Most people who know me know that I've been appalled and frustrated by the new administration in the White House; but more so with the high-profile Christians who hold them up as God's answer for America. One of my friends thought that the purpose of this blog was to try and convert Conservatives to the Liberal agenda, but that's not the point. The real purpose of this blog was started a while ago to show Non-Christians that there are Christians like me who are focused on loving God and loving our neighbors. There are Christians who are not judgmental and "churchy." The blog went dormant for a few years, and 45's campaign and presidency drove me to write again because I feel that I need to counteract some of those Christians who use 45 as an example of a good Christian man.
I participated in the Women's March with a sign that said, "#Stay Loud for #EQUALITY" I considered that March as a "Kickoff" to my personal campaign to become more active. I made a few calls for Clinton during the campaign but admittedly stopped because I got lazy and distracted. And while I don't believe making more calls would've persuaded the rust belt to vote for her (since they were attracted by 45's promises), I do feel bad that I didn't do all that I could. And while demonstrating dissatisfaction with 45 at the Women's March was energizing, I need to follow it up with action.
I debated about whether to help a segment of population like the senior citizens because I have a heart for the elderly. I thought about working at food banks or Mission Solano or Habitat for Humanity. But I know my communication and organizational skills are probably my strong point, so I wanted to also do something that would utilize these skills and have an impact on several areas. I reflected back on my #Stay Loud for #EQUALITY sign and I believed that the ACLU would be the right fit. They may not have always done what I believe is right 100% of the time; but that is the way with families and churches too. By and large, the ACLU fights for the EQUAL rights of citizens and that is why I've decided to throw my hat in with them (financially and actively). Although it's not a Christian organization (they believe in Religious Liberty), I believe it is a place where I can reflect God's love to a group of believers and non-believers. Of course I will still stay active in my church, but I also want to extend the intent of this blog to my activism - exemplify that Christians can go out in the world to help fight for equal rights alongside people of various religious and cultural backgrounds.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Allegiance
Today, Geoff and I went to see Allegiance which is a movie play about the Japanese Internment Camps during WWII. While we're not Japanese, we do have several friends and family members of Japanese heritage... and we recognize how the US basically imprisoned all the Japanese on the West Coast simply because they were easily identified by the color of their skin. My parents mentioned how they used to wear buttons that said, "I'm Chinese, not Japanese" so that they would not be put into camps.
While I see people snidely saying they won't put Muslims into camps, make no mistake that bigotry is still coming into play when you identify people as "threats" simply by the color of their skin or religion. 45 may try to re-write his Muslim Ban to be more "politically correct" (how ironic) and call it a "Travel Ban," but it is still a ban on Muslims who he thinks are a terrorist threat. He said it plain and simple when he was campaigning, and his followers support this bigotry. The intent is clear and I don't think anybody should be fooled.
People will say, "I'd rather be safe if this will prevent just one act of terrorism to harm an American." Others will say, "Isis will use 45's example of how Americans hate Muslims and recruit more terrorists." I simply say that America needs to provide liberty and justice for all citizens, no matter their race or religion.
We already have stringent vetting in place for refugees (see https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/29/us/refugee-vetting-process.html?_r=0)
And whether 45 and his folks want to admit it or not, Obama's administration did bring down Bin Laden and we have wonderful defense and security that are keeping a pulse on the terrorists. In my opinion, more work needs to be put into place against hate crimes here in the US. But I'm afraid that won't happen with Steve Breitbart/Bannon in charge.
If we want the nation to adhere to Christian principles, we should practice the basics - Love God and love our neighbors, especially those in need. My Allegiance is not America First; it's God First.
Matthew 25:35. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Should We Pray for Trump?
This week has been crazy and it's so hard to know what to write about - 9th court upholding the suspension of Trump's Muslim Ban, Conway's touting Ivanka's clothing line, Flynn's conversations with the Russians when Obama was still in office (and lying about it), Republican's passage of DeVos and Sessions, etc.
Every day I pray for the leaders of not just the United States, but of the world. Obviously this includes Trump and Bannon (who is probably the "Real President"), but I don't necessarily pray that they succeed in THEIR agenda. I pray that God's will be done, whether it's giving Trump/Bannon a sudden sense of wisdom, compassion and integrity (hey, miracles do happen)... or whether it's giving the Republican party a wake-up call to impeach him (again, miracles do happen). The Israelites had to wander the wilderness for 40 years, so it could be that the country will have to wander for 4 years to hopefully get him out of office.
I know some people say, "Pence is worse," but I don't think anybody is worse than Bannon/Trump. There are constant leaks to the press about Trump's immature behavior from an insider, so obviously Bannon/Trump has an inside "traitor." I don't mind since we only get "alternate facts" and stories like Bowling Green from Trump, Conway and Spicer. But it also makes me wonder who the inside leak is - maybe Pence himself as he prepares to take office?
It's no secret that I can't stand Trump, but I also have tried to take a step back and ask why I can't stand him while other Christians praise him. Is he upholding and exemplifying Christian principles? Trump has had multiple marriages, multiple instances of adultery, has cheated many small businesses before he took office, has bragged about grabbing women's genitals, has manhandled (and possibly raped as she has said) his prior wife, does not pay his fair share of taxes (Give Caesar what is Caesar's), and his general deplorable behavior. I'll just end with these scriptures which will direct me as I share my thoughts and work towards social justice - Yes, you can call me SJW (Social Justice Warrior). I'd rather be called that, Snowflake, Libtard, etc before I'm called a Trump follower/supporter.
1 John 4: 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Galations 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Ephesians 5:11-12 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Psalm 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against those who practice iniquity?
Friday, February 3, 2017
Worship Night and Hope
Our Worship Leader posted on Facebook this morning that there would be an impromptu Worship Night at church, so I decided to turn off the TV and check it out. I'm so glad I was able to go as it reminded me again that God is central to my life, no matter whatever else is going on in the world. As my pastor said, we were all there because God meant for us to be there (paraphrased)... and it was good for me to remember that He is in control, and to re-energize with my friends.
For most of of my youth and young adulthood, I went to the First Chinese Baptist Church of SF in Chinatown or the sister plant Sunset Ministry... where many people leaned left and had similar backgrounds to me and my family. The church I go to now (New Life) is in Fairfield and is more diverse culturally and politically. Being able to worship with them tonight reminded me that, while many of my brothers and sisters in Christ may have differing political views, we all want what's best for the world and simply have different ideas on how to achieve that.
Remembering this helps me see that, while Trump and some of the Republican leaders may drive me crazy, there are still some good Republican leaders (John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Colin Powell, Federal Judge James Robart, etc.) who are still trying to do what's right and just. I still believe Steve Bannon is an awful White Supremacist (see New York Times article linked below), and I don't like Trump any more than I do Bannon... But I also know God can turn bad into good, so I continue to have faith and pray that God grants our country's and world's leaders with wisdom, compassion and integrity.
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