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Finding a community as an atheist in church
Despite rejection of faith's tenets, UT teacher finds comfort in Christianity
By Eileen Flynn
SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Saturday, June 06, 2009
At the root of Robert Jensen's new book, "All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice," is a longing for community and for meaning, two universal human pursuits.
Jensen, a decidedly secular leftist who teaches journalism at the University of Texas, happened to find both a few years ago in a mainline Protestant church in North Austin. His convictions revolved around anti-war, feminist, anti-capitalist movements, but to him, the left seemed dead without a community that could lend deeper meaning to those convictions. And he found himself in a pew on Sunday mornings.
OK, so the church was the very liberal and radically welcoming St. Andrew's Presbyterian, but it was still surprising to many when Jensen joined. He raised more eyebrows (and the ire of many traditional Christians) shortly after, when he published a newspaper column stating unapologetically that he did not believe in God (never mind the virgin birth, Resurrection or the divinity of Christ) but still thought that he could be considered a Christian.
"All My Bones Shake" is a fascinating account of his church experience: his faith being put on trial in the Presbyterian Church, his sorrow over what he sees as a fallen world, the sense of wholeness he finds in a congregation and a radical reinterpretation of religion.
Political and religious conservatives likely will dismiss Jensen outright. Moderates might write him off because they don't identify with his radical politics. Secularists might roll their eyes at his church talk.
But in a country that continually struggles to neatly fit together the puzzle pieces of religion and politics, Jensen's perspective is worth hearing.
He is, after all, traveling a path familiar to many people. How often are we wrangling over what makes a real Christian? Over biblical interpretations? Over the application of religious tenets to today's world?
I spoke to Jensen recently just after he returned from a trip to South Africa. Folks there, he said, put a high premium on ubuntu, the concept that people become fully human by living within a community and recognizing the humanity of others.
In his mind, that's crucial in trying to address problems such as racism, imperialism, sexual exploitation, environmental destruction and economic injustice.
And I remembered something Jensen told me a few years ago over coffee. The left, he said, needed community. St. Andrew's offered that, as he writes in the book, through speakers, film screenings and organizational meetings.
Initially, he attended the church as an atheist who participated in events but kept his distance from the religious components. In 2005, the pastor, the Rev. Jim Rigby, asked Jensen to deliver a sermon. Afterward, Jensen felt the urge to return to the pulpit and lead the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. It was then he discovered a greater depth of meaning in his relationship with St. Andrew's.
He had found a church where the pastor was in "constant struggle for the truth, for the meaning" of his religious tradition, where belief evolved, where it was OK to question the divinity of Christ and to define God simply as "mystery."
Jensen says he's realistic about the way the world works and the daunting problems for which there is no ready solution. But he also has developed a faith in the role the church can play in taking on those challenges.
"I joined a Christian church to be part of that hope for the future, to struggle to make religion a force that can help usher into existence a world in which we can imagine living in peace with each other and in sustainable relation to the non-human world," Jensen writes. "Such a task requires a fearlessness and intelligence beyond what we have mustered to date, but it also requires a faith in our ability to achieve it.
"That's why I am a Christian."
nyourface: I think it is entirely possible for a person to be a follower of the teachings of Jesus without the poison of religion or the belief in God. Many people claim to be Christian but don't follow his teachings at all. It might just be a refreshing change!
- Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge.
- Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person.
- Created an atheist blog.
- Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone.
- Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic.
- Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.
- Own more Bibles than most Christians you know.
- Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc.
- Have come out as an atheist to your family.
- Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
- Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization.
- Had a Humanist wedding ceremony.
- Donated money to an atheist organization.
- Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins.
- Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism.
- Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize.
- Hid your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away.
- Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc).
- Attended a protest that involved religion.
- Attended an atheist conference.
- Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.
- Started an atheist group in your area or school.
- Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.
- Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die.
- Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction.
- Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place.
- Lost a job because of your atheism.
- Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count).
- Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills.
- Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!”
- Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying.
- Have turned on Christian TV because you need something entertaining to watch.
- Are a 2nd or 3rd (or more) generation atheist.
- Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant.
- Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service).
- Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic)
- Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism.
- Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God.
- Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift.
- Wear pro-atheist clothing in public.
- Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them.
- Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God.
- Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants).
- Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it.
- Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.”
- Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all.
- Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to…
- Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray.
- Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you.
What is it with God and the Idea's of God that drive humanity wild. Or is man wild and look to religion to give reason to their insanity.
Like a sobering alcoholic use the excess of the booze for their infidelity or stupidity.
I'm amazed everytime some person achieves a Goal, like winning a Academy award or a Prize fight, the first thing they usually say is. I want to thank God for this moment, or " I want to thank God for this vicotry". why don't they say, I wan't to thank MYSELF for
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