Is waterboarding a violation of the United Methodist Social Principles (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1686)?
The Social Community (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1713) defines how we are to live within the family of people. The Basic Freedoms and Human Rights (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1824) section under the Political Community (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1823) includes the language
"Furthermore, the mistreatment or torture of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever and whenever it occurs."
So long as waterboarding = torture, see (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterboarding), then it would be against the Social Principles in all cases, irrespective of the justification (The ends do not justify the means), consistent with the Social Principles language extracted above.
If so, how should we respond to the fact of our country using that on a single human being, much less 3 and announcing that under the right circumstances we will again?
Again, based on the Social Principles, we are called as United Methodists to "condemn and/or oppose it whereever and whenever it occurs."
In a meeting at the church this morning, the question was asked what had happened in the last week or so that we wanted to share with the group, or something like that. I was second after Reverend Blackadar and I said that I was very concerned about our country using waterboarding.
One of the other people there said, we should do "whatever it takes" regarding the terrorists.
This position just proves more needs to be done. We need to follow our Social Principles and speak out. There should be more outrage, more debate, more shame about this.
We need to find ways to move beyond the "whatever it takes" position.
We need to remember what Christ taught in the lesson of the Good Samaritan, in Luke 10:25-37, that even our enemy is our neighbor. So, when we are to love our neighbor, we are to love our enemy. We are to treat them as we would wish to be treated.
We are to fight hate with love.
We are to be peacemakers
We are to follow Christ's example when he said, "foregive them, for they know not what they do", even as he was dying on the cross.
How can we as United Methodists act together, against these acts of torture sanctioned by our own government?
How can we heal divisions within our own churches, if we do speak out?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Please Vote for Barack Obama
I am a lifelong Democrat, even if I have sometimes been registered independent. I held a sign for Jesse Jackson in 1988 for 10 hours in East Rochester, NH. I believe in what our party stands for. I believe in the little guy, because I am one. I am a solo practitioner, specializing in family law and special education law. My wife and children are African-American women. I was torn from the start of this campaign. I voted for Senator Edwards in the NH Primary in 2004 and was likely to vote for him this time too; but my daughters moved me to Senator Obama in the last few days of the campaign here this year. And I heard him speak at the 100 Club event, and shook his hand.
I believe in Jesus Christ and the caring ministry he brought to this troubled world. As Michelle Obama said in Delaware a couple of weeks ago, we ARE our brother's, our sister's keeper. We do need to sacrifice, to care, to act.
I believe in the need for change in Washington, fundamental, earth-shaking change. Senator Clinton cannot be that person to bring about the kind of change that is needed.
She fundamental does not get it. This year, unlike any other, experience of the kind she has is exactly what we do not need. Experience inside the Beltway is not the recipe to bring America together. We need a fresh leadership to inspire people to participate again. We need Senator Obama. And, I understand well the way this campaign is different, just as Oprah Winfrey said when she came to Columbia, SC and here to Manchester, NH. This is a different campaign, a different kind of year.
And, 40 years after Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis and Bobby Kennedy was killed in California, we need to move their agendas to the front of ours as a people. Again, the one, the only candidate that can do that is Senator Barack Obama, the son of a single mother, the fighter this party needs to win in November.
Senator Obama was right on the war from the start. He is the voice we need to fight Senator McCain on the war.
He shares the passions for the poor, the disenfranchised that Senator Edwards, that Senator Clinton does. But his is a voice for change for this singular moment in American history. Together, as Congressman Lewis said yesterday, we can dream a little higher. This is a moment we as a party cannot miss. It may never come again.
I pray that the voters in states which still have primaries and caucuses in the coming weeks and super delegates, each and every one, will look into their hearts, hope for the future, believe in the winds of change, and vote for Senator Barack Obama, our next nominee as a party and our next President of these United States of America. With him as our President, we can be united in ways we have never been, not since the first slave stepped foot on this continent.
I believe in Jesus Christ and the caring ministry he brought to this troubled world. As Michelle Obama said in Delaware a couple of weeks ago, we ARE our brother's, our sister's keeper. We do need to sacrifice, to care, to act.
I believe in the need for change in Washington, fundamental, earth-shaking change. Senator Clinton cannot be that person to bring about the kind of change that is needed.
She fundamental does not get it. This year, unlike any other, experience of the kind she has is exactly what we do not need. Experience inside the Beltway is not the recipe to bring America together. We need a fresh leadership to inspire people to participate again. We need Senator Obama. And, I understand well the way this campaign is different, just as Oprah Winfrey said when she came to Columbia, SC and here to Manchester, NH. This is a different campaign, a different kind of year.
And, 40 years after Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis and Bobby Kennedy was killed in California, we need to move their agendas to the front of ours as a people. Again, the one, the only candidate that can do that is Senator Barack Obama, the son of a single mother, the fighter this party needs to win in November.
Senator Obama was right on the war from the start. He is the voice we need to fight Senator McCain on the war.
He shares the passions for the poor, the disenfranchised that Senator Edwards, that Senator Clinton does. But his is a voice for change for this singular moment in American history. Together, as Congressman Lewis said yesterday, we can dream a little higher. This is a moment we as a party cannot miss. It may never come again.
I pray that the voters in states which still have primaries and caucuses in the coming weeks and super delegates, each and every one, will look into their hearts, hope for the future, believe in the winds of change, and vote for Senator Barack Obama, our next nominee as a party and our next President of these United States of America. With him as our President, we can be united in ways we have never been, not since the first slave stepped foot on this continent.
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 27,420+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
When I Think of Her
She is so present, visible in my mind’s eye
instantly, at the thought of her, the mere whisper
of loving memory, fleeting, grand, deep, no matter
oh, I see her, feel her, smell her perfume,
at the briefest moment of reflection
How I long for her to be here, now
with me even in this instance
How I smile, luxuriate, in the knowledge
she will be here soon
in my arms once more, holding her
sharing today, and tomorrow, and the next
eternity with her
Oh how happy I am, in love,
when I think of her
February 14, 2008
Red and Blue (Happy Valentine’s Day 2008)
Buggies are Red
Buggies are Blue
Buggies are Blue
I am very much
in love with you
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Winter Pie - by Erica Berberena
Would you like some winter pie?
Then take a cup of the clear cold skies.
Stir the fragrance of the trees
add the laughter of the seas.
A dash of clouds should suffice
to give the snow a hint of spice
Mix with pine needles small and sweet
top with fluffy snow and eat!
February 10, 2008
by Erica Berberena
(written after Summer Pie)
Then take a cup of the clear cold skies.
Stir the fragrance of the trees
add the laughter of the seas.
A dash of clouds should suffice
to give the snow a hint of spice
Mix with pine needles small and sweet
top with fluffy snow and eat!
February 10, 2008
by Erica Berberena
(written after Summer Pie)
Summer Pie - by Erica Berberena
Would you like some summer pie?
Then take a cup of clear warm skies.
Stir in the coolness of the breeze,
add the laughter of the bees.
A dash of moon light should suffice
to give the stars a hint of spice.
Mix with strawberries small and sweet
top with a fluffy cloud and eat!
February 10, 2008 4:09pm
by Erica Berberena
Then take a cup of clear warm skies.
Stir in the coolness of the breeze,
add the laughter of the bees.
A dash of moon light should suffice
to give the stars a hint of spice.
Mix with strawberries small and sweet
top with a fluffy cloud and eat!
February 10, 2008 4:09pm
by Erica Berberena
Arms Open Wide
Since the fall, the beginning,
the schism in the garden,
our creator, stands like the father
in the story of the prodigal son.
Standing in the wilderness,
arms wide open,
ready to welcome us home
if we but accept the gift of grace
offered by the Father,
through the sacrifice
of the Son
More than arms open
chased by the spirit,
the voice within us
calling us home
February 10, 2008
the schism in the garden,
our creator, stands like the father
in the story of the prodigal son.
Standing in the wilderness,
arms wide open,
ready to welcome us home
if we but accept the gift of grace
offered by the Father,
through the sacrifice
of the Son
More than arms open
chased by the spirit,
the voice within us
calling us home
February 10, 2008
Chased
We are pursued, chased
by God’s love,
the prevenient grace of the creator
trying desparately,
to bring us back to him,
the prodigal children of the garden
separated from him by choices,
by the reliance on self, on human ability
misunderstanding God’s wish
to be in relationship with each of us
Chased our whole lives if need be
until we accept the gift of God
February 10, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
by God’s love,
the prevenient grace of the creator
trying desparately,
to bring us back to him,
the prodigal children of the garden
separated from him by choices,
by the reliance on self, on human ability
misunderstanding God’s wish
to be in relationship with each of us
Chased our whole lives if need be
until we accept the gift of God
February 10, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
One of the Two
Picturing yourself, one of the two
walking that dusty road, with Christ,
exploring your heart, poured out in the confusion
the uncertainty of the resurrection, still brand new
to walk with the savior, at his rising from the dead
ears burning with the truth of his story,
the revealed meaning in his life, his ministry,
the journey he had traveled.
Walking, as one of the two,
with our Lord
A fellow servant,
ready to take up the work
to spread the good news
to other listeners,
to make disciples
February 10, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
walking that dusty road, with Christ,
exploring your heart, poured out in the confusion
the uncertainty of the resurrection, still brand new
to walk with the savior, at his rising from the dead
ears burning with the truth of his story,
the revealed meaning in his life, his ministry,
the journey he had traveled.
Walking, as one of the two,
with our Lord
A fellow servant,
ready to take up the work
to spread the good news
to other listeners,
to make disciples
February 10, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
Renewal
Renewal of my faith, of my beliefs
of my trust in the personal relationship
with the creator, the savior, the spirit
buoying me up, sustaining me
feeling You talking to me, through the words,
the fellowship, this communion, this community
this gathering of disciples, set apart
away from day to day pressures, out separate lives
gathered together apart from the world
Hearing the message to each of us
to each of us where we are in our journey
sharing the hope in the grace of God
manifested in so many ways
revealed to us, in community
February 10, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
of my trust in the personal relationship
with the creator, the savior, the spirit
buoying me up, sustaining me
feeling You talking to me, through the words,
the fellowship, this communion, this community
this gathering of disciples, set apart
away from day to day pressures, out separate lives
gathered together apart from the world
Hearing the message to each of us
to each of us where we are in our journey
sharing the hope in the grace of God
manifested in so many ways
revealed to us, in community
February 10, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Breaking the Surface
The canoe paddle,
cuts through the surface,
the skin of the lake,
breaking the water’s surface
stirring the water
as I pull the blade,
push the canoe forward
feel the movement, the cool air
the smell of the disturbed water
the tug of weeds, of lily pad stems
the resistance of the water
against my muscle, my strain
the stillness in me on the water
the solitude of the effort
in the canoe on the water
February 10, 2008
cuts through the surface,
the skin of the lake,
breaking the water’s surface
stirring the water
as I pull the blade,
push the canoe forward
feel the movement, the cool air
the smell of the disturbed water
the tug of weeds, of lily pad stems
the resistance of the water
against my muscle, my strain
the stillness in me on the water
the solitude of the effort
in the canoe on the water
February 10, 2008
In the Snowy Woods
Boots crunching in the soft snow
deep tracks even for young companions
temperature above freezing
Walking into the woods, days after snow
Tracks of animals abound, wild animals,
companion animals too, in the wild place
in the middle of the city
A world apart in the tranquil woods
snow caught in the lee of the branches,
ice clinging to the needles of the pine
the snow on the thin ice, cracked close to shore
water running in brooklets, trickles of water
under, over, through the snow
air cold in the late afternoon
crouching, stilling myself,
to capture an image, a memory
in the snowy woods
a respite with the girls
on a Saturday afternoon
February 10, 2008
Livingston Park, Manchester, NH
deep tracks even for young companions
temperature above freezing
Walking into the woods, days after snow
Tracks of animals abound, wild animals,
companion animals too, in the wild place
in the middle of the city
A world apart in the tranquil woods
snow caught in the lee of the branches,
ice clinging to the needles of the pine
the snow on the thin ice, cracked close to shore
water running in brooklets, trickles of water
under, over, through the snow
air cold in the late afternoon
crouching, stilling myself,
to capture an image, a memory
in the snowy woods
a respite with the girls
on a Saturday afternoon
February 10, 2008
Livingston Park, Manchester, NH
A New Adam
It these tests, these trials,
these temptations in the wilderness
after fasting those forty days
Jesus began, started, the reconciliation
the joining with God, stitching the breach
caused at the beginning, in the garden
Reducing the separation with God, the first-born
of the new covenant, beginning the steps,
the journey to humility, to fidelity,
to ministry and sacrifice.
The journey to the cross, not merely inexorable;
a conscious choice, like the bite of the fruit,
with a healing difference
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
these temptations in the wilderness
after fasting those forty days
Jesus began, started, the reconciliation
the joining with God, stitching the breach
caused at the beginning, in the garden
Reducing the separation with God, the first-born
of the new covenant, beginning the steps,
the journey to humility, to fidelity,
to ministry and sacrifice.
The journey to the cross, not merely inexorable;
a conscious choice, like the bite of the fruit,
with a healing difference
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
Accepting Limits
God said we could do so much
could walk in the garden,
eat of the fruits of all creation
save for one tree, a fateful test.
One which we failed, in trying too hard
to be like God. Forgetting the creator
made us from clay, breathed life into us
made us special, precious, out of dust
We still have the choice, to use the consequence,
the results of that bite, of the forbidden fruit
to do good and change creation
to make the world more of the heaven on earth
that it was at the beginning, in the garden,
when we walked with God
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
could walk in the garden,
eat of the fruits of all creation
save for one tree, a fateful test.
One which we failed, in trying too hard
to be like God. Forgetting the creator
made us from clay, breathed life into us
made us special, precious, out of dust
We still have the choice, to use the consequence,
the results of that bite, of the forbidden fruit
to do good and change creation
to make the world more of the heaven on earth
that it was at the beginning, in the garden,
when we walked with God
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
We are each Precious
Oh if Adam, if Eve
had truly understood the way God saw us
from the beginning of time,
precious creations, each one,
very good indeed.
Each endowed by the creator,
entrusted by the potter,
to care for creation
to tend the garden,
to walk with Him,
in the cool of the night.
To fellowship with God,
set apart.
Until the fateful choice
to eat of the tree.
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
had truly understood the way God saw us
from the beginning of time,
precious creations, each one,
very good indeed.
Each endowed by the creator,
entrusted by the potter,
to care for creation
to tend the garden,
to walk with Him,
in the cool of the night.
To fellowship with God,
set apart.
Until the fateful choice
to eat of the tree.
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
Very Good
After the sixth day, the Lord looked on creation
the humans he had created, the man, the woman
those born in His image.
Unlike the prior five days of Creation,
He said it was very good,
not merely good.
We were very good, precious, special
standing apart from the rest of creation.
If only we had understood this distinction,
and the desire of God for closeness
with His created, what might have been,
what might the man, the woman,
said to the serpent, the tempter?
Would the juice of the forbidden fruit have
lingered on the chin, staining history?
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
the humans he had created, the man, the woman
those born in His image.
Unlike the prior five days of Creation,
He said it was very good,
not merely good.
We were very good, precious, special
standing apart from the rest of creation.
If only we had understood this distinction,
and the desire of God for closeness
with His created, what might have been,
what might the man, the woman,
said to the serpent, the tempter?
Would the juice of the forbidden fruit have
lingered on the chin, staining history?
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
The Verb of Lent
More than a noun, a period of time,
forty days each year, between Ash Wednesday,
and the joy of Easter morn
Lent is a verb, a way of being, of living,
of making different choices,
when temptation comes
We are to choose, as Christ did,
not as Adam, Eve did,
when faced with moral choices
To understand and abide, by the law,
the rule, the orders of the creator,
the loving God, who called us very good
at the end of creation
To do justice, now that we know
the difference between good and evil,
learned on that fateful day
in the beautiful garden
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
forty days each year, between Ash Wednesday,
and the joy of Easter morn
Lent is a verb, a way of being, of living,
of making different choices,
when temptation comes
We are to choose, as Christ did,
not as Adam, Eve did,
when faced with moral choices
To understand and abide, by the law,
the rule, the orders of the creator,
the loving God, who called us very good
at the end of creation
To do justice, now that we know
the difference between good and evil,
learned on that fateful day
in the beautiful garden
February 10, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7,
Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 1:28-31, and
the sermon, “My Brother’s Keeper”,
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,Wakefield, NH, 2/10/08
and the sermon, “Seeing With New Eyes”,
by the Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 2/10/08
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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