For the same class I am also working on a research project related to the integration of schools in Northern Ireland, a discussion that believe it or not is more than 175 years old. This brings into discussion the roles of both Protestants and Catholics in the region highlighting crimes of all denominations involved. Within the conflict in Ireland the Catholic church became the underdog and continued to support its people, maintaining a strong presence. As the conflict has continued and the conflict ceased to be one in which a dominant culture oppresses the minority, and became two near equals still bitterly divided the role of churches in the fight only breeds resentment of organized religion. The arguments posed on both sides of the debate for integrating schools end up stemming out of political motivation rather than differences in faith and they come evenly split between the two sides of the argument.
So watching films for class, and reading material for my research paper this past weekend certainly took its toll on my feelings as far as the establishment of the church. Surely though, on a college campus, in the United States the outlook couldn't possibly be so bleak. Unfortunately following the last election there have been many voicing their view that America elected the "anti-christ" along with various other polarizing arguments adding to this notion that God would have voted republican though I maintain that if God was voting then we wouldn't need to. I'm not making an argument for or against either side in this past election, I'm simply trying to put forward that it sounds rather sacreligious to imply that God would endorse EITHER candidate.
Though the clencher for me last weekend, was when I went with my friend Amanda to visit a "homeless church" EARLY Sunday morning in downtown Miami. This worship service is held within another church building (that I will not name) this church refers to that section of the building as "the mission" there is a back door through which the homeless are to enter and those helping out at "the mission" can enter through the main doors of the church. Inside "the mission" there is a door that leads to the rest of the church building that has a sign on it reading "DO NOT ENTER Authorized Personnel Only" preventing the homeless from entering anywhere else in the church. Amanda was of course insistent that I, and those with us, enter through the same door the homeless enter through. When we sat down for the worship service a man welcomed all those attending to the service and did normal introductions, then pushed play on a laptop connected to a projector that played a previously recorded worship service from the "real church". There was no real person to lead worship, no real person to give the scripture, and no real person to deliver the message. The meal served by the church is prepared by different church groups from around Miami each week, so the host church, apart from a few representatives who are formerly homeless themselves, has no interaction with anyone in "the mission". The most connection that even those church groups have with the people at "the mission" is when they hand them their plate. This church doesn't even want to see these people much less touch them.
What ever happened to this: (Matthew 25:34-40 RSV)
| 34 | Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; |
| 35 | for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, |
| 36 | I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' |
| 37 | Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? |
| 38 | And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? |
| 39 | And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' |
| 40 | And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' |
Honestly now? Am I wrong in saying that it seems like this church wouldn't even invite Jesus into the sanctuary?
Following this past weekend my hope for the church has dwindled. I know that as the BRIDE of Christ we can resemble the prostitute God asked Hosea to marry, I just tend to have such high hopes for us as the BODY of Christ.
I ended up postponing writing my review of "Butterfly" because I was too frustrated with the church to only critique it as I saw it represented in the film, especially because the film, to be honest, was far more forgiving than I was willing to be.
