I waited a couple of days to post my entry about this book because the very day after I mentioned that I was going to write about it, Dylan Klebold's mother was on tv talking about the years since the Columbine tragedy. It has to have been some difficult years for all of the families and former students involved. So I had to reconsider the post a bit.

Just got off the phone with Gwen, the principal of this school in Northampton, MA, called Jackson Street.

I met with her and her team yesterday for an interview about their behavior program.  I was supposed to be interviewing at 12, but wanted to be able to go to work at camp for at least half a day, so I begged them to switch it to 9am.  Then I KICKED myself about it, because now I was going first, which means everyone would be compared to me, and I would be the least memorable by day's end.  I kept "no" outta my heart though; I embodied Joe Dirt and went in there and hoped for the best.

So she called today, and basically said, "We felt a really good connection to you and were really impressed by you"  "I have to call your references to be sure, but I know they're going to be fine, so I'll call you back today or tomorrow with more" and then "It'll have to be tomorrow, so I can talk to the superintendent and advocate the salary range/step".

I am swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimming in happiness right now.  Could it be, knowing what the hell I'll be doing in September an entire MONTH early?  A whole month without stress or waking up at 4am unable to sleep because I'm afraid I'll never get out of debt or hired again? 

And it's beautiful outside.  I'm going to go squeal some more : ).

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."

(http://www.statesman.com/services/content/life/stories/faith/06/06/0606flynn.html?cxtype=ynews_rss)

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!

The tenet of Christianity it this-
You must believe in Jesus. You must believe he died on the cross for your sins and accept that sacrifice.
But, what if you don't believe? What if everything in you tells you it's a lie? Can you force yourself to believe?
The answer to that is a resounding NO!
I was a Christian from the time I was a child because it was what I was taught as a child. I was even in the ministry. But , once I began to educate myself about the bible, it's origins, history, pagan religions there was no way I could believe.
But I hated losing my faith. All my friends were Christian and I didn't want to lose them too. So for nine years I tried to convince myself, that despite my mountain of doubt that it was true.
I prayed like a mad woman and studied the bible continually. And everyday ,the bible it's self convinced me more and more it was not true.
A person can not make themselves believe and no one else can make them believe either. Belief is not a choice. You either do or don't.To say you choose to believe is ludicrous.
But Christians say if you don't believe, you will burn in hell for eternity because you were unable to make yourself believe...even if you wanted to, tried too, but couldn't!
Is this what a just God would require? That you must force yourself to believe when it can't be done?
You can say I love Jesus I believe in Jesus all day long for forever but if you don't you just don't.
Only a face to face meeting with "God" could change my mind now, I simply I know too much.
And remember this oh "Christian nation", there was a time when most everyone believed the world was flat but there was one man who dared to dream otherwise and in the end , he was right!

I prepared this poem as an answer to nyourfacegrace's  latest poem.  I found it in
Top Blogs, a great poem, but so sad, since she says she says she found that Christianity is a lie and that there is no God up in the sky.  She may believe what she wishes, but when you know that you know that Christ lives and moves and has His being in you, you will no longer be able to doubt.

I thank God for inspiring this poem not only to write as an answer to Grace, but as a declaration of my faith.  Thank you, Lord for this talent and for proving yourself faithful to me.

I hope you enjoy this poem. I would appreciate your comments...if I need to change anything, just let me know. Of course,only respectful comments will be allowed to stay, thank you.

Enjoy!

I BELIEVE

I think it is sad, and yes its so true
That when your parents start lying to you
That one lie leads to so many more
And mistrust comes walking in at the door
"What do I believe, which word is true?
How, Mom and Dad, can I believe you?"
If a parent's consistent, the child will believe
All that they say and will also perceive
That when they say that Christ was born
In an animal's stable, so forlorn
That this king was willing to live as a man
Showing us that we also can
Live in this world but not be as such
That living His way is better by much
Yes, we can have the peace He will bring
In a chaotic world, passing understanding
When you choose to let him be Lord of your life
You will still have trouble but never have strife
For there will be no double mindedness
Just the joy he gives, and no stress
Because with Him you can do anything
He will fight for you, He's the Lord of the ring!

So, when everything to Him you've surrendered
Made him your Lord, and you have remembered
That yes;  in this world we will have trials
But that through them all He gives us a smile
He gives us faith, helps us to cope
Put in Him our trust, our love and our hope
He banishes fear, prepares us a place
And when life is done, we'll see His face
Shining on us, He'll say "Well done
See? It was worth it to believe in my Son
Come into the place, afresh and anew
Here in the mansion, I've prepared, just for you."

bonniegirl
March 5, 2009