April 27, 2014:

Ponderings Of A Pilgrim Pastor

“Crossed Out”

      Over the years of my ministry at Pilgrim I have shared weekly thoughts and opinions on a wide variety of subjects.  I do not expect that everyone who reads my words will agree with me and some haven’t, thank God.  I have written these Ponderings in the hope they would stimulate your own reflection as a Liberal Christian.  Today is no exception.  I do ask your forgiveness if my words seem too harsh or critical but, frankly, I’m deeply angry.

      I believe there are many ways a civilized society should be measured:  its practical, compassionate care for the poor, the old, the young; its care of the environment — earth, sea and sky; the quality of educational opportunities for its young; the fair distribution of income for all its citizens and not an obscene  accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few; its reluctance to use deadly force by its military intervening in other countries; accessible and affordable medical care for all its people . . .   Well, you complete the list.

      I am convinced that in a tragic way over the past fifty years (so-called) “conservative” politics and conservative evangelical religion have corrupted and are destroying the America I love.  This unholy alliance of politics and religion is opposed to almost everything our country used to stand for.  If you think I am wrong, please convince me otherwise.

      One of the examples of this evil influence is the enthusiastic return to capital punishment.  Now our own state intends a return to the electric chair if drugs for lethal injection are not available.  How ghastly!

      Almost every Christian Church has some representation of the cross in its place of worship.  Some have a crucifix with the body of Jesus on the cross.  Some have the empty Easter cross.  A few, like Pilgrim, have both.  Have we really given serious thought to what is hanging in front of us every Sunday?  Crucifixion was the most cruel punishment the Romans could devise for those deemed worthy of death.  As Christians, we believe Jesus was unjustly executed but that has also been true of millions of people throughout history as well as thousands in American history.

      Capital punishment has degraded every society that practices it.  However vicious the crime someone has committed, capital punishment is no less vicious.  Disagree with me if you like, but I believe that every instance of capital punishment is another crucifixion and I can hear Jesus saying, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Love,

Pastor Dave