Picket Fences Built Hatefully

Published November 10, 2007 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time IN THEORY Picket Fences Built Hatefully Q: Despite a $10.9-million jury award against him this week for picketing at a funeral of a soldier who died in Iraq, Pastor Fred Phelps and his church in Kansas will reportedly not be deterred from picketing military funerals with anti-gay slogans — claiming that deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan are God’s punishment for homosexuality. They hold up signs that say things like “God hates fags,” which Phelps says is a way to continue his struggle against what he and his followers say is an immoral lifestyle. Others say Phelps is practicing a “hateful ideology.” What do you think? And what kind of message do you think Phelps’ actions sends to the faith community? A: This is a no-brainer. The message Phelps and his gang is spewing is despicable and obscene. It shows absolutely no respect for the sanctity of life and therefore can’t possibly be considered coming from a “church.” And as we know, a religion based on fear can only motivate and attract people for all the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, his message is protected by the Constitution, the same Constitution that allows us to preach and proclaim the truths we expound in the name of religion. We’ve seen this tested over and over. I remember in the late 1970s when American Nazis tried to march through Skokie, Ill., primarily because of the large Jewish population and Holocaust survivors living there. It was the American Civil Liberties Union that went to bat for the Nazis. All in the name of this freedom, which continues to be used and abused by the U.S. population. This last month, I personally felt the hate speech that was spewed out against the Armenians by challenges to the reality of genocide (in reference to H.R. 106). I heard the obscenities spoken against my faith, by the likes of Kathy Griffin in her infamous Emmy acceptance speech. These examples are completely in line with Phelps and his followers. As upset and disgusted as I get, I know the answer is not to ban this speech. This freedom is the foundation of our society, and that freedom is sacred. It is sad and sickening that people abuse freedom. What the faith community must do in these instances is to focus on the greater ideals that we serve. If we are convinced that goodness always triumphs over evil, we need to combat hatred, as difficult as it may be, with acts and words of love. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Published October 27, 2007 IN THEORY Churches say Halo to kids Q: Pastors and ministers at churches across the country are reportedly using a violent video game, Halo 3, to reach young congregants. Ministers have held Halo nights, in which they use the game to attract youths. If young people stay to play the game, pastors hope youngsters will also stay for the biblical message. The first-person shooter game, which is rated M for mature audiences, depicts a cybernetically enhanced super soldier shooting at alien invaders in a lethal attempt to save Earth. Critics, including religious ethicists, say the approach to using the game for ministry could have a negative effect on children, because it connects the thrill and arousal with killing. What do you think? Do you agree with this approach to furthering a ministry? A: I definitely have a problem with the violence aspect of these games. While correlations to actual violence are always questionable, depending on whose statistic you follow, at the very least they desensitize us to violence, suffering and death. And since the church is that place which should uphold the sanctity of life, these games should not be endorsed by the church. But I have a bigger issue with this practice of deceptive marketing. Whether you use the Halo video or a standard game of basketball to bring youths (or people) in with the intention of giving them something else, shows a lack of confidence in your product. This bait-and-switch practice is used by different businesses to lure people to their showrooms. Think of the paid trips to exotic locations, which are given away just to have us listen to a 90-minute high-pressure sales pitch for a time-share. Or the one car that is offered below wholesale price and somehow is always sold before we get to the lot, just to lure us to a particular dealership. Wouldn’t you think that if these companies believed that their product had the quality and worth that they purport they do, they could bring us into their store on merit alone? I think the same is true for religious groups. When they appeal to these campaigns to recruit people, it’s a signal that says, “We don’t believe in our product, so we need to trick you in through the door with something else.” Reflecting on Jesus and his call to people, it was a straight-forward invitation to follow him. He never sugar-coated the invitation; in fact, just the opposite, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (New Revised Standard Version, Matthew 16:24) Sure, not everyone followed and “. . . because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.” (John 6:66); nevertheless, he kept his message as the center of his invitation. As ministers of the Gospel, we’re commissioned to do the same. Keeping Christ’s message of love and hope at the center of our invitation is the greatest call to the faith. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Musings about a resolution on Ramadan

Published October 13, 2007

IN THEORY

Musings about a resolution on Ramadan

Q:

A congressional resolution recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan as important is reportedly being touted by U.S. Muslims as an important sign that they are gaining acceptance in America and becoming part of the fabric of the country. But Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., argued that the resolution is nothing more than an example of political correctness, which he reportedly said has captured the political and media elite in the U.S. What do you think?.

A:

A congressional resolution recognizing Ramadan is certainly an act of political correctness, but then again, so are all these types of resolutions. What else can you say about them? It’s not like they’re advocating one belief system over another, they merely recognize a portion of reality. In so doing, they’re bringing a level of comfort to members of our community — other Americans.

We need to stop being scared to face reality.

There is a sizable Muslim population in America. And the beauty of America and her “dream” is that there is room for everyone in this country. I have heard the argument that “those countries” would never allow or grant non-Islamic minorities the equal status or recognition with the mainstream religion.

But to me, that’s exactly the point.

We are not like the other countries. That’s what makes America great: its ability to incorporate so many into something greater than the components that make it up.

Ironically, this week’s news headlines pointed to another recognition resolution regarding the Armenian Genocide.

We witnessed the sad demonstration of denial by the political establishment, the president included, which wanted to compromise truth and justice for the sake of politics.

You can’t escape the reality of an organized, systematic annihilation of one group of people by a government. Its called genocide.

And a great country like America, with all of its greatness, cannot be intimidated to not speak the truth.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Armenian Church

In His Shoes Mission

Toys of Biblical Proportions

Published September 22, 2007 IN THEORY Toys of Biblical Proportions Q: Wal-Mart is test-marketing biblical action figures - Jesus, Moses, Mary, Noah, David and Samson among them. And Target will do the same on its website. There is at least some concern, however, among consumers - parents - that such figures may prompt children to equate biblical heroes and heroines with secular figures. And while some may see the action figures as a learning tool, others may see them as gag gifts. What do you think of the idea of biblical action figures? A: There are few things that irritate me more than a plastic Jesus. I can't speak for the other "action figures" but when it comes to Jesus, I wish they would leave him alone. It's bad enough that most people have an image of God as an old man in the sky ready to swoop down to save us from ourselves, smack the bad guys on the head and reward the good with homes behind pearly gates. He's become a combination of Superman and Santa Claus. And when He doesn't deliver, watch out! We become unforgiving and take our "business" elsewhere. Now, imagine God sitting on a shelf at Target or Wal-Mart. I can't. In the Armenian Orthodox tradition, we reference God as "Khorhoort" which literally means, "Mystery." He is inscrutable. Why do the spires of our churches reach up to the heavens, beyond where our vision can take us? How can we then presume to contain in words, images or plastic models His essence? A bend-him-up Jesus will only further confuse a population who needs to find the essence of Love rather than a message of might-is-right. But alas, capitalism does rule the day and there is no doubt in my mind that if there is a profit margins then there will be no stopping Wal-Mart, Sears, Target, Mattel or Hasbro (just to name the tip of the iceberg). Last year when talking to a group of kids at Burbank High School about their values, I brought it to their attention that most of our ideas are shaped by models presented to us by the media. A couple of teachers were shocked when I suggested that in America, money is even more powerful than God. Tragically, we keep seeing it over and over. Plastic Jesuses are not created to teach values, morals or even religion. They are created to make a quick buck. Fr. Vazken Movsesian Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission

Cyber Confessions

Published September 7, 2007 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time

IN THEORY

Cyber Confessions

Q:

Websites to confess sins are reportedly becoming more popular in a society that has moved away from traditional modes of confession, such as one-on-one meetings with priests. Sites such as IveScrewedUp.com, DailyConfession.com, absolution-online.com, and MySecret.tv offer ways for sinners to confess. At the same time, on-line confession sites reportedly give churches a vehicle to get people in contact with faith.

What do you think of these new cyber-hubs for confession? Do they bring people closer to religion?

A:

Confession is part of a healing process for an individual who has been plagued with the burdens of wrongdoing. If you take the old adage, "Confession is good for the soul" then it really should not matter where the confession takes place so long as it is done. Cyberspace grants us the ultimate in anonymity and that in itself can make for a very comfortable confessional.

But confession is only one part of the healing process. The other important step is penance, that is, a means by which the individual makes amends. That’s where religion comes in. Because while confession is individual in scope, the process of penance operates in the context of community.

I think the bigger issues in this story are the boundaries that are being stretched by technology. Virtual confession booths push yet one more time the religious community to adapt to the lifestyle of its congregants. People need healing. True healing begins with aligning ourselves with God. If a computer and keyboard help in that alignment process, then let’s use it. But at the same time, let’s create those spaces and environments that are not judging, that are caring and provide for community.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Armenian Church

In His Shoes Mission

School Play Stretching the Limits of Separation

Published August 25, 2007

IN THEORY

School Play Stretching the Limits of Separation

Q:

John Burroughs High School in Burbank students recently performed a summer musical called "Children of Eden," which had religious themes in it based on the Old Testament. Some have criticized the show, arguing that it blurred the lines between church and state and that tax money shouldn't go to such a program. Others say students should be exposed to all cultures and themes, of which the Old Testament is a part.

What do you think?

A:

Separation of church and state is essential to the health of our society. I understand that the line between the two is increasingly being blurred particularly when mixing belief systems with science. But this case at John Burroughs High School is quiet different. It can and should easily be categorized in the "Old Testament as literature” classification.

Here is a story that is being taken on its literary merits. It has all the classic themes that lend themselves to good theater: love, lust, dishonesty, infidelity, vengeance, jealousy and murder. Coupled with the mysterious, it has all the elements for a box-office hit. Personally, I would object to the thematic contents before I would object to any religious connotation.

The stories in question are part of a rich religious tradition in which they find merit and value. When taken outside of their religious framework they are mere stories for entertainment and hopefully, at the end of it all, a moral to contemplate and ponder. Think of other High School productions. Would anyone assume that “Bye Bye Birdie” was expounding the virtues of the military draft? Or that “Music Man” is an instructional source for trombone playing in orchestras? Yet, throughout the plays you find human emotions that force you laugh, cry and think. And if you walk away with a thought, perhaps one which forces you to rethink your circumstances, then the production has done what all good art is intended to do.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Armenian Church

In His Shoes Mission

The Simpsons and Religion

Published August 4, 2007 IN THEORY The Simpsons and Religion Q: Author Mark Pinsky has written a book titled "The Gospel According to the Simpsons." The book suggests that the Simpsons are a family in which religion plays a part, and that they are reflective of many American families. For instance, the Simpsons say grace, attend church, reference the Bible and pray. And episodes have tackled religious themes, Pinsky says. What do you think? Does "The Simpsons" add to the religious conversation in America? A: The Simpsons are pop culture icons, and as such they wonderfully express the ideas of God, man and humanity as understood by many of us today. The writers of the show have an incredible knack for exposing some very deep prejudices we all hold regarding religion and its role in society. For example, when Rev. Lovejoy classifies Hindus in the “Miscellaneous” category of religion, or when Homer blurts out that the Catholic Church has “more rules than Blockbuster Video,” we laugh at the absurdity of these statements but also understand that the characters mimic a general ignorance toward religion that is prevalent in our society. I remember in the early days following 9/11, the President was quick to point out the similarities between Islam and Judaism and Christianity. For the most part, his statements were taken as gospel truth, because of the authority with which he proclaimed them. Similarly, many of our concepts about God and religion are shaped by the “authority” that shapes our society. Think of how Cecil B. DeMille etched upon our collective memory the images of the parting of the Red Sea in the Ten Commandments or the face of Jesus as seen in King of Kings. The Simpsons point to the absurdity in many of the concepts we hold as truth. They make us question a politician, albeit a President, explaining religious doctrine. They challenge us to look at the silliness of the images we have conjured in our minds, all in the name of God and a Higher Order. I read Pinsky’s book a few years ago and I have used excerpts from it, as well as Simpson episodes, in Bible Studies that I have led. The Simpsons lend themselves nicely to a dialogue about religion because it is in these critical and often sarcastic portrayals of faith that we can examine what is the true meaning and purpose of our expressions. Fr. Vazken Movsesian Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission