Skip to main content

Thoughts on Kim Davis

  This past week has been interesting to watch with the drama going on at the Rowan County courthouse in Kentucky. After SCOTUS' decision that bans on gay marrages were unconsitutional, Kim Davis, County Cleark - an elected offical, refused to issue any one a marriage license so not to discriminate because she believes that gay marriage is against her Christian beliefs.
  After filing appeals and losing, Kim was sent to jail for contempt of court after still refusing to issue any marriage licenses. Couples could drive to a surrounding county courthouses to get a marriage license but a lawsuit was filed against Kim Davis and her office for refusing to comply with the law, orders from the govenor and the state attorney. Kim has spent several days in jail and she is still making the news, along with political candidates.
  While I agree with Kim being sent to jail for failure to comply with the law and that she should either fulfill her duties she is paid to do by taxpayer dollars or resign, there's something still bothering me.
  What bothers me the most is how society is making comments about a person's faith, looks, and in general the name calling. Instead of both sides of this debate talking about the facts and laws of this case and having true, honest conversation, both sides have resorted to creating harsh memes, videos, ads, and countless other things that are degrading to the other side but more importantly to their own stance.
  I believe that as a person of faith I am called to stand for issues of justice. I may not always stand on the same side as my brothers and sisters in Christ and that's okay. But neither side gets to look good or live out it's faith when we resort to grade school comments, insults and tatics to try to make our arguement look like the winner.
  I don't recall Jesus ever saying that it was okay to put someone else down when you're trying to make your point and follow your faith. I do recall Jesus saying that you need to walk with your brothers and sisters in faith in a loving and compassionate way. You are called to be the example of the things that are ture, right and faithful in the world. Name calling is none of those things. Creating mean memes and hiding behind them on the internet is none of those things. Using a woman for political gain is none of those things.
  All people of faith can be better than this. We should be, so lets start.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Pastor's Take on Project 2025

It's getting close to the 2024 elections and I'm tired. American society seems to be crumbling, and I feel that regardless of how things play out, it's going "to get real." But nevertheless, it's time for me to speak out on Project 2025. I have tried for months to read the document because I want to be informed. But there is not enough blood pressure medicine in the world to allow me to read it all. It boils my blood, and I argue it should most Christian's as well. When you go to the Project 2025 website it opens with "Project 2025 is a historic movement, brought together by over 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to take down the Deep State and return the government to the people." What is the Deep State? As far as I know there is no Deep State but let's scare people into thinking there is. Who are these 100 respected organizations? They are organizations like the American Family Association, Family Policy All...

2024 Wrap Up

 Happy New Year's Eve! 2024 is almost gone as I type this. And it's been ... a year. To whomever may be reading this know this: I'm glad you made it through 2024. You're you and you're here. That's enough. Whether you met your goal/goals or not, you survived. You're still breathing - even if it's hard to do sometimes. I'm proud of you. Keep going. Even if all you can manage is the next minute. Keep going.  Here is my updates and reflection on 2024. The biggest thing for me has been my move and new ministry in Wisconsin. I said goodbye to two lovely rural Nebraska churches in February and started my new ministry in Wisconsin March 1. It was funny that I was actually attending a UCCB meeting in Ohio when I officially met my new conference minister in person on March 1. God has a sense of humor. This past 9 months has been learning about the systems of the church and the community and trying to find my place. I haven't been perfect in this, but I...

Stories from Ministry - Things You Can't Make Up

Funerals can bring out the best or the worst in people/families. Here's a story from a funeral that I can't make up. Note that this story is not from my current ministry setting and names and identifying information has been changed. I was asked to officiate a funeral for a family that wasn't connected to a church but wanted a minister. I met with the family before the funeral and learned I was only meeting part of the family and that there was some sort of rift between the adult children. I made a mental note but the family seemed to be okay. Fast forward to the day of the funeral. I arrive half way through the visitation before the service and check in with the funeral home and family and things seem to be okay. It's clear that there's a divide between the children but folks seem to be staying on their respected sides and behaving. The service goes off well and the casket gets loaded into the hearse. Family members get in their vehicles and I get in the hearse wit...