From the wisdom of a progressive and practical minister named John Pavlovitz, his latest post called “My woke liberal agenda” is responding to be called woke and how dangerous that is. The entire post can be found below with the link. Picking up his response to several accusations by a critical blogger who said after earlier comments:
“You liberals and your agenda are the real danger here!”
Reverend Pavlovitz then opined for us:
“Then it hit me.
I realized that I’d been found out.
My cover had been blown.
I’d have to come clean and cop to the charges.
I knew I needed to make a full confession to my social media prosecutor and to the watching world—so here it is,
My ‘Woke Liberal Agenda’ on gun violence:
Not normalizing the fact that tens of thousands of people are murdered each year in American schools, churches, supermarkets, and playgrounds—and calling out the professed Christians not worshiping the guns used to kill them.
Asking why, in their rabid and incessant defense of the 2nd Amendment, Conservative American gun lovers willfully overlook both the ‘well-regulated’ and ‘Militia’ portions.
Wondering why these same folks seem far less passionate about the 1st Amendment, when people like me suggest that their guns and their gunlust may actually be the gun problem we have here.
Asking why America has the highest gun homicide rate of any developed country—and suggesting that it has something to do with the NRA’s influence on the gun laws of this country, the number of guns in the system, and the cowboy culture created around them.
Forcing Republicans out of the bed they’re in with the NRA, because their continual expression of ‘thoughts and prayers’ when followed by complete inaction—may as well be bullets for the next mass shooting.
Mentally ill people and criminals not having access to handguns—and asking Republican leaders why they removed the barriers that made such things difficult and why they have continually defunded mental healthcare.
Respecting mass shooting victims enough to talk about them while the world actually gives a damn about them—and before they’re soon replaced the next day or the next week by more mass shooting victims we’re told that it’s ‘too soon’ for us to talk about.
And while we’re at it, here’s the rest of my woke Liberal Agenda:
Demanding that the actual history of America be taught to American children, including the parts white Conservative Christians find uncomfortable.
Insisting the LGBTQ human beings be given every right to govern their bodies, define their families, marry the person they love, and live free of the moral views of strangers.
Pushing back against Nazis, white supremacists, and racists—whether they’re marching in the streets or marching through Congress.
Ensuring that women and have autonomy over their own bodies and that their doctors get to advise them on their healthcare decisions, not Republican politicians.
Exposing a white Evangelical Church that passionately cultivates contempt for LGBTQ people, for Muslims, for non-Christians—and wants to escape culpability for the violence this visits upon them.
Contending that people fortunate enough to be born in America aren’t more inherently valuable or more deserving of liberty than those who were not born here.
Affirming that God is neither white, nor male, nor American, nor Christian—and that God doesn’t specifically bless America.
Demanding that no one have to choose between life-saving care or paying their mortgage.
Opposing any religious tradition that attempts to contest with musty doctrine, what Science has made clear about this world.
Insisting that the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the planet we’re sitting on be protected from degradation—not subjected to it by those of us fortunate enough to be here.
A diverse and equitable nation that makes room for more than just white American, Republican Christians who were lucky enough to be born here.
Yeah, you know—now that I see it all in black and white like this, I suppose it is dangerous: fewer guns, more barriers to having them, less money for gun lobbyists, Christian politicians and leaders who actually resemble Jesus—and equality for people despite their gender identity, sexual orientation, physical condition, religious tradition, pigmentation, or nation of origin.
I could see how someone could view that as a problem, how it could feel threatening.
Yes, I stand here accused of this subversive, dangerous, supposedly America-destroying woke Liberal Agenda.”
I will let us words stand without much comment. His opinion is one we should pay attention to, whether you or in full agreement or not. His best gift is to make us think and be aware of how that is or is not aligned with the teachings of that Jesus fellow.
https://johnpavlovitz.com/2023/05/18/my-woke-liberal-agenda/
musingsofanoldfart 