IN THEORY
“In Theory” is a feature of the religious page in several local newspapers. It consists of brief responses to questions of current interest from the perspectives of various religious denominations in the area. The questions are set by the newspaper. Graham Bothwell, our Assistant Regional Committee on Publication, and former First Reader, is one of the contributors.
The “In Theory” feature appears in three local-area newspapers: La Cañada Valley Sun, Glendale News-Press, and Burbank Leader. It appears weekly, with a different question each week, and we respond typically every few weeks, or when there is a question of particular interest. Note that each newspaper may publish responses from only contributors from churches in their area.
Below is a list of topics since the start of 2009 in which we participated. Clicking anywhere in a topic will open a page showing our response to the question. In most instances this is a page on the La Cañada Valley Sun's web site (or one of the other newspapers listed above,) where you can read the articles from all contributors. There are usually several articles on the page, and you may need to scroll down to find our contribution.
“IN THEORY” TOPICS (click on the topic for detail):
- August 26, 2009: A recent op-ed piece published in The New York Times states that American clergy are burning out as they try to meet their congregation’s demands for more light-hearted messages. Is it possible for the clergy to tailor their sermons to a congregations hungry for a comforting, entertaining message or is there no room to do so without sacrificing the tenets of their faith? Do you find such challenges as you preach to your flock every Sunday?
Click here to see the referenced article in the New York Times.
- August 19, 2010: British theologian Daphne Hampson, author of “Theology and Feminism,” argues that “religions have proved the ultimate weapon in keeping woman in her place.” How would you answer the question, “Is religion bad for women?”
- June 24, 2010: Most scripture promotes our careful stewardship of the earth. And yet, apocalyptic religious traditions welcome signs of the “end times” (environmental degradation, war, oil spills, etc.), considering it the fulfillment of long-awaited prophecy and the beginning of a new age of peace. What’s the role of free will in the face of such prophecy? Should we celebrate these “signs” or try to do something to minimize the violence and destruction? If action is called for, how should we rally together to battle our “compassion fatigue” and heal the world’s wounds?
- June 10, 2010: The “I’m spiritual but not religious” community is growing, according to a blog post by CNN writer John Blake. It is growing so much, the blogger writes, one pastor has compared it to a “movement.” In a 2009 survey by the research firm LifeWay Christian Resources, 72% of people 18 to 29 consider themselves “more spiritual than religious.” Some say the phrase hints at egotism: “If it's just you and God in your room, and a religious community makes no demands on you, why help the poor?” asks one Jesuit priest. Others “dispute the notion that spiritual people shun being accountable to a community.” What do you think? What exactly does being “spiritual but not religious” mean, and could there be hidden dangers in living such a life?
Click here to see the referenced CNN article. - May 27, 2010: A cover story in last week's Pasadena Weekly chronicles the work of Sam Lundquist, who, inspired by an Urban Plunge Community Service event at Eagle Rock's Christian Assembly Church, decided to begin a project gathering stories from each block of Los Angeles, getting to know people and serve them better with "The Hope Chronicles." With a video camera, audio recorder and journal, Lundquist would approach strangers in all walks of life to ask them one simple question: "What is your hope?" "It is my hope that we would start connecting more and talking more and really understand what it looks like to be neighbor, and be there for them if you can," Lundquist said in the Pasadena Weekly story. What would you say to Lundquist if he approached you? What is your hope?
Click here for the Pasadena Weekly story on which this question is based. - April 15, 2010: A group of Jewish entrepreneurs observed a National Day of Unplugging, lasting from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Reboot, a nonprofit organization aimed at reinventing the traditions and rituals of Judaism for today's secular Jews, hosted the event. The event was based on 10 principals of the Sabbath Manifesto, an ongoing project designed to hopefully lessen the hold technology has on people. “Avoid Technology” is one of the principles. How important do you believe it is for people to unplug and reboot from time to time? How do you teach, in your respective place of worship, ways people can put down the cell phone or laptop without this utter “disconnectedness” that some may feel at no longer being attached to their electronic devices?
Click here for the CNN story on which this question is based. - April 1, 2010: The health care reform measure passed by the House and signed into law by President Obama this week is being challenged by religious rights groups who claim that “the law treats religions unequally and forces adherents to be part of a healthcare system that violates their religious beliefs on abortion.” One lawsuit has been filed that claims “that forcing individuals to participate in a healthcare system that supports abortions violates their First Amendment right to freely follow their sincerely held religious beliefs.” Another lawsuit claims an “unconstitutional entanglement between government and religion” because some religious groups are exempt from participation in the new reform effort, but not other religious groups. What do you think? What serious religious implications exist here, if any, as a result of this new measure? Are there any moral or theological issues in the new measure that you would care to address?
Click here for The Christian Science Monitor story on which this question is based. - March 18, 2010: A February episode of NPR’s “Talk of the Nation” reported that a survey from the Pew Forum on Religion showed that a vast majority of Americans, nearly 80%, believe in miracles. The results are from a wider study, "Religion Among the Millennials." What is, in your opinion, the definition of a miracle? What does your religion teach about miracles? And have you ever been witness to one?
- February 18, 2010: The Olympics offer the very best of athleticism and sportsmanship from all over the world. The XXI Olympic games will feature athletes from all over the world, including Africa, North and Central America, Europe and Asia. What are your thoughts as the Olympics enters its second week of competition? What do you believe the Olympics means to the world?
- January 28, 2010: A nation of desperate and grieving people showed the fervency of their faith this past weekend. Haitians mourned an archbishop, prayed in an open-air revival and, later in the day witnessed a miracle. But some have said that the fate that has befallen Haiti is the ire of God. Others, like Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, “has firmly rejected the idea that the tragedy in Haiti was a punishment from God,” according to an article in Catholic News Agency. What is your opinion? Was the earthquake in Haiti a punishment from God to the Haitian people? What does your religion teach about “punishments from God?” And is there such a thing as being “punished” by God?
Stories related to this can be found at the web sites of the Catholic News Agency and CNN. - January 14, 2010: In light of the attempted Christmas Day terrorist bombing, the United States government has imposed additional scrutiny on people travelling from 14 countries considered "security risks" - 13 of which are Muslim countries. Arsalan Iftikhar, legal fellow for the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding calls this a "clear use of ethnic, racial and religious profiling." What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Iftikhar? And if this is racial profiling, does it achieve greater security in the long term for our country?
Click here for the CNN story about this issue. - December 31, 2009: The first decade of the 21st century has come to a close. For you, what has been the most memorable experience of these first 10 years of the 2000s? What advice can you share with our readers to make this new year and decade a prosperous one?
- December 17, 2009: Infidelity is in the news with the recent development of Jenny Sanford — wife of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford — filing for divorce after 20 years of marriage. The world’s No. 1 golfer, Tiger Woods, is also involved in a web of infidelity, possibly involving several women. Infidelity is not new in the celebrity world, but what does your faith teach about infidelity? Are we truly damned if we cheat on our wives or husbands?
- November 19, 2009: “His name had barely been released, his heritage and history not immediately known, but the reaction was fast and furious,” began an article last week in The Canadian Press. Many questions remain about the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Hasan, with some reports alluding to a connection Hasan had with a military Islamic cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, who is calling Hasan a hero. As such, questions like and “Were the shootings an act of terrorism?” and “Should Muslims be allowed to serve in the military?” are being asked throughout the blogosphere, much to the chagrin of Arab and Islamic organizations. Do you feel the Muslim community is being unfairly blamed for the actions of one Muslim person? Do you think too much is being made on the issue of religion in this case? How would you respond if allegations such as these were being made against your particular religion?
- November 5 2009: Pastor Daniel Henderson, a Christian pastor in Atlanta, believes that many faithful still "don't know how to pray effectively," according to a recent article on CNN.com. He says that most Christians pray during a crisis or pray a grocery list, "making God a lifeline of last resort." What do you believe is the proper way to pray without making it seem as if you're using God as a "lifeline of last resort"? How do you teach your faithful on effective ways of prayer?
To read the referenced CNN report, click here. - October 22, 2009: Recent, local disasters like our wildfires and world-wide disasters like the devastating brush fires, dust storms, floods, prolonged drought, storms and cyclones in Australia, tsunamis hitting Samoa and earthquakes striking the Indonesian island of Sumatra have raised the need for financial assistance to support charities. However, in an article in the Christian Science Monitor this week, UNICEF Australia spokesman Martin Thomas fears there is a danger of “compassion fatigue,” that is, “so many instances of death and destruction seen on the TV news can produce a kind of emotional numbness. What can be done to combat compassion fatigue and motivate individuals to pray and also give humanitarian assistance in times of crisis?
To read the referenced article, click here. - October 8, 2009: October 7 was “Blasphemy Day,” a day devoted to protecting a person’s right to “ridicule, criticize — even lambaste God,” according to an article on CNN Friday. Began by Ronald Lindsey (who in his youth studied for the priesthood), the purpose of the day is to encourage freedom of expression for everyone, even those who would outright talk ill of the Lord. Lindsey believes “a society is not truly free unless people can freely air their views on any subject — including God.” What do you think of this “day.” Is “Blasphemy Day” really a genuine effort to encourage freedom of expression? Or is this just another silly endeavor by a person looking to get his 15 minutes of fame by striking at the nerves of the general public?
- September 24, 2009: The Associated Press last week published a story about David Ramsey of Brentwood, Tenn. Ramsey is touted as a "Christian money guru" who mixes faith and financial advice by arranging money classes through churches where he uses the Bible to support his ideas of wise money spending. Critics feel that Ramsey's financial advice does not belong in church, that "It was a way to make money instead of deliver a message." What do you think about what Ramsey is doing? Do you believe it is appropriate to make money by dispensing financial advice through churches?
- September 17, 2009: CNN reported last month that two Florida school administrators face contempt charges and possible prison time for saying a prayer at a school luncheon. They face a non-jury trial Sept. 17. Do you believe the court went too far in filing contempt charges against these two men for the “simple” act of saying a prayer at a school luncheon? Or should these men be “taught a lesson” on the separation of church and state by giving them jail time?
- July 30, 2009: The Rev. Ethan Maple of Indianapolis, Indiana, recently started The Movie Theater Church. His idea was not to build a physical church but to build a worship community in a comfortable and unintimidating place, like a movie theater. Churches rent theater facilities every week for worship, paying up to $1,000 for three hours. However, some critics of this believe that holding church in a movie theater sends the message that the church is not going to be there for the long run and “not here to stay,” according to a recent CNN article. Do you believe that holding services in a movie theater is the right strategy to bring people back to the church? Or does it do more harm than good?
- July 16, 2009: Dove World Outreach Center in northwest Gainesville, Fla., recently was at the center of protests surrounding a sign that had been placed by the church on its front lawn that read “Islam Is of the Devil.” What do you think about this? How far is too far when it comes to another church expressing its views about other cultures or religions?
- July 9, 2009: A church-related unemployment support group in Massachusetts offers participants tips on writing resumes, developing new contact and making ends meet. The group also prays, in an effort to “refine and strengthen their faith along the way." How important do you see faith as a tool for motivation to seek employment? How and do you teach members of your flock to use prayer or the Bible as a motivator when going out into the job pool?
- July 2, 2009: Recent church shootings have sparked discussion among various church officials on the possible need to carry weapons to religious services. The premise behind this is that churches are no longer seen as immune from violence as they once were. Do you believe that people should carry guns in church for protection or do you believe officials are overexagerrating when they say churches are no longer safe? Do you think churches have done enough to try to curb violence? What do you believe churches should do?
- June 21, 2009: Last week’s shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., exposed the nation’s virulent strain of racism and racial hatred that continues decades after the civil rights movement. What role should religion play in the ongoing effort to stamp out racism? And how, if at all, have churches failed in that effort so far?
- June 4, 2009: On a recent Sunday in L.A.’s Boyle Heights, which in decades past was a large Jewish enclave that has more recently become home to Latinos, the Mexican-American-Jewish family marked the 61st anniversary of Israeli statehood at ‘Fiesta Shalom.’ How important is it for people to know not only their heritage but the roots of their religion and how does your church or temple encourage its faithful to do so?
Click here for a link to the Los Angeles Times article that covered the Boyle Heights event. - May 21, 2009: CNN published an article this week about the ways families are learning to say goodbye to a terminally ill loved one. The article stated, “After learning that death is nearing, some people avoid talking about the inevitable. Others have the opposite reaction. They accept their looming death and make extensive plans of what kind of flowers they want at the funeral and who should take care of their pets.” What kind of lessons does your faith provide which teach families ways to say goodbye to a dying loved one?
- May 7, 2009: The summer blockbuster movie season is starting to heat up, with movies as “X-Men: Origins,” “Star Trek” and “Harry Potter” opening soon. What films, currently showing or not, do you recommend for people seeking “alternative” choices?
- April 23: What advice do you give your congregants for God to take a greater role in their lives? Are there Bible studies, retreats, or service projects in your church that help your congregants turn their lives toward God?
- April 9, 2009: How would you explain faith as a gift from God? What actions can people take to receive and/or increase faith?
- March 26, 2009: CNN recently reported that America is a “less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago.” There has also been an increase in the number of people expressing no religious affiliation at all, according to the report. What do you believe is the reason or reasons some people are stepping away from the church? And what can we do to encourage those people to come back?
- Marcy 12, 2009: Christian and Jewish faithful will begin to observe their respective holy days, with observances of Lent, Purim and Passover taking place all over the world. What does the Bible teach us about entering these holy days with a sense of prayer?
- February 26, 2009: The mother of the eight babies born recently has been under fire for her decision to have additional children on top of the six she already has. This, combined with the fact that her financial situation is unstable at the moment, has raised serious ethical questions. What do you believe are the moral and ethical implications of her actions? And from your faith's point of view, what covenant, if any, could she have violated?
- February 12, 2009: Pope Benedict XVI recently launched the first ever Vatican YouTube channel. The channel will carry liturgical events, audiences with the pope and other papal activities. Benedict said that "wise" use of such technologies helps promote the search for "the true, the good and the beautiful" across borders and ethnic divisions. How important do you believe technology is to the evangelist of the 21 century? How do you use technology in your own church?
- January 29, 2009: Now that Barack Obama has been sworn in as president of the United States, if you had the chance to have lunch with the him, what advice would you offer him as he enters the presidency? [In Theory was not posted on the La Cañada Valley Sun's web site this week, so this link is to a copy of our response to the question.]
- January 15, 2009: The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas seems to be getting worse by the minute. Hundreds of people have died, and scores have been injured. What do you believe is the right path to peace in this conflict?
- January 1, 2009: The new year is here. What is your message for a prosperous 2009?
