Saturday, May 15, 2021

NCC Newsletter: Trutherism, the Holy Land & Pentecost

Trutherism, the Holy Land & Pentecost

NCC Newsletter
May 14, 2021
This is Trutherism
Just four short months ago, thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to hear the president of the United States, members of Congress, and a variety of other speakers assert falsely that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. It was the president himself who urged the crowd to march on the Capitol building. He even said he would accompany them, but he did not do so.

Thousands made their way up Capitol Hill confronting police officers and dismantling barricades along the way. Once at the Capitol, they attacked the police for hours, smashed windows and doors and hundreds forced their way into the building.

Many in the mob searched for Members of Congress and the vice president of the United States in order to kill and lynch them. Elected officials and staff of both parties fled for their lives. It was a terrifying and tragic day, marked by loss of life and an unprecedented effort to overturn a free and fair election.

What was further shocking was the fact that even after the shameful attack—just a few hours later—-147 members of Congress stood with the attackers and voted to overturn the election.

To this day, 70% of Republicans assert the election was stolen. Many Members of Congress continue to press this claim. This is an extremely serious charge. I’ve tried to understand the arguments, but they simply don’t make sense or hold water. Dozens of courts rejected the claims of those who assert the election
 was fraudulent. Even the Supreme Court, hardly a bastion of ‘socialism’, refused to hear the cases.

The conspiracy theories made against Dominion Voting Systems, a company that sells voting machines and software across the US, by President Trump and his supporters have been debunked and Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, and the American Thinker have withdrawn their allegations against Dominion. Meanwhile, Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell have fallen silent as they face defamation lawsuits from Dominion.

Politics is politics. It’s one thing to say you wish the election results had been different, but it’s another thing entirely to assert in the face of all the evidence that it was stolen. This is a denial of reality. This is trutherism.

This week, several members of Congress deny an insurrection took place at all even though the entire world watched it unfold live. Rep. Clyde of Georgia said the rioters were engaged in a ‘normal tourist visit’ to the Capitol (although it was closed to the public on January 6).

The attempts to track down all those who invaded the Capitol and committed crimes on January 6 have been denounced by Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona. Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas denies that an insurrection took place at all.

Most famously, Rep. Lynne Cheney of Wyoming was voted out of her House Republican leadership post because she states that refusal to accept the election results amounts to accepting a Big Lie.

This is much more than a simple political disagreement. This is a tipping point. We can’t see this as simply an entertaining argument playing itself out on television and social media. The continuing attempts to deny the election outcome and to pass legislation in the states to suppress future votes—all of this is intended to undermine our democracy. This is intentional.

We should never forget or downplay the gravity of the January 6 insurrection. Conservative political columnist George Will wrote on that very day about Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley that “Each will wear a scarlet ‘S’ as a seditionist.” That label belongs not only to all who invaded the Capitol but to all who support what the mob did that day.  

Grace and peace,

Jim
Violence in the Holy Land
The NCC is closely monitoring the situation in Jerusalem and intends to release a statement soon. Statements from our partners and member communions:
Take Action

Tell President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to oppose violence and evictions in Israel/Palestine through this Action Alert from Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP):

Call on the Biden Administration to:
  1. Publicly declare that Israeli settlements are illegal and that the U.S. opposes all settlement activity, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
  2. Intervene directly with the Israeli Government to ensure the cancellation of all pending eviction orders in East Jerusalem immediately.
  3. Support Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s (MN) legislation, HR 2590, which calls for greater transparency on how U.S. security assistance to Israel is used, specifically seeking to ensure U.S. taxpayer funds are not used to abuse Palestinian children, annex Palestinian land, or demolish Palestinian homes.
Advocating in Coalition

NCC has recently signed on with our partners to support these issues:
  • With 88 partners, a letter asking the Senate to include a provision ending qualified immunity without exception
  • coalition letter to the High Commissioner for Human Rights Calling for a United Nations Inquiry into U.S. Police Violence
  • coalition letter to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of African States on Ensuring Effective Accountability for Police Violence in the U.S. 
  • coalition letter signed by 155 civil rights, drug policy, criminal justice reform, immigration, public health and faith-based organizations urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support Rep. Nydia Velazquez’s bill—Demilitarizing Local Law Enforcement Act of 2021—to end the U.S. Department of Defense’s 1033 Program
  • As part of the Justice Roundtable, Law Enforcement Reform Working Groups, a letter to the Senate calling for an improved George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
White Privilege: Let's Talk Dialogue Sessions in June
The NCC and Grace & Race Ministries, Inc. invite you to participate in White Privilege: Let’s Talk dialogue sessions. This 6-session course is designed as a sacred conversation on race and participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions. The first five sessions are from 7:00 pm - 8:30pmEST each Wednesday in June. The sixth session will be determined by the participants.

The course is intentional in its focus on the history, impact and manifestations of White Privilege. You are welcome to register as an individual and/or as part of a church or community group that desires to engage as a team. The deadline for registration is May 24, 2021.
#Get Vaccinated
Each week, NCC shares a personal photo and message to encourage vaccinations as an end to this pandemic. We encourage everyone to join this effort by sharing their own vaccination photos. “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 NRSV
Vaccine Information

The Pfizer vaccine is now available for adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. Information on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens is available from the Centers for Disease Control. 

From our Partners
New Interfaith Video Featuring NCC Governing Board Members
This new video, "Love Your Neighbor. Get Vaccinated," from #Faiths4Vaccines includes messages from:
  • Bishop Teresa Jefferson Snorton, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and NCC Governing Board Vice Chair
  • Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church
  • Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Please share it widely using the hashtag #Faiths4Vaccines.

Churches Uniting in Christ Pentecost 2021 Resources
CUIC has prepared powerful video resources for congregational use during Pentecost including a historical overview of Pentecost. Featuring Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes of Union Theological Seminary in New York and Rev. Dr. Youngsook Charlene Kang of the United Methodist Church, these very personal stories provide inspiration and understanding of how "God's table must be open to everyone." As the winds of change rush in during Pentecost, each story brings insight to how we can respond with God's love. 
Job Listings

Director for the Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta (LTCA) a full-time, regular, exempt position with benefits located in Atlanta, GA area with a generous relocation package. Find full information here.

Program Director for Congregational Thriving in Northfield, MN  St. Olaf College seeks to accompany congregations in re-imagining and activating a vocational vision that is nurtured by their theology and faith practices, supported by their self-understanding, informed by engagement with their communities, and responsive to the forces of change affecting congregations and colleges alike. They are looking for an imaginative and engaging professional to lead St. Olaf's new grant-funded program engaging ordained and lay leaders in collaborative and hands-on learning experiences, including partnerships with community organizations and undergraduate students, to help congregations renew and pursue their vocations. Find full information here.
TWITTER  /  FACEBOOK  /  YOUTUBE

If you find our newsletter informative, please forward it to friends and colleagues! 

To receive the newsletter, sign up here.

Your gifts helps us build a more just and equitable community that chooses grace over greed, love over hate, and faith over fear.

110 Maryland Ave NE, Suite 108, Washington, DC 20002, United States

No comments:

Post a Comment