I saw this article on Brian McLaren’s website that notes the “Invisible Knapsack of White Privilege”. If you have a few moments it is worth reviewing, and putting the 2012 event on your calendar.
Privilege and Oppression
Such As These | davecsinos.com | Feb. 19, 2011
A few nights ago, in celebration of the beginning of reading week (like spring break in the US), my dad and I plopped down on the couch in his apartment to watch a movie. We put in Shallow Hal, a Jack Black comedy about a man whose perception is altered so that he can only see people for who they are on the inside. For example, if a beautiful woman wasn’t a very nice person, he saw her as physically unattractive. The whole plot revolves around his relationship with a voluptuous blonde woman (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) who is actually an obese woman. Yet Hal (Jack Black’s character) was only able to see her inner beauty—hence her “appearing” to be a tall, thin, blond woman.
Towards the end of the movie, my mother came home from class at the University of Toronto and asked to be filled in about the movie so she could join in for the last 10 minutes or so. We conceded and told her what had happened over the past 90 minutes. After the movie was over, she said, “You know, I can see why people think this movie has a good message about inner beauty, but I don’t like the fact that it perpetuates traditional messages about what is considered beautiful.”
As I continue reading about this event it was good to learn that one of my favorite scholars, Marcus Borg, offered words as a headliner at this event. Borg’s description of the divide within Christianity resonates with my thought and experience. It is also a good description of the conversations within my brand of Christian witness, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I recommend any of Borg’s books. Below find a bit of the reporting about his address.
Marcus Borg’s Talk Surprises Many at Conference
by Cynthia B. Astle | The Progressive Christian | February 12, 2011
Heart of the Message
Borg began the session, with its theme of Jesus, God and the Church, by posing what he sees as the critical question for all Christians today:
What is the heart of the Christian message today, the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Borg said that a historic answer to this question dominates most understandings of Christianity today: “Jesus died for our sins so we can be forgiven and go to heaven if we believe in him.”
However, Borg continued, a growing number of Christians view the Christian message today as the radical centering in God that Jesus outlines in the three synoptic gospels:
“[Jesus] answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’” -Luke 10.27
“Jesus talks consistently about the coming of the kingdom of God,” Borg said. “The kingdom of God is not for the afterlife, but for earth. It’s what life would be like if kings didn’t rule the world, a transformed world of justice and fairness, where everyone has enough for life.”