I Finally Remember Why I Worked on the Obama Campaign

In the midst of increased troop levels in Afghanistan, a freeze on domestic spending but not on military spending, a delay in closing down Guantanamo, and at times over-compromising on what seems like everything, I have at times been disappointed by the Obama administration. However, last nigh with the passing of health care reform, I remember why I voted for Obama and worked on his campaign. It was hope for a change in a system that has come to be more and more favorable to the rich and powerful and more hostile to the sick and poor. This was the reason Obama was elected and why his message was so powerful, because it was a true change in the society. After last night’s decision, I realize that the Saturday day canvassing and weeknight phone banking for the Obama campaign I did back in the winter of 2008 in South Carolina was well worth it. It was not done for a certain man, it was done for a cause, an idea. In fact, I think this why most people were working on the campaign-not for Obama, but for the cause of peace and justice- and a general concern for their fellow man.

Will this bill positively affect me? Well, seeing that I live in Costa Rica right now, not right away. Perhaps, it won’t change much in my own life. However, it certainly could. If I were to lose my job, and find myself unable to purchase insurance, if I were to develop a life threatening disease and find myself being dropped by my provider. If I wanted to start up my own business venture and wanted to have the opportunity to purchase reasonable health care. However, the bottom line is that this isn’t about me. It’s about the uninsured, the sick, and the unfortunate who have been abused by the current system. It is for the 60 year old women I used to live with down here, which in many ways was living in Costa Rica simply because she could not obtain insurance in the U.S. because of her pre-existing condition. She might actually feel free and secure to move back to her own country. For the young person right out of the university, who every day lives a gamble because they can’t afford or receive health insurance and one diagnosis could mean a lifetime of debt. For the cancer patient who was dropped by their insurer. I could go on and on.

Is this bill perfect? Absolutely not. However, it is a step forward, and I do believe it is a BIG step forward. Though there is a lot of anger, anxiety, and paranoia right now, history will show this to be a very important step forward along the same lines as the Civil Rights Movement, establishment of public education, Medicare, Social Security, and environmental protection. I am glad that there is a President like Obama in the White House who is willing to stand up for the common person. Though initially he might face a backlash in the polls, in the end this will be certainly vindicated by history. Most other industrialized nations have already far surpassed the U.S. in providing for the common good. This bill simply helps us get a little closer to the strides that other nations have already made.

I am sure in the next couple of years there will be many issues where I will have disappointment or even sadness regarding certain policies by Obama. However, today I realize the reason I supported the Obama administration as they help bring forward this very important and vital reform to the nation. I believe if he continues this vital path of actual fighting for real change, he could be one of our great and most honored Presidents in history. Let’s hope that he continues on the very reformative and progressive path.

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How to Bring Down the Abortion Rate: Ensure Universal Health Care

Abortion is one of the most contentious and divisive issues in our nation together. There is no other issue that causes more passion and division. However, it seems we often been focusing on the wrong issue-pro-choice or pro-life. At the end of the day the legality of abortion will not be the biggest factor in the abortion rate (as can be witnessed here in Latin America where abortion is “illegal’ but rampant-higher than in Europe where it is legal). What will be much bigger factors are poverty and the access to healthcare. Perhaps, this is the reason why in other industrialized nations with universal healthcare the abortion rate is much lower. For example a recent article from the Washington Post states,

“The U.N. data measure the number of abortions for women ages 15 to 44. They show that Canada, for example, has 15.2 abortions per 1,000 women; Denmark, 14.3; Germany, 7.8; Japan, 12.3; Britain, 17.0; and the United States, 20.8. When it comes to abortion rates in the developed world, we’re No. 1.”

The article goes on to state,

“In Britain, only 8 percent of the population is Catholic (compared with 25 percent in the United States). Abortion there is legal. Abortion is free. And yet British women have fewer abortions than Americans do. I asked Cardinal Hume why that is.
The cardinal said that there were several reasons but that one important explanation was Britain’s universal health-care system. “If that frightened, unemployed 19-year-old knows that she and her child will have access to medical care whenever it’s needed,” Hume explained, “she’s more likely to carry the baby to term. Isn’t it obvious?”

Poverty and access to medical care trump the legality of abortion as the main issue in the abortion rate. I know some people will find this a struggle-especially after some on the right have tried to paint universal healthcare and a high abortion rate with the same broad stroke. However, if you really want to bring the abortion rate down you should support this new legislation and any other bill that supports more access to medical care. Though lowering the abortion rate is only one of many moral and ethical reasons to support healthcare reform, it is one that needs to be stated because of the misinformation and scare tactics beings used. Here in Costa Rica, abortion is illegal. Though there are still many abortions done illegally, I cannot imagine what the rate would be if there wasn’t universal healthcare. If we don’t pass healthcare reform, inevitably less people will be able to afford healthcare, this will keep the abortion rate high, not to mention hurt the financial and actual health of the American people and claim more and more lives due to a greedy and broken system.

If you would like to read the article from the Washington Post, it can be found at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031202287_pf.html

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Our New Jim Crow Laws: Immigrants and Health Insurance

When the congressman from my home state shouted out “You Lie” to Obama, he wasn’t doing so to defend veterans, help out the needy in the community, or protect the religious or political liberties of his constituents. No, he was yelling out in his childish rant to protest the mere thought that a certain group of people might have a chance to buy health insurance. The group he was so furious about was undocumented workers, who ironically help support the economy of our whole nation.

Many Americans like to stand proudly and say that the racism and discrimination that use to plague society has passed. However, this issue that has recently been brought to light makes me greatly doubt the tolerance and compassion of the society. In the new health care bill to be passed, there is language which simply bans undocumented workers from obtaining health insurance (I am sure Joe Wilson is relieved). Though this is certainly done to appeal to the conservative side of the nation, it seems to me to be a very dark and sinister threat against our supposed values and ethics.

In my U.S. History class, we are currently studying in the struggle of the Irish Immigrants in the 19th century. We are learning about the discrimination, hatred, and malice they faced by the rest of the American society. Another good example were the Jim Crow laws in the South, which simply barred blacks from certain places and activities. However, it seems you don’t have to go back to history to find this intolerance, it is among us now. Are we really fighting so that living, breathing human beings (and that is what they are, children of God, like you and me no matter what their legal status) cannot obtain health insurance for their families, including their young children? Is that we have come to as a society? I can see the Father looking down in sorrow as we speak of ourselves as a Christian society and the importance of holding up “family” values and then totally disregard the needy and sick among us. In the end, history will judge us by our actions. Do we want to be represented in the same category as the Jim Crow Laws or do we be known as a people that put aside our selfish agendas and intolerance to help meet the needs of those around us. Maybe as it says in the book of James, we need to start practicing true religion and stop a pseudo spirituality which allows us to hold on to our selfish thinking and ignore the needs of those around us and God’s children of every different background. In the end, that kind of religion is dead and is worthless towards the hope of a restored and redeemed world.

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The Art of Praying For Our Enemies: A Practice of Personal Transformation

Liberty University recently released a campaign to “adopt a liberal” in order to pray for them. While they may have had a good intention through the way of viewing the world, it came across to the rest of the society as very paternalistic and judgmental. The question is: what did Jesus mean when he said for us to pray for our enemies? Even more importantly, how do we practice this in our lives? One practice that I think can be very helpful is this:

Write down a list of people who are your enemies or opponents. These can be grand scale “enemies” or “perceived enemies” such as religious extremists, socialists, capitalists, conservatives, liberals, Arabs, Americans, etc. However, it often is much more personal-separated relatives, friends who have betrayed you, your co-worker who seems to want to make your life miserable. This list can also include individuals who are not always your enemies, but who you are currently in conflict with or are your enemy in a certain sphere of your life.

Go into a quiet place in your mind and simply bring up their faces into your memory and ask God for blessing. Sometimes, it is even better to not ask for specifics, since this becomes very tricky and complicated. Imagine God’s Spirit overwhelming them and filling them with life. I guarantee you as you do this you will become more filled with love, grace, and compassion. Perhaps, just let your mind drift to every individual you may have had a grudge against and pray for blessing and peace on them. This is taught explicitly in the Christian faith; however, this can also be practiced in whatever faith you are a part of.

In the end, praying for your enemies has a lot more to do about our personal transformation than it does about the other person. It allows us to become more like our heavenly Father. It allows us to be free of hatred, revenge, and bitterness. Do we still fight for justice and against what is oppressive? Absolutely. However, we soon find ourselves addressing an issue while at the same time filled a great love for humanity and even compassion for our enemies. We end up living not out of reaction, but out of purpose. In the end, we may be the “children of our father in heaven”.

I like how Paul Boese put it,
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.

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Finally….the U.S. Confronts Israel

The U.S. has stood by Israel side for a long time, which in many ways has been a very positive thing. However, our unconditional support of Israel and its policies has also led to more conflict and dampened the peace process. It has also dragged us into the middle of much more worldwide conflict.

While Vice President Joe Biden was on his way to talk to the President Benjamin Netanyahu , Israel passed an agreement to build more Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem, a land that has been settled by Palestinians for a long time, essentially throwing a wrench in the peace process which was starting to get underway. There are always two sides to every conflict and both sides need to come and do their part to make peace. While there is no denying the horrendous actions of many of the Palestinians, Israeli actions like these do not help at all.

Fortunately, the Obama administration has stood up to Israel and warned them that this policy is hazardous for the region. Of course we know that what goes on in Israel is just the epicenter of a greater conflict between the west and the Islamic World, a conflict that the U.S. has been right in the middle of, in large part because of the support for Israel.

Should the U.S. drop their support to Israel? I don’t think so. After all, Israel is one of the few stable, secular democracies in the region.However, I do believe that we have to be a friend and ally that makes sure to confront Israel when they create policies which not only endanger the peace in Israel, but the stability of the world community. We need to be a nation that also seeks justice for the Palestinian people who have been often mistreated and discriminated by the Israeli government. What we don’t need is extreme Zionism and end times conspiracy theorists to stand in the way of a path to peace. After all, we are all God’s children, and we are all deeply affected by the actions and missteps of other nations in this world that is becoming more and more interdependent. As a Christian community in the U.S., we have often been seen as a group that supports Israel to an extreme, to the harm of the Palestinian people. This is not what God intended. He never called us to be the unconditional “supporters” of the Israeli government, what he did call us to be is peacemakers and to stand on the side of the poor and mistreated.

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The Uncomfortable Question in the Gun Control Debate: Can the "Good Guys" Be Trusted With Guns?

I still remember it clearly. It was about a year ago, and I experienced my first real, intense case of road rage. We were in a small town called Ciudad Colon which is about 15 minutes from my house. A large bus had blocked our car and the car in front of us from getting on to the road. The man in front of us wanted the bus to move, so he started yelling and screaming at the bus driver. The bus driver still did not move, so the driver decided to pull out his little handgun from his car and shove it in the bus driver’s face, while the bus was full of people. As he returned to his car with his gun, I tried looking down and pretending like I never saw anything.

The man who pulled out the gun appeared like an “upstanding” individual. He drove a nice car, was well dressed, and most likely was not a criminal. However, he lost his temper, and he had a gun close by so he decided he was going to use it. We like to reduce the gun debate between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”. The gun control advocates want to allow more gun access so the “good guys” can have more guns to defend themselves. The gun control advocates want to control guns to keep them away from criminals. However, I haven’t heard much talk about people losing their tempers and “good people” doing very horrible things in a moment of passion or anger.

Believe it or not, the state of Virginia recently passed a bill that lets people carry concealed weapons in restaurants and bars. Yes..that’s right….bars. I’m sure everyone will feel very safe the next time a bar fight breaks out. It seems like something so crazy that my 14-year-old students could point the illogical nature of a bill like this. However, it seems that many government leaders seem so entrenched in their ideas of “gun rights’ that they fail to look out for the common good or even use common sense. Ironically, Virginia is the state where only 3 years ago the horrible massacre happened on the campus of Virginia Tech, by a mentally ill student who was able to purchase numerous guns without question.

I’m not saying that we should have a complete ban on guns. However, what I am saying is that the extreme gun rights faction of the country is trying to uphold an ideology at the expense of the common good. This is important because of new cases coming to the Supreme Court such as one which is going to try and make it illegal for individual cities to have weapons bans. Most of the industrialized world had realized the great importance of gun control and restriction, how many more school massacres or road rage cases are we going to need before we start listening to common sense?

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Do You Have a Quiet Place to go in Your Mind?

Our minds never seem to stop moving. Perhaps, in the times of the hunters and gatherers much more was done from simple instinct. But in 21st century western society, our minds seem to be in constant chaos and in constant traffic. Perhaps, I am speaking from personal experience on this. But, I can’t help believing that this is much of a social phenomenon and much more than my own personal experience.

In Matthew, Jesus told us to go and pray in secret, in our closet. While physical location is vital to finding quiet, the question that seems to have become even more of a problem today is where do we go in our minds to find peace and meet with God? If you are anything like me, I start saying a prayer and before I know it my mind is some place else. Perhaps I have more attention deficit than others, but it seems that my mind is always turning. One practice that I have found helpful is visualization. Let me give you an example:

I picture myself in a quiet, peaceful place alone with God. For me, my mind always goes to a little lagoon with a little cave, a jungle, and peaceful waters, and a little mist on the water. From here, I try to listen and experience the presence of God. I do not hear God speak audibly, but I feel impressions of his Spirit. Sometimes I just visualize myself enwrapped in the arms of the Father. I not only think it; I try to see it, feel it, hear it, and experience it.

This might sound strange or weird to some people, but it is something that has been shown to be very effective. Only when we learn to drown out the societies unrelenting noise, its anxieties and worries, and our fears can we actually begin to experience the presence of God. I guarantee your life will be more transformed by those 10 minutes engaged in real communion with God, than hours of mental exercise trying to pray and only to find your mind wandering. I remember the old song we use to sing in youth group:

In the Secret, In the Quiet Place, In the Stillness You are There…….

Maybe we need to go to the place in our minds to really know and experience the light of the world and the savior of our souls, and in the stillness be transformed by the Prince of Peace.

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Rush Limbaugh is Moving to Costa Rica?

Believe it or not, Rush Limbaugh said this week that he will move to Costa Rica if the health care reform bill is passed. What is so great and ironic about this is that Costa Rica has a “socialized” single-payer system. In fact, about 9 to 10% of your salary goes directly into the government hospital system.

I think what Limbaugh is inadvertently showing is that there is actually nothing to fear with this new health care bill. After all, Costa Rica still seems to be a “good” country in Rush’s book even though they have been plagued by the “disease” of socialized care. Something similar happened earlier this year when Rush raved about how great the health care system was in Hawaii when he had a heart attack, only to have to later swallow his words as he realized that they have a very much government subsidized system in Hawaii. This also happened recently when Sarah Palin had a gaff by happily stating that when she was young, she and her family would cross the border to get health care in the Canadian socialized system. The funny thing is that these individuals are trying to spread an irrational fear of health care reform, which in reality most of them don’t even believe in-by witness of their own words.

Costa Rica, Canada, and every other industrialized nation in the world realize something that in the U.S. seems still hard to understand for some reason-every human being should have the right to health care. Are the Costa Rican or Canadian systems perfect? Of course not; however, they are a much greater step in the right direction from the United States health care mess, which is entirely based on profit. The United States will not be “destroyed” by this new health care bill; in fact, it will be greatly strengthened. The people who try to spread this fear should be ashamed; because they know that the fear it is not based on truth-they just hope the general public is gullible enough to drink it up. I hope for the health of our nation that we learn to not be controlled and manipulated by this fear which profits the few and hurts the general public.

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Does Christ Change Our Personalities?

We are all born with certain personality traits. Some of us tend to be more aggressive, while others tend to be more passive. Some tend to be more anxious, while others are more carefree. Some are inclined to happiness, while others are inclined to melancholy.

It seems at times that the focus of modern day Christianity is to simply take these character traits and use them for a positive purpose. You now need to be aggressive and forceful about the cause of Christianity. Your anxious tendencies can now be used to be worried about the problems of the world and in the church. Your roughness can make you a “warrior” for Christ.

However, it seems that Christ wants something much greater than us being “warriors” for him; he wants us to be like him, the prince of peace, and model our personalities after his. There is something to be said about the fruits of the spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. A lot of those traits do not seem to be very “masculine” or “popular” in today’s society. I mean…doesn’t it hinder the cause of the kingdom if all the followers of Jesus are kind, gentle, and peaceful? This not only doesn’t go against the cause of the kingdom; it is the cause of the kingdom-to be made into the likeness of Jesus. A savior who refused to fight back, a savior who told his followers to turn the other cheek and that those who live by the sword will die by the sword, a leader who told us to love our enemies.

I do believe that we all have different and diverse personalities and that is not all wrong. However, I can’t get past the fact that our personalities have to change in the light of love. We become more loving, peaceful, controlled, and gentle people. This may not help us win the culture wars or become most powerful in society, but it will allow the kingdom of God to be seen on earth.

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-My Heroes

Some people’s heroes are rock stars. Some heroes are politicians, writers, and speakers. My heroes are people like my two friends here from Myanmar who studied at the United Nations, University of Peace-Ah Rah and Ohnmar.

I grew to know them at the church here in Costa Rica. They attend the University down here for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. They recently finished the course here, so they went back to Myanmar to work on issues surrounding conflict resolution and peace.

For those not familiar with the country of Myanmar, it is a country full of violence, oppression, and poverty. The military government ruling the country does not give full rights to their citizens and use an extremely heavy hand against their population. However, these two girls choose to go back into this area for a cause, for a belief- that the world can become a better place. That justice can rule out. That peace and love can have the final word. That there really can be peace on earth.

The people who accomplished the most in history were not the ones who lived lives of ease, comfort, and luxury. They were the people who were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of a cause. Perhaps, we are not all called to live this type of existence. However, I can’t help believing we all need to take a step further in that direction. Living a life of sacrifice for the sake of justice and peace does not sound appealing at first. But out of the darkness comes a light too wonderful and great to even begin to imagine. One day when heaven and earth are one, we will look back at our lives and realize that all sacrifice was well worth it and now all that is bad has been renewed. Maybe this is what it means to give up our lives to in the end…..find them.

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-Lindsey Graham: A Politician with Character

Currently, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina along with Senator Schumer of New York are trying to put together an immigration reform bill, which would tighten border security, but would also make a pathway for many of the immigrants who live here illegally to become citizens.

There has not been much positive coming out of South Carolina in terms of politics recently, between Sanford’s scandal, Wilson’s shouting during a presidential speech against undocumented workers getting health insurance, Lt. Governor Andre Bauer comparing poor people to animals, or the political campaign “one language, not two” by Senatorial candidate Buddy Witherspoon. However, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recently showed some great courage in my opinion, standing up to the establishment and much of the xenophobia and racism that continue to plague the state.

This bill is for immigrants such as a man named Ernesto who I met while giving ESL classes in a church in Greenville, SC. Working day to day to make a way for his family. For the girl at my cousin’s husband school who is the valedictorian of her class, but cannot go to public college in the State of South Carolina because her parents brought her over here “illegally” when she was young. It is for the families that continue to be ripped apart because of an unjust immigration system. It is a system where in reality, only the rich get a chance to come. Those who say “just come into the country legally” obviously do not understand the whole system of immigration, because they would understand that is not an option for the poor. Many of these immigrants live in states like South Carolina, where the make up a vital part of the state’s culture and economy.

I know this might not be a popular issue; especially during a time where we are still recovering from economic recession, but it is the right decision and it is a moral imperative we must work towards. Though I would disagree with Graham on many issues, I am glad that my home state of South Carolina still has a leader like him that will stand up with a moral and ethical voice. Graham also represents the direction the Republicans need to go if they are still going to be a relevant political party in the future. The future of the party is not in Tea Party Extremism, it is with moderated political conscience that while still up holding conservative political philosophies makes sure there is a hand reached out to the immigrant, needy, and sick. Graham represents that Republicans and Democrats can still work together for similar goals, and I hope that spirit enwraps our deeply divided nation.

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-The Progressive and Subversive Voice of Jesus (The Rich Man and Lazarus)

In the midst of Christian leaders lining up with the elite and making themselves the allies of the rich and powerful, we lose the sense of the very subversive voice of Jesus, a voice that spoke out for the poor, A voice that spoke out for the oppressed, outcast, and downtrodden. One of the most famous stories that illustrates this was the story Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus,

Here is the story:
“19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 ” ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

People get distracted by many things in this story. Some people want to take this story as a literal interpretation of hell and literal flames…..which is not the point or intent of the story at all. The point of the story is not that the poor go to heaven and the rich go to hell, though if you are taking this story completely literally that is what you are going to come up with. In fact, in the end this story is not really even about heaven and hell.

No, this story is a strong social commentary a direct rebuke to the power of the day. To the rich, many of them the religious leaders of the day, who lived in great wealth and excess while the poor outside were suffering. Through the strong symbolism it shows how those that exalt themselves will be brought down, and the poor and outcast will be honored. It is a very subversive and controversial story for the day. During this time, the general sentiment was that if you were wealthy, it was because you deserved it and you were blessed by God, while if you were poor, you obviously must have been doing something wrong. Somehow, those same sentiments seem to remain strong today.

I am afraid that we tend to line up with the rich men much more than we think. We are among the most affluent and wealthy people in the world, but how much of a second thought do we give to the Lazarus’s on our doorsteps? I mean, aren’t they there because they are lazy or because of their sin? We rave about tax increases, but show little concern about the uninsured, disabled, or poverty stricken who may need those funds.

We are the rich man, but we need to realize that God sides with the poor and oppressed. If we want to draw close to God, we also have to learn to draw close to the poor and needy. If we don’t, our religion is in vain and is a mockery to the world. The story of the rich man and Lazarus was not written to condemn the non-Christians to a literal burning hell. It was written for the prosperity gospel advocates, who somehow twist Christianity as a tool to justify their outrageous living. It is for those who use the Christian faith to somehow push a political philosophy which helps out the rich and powerful and denies justice to the poor, immigrant, and sick. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a story so poignant, strong, and important that we are in our 21st century world need to listen to it. One thing which can certainly be learned is that our spiritual lives experience darkness, pain, and death when we choose to not seek justice for those needy around us. For me, the parable strikes deep and makes me realize how often I am living in luxury while there is a whole world of need around me. I suppose that is something in which I am continually in the process of repentance.

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-Invictus: An Amazing Story and an Even More Important Message for Today

Recently, the amazing retelling story of Nelson Mandela’s rise to power and struggle to bring his nation together was made into a wonderful film. Essentially, the story tells about the great divide and tension in the country of South Africa between the native Africans and the European immigrants who had ruled the land by oppression for many years.

When Mandela (who had been imprisoned by the government for 20 years) first came to power, there was much fear, mistrust, and even hatred toward him. Mandela did something unthinkable and decided to actually forgive those who went against him and tried to bring the country back together, partially through supporting their rugby team-which was predominantly white and many blacks still saw as a symbol of oppression.

Mandela’s story is inspiring, but we shouldn’t look at it as some past incident across the world that is not very relevant to us in our very “tolerant” society today. In fact, I would say much of the same fear and hatred that was shown to Mandela by the white population can be seen today in the resentment against Obama. We are still a nation deeply divided, and as much as people would like to say that race doesn’t play a role in this division-it is clear that it still does. People can disguise their hatred and fear in the name of political philosophy, socialism, etc. However, the truth is that this extremism is slowly tearing our country apart.

When I was teaching in South Carolina, I was able to see firsthand the results of this continued divide based on race and culture. There is still a horrid history that we need to mend, and there is still a divide our nation will have to confront. I encourage you to see the movie, but more importantly I challenge to really consider and confront the issues and problems that it presents. The hate and fear are still among us, and it is up to us to rise above that and actually try to create a just and peaceful society.

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-Blessed Are the Deceptive?

My Ancient Civilization students are making plays based on one of Aesop’s fables. The students are supposed to take the moral of the fable and create a modern day example of the fable. One of the groups created a play which really got me thinking. It went like this:

“ There once was a rich celebrity who had a maid name Brakita who after a long day of cooking fed the leftovers to a homeless person instead of keeping them for herself. The maid says, “Why should I keep this food for someone who doesn’t appreciate it. I will give this to someone who needs it.” She then walked down the street and found a homeless person fishing for his dinner in the garbage can. The next day the rich person said to the maid, “You Are FIRED! For not giving me my pizza.” She walked down the street and soon discovered in the newspaper that the homeless person who she had given leftovers to had sold them and went to Vegas and made millions playing poker. “Hey Buddy!!” said the not so homeless person. “Would you like to join me in my mansion?” “Sure!” so they became best friends and lived happily ever after. (not bad for 6th graders)

While I was listening to their skit, the story Jesus told of the shrewd manager came to my mind. Basically, the story states that an owner decides to fire his manager because of his bad use of resources. So, the manager decides in order to earn himself the favor of others, so he can get help after he his fired, he will tell all his owner’s debtors that they can pay less money then they owed and all their debts will be canceled. In the end the owner praises employee because he was so shrewd and clever.

This parable probably shocked people back then as it still does today . They may cry out, wasn’t the manager stealing? Wasn’t he lying and being dishonest? Doesn’t this go against the moral absolutes we are to uphold? While I don’t think Jesus is calling us to steal from our employers, I do think he is calling us to be at times subversive for the sake of the kingdom and for peace and justice. We need to give the benefit of the doubt and support to the needy and helpless, not the rich and powerful. For the sake of following moral “rules”, we cannot lose site of the bigger picture of poverty, hunger, justice, oppression, and compassion. We should follow guidelines, but not too strongly that we do not lose site of the greater narrative. Some people may call this situational ethics; I would say it is being like the shrewd manager who in the end is rewarded by his manager. What all is Jesus saying in this parable? It is open to a lot of interpretation. However, its messages can be something that could change our whole view of our lives and how we are suppose to deliberately and even at times subversively, live them for the sake of others.

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-Why the U.S. Losing Influence in Latin America is a Positive Change

This past week, national leaders from around Latin America and the Caribbean descended on the country of Mexico in the hopes of forming a new alliance. However, Canada and the United States were not invited to the conference. This is a large step away from the traditional international politics of Latin America, where the U.S. has played the supreme role for the last 60 years. Mexico and Brazil really pushed for this decision and made a call for the nations to join together.

Though I may sound more Costa Rican than American when I say this, I think this is a very good move for a whole number of reasons. First of all, it puts the power to make critical decisions about conflicts in Latin America in the hands of the countries of Latin America. This could help reduce a lot of conflict in the region. If you are not familiar with the history of the United States and Latin America in the last 60 years, all you need to know is that it has not always been just, whether it was Ronal Reagan’s Iran-Contra Scandal, the CIA support in helping support the right-wing dictator Pinochet, or the use of torture and oppression against the poor and labor groups with support from the CIA. The mere mention of the name of the U.S. in much of Latin America brings conflict. Though not all of it is deserved, it is the reality none the less. Conflicts between countries such as Columbia and Venezuela or Chile and Bolivia are much more likely to going to be resolved peacefully if the U.S. does not get involved.

This alliance also helps curbs some of the U.S. commercial interests in the country. Though fair and positive trade is important, completely free trade tends to benefit the rich and wealthy and punish the poor and worker. If Latin American countries don’t start standing up and put limitations on these companies, the gap between the rich and poor will continue to skyrocket. I hope in this new alliance there will be a focus on human rights and justice and not merely commercial growth.

Though this may make me sound unpatriotic, I think there is something much more important than country or nationality. Peace and Justice should be our concern more than anything. In many ways the U.S. has participated in this, and in many ways they have not. I hope this new alliance will help be a springboard for these values to be realized. I am starting to feel like I am part of this country (Costa Rica), and I am glad some independence from the United States is happening. In the end this will be better for everyone: The United States, Costa Rica, and all Latin America.

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-Standing for the Pro-Life Position to a Dark and Cruel Fault

Recently, a call was made to the Vatican to excommunicate doctors in Brazil who approved an abortion of two fetuses carried by a 9 year old girl who was raped by her stepfather. The head of bioethics at the Vatican refused to condemn the doctors and said their position was justified. Many deeply conservative pro-life Catholics are outraged by this decision. However, the question I have is this: When do we stand for a position to a fault? When in the name of being just and right do we become cruel and unmerciful?

More than likely if the nine-year girl was forced to go through the pregnancy she would have died a horrible and extremely painful death. However, many people were more scared of what this would do to the ideology of the pro-life movement than to the life of the poor nine year old. You can see this in very Catholic countries such a Nicaragua, where it is illegal to have an abortion, even to save the life of the mother (though of course, everyone just has it done in some back ally).

This is the danger which I see apparent in the pro-life movement and every other ideological movements. Often, the ideology trumps compassion, mercy, and humanity. We have to be very careful that we do not let good (trying to lower the abortion rate) become a type of evil (forcing a 9 year old girl to die to preserve the “sanctity” of life). While I do think the issue of the sanctity of life is important, it does not trump every other issue dealing with humanity, mercy, and justice. At the end of the day, I stand without apology saying that I would rather preserve the life of the nine-year-old girl above all else. I applaud people for standing by beliefs, but let us hold our beliefs with somewhat of a loose grasp that we are willing to suspend them to make room for compassion.

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