Melissa Rogers

Levelling the Playing Field: Advancing Women in Jewish Organizational Life

Hannah Farber blogs about a new report entitled Levelling the Playing Field: Advancing Women in Jewish Organizational Life.  I have not read the report yet, but it seems to me that those of us who are trying to encourage recognition of the gifts of girls and women in various religious communities may find it helpful. 

Calling on presidential candidates and religious communities to focus on poverty

"A diverse coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders is calling on the Democratic and Republican parties to address poverty in a primetime speech during their respective presidential nominating conventions."  Here's more from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs press release: 

This week, nine leading religious officials, including, Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president for government affairs, National Association of Evangelicals; Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, secretary general, Islamic Society of North America; Rev. Jim Wallis, chief executive officer, Sojourners; and Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), sent letters to Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, asking them to ensure that a primetime speech is dedicated to issues of poverty and opportunity at their respective 2008 presidential nominating conventions. The faith coalition further urged each presidential candidate to propose a comprehensive plan to address poverty and opportunity in America over the next decade.

Currently, there are 37 million individuals in the United States living in poverty, including 13 million children. Of these, 35.5 million are hungry and mal-nourished. In addition, 47 million individuals in this country do not have health insurance and all 435 congressional districts are facing an affordable housing crisis. Childhood poverty alone costs the US $500 billion is each year in lower productivity, poor health, and lost potential. Conversely, it would take $90 billion/year to comprehensively address poverty in America.

Other leading religious figures who coauthored the coalition letter include, Father Larry Snyder, president, Catholic Charities USA; Rabbi David Saperstein, director and counsel, Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism; Dr. Rev. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary, National Council of Churches; Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World; Dr. Eboo Patel, Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core.

The associated letter to the candidates notes that the religious communities involved in this coalition will be leading efforts to raise their constituencies' consciences about poverty during the week of August 29, 2008, the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  Here's the paragraph on that score:

Declarations of Independence

Steven Waldman says Democrats may find it difficult to control the religious voices that push for some policies that are considered politically progressive.  I hope so.  As many of us have said, the last thing we need is a religious left that is a mirror image of the religious right, i.e., a group of religious figures that grooves on the aura of political influence and access so much that they become lapdogs to those who throw them these worldly bones.  

If one simply read this piece by itself, one could get the false impression that the religious groups and individuals referred to in it are a sort of collective Frankenstein that the Demcratic party recently created but cannot now control.  (I'm not saying that Steve intended to create this impression, but it seems to me that one might read the piece this way.)  The party has pioneered some of its own faith-related efforts, to be sure.  But many non-religious-right groups either have been laboring in the public policy and legal fields for many decades or rose up in the last few years independently, due in many cases to a sense that the religious voices already on the scene were not speaking for them. These groups do not owe any party anything other than their best spiritual and civic witness, including their best policy advice and counsel.

Religious and secular political entities rest on different grounds of authority, and they often play by different sets of rules.  These sectors may converse and collaborate on common causes, but they should not confuse their respective callings.  

UPDATE (7/31): As the piece notes, Waldman has launched a new blog called Progressive Revival.   Here's the description of the contributing bloggers: "The Progressive Revival bloggers come from different religious traditions and often differ in perspectives, but all are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics."  Check it out.

When May Christians Participate in Policy Coalitions?

I've seen some posts responding to the Saddleback Civil Forum that attempt to take Rick Warren to task for engaging in dialogue with people of other faiths and beliefs and working in coalition with diverse groups were there is agreement on policy aims (even where there is disagreement on some/many other policy, political, and theological issues).  Among other things, these Christian critics point to some verses from the second book of Corinthinians in which Paul says that believers are not to be "unequally yoked together with nonbelievers."  

If these critics believe that the Bible prohibits Christians from making common cause on policy issues with non-Christian individuals and groups (I don't, but that's not the point here), then they should also complain whenever politically conservative Christians partner with political conservatives of other faiths, politically conservative secular interest groups, and nonreligious political conservatives to advance their shared policy aims.  In other words, they should complain whenever Christians team up with non-Christian groups and individuals on policy issues, not simply when policy coalitions are politically diverse.  I have to say, however, that I have not seen much consistency in argumentation here.

Perhaps one of the helpful contributions the Saddleback forum can make is to spur more conversations in the Christian community about these matters.  As with all of our principles, our standards here should be theologically sound and consistently implemented.

Yeshiva Student Who Took Obama Prayer Note Apologizes

"The yeshiva student who took Barack Obama's personal note to God from the Western Wall in Jerusalem has gone public - sort of - to apologize."  Here's more from The New York Sun: 

With his face obscured and his identity given as "Aleph," the first Hebrew letter of his name, the young man told Channel 2 TV in Israel that he pilfered the note and gave it to newspapers.

"I'm sorry. It was a kind of prank," the student said, shaking as he held the note, according to the Jerusalem Post. "I hope he wasn't hurt. . . ."

A more fulsome apology would have been better, but at least he apologized.  By the way, congratulations should be given to the newspapers that obtained the contents of the note but refused to publish them ( including, reportedly, the Israeli paper, Yediot Ahronot).

Speaking of Tim Kaine . . . .

While Virginia Governor Tim Kaine's star is reportedly rising in the Democratic veepstakes discussion , it is worth noting that Kaine is not only " a Spanish-speaking former Catholic missionary," he also recently was a featured speaker at Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral.  Here's an excerpt from The Washington Post's coverage of Kaine's 2005 2007 visit to that California mega-church:

Kaine's speech [in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings] caught the attention of the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, founding pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., a megachurch that broadcasts to an estimated 20 million television viewers every Sunday.

Schuller, an early leader in the modern evangelical movement, had Kaine speak via video during his televised "Hour of Power" service April 22. For 10 minutes, Kaine, as Schuller referred to it, had his own "sermon time."

Kaine spoke about a missionary trip he took to Honduras in the early 1980s to teach at a Jesuit school. The trip, Kaine said, helped shape his Catholic beliefs and has guided his response to the Tech tragedy.

"I think that humans understand that God sent Jesus to Earth, not just to teach us more about how to be good," Kaine said. "But He also sent Jesus to Earth so He could draw closer to us, so He could understand human suffering and what a comfort it is to know that our Creator has also experienced the loss of his only child, and that can make us very close together in times of grief and sadness."

Midway through his talk, Schuller interrupted Kaine and said: "Governor, I want to tell you that I am a specialist in sensing and seeing Christ coming through personalities and lives and voices, and I see Him in your eyes and I thank you that you are allowing, without embarrassment, your faith to come through."

Schuller's congregants in the cathedral -- many of whom live in a heavily Republican area -- gave Kaine extended applause after his remarks.

Unlike televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, both of whom live in Virginia, Schuller has largely stayed away from politics. Even so, he and his congregants gave a noteworthy reception to Kaine, especially considering the governor campaigned last year against a ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage and has vowed to protect abortion rights. He personally opposes abortion.

There are a couple of other notes and quotes regarding Kaine below the fold, passed along without comment.

Website of the Saddleback Civil Forum

There is now a website for the Saddleback Civil Forum featuring presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama with Rick Warren as moderator.  If you've been following this matter, you won't find much new at the site, but it will be worth watching. 

Baylor University Regents Fire President Lilley (Updated)

"Baylor University’s Board of Regents voted morning voted to fire President John Lilley two and a half years into his five year contract."  Baylor University is a Baptist school in Waco, Texas (and my alma mater, by the way).  Here's more from The Waco Tribune:

Baylor officials said in a press release: “The board had hoped to transition to a new president gradually, officially beginning the presidential search in January 2009 and replacing Lilley during the final portion of his five year contract. Because plans for a gradual transition were rejected by Lilley, the board will immediately seek a new president.”

Baylor regents named Harold Cunningham, a current board member and former regent chair, acting president until an interim president is named.

The Baylor press release is here.  An earlier Waco Trib story touched on some of the disputes connected to this issue:

10th Circuit Rules in Colorado Christian University v. Weaver

This just in from Howard Bashman:

Tenth Circuit declares unconstitutional Colorado's refusal to provide scholarships to otherwise eligible students who attend accredited Colorado colleges deemed "pervasively sectarian": Circuit Judge Michael W. McConnell issued today's ruling on behalf of a unanimous three-judge panel.

Today's ruling states, "We find the exclusion unconstitutional for two reasons: the program expressly discriminates among religions without constitutional justification, and its criteria for doing so involve unconstitutionally intrusive scrutiny of religious belief and practice." The Tenth Circuit's ruling reverses a federal district court's decision that rejected the constitutional challenge to this exclusion. 

More on this later.

What's in a Name? The Saddleback Civil Forum

One of the things that did not draw much notice in the announcement of the Warren-McCain-Obama confab is the fact that the presidential interviews will be conducted under the auspices of the Saddleback Civil Forum (in partnership with the multi-faith group, Faith in Public Life), not under the auspices of Warren's church. 

In his press release, Warren distinguishes between his job as a Christian minister and his administration of the Saddleback Civil Forum.  Warren says his "primary calling" is as a Christian minister who "proclaim[s] the Gospel Truth of salvation in Jesus Christ," but he notes that the Saddleback Civil Forum "was established to promote civil discourse and the common good of all." The release also says that, "[i]n conjunction with the Civil Forum event, Warren will convene an interfaith meeting at the church for approximately 30 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss cooperation in projects for the common good of all Americans."

By setting up an entity that is separate from the church (the Saddleback Civil Forum), and making the distinction between the purpose of the two entities and his two roles explicit,  Warren draws some helpful lines.  For example, he demonstrates that there are distinctions between the religious and the civic spheres, and that it is important to recognize those distinctions in substantive and symbolic ways.  Warren also demonstrates that a person certainly does not abandon or diminish his or her faith when he or she commits to civil discourse across deep differences, recognizes and respects the equality of all people as citizens, and works hand-in-hand with people of different faiths to promote the common good of all Americans.  Further, by partnering with the multi-faith group, Faith in Public Life, on the event, and saying that he will "devise his questions with input from the Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders associated with the group," Warren sends some important signals about how this event will differ from a church event.

In the days ahead, I hope Rick Warren will expound on these distinctions and also make it clear that people who don't claim a faith are valuable and equal partners in the promotion of the common good.  Too often, the message is sent (intentionally or unintentionally) that only certain religious people have values or that only religious people have values.  Not true.  In my view, religious leaders need to go out of their way to make this clear, and Warren has a great national platform to do so. 

Indeed, Warren holds in his hands a tremendous opportunity  -- the chance to interview the two candidates for president of the United States in their only scheduled joint appearance before their respective party conventions.  Consistent with his commitment to serve the common good in this role, Warren should take care to ensure that his stewardship of this important event fully reflects the distinctions he has described and honors and benefits Americans of all faiths and none.

EEOC Releases New Guidance Document on Religious Discrimination

The Associated Press reports that the EEOC released a new guidance document on religious discrimination in the workplace yesterday. Here's a snippet from the relevant EEOC press release:

The [document] includes a comprehensive review of the relevant provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the EEOC’s policies regarding religious discrimination, harassment and accommodation. . . .

“Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 seeks to ensure that applicants and employees enjoy the freedom to compete, advance and succeed in the workplace, irrespective of their religious beliefs,” said EEOC Chair Naomi C. Earp. “This [document] serves as a valuable resource for employers, employees, practitioners and EEOC staff seeking information on Title VII’s prohibition against religious discrimination.”

The [document] addresses what constitutes “religion” within the meaning of Title VII; disparate treatment based on religion; the requirement to reasonably accommodate religious beliefs and practices; religion-based harassment; and retaliation. The Section also provides guidance on the sometimes complex workplace issues involved in balancing employees’ rights regarding religious expression with employers’ need to maintain efficient, productive workplaces.

The EEOC issued this [document] in response to an increase in charges of religious discrimination, increased religious diversity in the United States, and requests for guidance from stakeholders and agency personnel investigating and litigating claims of religious discrimination.

Religious discrimination charge filings with the EEOC nationwide have risen substantially over the past 15 years, doubling from 1,388 in Fiscal Year 1992 to a record level of 2,880 in FY 2007.

The EEOC also released a companion question-and-answer fact sheet and best practices booklet.

Additional Details on Warren Interviews with McCain and Obama

A press release from Rick Warren's shop provides some additional details regarding the McCain -Obama interviews Warren will conduct on Saturday, August 16. 

[Warren said:] "The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of candidates as much as they do about the issues. While I know both men as friends and they recognize I will be frank, but fair, they also know I will be raising questions in these four areas beyond what political reporters typically ask.  This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights."

Warren confirmed that, at the candidates' request, this two-hour event from 5-7 p.m. (PDT) will be held in a non-debate format and open to all media. Both candidates also requested that questions be posed exclusively by Warren, instead of a panel or members of the audience. Each will converse separately with Warren for approximately one-hour, beginning with Sen. Obama as determined by a coin toss. This historic forum will be the only joint campaign event prior to each party's national convention.

"While debates typically focus primarily on the candidates' positions and only secondarily on how they'd lead and make decisions, this Saddleback Civil Forum will reverse that ratio," Warren continued. "Since the oath of the President is a commitment to protect the Constitution, it's critical to know how each candidate interprets the nature of its principles. Leadership involves far more than promoting programs and making speeches, and since no one can predict what crises will happen over the next four years, it is vital to know the decision capacity and process of each man."

The press release also notes that, "[o]n Sunday, Aug. 17, Warren will deliver a special sermon entitled, 'Making Up Your Mind: Questions to Consider before the Election,' which will be streamed live on the church Web site, www.saddleback.com, and made available for use in small group discussions within churches across the country."   In terms of plotting the change in some evangelicals' attitudes toward civic engagement, it will be useful to compare this sermon with the "five non-negotiable issues" e-mail Warren circulated in 2004, an e-mail he now says he regrets sending. 

Another Grassley Q and A

Senator Grassley has circulated another memo to reporters and editors regarding his investigation of six ministries.  (The full memo appears below the fold.)  Among the notable parts of the memo are the following items:

1.The memo poses and answers the following question: "Why shouldn’t the Church Audit Procedures Act (CAPA) apply to the Finance Committee investigation?"  More on Grassley's answer later. 

2. Grassley suggests to the non-cooperative ministries that their Washington lawyers are taking them for a ride.  He says: 

"The ministries that continue not to cooperate appear to be heeding the advice of attorneys who are not familiar with congressional oversight in general and specifically the Finance Committee’s oversight and legislative work in the area of tax-exempt organizations over the last seven years. These attorneys who aren’t part of the ministries themselves have a natural incentive to prolong the process as long as possible."

So I guess this makes it official -- now the motives of virtually everyone involved in this investigation are being publicly challenged. 

3.  Grassley flags some issues that he says have been identified thus far by the investigation.  They are: related entites; private inurement and benefit; parsonage/housing allowances; whistleblower intimidation; and overseas activities.

4.  Senator Grassley's press release say that, "since Kenneth Copeland has declared publicly that he will not submit responses even if a subpoena is issued, staff also is consulting with Senate attorneys about next steps."

(Thanks to the DMN Religion Blog for the tip.)

Apologies for Absences

Sorry for dropping off the grid last week.  We are dealing with some family health issues.  It won't be the last time I have to be gone for a period of time without warning, but I hope to do some blogging this week.