The Story Most Fit to Print

Published December 22, 2007

IN THEORY

The Story Most Fit to Print

Q:

The Religion Newswriters Assn. picked evangelicals’ struggle to select a presidential candidate as the top religion story of 2007. What do you think was the top religion story of the year?

A:

Sadly, the top religion story is a non-story.

For me, the top religion story is the amazing silence of the Christian church, across denominational lines, regarding the war in Iraq and all of its ramifications. This includes, but certainly is not limited to, the stories out of Guantanamo Bay, misinformation and intelligence discrepancies, the refugees of Iraq and now, the saber-rattling toward Iran. Second, it’s the silence toward Darfur and the Sudan by the Christian church. And I only place it second, because the Iraq war is so much more visible and prominent as a news story.

I’m not talking about the politics of war, nor am I trying to champion a partisan platform; rather, I’m critical of the almost nonexistent moral conscience that the Christian church can and should provide to the war conversation. If there is one thing that all Christians agree on; it is that the central figure of our religion is called the “Prince of Peace.” Yet, apart from a few exceptions, that message of peace is being stifled in the back pews of our churches.

If you take a look at the top 10 news items according to the Religion Newswriters Assn., there is not one item that even points to Iraq. Throughout the year, we talk about the relevancy of religion and the church; can we find a better indicator of the church’s irrelevancy than this? The war is front-page news, yet it doesn’t even score on the “religion top 10”?

I can only think of the millions of cards that are being exchanged this week with the holiday wish for “Peace on Earth.” Before it was adopted by Hallmark, it was the voice of the angels at the Birth of One, whose love for humanity overpowered humanity’s ability to destroy itself. Peace on Earth is achievable. To me, that was, is and always will be the greatest news story.

Merry Christmas.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission

'Tis the Season to Discuss Semantics

Published December 15, 2007 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time

IN THEORY

'Tis the Season to Discuss Semantics

Q:

This year and in years past, some local residents, along with radio talk show hosts such as Bill O’Reilly of Fox News, have expressed concern that “secular progressives” are trying to eliminate the name Christmas from holiday events. The city of Glendale’s annual “Holiday Tree Lighting” has come under fire because it doesn’t note, some say, that it is a “Christmas” tree that is being lighted, not a holiday tree. What do you think? Is Christmas under siege? Or, is calling it a holiday tree more inclusive?

A:

Let’s suppose Jesus came back today and at his first press conference one of the reporters grilled him with a simple evaluation of history.

“Jesus, looking back at the 2,000 years since your last visit, would you have preferred that people remembered your name or your message?”

I’d venture to say that he would opt for his formula of love and peace over a commemoration of his name. In fact, throughout the gospel accounts, Jesus adamantly chastises those who pay lip service to their faith and forget to practice it. He scolds the Pharisees and likens them to “whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean” (Matthew 23:27, New International Version).

This description fits some of our Christmas practices of decorating the outside of our homes, streets and stores and forgetting to fill the inside with compassion and care. Fighting for the right to publicly display a manger scene while at the same time closing down the shelters for our homeless is yet another version of the whitewashed tomb.

Jesus’ power was much more than a simple name. He was Love Incarnate, and for me, that event is truly a holy (holi)day. It’s Christmas for me, but unless I can keep that love alive and working in my life, I can give it any name I want and it won’t mean a thing.

In the Armenian Orthodox Church, the original date of Jan. 6 is remembered as Christmas. For me, it drives the point home even harder.

Just like the name, the date too is secondary to the message. In other words, Christ is born on Dec. 25, Jan. 6, May 11 or Aug. 18, that is, any time Love is born.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission

Extending one’s handouts

Published December 1, 2007 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time IN THEORY Extending one’s handouts Q: Steve Burger, a former director of the Assn. of Gospel Rescue Missions, says Americans should not hand out money to homeless people on the street, but to rather donate to local food or shelter agencies. Burger reportedly believes that giving handouts promotes destructive behavior among the homeless. What do you think? A: Last year Warren Buffett made headlines when he changed his will to distribute his wealth through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett cited different reasons for this decision, among them that the Gates Foundation already had the infrastructure in place to “productively” distribute the funds in a manner that was in accord with his wish. In the same manner, by giving through a reputable charity, you’re letting those who have the means and facilities to distribute in a fair manner, do so efficiently and productively. Sure, you can go down the street passing out money, but it’s not the most efficient way of distributing the wealth. It forces you into a position of judgment to deem someone as impoverished or needy; plus you have to account for human dignity, which is diminished on the side of the receiver. On top of it all, it’s very easy to let personal pride step in and distort the nature of your good work. For these reasons, we encourage our congregation to be generous in their giving through the programs we have in place. All reputable charities maintain databases and have accounting systems that ensure money is distributed in a productive manner. Caring for those who cannot otherwise take care of themselves is the cornerstone of all good religion. In fact, how a religion addresses the problems of poverty and alleviating human suffering should serve as a measure to the holiness of that faith. As Saint John writes in his letter, “for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” (1John 4:20 New Revised Standard Version). And tangible manifestations of that love are most prominently expressed in our giving. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries In His Shoes Mission