IRS Warning - Does it work both ways?

IN THEORY

IRS Warning - Does it work both ways?

Q: The IRS is warning churches and charities to stay clear of political messages when communicationg with congregations, and is stepping up its enforcement efforts. The IRS prohibits religious organizations from intervening directly or indirectly with political campaigns, if those organizations are to receive tax-exempt status. Do you agree with the law? Where do you draw the line between what is a political issue, which a religious organization should speak out on, and where it shouldn't?

A: It's interesting that this topic should come to forum this week, especially considering that right here in Glendale, the Mayor's "Prayer" Breakfast takes place with a keynote by Kenneth Starr. Now here's an interesting partnering of politics and religion.

So, on the one hand, the law mandates that churches should not engage in political campaigns, but on the other hand, political agendas can be hidden beneath the cloak of religiosity? Let's not fool ourselves, there's more to this than taxation. It would be nice if this could be debated objectively, but I doubt it will be any time in the near future.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

Note: This response was submitted but for obvious reasons was was not published.

Applying death-penalty protocol to minors' cases

Published March 11, 200 - Glendale News-Press IN THEORY Applying death-penalty protocol to minors' cases Q: Do you agree with last week's Supreme Court decision declaring that it was unconstitutional to execute a person younger than 18 when the crime was committed? How does this jibe, or not, with the biblical reference in Exodus, an " ... eye for an eye, tooth for tooth ... "? A: Let's leave the constitutionality of the decision to the court and as religious leaders address the issue of a society that is willing to kill children. Life, as small and insignificant as it may seem to some, is a miracle and precious nevertheless. On religious grounds, there are no arguments for the death penalty, neither for children nor for adults. The Supreme Court's decision is the first step in many to abolish capital punishment. As a religious community, we must use this court decision to address the bigger issues in our society. Why should children be in court in the first place? Why are children committing these heinous crimes and resorting to violence? And more importantly, once analyzed, find means of rectification. In our own backyard, youth violence is certainly a hot topic. Yet with a majority of the school board up for election in less than a month, are we looking into ethnic tensions and truancy in our schools? It seems as if the vote will be decided on what color and how many signs a candidate can slap across a gas station entrance rather than what a candidate can do to improve the system and thereby the quality of life for our children. Do we understand that the only way to prevent future children from facing death -- whether by gunshot on the street, by a dropped bomb in war, or by lethal injection in prison -- must begin with our conscious decision to promote and propagate love? The churches, temples, synagogues and all faith centers have the ultimate answer for the death penalty. It's called love and compassion. It comes freely from the creator, and we are asked to share it, especially with our children. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries' Center

Looking for new ways to practice faith

Published March 4, 2006

IN THEORY

Looking for new ways to practice faith

Q: A coalition of Jewish and Christian leaders has convened meetings in March to discuss common ways to meet challenges of revitalizing spiritual communities. The project, put together by the groups Synagogue 3000 and Congregations of Intentional Practice seeks new ways of living faith within congregations. Underlying the discussions is a belief that believers in traditional faiths are looking for new ways to practice it. Synagogue 3000, for instance, has sought out advice from Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Drive," on ways to revitalize Jewish worship.

Is there a need in religious communities to fuse traditional faith with more "modern" forms of worship? And are there things to learn from other faiths that can help? Have you found this to be true in your own spiritual communities?

A: You can't get more traditional than us, the Armenian Apostolic Church. We're as old as they get. We literally have a chain of leadership that dates back to Christ's apostles (Thaddeus and Bartholomew). So this discussion is one that surfaces all the time among church leadership. How do you make an ancient faith attractive to the children of the modern world? I personally have a different philosophy and approach to this question than most clergy in our tradition.

For me, the tradition and language of the ancient Armenian Church is the language of the angels. The way I see it, we have two options, either to bring the angels down to Earth to mingle with people, or lift people up to fly with the angels. I opt for the latter and it seems to be working.

In fact, at our parish we celebrate the Liturgy in the ancient Armenian language and in accord with the practices as established in the early Christian centuries. And yet, our church is filled to capacity on Sunday mornings with worshippers of all ages, and primarily young families.

I think one of the problems in finding new methods and practices is that we underestimate two things. First we have to believe that the Church belongs to God and He is in control. He will not let His Church fail. Second, people have a need for the spiritual and that realm is intertwined in mystery, that is, not everything needs to be explained with words and clarity, but with a pure heart striving for wholeness.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries