Currents of Faith: Open and Unfolding Reflections

My mother was always for the underdog. I learned my original concern for the world from her. This concern grew with my ongoing distress watching my brother being abused by my father. I did not have the foggiest notion of what to do with these concerns other than worry and feel guilty that I did nothing. I felt helpless and cowardly. I am certain that this basic concern played a part in my choosing a career in ministry and counseling. I wanted to help and I wanted to help me to allay my helplessness and worry.

It would seem logical that I would express my concern for the world with the individual in the counseling office, but I felt strongly about issues which were much wider than that room. My four years of study in sociology had been a mixed experience in that it seemed to place the emphasis upon studying people rather than helping them, yet it offered me an understanding of organizations, institutions, and systems which can oppress or enrich people. When I entered counseling and ministry I was already grounded in how powerful structures deeply affect the lives of individuals. I knew what the Apostle Paul called the “principalities and powers.” I could never see individual salvation through either counseling or ministry as the final answer. For me a satisfying answer had to include the transformation of society.  

One of my first vows of concern for the world was made in Marine Corps boot camp in 1958, when I said that I would spend as much time and energy seeking peace as I had learning to be a killer. At this juncture, I think I have more than completed that vow. I expressed my vow as a new minister in the Pacific Northwest in 1966 by becoming a member of the Conference Social Concerns Committee. In listening to the vast number of concerns which were expressed at every annual gathering, I decided that we needed to train persons in local churches to create “mission groups.” Such groups would develop designs to address a particular social concern in their community. Persons would know a method rather than attempt to address all issues. This was to recognize that we cannot possibly become educated and address the vast number of issues impinging upon us. The idea caught on, but, alas, I left the pastoral ministry before I could see it come to fruition. I still think it is a valid approach.

As part of the Social Concerns Committee I was invited to attend a national conference in Washington, D.C. called “Convo 69.” I heard what churches were addressing throughout our nation. Two events stand out in my mind. I heard a physician speak of the best form of birth control as “coitus interruptus” and I wondered what planet he came from. At breakfast in the hotel where the conference was held, I heard two men engaged in a lively discussion. As I continued to eavesdrop I realized they were talking of events in World War II. I was dumbfounded that those happenings would still carry such emotion. That war was nearly a generation ago! I bit my tongue rather than say, “Get a life.”

At the Christmas eve service at Mercer Island in 1968 I included in my pastoral prayer a deep concern for the recent mining of  Hai Phong Harbor in Vietnam. As I was greeting persons after the service, a man said to me, “You have spoiled my Christmas!’ I learned that my deep feeling for the wider world can elicit strong feelings in others.

Upon coming to Wenatchee in 1969, I helped form a group devoted to peace. This was the height of the Vietnam conflict. We were a rag-tag bunch, composed of college students and men with beards and bib overalls. I kept wondering, “Where are those men like me who wear white shirts and shave?” In spite of our small numbers and lack of procedural skills we focused upon ending the draft. We played our small part and, lo, in time the draft was ended. Here is where I learned the truth of Margaret Mead’s words: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

I have always been a member of the Democratic Party, except for a short time in 1968 when I joined Senator George McGovern’s New Party. While I know that any political party has its errors, flaws and limitations, I continue to find that the principles of the Democratic Party come closest to my values. I am convinced that I cannot exist in an ethereal realm above the fray by avoiding the flaws of the real life political arena, but I engage with the hope of transforming the actual into what it could become.

I have spoken on gay rights during an attempt by a group originating in Oregon working to allow discrimination by sexual orientation in housing. In our state a movement formed under the title, “Not in Washington.” I actively participated in this ballot issue, helping to unmask the move to picture protection of basic civil rights as “special rights.”

My biggest thrill in participating in social action was joining the march in Wenatchee promoting immigration reform. As we moved down Wenatchee Avenue as far as I could see in both directions there were marchers, a far cry from the small crowds usually gathering for social justice in our valley. The most touching moment was when a young Hispanic man spoke to us as we were walking toward the staging area. He said, “Thank you for joining us.” Tears welled up in my eyes and tingles ran up and down my spine.

My theology has provided the vision through which I am able to see and express concern about the world. Through God I am interconnected with every human on this planet. In some way, sometimes as a peripheral feeling or thought, other times as radically and deeply affecting my existence, I am affected in my being by every event occurring anywhere in the world. I think of little children who are sold into slavery, and I recall  the devastating images of people jumping from the World Trade Center towers. I wonder just how I am affected daily by the events, even those unknown to me, which happen to humanity. One cannot really know because we live within a web of relationships and cannot simply slip out of the web and be an observer. I am moved by the words of the marvelous Christmas hymn, O Holy Night: “Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother.” If any person in the world is in chains, I am not free!

I am convinced that in the depth of relationship with God, Jesus experienced grace and proclaimed it for others. The love of neighbor, the forgiveness seven times seventy and the radical love of enemy emanated from the realm of God, from this fountain of grace which flowed over him. I am dismayed and deeply disappointed that the symbols of Christ, the Chi-Rho and the Cross, adorned the shields of those warriors in the Crusades. And that even today we pray for victory over others.

The social gospel writers used the phrase: “The brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.” While pointing in the right direction, their principle would surely not pass muster with all who are feminists. I find a more recent image more appealing: “person-in-community.” In this symbol we are bound together in God. I affirm that all wars are civil wars. God experiences pain and grief by every fallen soldier of whatever nation under whatever flag. I have enjoyed the bumper sticker which states: “When Jesus said to love your enemy, I don’t think he meant to kill them.” I truly believe that wars should be outlawed! We should commit to unrelenting negotiation and diplomacy!

In October 2003, I attended a conference on the “American Empire” sponsored by the Center for Process Studies and featuring papers by Dr. David Ray Griffin, Dr. John B Cobb, Jr., and Dr. Richard Falk. The first two speakers were process theologians and the third a professor of international relations at Princeton University. They made two important points: America is an empire and there are democratic options to such an empire. I was enlightened and moved by their words, such that on my return to Wenatchee I offered a presentation on “Global Empire to Global Democracy.” I was basically motivated by two important facts: I see now what is going on in my country, and I have grandchildren.

I have decided that I am a citizen of the world first and foremost. Secondly, I am a citizen of the United States of America. I will not see citizens of another nation as evil, just as I do not see that I am good.

In 2003, before the pre-emptive strike by the U.S. on Iraq I stood on the steps of the Federal Building in Wenatchee and spoke to a group crying out for “No War!” I spoke of my experience counseling men who had fought in Vietnam and my deep empathy for their trauma in combat and upon arriving home. I spoke of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and of suicide. Afterwards a Vietnam veteran told me that more returning veterans have taken their own lives than died in combat. By my count that would be more than 59,000. I was stunned!
  
At a candlelight peace vigil I was interviewed by a news reporter because I had served earlier in three branches of the military: The National Guard, USMC, and USAFR. I think that she found it unusual that with this background, I would be standing in the circle holding a candle. We waved signs, “No War,” at a busy intersection near the Senator George Sellar Bridge. Some honked and gave a thumbs up, others flashed an obscene gesture while yelling “Traitors,” still others looked the other way as if we were invisible. Loving the world has many consequences I find.

I resonate with these verses of the hymn, “This is My Song,” sometimes called Finlandia.

This is my song, O God of all the nations,
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine,
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,
And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
A song of peace for their land and for mine.

My theology moves me to be deeply concerned when the church is only priestly and avoids its mission to be prophetic, as though we are to pick up the pieces of those shattered by the systems of our world without ever naming and seeking to transform those oppressive and crushing structures. We give Thanksgiving baskets to the poor without asking why they are poor and cannot buy their own baskets. We have missions to New Orleans to repair homes but do not confront the systems of government which have been negligent in both preventing and repairing the damage. I am convinced that we in the church need be both priest and prophet!

I am deeply offended by and opposed to the Institute for Religion and Democracy, an organization which is funded by secular conservatives with the mission of stopping the social action of mainline churches. Such churches are flies in the ointment of the conservative agenda. They say, “Keep being priests. Prophets are not wanted. Focus on the salvation of individuals and stay away from oppressing systems. Help the poor, stay away from what keeps them poor.” I was grateful for the response to the IRD by a study group which published United Methodism @ Risk: A Wake-Up Call by Leon Howell.

All of these events led up to my most recent venture of November 2004. Many of us had worked hard on the election campaign. We lost! And we lost, as in 2000, under some shadowy circumstances. The events in Ohio looked much like those in Florida four years earlier. We were in the midst of a war in Iraq which many of us felt from the beginning was dead wrong and put our hopes on a new administration ending that war. These hopes were dashed! We would have more of the same in the next four years, likely worse. I was depressed. I was left lost and unsure what to do next! I wandered aimlessly.

I found that my good friend Dr. Bob Anderson was distressed also. We talked, wondering what we were to do now. My idea in November was to develop a think tank for the local Democratic Party. I wrote a lengthy statement about what this organization would be like and what it would do. I used the phrase, “Developing a Positive Vision for America.” Bob and I soon moved that idea to non-partisan group. Thus, began a venture of the Two Bobs. We were committed to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. All of our creations would be positive proposals.

We sent letters to a list of persons who had participated in several classes in the church as well as to those we knew in the community who might share our interest. In February 2005, we held our first meeting in the Meikle Room of our church, the location of our Sunday class. We were amazed that fifty people attended. After an orientation we invited persons to become a part of a smaller group focusing on a social issue which was of great concern to them. Before entering the smaller group, Bob who has expertise in meditation, led the participants in a time of centering and openness. Later the total group would join together again to hear the results of small group deliberations. We were pleased! I told Bob that I had never felt so much a minister as when we were leading that group in considering vital issues.

We addressed a number of issues and were pressing forward. Meetings were announced in our church newsletter. Our process was interrupted by several church members objecting to our meeting in the church. Bob and I decided to change locations and deal with the conflict in a calm environment. As I have shared earlier that opportunity never arrived, so since that time we have met in the Cascade Unitarian Universalist Fellowship facility. Over time our numbers have fallen. We have about eighty persons on our email list and ten to twelve persons come regularly to meetings from a pool of about twenty-five who attend. We wonder if our numbers will increase as the 2008 election campaigns grow nearer.

Our name changed from its original, “A New Vision for America,” to “Visioning America,” as when we were creating a web site we found the earlier domain was taken.
Our mission statement and governing principles as well as some of the issues we have addressed are below.

 

VISIONING AMERICA

SEEKING THE COMMON GOOD

MISSION STATEMENT

                   Our mission is to seek the common good  by

                                    educating ourselves,
                       
                                    addressing vital local, national and global issues,

                                    relating cherished values to these issues,

                                    creating positive visions for America, and

                                    sharing those visions with the wider community.

        OUR GOVERNING PRINCIPLES

We are a community of persons living in North Central Washington who
                             have gathered together under the name, Visioning America.

We warmly welcome all to participate, calling persons from their aloneness into
                             community.

We as a community are independent from any wider organization or
                             political party and do not support candidates for
                             political office.

We affirm a republic in which citizens participate in shaping our national
                             democracy.

We embrace the mission of creating positive visions which affirm the
                             common good for both our nation and the world.

We research, study and reflect upon important local, national and
                             international issues.

We search for the basic values which are expressed in these issues and
                             identify our own core values in order to evaluate the
                             issues.

We respect all participants, regardless of their position, give consideration to everyone’s
                             ideas, and dialogue together in an
                             atmosphere of safety.

We encourage persons to form working groups to focus on issues most vital to them and
                             share their proposals with the total group..

We employ a democratic process in making decisions and seek consensus.

We take action by sharing and publicizing our conclusions with other
                             citizens, representatives and government officials.

We speak for our community, Visioning America.

 

OUR VALUES

            As members of  Visioning America we affirm:

            Cooperating with the total human family in ways which meet basic
                                          biological and spiritual needs, and promote peace with justice
                                          for everyone.

            Honoring the needs of the earth and all living species; creating for
                                          them a viable and sustainable future.

            Engaging in non-violent methods of change and conflict resolution,
                                          and showing respect, empathy and reverence for all of
                                          humanity.

Following are two samples of letters to the editor which offer a flavor of the work that we do.

Safety Valve: Letters from readers  

The Wenatchee World            Sunday, June 18, 2006, Page B14

Rule out war

Iran is in the headlines. We are deeply concerned about the men, women, and children who could be caught in a crossfire of military action.

As in the time before the invasion of Iraq, we are told that the administration has “all options on the table.” One option is a preemptive strike on nuclear facilities in Iran.

A “war game” was held to look at possible consequences of such a strike.(James Fallows, “Will Iran be Next?” Atlantic Monthly, December 2004.)  The leader, retired Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner, conducted war games for two decades at the National War College and other military institutions. The participants, experienced in the military or diplomatic corps, filled the following roles: CIA director, secretary of state, White House chief of staff, and secretary of defense.

The consequences they considered likely were: 1) an inflamed Muslim world; 2) increased danger for American troops in Iraq; 3) shock to the world economy by endangering oil fields in Saudi Arabia, disrupting shipments in the Persian Gulf, raising prices, removing oil from markets, and influencing OPEC to reduce supply; 4) increased determination by Iran to get the bomb; and 5) our inability to destroy all the dispersed, concealed and protected nuclear sites.

While not denying there are dangers and threats involved as the international community relates to Iran, we of Visioning America (formerly New Vision for America) fully agree with the conclusions of Col Gardiner: “After all this effort, I am left with two simple sentences for policy makers: YOU HAVE NO MILITARY SOLUTION FOR THE ISSUES OF IRAN. YOU HAVE TO MAKE DIPLOMACY WORK.”

We strongly encourage others to join us in urging our administration and legislators to walk the lengthy and difficult path of negotiation and diplomacy.

[Three Signatures] 

 

The Wenatchee World            Thursday, October 25, 2007, Page B10

Yes on Simple Majority         

Fairness is an important value. In 1932 it was fair that the few property owners not pay most of the bill for public schools. Many voters without property could place that responsibility on the few. In that year the public decided that 60%, a super majority, was required to pass a levy for the public schools and in 1934 that an election is validated only if 50.1% of the voters also voted in the most recent election for governor. In 1936 the number to validate was reduced to 40%. That seemed fair over seventy years ago.

Today many people own property and know that by voting for a levy they will be taxed. No longer do the few property owners need protection. Now, a minority can control the vote for schools. Forty-one percent can defeat a levy which the majority approved. In fairness, the minority needed protection in 1932, while in 2007 the majority needs protection.

I am grateful that when I was a boy the public provided me with a learning environment. In our one room school on the cattle ranch in Roseworth, Idaho, I was gifted a hinged wooden desk, pen, ink and ink well, assignments reproduced on a hectograph,  lined penmanship paper, used text books, blackboard and chalk, a coal stove, an upright piano and an American flag. I believe it only fair that I return this generosity by providing students with the finest equipment, educational material, faculty and facilities.

It was in public school that I learned to spell “fair” and to be “fair.” EHJR 4204 will require only a simple majority, anything over 50%, approval for school levies and no validating numbers. In a spirit of fairness, I invite you to join me in voting Yes on Initiative 4204.

Robert Brizee, Wenatchee
   
We also write op-eds for the newspaper. Following are several which have been published to date: “Repair Social Security, then take on the real crises;” “Children, and Promises Left Behind;” “Water, water…it’s not everywhere, and we’re running short;” “Water is precious, and threatened;” “The Blue Gold of the Earth: Can water be declared a commodity?;” “Our Greatest Challenge [Global Warming];” “A Marshall Plan for Palestinians.” We have submitted an article on “Healthcare Reform” yet to be published.

 A sampling of other letters to the editor include: “Can they be trusted;” “Withdraw from Iraq;” and “Falling Liberty;” We write to our elected representatives with our concerns, our most recent to Representative David Obey applauding his intention to hold  the $190 billion supplemental budget for Iraq in the House appropriations committee

My theology calls me to love who God loves, to seek the common good! And to remember the words of Margaret Mead about what a small group of thoughtful commited citizens” can do! And to Mom I would say, “I, too, am for the underdog!”

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