My friend and colleague, David Dark is about to show you what religion/theology can look if done with compassion, courage, and an expansive generosity.
The other day, Lebron James let loose a mighty tweet that caused consternation for some, but David dared to call it a prayer. From the article in Paste Magazine:
In my efforts to keep my third eye open lest I mistake an emotional reaction for a meaningful response, I have a saying I borrowed from William Blake for thinking through words or images which might initially trigger me: The voice of honest indignation is the voice of God. Slow the tape and mull that one over a little: The voice of honest indignation is the voice of God.
You’ll have to read the whole thing to get the full sense of its vision. After a description of the chain of responses, especially from sports teams, here is another piece:
If honest indignation is a form of sacred expression, a curse can be thought of as prayer and prophecy, clearing the air for observational candor and situational awareness concerning the terror and trauma we needlessly abide, shining a light on what’s remained harmfully hidden. Is this of interest to us? Perhaps King James’ profanity prayer is being answered. Do we hear it?
Here is the religious/theological/human conclusion:
Where we stand determines what we see. As a white southerner in America, I have a sacred obligation to receive and consider the signals of people of color whose experiences differ from my own lest I succumb to the easy ignorance which has posed a terror threat to their lives for centuries. I don’t get to think of King James’ cry of anguish as a needlessly offensive disturbance to my peace. I get to process and be awakened by it.
I’m an old white guy, like the author. Lebron’s words are not my words, but my experience is not his experience, so I am compelled to listen. Some will urge “civility,” but as I have said before — “A plea for civility is the soft billy club of the status quo power arrangement.”
Postscript: I know that many here have been hurt by religion. I’m sorry for that. It deserves your disdain. I have a more extensive diary here on the understandably tense relationship between Daily Kos and religion. I know we should do better far more often, but I wanted to point to one instance in which we did.
