Category: Michael D
Creative Response to Glenn Beck
The President of Union Theological Seminary offered this response to Glenn Beck’s latest remarks about “social justice” and the bible as an open letter on the Huffington Post. Here is a bit. Click the title to read more.
An Open Letter to Glenn Beck: We’re Sending You Bibles!
by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones | July 19, 2010Dear Mr. Beck,
Serene Jones here. I’m President of Union Theological Seminary in New York, home of James Cone, the scholar featured on your liberation theology program this week.
I write with exciting news. Bibles are en route to you, even as we speak! Kindly let me explain. On your show, you said that social justice is not in the Bible, anywhere. Oh my, Mr. Beck. At first we were so confused. We couldn’t figure out how you could possibly miss this important theme. And then it hit us: maybe you don’t have a Bible to read. Let me assure you, this is nothing to be ashamed of. Many people live Bible-less lives. But we want to help out. And so, as I write this, our students are collecting Bibles from across the nation, packing them in boxes, and sending them to your offices. Grandmothers, uncles, children, co-workers — indeed, Bible-readers from all walks of life have eagerly contributed. They should be arriving early next week, hopefully just in time for your next show. Read them with zeal!
“To Kill a Mockingbird” Turns 50
Have I ever mentioned that I don’t like to read? This morning the CBS Sunday Morning Show covered the 50th anniversary (birthday) of To Kill a Mockingbird. Katie Couric reported on the celebration of publication of this novel by Harper Lee. Click here to visit the CBS website to read the entire article or watch the video.
I don’t remember having to read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school. Many people did. Lisa can’t believe that I was not required to read it except to say that I did go to public school in Texas. She grew up in Virginia. Given what the state of Texas is doing with textbooks during the last decade she may be right to be suspicious of the education I received. I am concerned for my sister’s kids. My family moved around while I grew up. Here are the cities and towns where I attending primary, middle and high school: Garland, Paris, Sour Lake, and Waco. Anyway, the first time I read this book was in October 2004 on our 15th wedding anniversary trip. It took me three days. I had seen the film several times, even on the big screen, and own the DVD.
A favorite quote. “They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions,” said Atticus, “but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” -Atticus (114)
I’m a film person. I watch To Kill a Mockingbird at least once a year and sometimes a few times more. I enjoy the moment when the kids shame the adults into returning home rather than hanging Tom before the trial. I also like the scene where Atticus and Scout are on swinging on the porch after Scout has a bad first day at school. Atticus give sage advice about needing to see something from another persons point of view. Finally, I like the scene where a neighbor tells Jem that the world needs people to do the hard things that other folks don’t want to do or can’t do. His father, Atticus, is one of those people.
If you have not read To Kill a Mockingbird pick up a copy and do so.