Is there a Genetic Link to Religion?

Published March 31, 2007 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time IN THEORY Is there a Genetic Link to Religion? Q: In a recent debate, Daniel Dennett, a Tufts University professor, argued that religions are like genes, the most successful ones survive not necessarily because their ideas are true, but because they have succeeded as the "fittest" religious arguments through the years, Since not all religions can be true, he suggested that other reasons must be at play in perpetuating them -- such as the idea that mankind may be genetically predisposed to being religious. What do you think of this notion? Could there be a genetic link to religion? A: Religion is our way of explaining the human condition and the mysteries of life. Since the beginning of time humankind has struggled with the big questions: Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Religion has given answers to these questions and to much more. Certainly, along the way, as knowledge and thought have evolved, the parameters in which religion is expressed have changed. Religious systems do not exist in vacuums, and so they evolve. For instance, a primitive man looking out at a field, sees lightning coming down and striking the earth. His only understanding of the storm is in the confines of his own knowledge base. He may assume that someone or something is trying to hurt him; in the same way that he kills an animal to eat or to make clothing. Later in history, as societies developed and justice systems became necessary, moral tags may have been placed on the same storm. Man saw the lightning as a punishment upon him and his possessions by some supernatural being. Today, knowledge takes away the wonder, and we accept the reality of weather systems that charge the air with negative and positive forces. Yes, we are predisposed to religion. We do look for wonder and try to bring order out of chaos. In my own tradition, our history is filled with chaos, with barbarians that stormed through Armenia, raping, pillaging and seeking genocide. The notion of a suffering God, who is betrayed, tortured and crucified, parallels our existence. We find hope, and therefore the will to survive, in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. To us, this was God intervening in our own history. It is the reason for us to believe in brighter tomorrows. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries In His Shoes Mission

First Freedom Project

Published March 3, 2007

IN THEORY

First Freedom Project

Q:

The Department of Justice has reportedly started a "First Freedom Project," to focus on protecting religious freedoms. The effort includes a website, a public education program and task force that will review policies on religious freedom and cases involving religious freedoms. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says the program seeks to deal with issues such as contradictions in the workplace, where a person may get away with saying something like a famous athlete is a God, but could be fired for saying "Jesus is Lord." What do you think?

A:

Religious freedom is fundamental to the functioning of any society which encourages human expression. For me, a discussion of religious freedom cannot be made apart from a discussion of freedom of expression. Religion is merely an art form that explains what is unknown. Religion should be the "dot-connector," creating a system of understanding for the mystery that takes our breath away. Those expressions come in many forms, sometimes overtly invoking the name of a deity while at other times hiding under the guise of visual or audible art. Nonetheless, each needs to seek its purpose of giving definition to the collective experience of life.

I'm moved that Attorney General Gonzales has brought religious freedom to forum through this project because just this month the Armenian Church commemorated the life and work of General Vartan Mamigonian, an early defender of this sacred freedom. Quite unique for the times, in 451 A.D., Mamigonian was the first defender of the freedom of conscience in the Christian world. His story has stirred interest with scholars and historians in their study of Western civilization. Mamigonian stood against a flow of political, economic and military power in defense of his (and his people's) right to practice the Christian faith.

Today, fortunately, we are guaranteed these freedoms as basic rights. Because we don’t have to fight for them, we run the risk of taking them for granted. Therefore, I hope the First Freedom Project becomes an opportunity to engage in dialog about a freedom so essential for our survival as individuals and as a society.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission

Government vs. Parents

Government vs. Parents

Q:

Several Christian leaders from groups such as the Florida Catholic Conference and the family-advocacy group the Eagle Forum are reportedly concerned about a Florida bill that would require 11- and 12-year-old girls to be vaccinated against sexually transmitted diseases. They argue that the bill promotes promiscuity. The bill's proponents, which include Democrat and Republican Florida lawmakers, say the bill could be a lifesaver because the vaccine — called Gardasil — blocks four types of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts and a large percentage of cervical cancer cases. What do you think of the bill?

A:

Cancer — any kind — is an ugly disease. Any clergyman who has spent any time holding the hand of a dying patient and counseling the wounded family has undoubtedly said a prayer to find a cure for such a dreaded disease.

Yes, even though cancer therapy has come a long way, no one will argue that the occurrence of cancer continues to devastate individuals and their families.

If a vaccine can prevent cancer, we need to be thankful that we are one step closer to eradicating a horrible disease, especially its cervical variety. I do not buy the argument that this will promote promiscuity among teens. If it does, then are we to assume the opposite it true? That is, will the unavailability of the vaccine lead to less promiscuity among youth?

In a world where children are bombarded with sexual content 24/7, the threat of casual and dangerous sex is unavoidable. It is all around us. Sex sells and it is being used to market everything to everyone, including our children. The real challenge for clergy and people of faith is to engage parents in a dialogue with their children about sex and sexual expressions.

This dialogue is not the responsibility of government, but one which falls in the sacred category of parenting.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission

New Year's Resolution/Wish for 2007: Prayer

Published December 30, 2006

IN THEORY

New Year's Resolution/Wish for 2007

Q:

What's your New Year's resolution/wish for 2007?

A:

If anything, I wish for more prayer in my life. It seems like everything is progressing in fast motion these days. It's hard to believe that we're seven years into the new century. (Seems like yesterday that we were cautiously anticipating Y2K?) And life has become very cluttered with "stuff" to do. Multi-tasking has become the norm rather than the exception to the day's activities.

Prayer is a means of focusing, of prioritizing and then attacking life head-on. It's an incredible tool which is so underrated, perhaps because it is misconstrued as a conversation with God rather than a multidimensional exchange of thought and energy. Jesus teaches that our prayers should not only be conversations with the Divine but also with ourselves. In fact, one of the Orthodox teachings on prayer emphasizes Christ's caution to not heap "empty phrases... for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6.7-8) Clearly, if God knows our needs, then the purpose of prayer is for us - ourselves - to recognize what is important in life. Once we prioritize, then we are able to efficiently deal with what life throws at us.

On the eve of 2007, it is disheartening to note the many problems facing our world and our society. We enter the New Year with war, poverty and disease all around us. It is overwhelming. And so my wish for 2007 is that we pray, realizing that prayer should awaken our sense of responsibility toward the world we live in.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
In His Shoes Mission

Remembering the Meaning of Christmas

Published December 16, 2006 IN THEORY Remembering the Meaning of Christmas Q: With the holidays upon us, do you find yourselves getting caught up in the frenzy over shopping and gifts and all the related hustle and bustle? How do you deal with it, and do you worry that the true messages of the season get lost? A: A quick look around the world will point to the lost message of Christmas. It's difficult to imagine war in Iraq, genocide in Darfur or just plain intolerance toward our neighbors if the message was taken seriously. In our own backyard, would we be consumed with petty politics, rather than showing concern for the health and education of our children, if the message of Christmas was more than the decorations at the Galleria? Yet, the fundamental message of Christmas is that of hope. It's a trust and faith in tomorrow, beyond our understanding. That is the promise of the Christ child: that God continues to nurture and save us, despite ourselves. At our parish, St. Peter, we challenge our congregation to celebrate the birth of Christ by giving him the gifts he requests. We find his shopping list in Luke 14:12-14: "Give to those," Jesus says, "the poor and suffering - those who have no means of paying you back." It is a simple way to emphasize the message of Christmas. Furthermore, as Armenians we celebrate the Nativity on Jan. 6. Because we have a double Christmas, we have made it a policy at our church to acknowledge and live the Christmas message all year round. The celebration of "Love being born" is not confined to a date, but it is a way of life. We established the "In His Shoes Mission," which provides a constant challenge for members to rise from their humanity and live the Christmas message all year long. By walking in the shoes of others, we acknowledge and realize that it is up to us to work for a better tomorrow. Therein, we tie ourselves to the message of hope that is Christmas. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission

Nativity Story: Learning from Mary

Published December 2, 2006 IN THEORY Nativity Story: Learning from Mary Q: A new movie, "The Nativity Story," puts a new spotlight on the life of Jesus' mother, Mary. It even reportedly has Protestants using the movie to talk more about Mary -- discussion that has reportedly in the past gone by the wayside in some religious circles. What can we learn from Mary? Has she been ignored? A: In the Armenian Orthodox tradition we refer to St. Mary as "Asdvadzadzin" which literally means the "Bearer of God." It is akin to the Greek word, "Theotokos" which is her title in the Orthodox Christian world. She has a unique position among the saints, because from her Love is born. St. Mary's message is simple, yet difficult. At a time when women were not much more than property, when the punishment for pre-marital pregnancy was capital (usually by stoning), Mary answers the call to give birth to the Christ child by saying, "Let it be to me, according to your word." (Luke 2) This 'yes' is unique in all of history, because in it we find humility, sacrifice and submission to God's will. In a word, St. Mary's "yes" is the articulation of Love. As a result, Love was born from her. Today, St. Mary's example must challenge all of us. We are called to give "birth to love" everyday, in our relationships and our lives. The consequences are sometimes just as difficult as those faced by the Holy Virgin. Saying 'yes' to God means dropping the ego and humbling ourselves. It means sacrificing for others, rather than holding on to selfish desires. It involves nurturing love within us so that it can be born of our actions. Hers is a formula for peace. Hers is a birthplace for love. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission

Public vs. Private Education

Published November 18, 2006 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time

IN THEORY

Public vs. Private Education

Q:

Jews and Catholics are reportedly calling for government policies and funding that would allow parents to send their children to private schools with the aid of public funds. The idea is to help parents meet the high cost of religious schools. Critics say vouchers take money away from public schools and funnel it to private religious schools, unfairly. What do you think? Should the government money go to such a cause?

A:

I approach the issue of public vs. private education from a different perspective because most of my work is with families and students that are confounded by the public school system. I have also administered a parochial day school, and know that there are trade-offs for the 'luxury' of private education.

But as a priest, I hope to add a religious dimension to this debate, which goes beyond a mere exercise in funding parochial agendas. Private schools and the debate over vouchers are an indictment of the failings of public schools. This becomes more apparent as more and more parents opt for parochial education for their children, not on dogmatic grounds as much as on quality of education and safety issues.

The fundamental philosophy of education should be to pass along knowledge to subsequent generations, to form the building blocks to tomorrow's society. But what good is building society only to have it toppled by misdirected political motives? Vouchers do not take away money from education, rather it is the massive budgets for destruction and war that devastate our classrooms and even greater, prevent us from dreaming of a better tomorrow.

We need to be talking about our direction as a society. This is not a discussion of private vs. public education. Instead, it's about prioritizing the challenge to provide the best education for everyone. We have the money to do this, vouchers or not. We need to rework our budgets so that spending is off-balance in favor of the classroom rather than military growth. Investing in our children will bring a much better and a higher yield than investing in the destruction of foreign governments and lands. Our military spending is no longer confined under "defense" and so, let us be honest and talk about the best offensive strategy for our country. I believe we can find it in educating our children so that they dream of better tomorrows for us, our society and our world.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
In His Shoes Mission