A while ago, I went back to being a bit of a lurker around here. I had been one for a long time, and then started making comments and the occasional diary (though I was never very prolific), and then something happened. Some of the folks around here might remember it: the Great Religion Wars. We might remember the vigorous defenses of religion in the public square, and the equally vigorous defenses of the separation of church and state. We might remember some of the pejoratives that were used: anti-Christian, invisible sky giant, etc. Let's just say that, as a Christian, a semi-pro theologian, and someone who works for a progressive seminary, I felt a little less than welcome at the time. Perhaps that's putting it a little strongly: I just got tired of feeling like I had to defend my presence in the Democratic party. So, I went and sat on the sidelines.
And then Jeremiah Wright became a "problem".
Something happened. Something wonderful and a little bit weird: I saw diaries and comments on Black Theology, on radical Christianity, on the bravery of a Black preacher, and on the good that a large congregation in a small denomination does in Chicago. People were defending the pastor Wright, and people were criticizing him. People were noting that religion has, on occasion, stood up to the realities of oppression, and people were noting the danger that we can get in when politics comes from the pulpit. To my surprise - though I can question why I was surprised - we were doing it with civility, and while trying to understand and support the other side. The pejoratives were there... but they were rare.
It reminded me, in fact, of my church home, the United Church of Christ... an organization that I wish would handle this entire situation a little bit better. The UCC isn't place where everyone agrees. We fight, and sometimes we fight dirty. Common ground? Hah. The only common ground we sometimes seem to have is that we show up together to have the fight. Okay, maybe it's not as bad as all that, but it is true that when you recognize the autonomy of each congregation, each pastor, and each member... well, there are going to be disagreements. Most of the time, however, we can disagree with kindness, respect, generosity, charity, and love. We might disagree, but we keep showing up to disagree.
And sometimes... that's enough.
That's what I'm liking about DKos right now. We might disagree about the truth value of what Wright said. We might disagree about him saying some of it from the pulpit. We might disagree about Obama and Clinton. But, if even only for now, and only more or less, we seem to be showing up to do it. And we seem to be a little more willing to listen and to learn even from those with whom we disagree. We're not perfect, but we're getting better.
Seeing that is... well, I don't know, but makes me feel pretty good about what this community can be.
So, thanks DKos.
And, thanks Pastor Wright.