The late months of the year bring many changes–the days become short, the weather cold, the landscape bare, the ground hard. During this season, the country has paused to remember–the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice. Amidst these sobering times of reflection, the Church prepares to celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmastide–times of joy and peace. Yet the question arises in these times of remembrance, “Where has the Church been during the times when war, not peace, has covered the earth?” All too often it seems that the Church has made itself an accessory to war instead of calling all warring parties to account.
Author Archive
A Season of Remembrance
In Essays on 11 December 2011 at 3:06 pm“For God(s) and Country”
In Essays on 1 June 2011 at 6:48 pm
The recent post on homosexuality and gay marriage highlighted the tension that arises when two authority structures, government and the church, claim the exclusive right to define activities and regulate behaviors. One bellwether of such conflicts is the military chaplaincy. The recent revocation of the “Don’t Ask” policy has brought this conflict between church and state into sharper focus. The new policy seeks to ensure that a servicemember can have an openly gay lifestyle free from discrimination while also protecting a clergy member’s right to preach the moral viewpoints of his denomination. A recent dust-up on the question of same sex ceremonies in military chapels shows how complex this balancing act has already become.
