How do you Handle Atheists

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a story about an atheist campaign in Britain in which a group has placed banners on public buses reading, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” The campaign, apparently, has proven popular in mostly secular Britain. In your line of spiritual work, do you often deal with atheists and nonbelievers, and how do you go about reconciling their beliefs with your own?

Answer:
We may never know if the old adage “There are no atheists in foxholes” is true, but I do know that when my first son was born and I watched that miracle with watery eyes, without a doubt, “There are no atheists in birthing rooms.” That moment allows us to ponder some of the deepest thoughts of life, purpose and things eternal.

Everyone believes in something. When an atheist tells me he/she doesn’t believe in God, they’re only stating a disbelief in a particular concept. And, usually, after a brief encounter, we find out that I reject the same.

For the most part, their disbelief is in a Superman-type of god: one who swoops down from the heavens, fixes things, rewards the do-gooders and punishes the bad guys. It is a disbelief in a power that designates rules that profit some and bring pain and suffering to another segment of the populations. It is disbelief in a conscience that allows genocide, famine and abuse of children. Like I said, I don’t even believe in that concept of God.

An Armenian orthodox understanding of God begins with the simple equation that God is love. As such, when we see manifestations of love in our lives, we find the presence of God. It is timeless, dating back to the earliest moments of history and never dying — that is, it lasts forever. It’s hard to deny love because it is present in the smile of a child, in the visitor to the cancer ward, in the rescuer at the hurricane site, and in the hand that reaches out to hug you in your times of loneliness.

Accordingly, my “argument” to the atheist is not with words, but by living the life that exemplifies that love. That is, by reaching out to others, helping the needy, visiting the sick and loving all without prejudice, I make a small, but important, case for God.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

In His Shoes Mission

Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Preparing for a religiously free China

Published February 9, 2008 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time IN THEORY Preparing for a religiously free China Q: Amid China’s rapid economic growth, the government’s control of religion has reportedly softened slightly. What does the prospect of a religiously free China mean to you and your faith? A: Religious freedom everywhere is important to me and my faith. In the Armenian Church, we have never taken that freedom for granted because we’ve had to struggle to attain and maintain it. But even more, religious freedom in China strikes a reverberating chord for us in the Armenian Church. As we know (and has been articulated by the U.S. State Department) there is a genocide going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. Today, China is one of Sudan’s largest suppliers of arms, and in return Sudan is China’s largest overseas oil project. Official data shows that China now takes 40% of Sudan’s oil output. China can and must play a role in bringing an end to the genocide in Darfur. In our particular parish and through our youth ministry, we vigilantly follow the news from Darfur and campaign for peace in the region. Being descendants of genocide survivors ourselves, there is a moral imperative, no less dictated by our faith, that we stand in the shoes of others who are going through the sufferings we’ve endured. And our motivation to do so comes from the possibility of what might have happened had the world disarmed Turkey at the time of the Armenian Genocide (1915). With religious freedom in China, I’m hoping that the same Christian mandate that moves us to search and work for peace will lean heavily on the government to end the Darfur genocide. George Bernard Shaw reminds us, “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” The Christian Church, at this vital point in history and the history of the people of China, cannot bask in its newfound freedom. It must rise to the occasion and talk the talk of Christ. Religious freedom in China is only as important as we take this responsibility seriously, in an effort to bring peace. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries In His Shoes Mission Glendale

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

Published November 24, 2007 IN THEORY The Gravitational Poll Q: U.S. Catholic bishops this week reportedly approved new moral guidelines for Catholic voters warning that their political choices could impact a person’s salvation. Bishops reportedly stress that the guidelines are not a voter guide, but rather they represent a moral framework for believers. Still, some bishops disagree that voting choices can affect someone’s salvation. The church reportedly believes it is a “formal cooperation in evil” to vote for a candidate for the sole reason that he or she supports “intrinsic evils” such as abortion or racism. Bishops also believe Catholics should avoid becoming one-issue voters. What do you think? Should your political choices affect your salvation? A: How refreshing to hear that the bishops, these men of faith, are standing up for what they believe. Whether you agree with the policies they are supporting, you have to appreciate that these bishops are taking their faith seriously enough to attach permanent consequences to the decision-making process. Basically, they are saying, what we believe is not something that comes alive only on Sundays and in sanctuaries, but has applications and ramifications in all of life. By taking a very extreme and absurd example, this can be better understood. Imagine a candidate who supports a program of systematic annihilation of a group of people, such as in the case of genocide. Everyone who votes for this candidate knowing of his or her agenda for extermination is responsible and accountable for those actions. Therefore, wouldn’t we all agree that those voters would be guilty of the same crime? This may seem severe, but that is the seriousness of our vote. Sometimes in discussing a person’s “right to vote” we fail to speak of the “responsibility of the vote.” Every right carries a responsibility. The bishops are merely saying that if a person adheres to a set of principles and standards, there is a responsibility to live according to those tenets of faith. In my particular belief system, the standard to love, as expressed through Jesus Christ, is so high that my voting decisions must reflect that standard. The way I see it, expressing love in everything we do is the responsibility of those who have the right to be called Christian. FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN Armenian Church Youth Ministries In His Shoes Mission

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