. This article strongly addresses war. Any one with an ear to the American Heartbeat understands the political divide that accompanies the discussion and more importantly, the realities of war. As Christians, do we not pray with fervor "Thy will be done?" Or, do we rush through that phrase in the prayer our Lord taught us with angst? With our sentiment actually being "your will Lord, hopefully, reflects my will..." As far as I can say, no one likes war. We all wish for a world where peace and joy for everyone. But let's not forget Biblical truth. War may be part of God's plan -- there's no way for us to know for sure, but still we pray "Thy will be done" Let's carefully consider turning our political activism toward prayerful "activism," praying with genuine trust in the Lord that indeed his will "will be done."
Posted by: Heather (Aberdeen, SD)
Posted: 6/11/2008 10:41:14 AM
Congregation: Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Since I've been using "Knitting for Peace" for a very long time, I was happy to see it, and Betty C.'s super article on activism. As a now retired hospital chaplain, I can truly say that the women who knit and sew, visit patients, and work in the hospital's gift shop are a crucial part of the activities involved in the ministries of healing. God bless all of our activist women who are clear about the need to share their God-given gifts in these ways!
Posted by: Deaconess Patricia Silva (Selma, CA)
Posted: 6/11/2008 8:48:04 AM
Congregation: Christ Lutheran Church
"activism" oops
Also, I know many women in my group that are involved with our church's food pantry, feeding those in need. They are activists. Those working with the homeless in our community, they are activists. I am very proud to call these women my friends. They are Bold Women, indeed!
Posted by: Kathy
Posted: 6/10/2008 1:13:59 PM
When I saw the skeins of yarn, with the word "activist," I, too, think of my mother. She gathered leftover yarn and sent them to a men's prison where they had a knittting program, making hats for preemies.
Activism comes in many forms!
Posted by: Kathy Kirlin
Posted: 6/10/2008 1:07:39 PM
View your post.
Top
|
