Under God: Under New Management

Best wishes, Mr. Waters. Hosting a blog such as this one is akin to being on the seat in a dunking booth. Those throwing the balls come from all directions...most are interested in sharing ideas, but many just throw in anger, or to ridicule. I look forward to your first topic post.

Welcome, Mr. Waters. It will be interesting to hear your ideas and position on religion.

I'll look forward to reading your articles.

As someone who cherished the writing of David Waters in the Memphis newspaper I can only say that the Washington Post is just plain smart for bringing you on board! For sharing your insights and questions on spirituality and culture I wish to thank you, David, in advance.

Stefan Andre Waligur
www.songsofpeace.net

John and Charles Wesley are the founders of Methodism. As you claimed to be a methodist, I hope you hold the same doctrines which the two brothers believed. In other words, you also subscribe to the following which I offered to Ms Hoffman in her search for the truth before she left. Here it is :

The truth is simple but hard to understand.

1.I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the FAther but by Me. (John 14:6)

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way but it's not that simple to FIND the Way or to FIND HIM.

2. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD. (John 1:13)

It's is Jesus Himself who "appoints" us and not just us choosing him. It's a two-way process. You seek for him and it's HIM who finds you. False religions (like catholicism) are those with a "step by step" process how to be saved. The Bible is a good "Map" how to seek for Him.

3. "and NOT that of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God... For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Once you understand this verse, you are on the right tract.

Keep this and read it over and over. Good luck with your search. Continue with that humble and searching heart and the Lord will reward you.

Mr Waters -

Welcome! So far, I like your style, and look forward to discussion.

I am here to learn - as opposed to Spidey (aka spiderman2), who is here to tell us we are all stupid because we do not suck up to his moronic beliefs.

Hello Mr. Walters,

I hope you understand what you have inherited. You might want to look at Ms. Hoffmans' last few blogs. One of her last ones, on George Carlin's passing, has over 1000 posts, which ebb and flow in various directions, first from a discussion of Carlin's humor, then a tennis match of faith versus atheists, then the eventual end of all such polar discussions, a "discussion" of Nazis.

I would just note that Susan Jacoby's blog has Susan, every now and then, blogging as well. This I find very helpful since bloggers can ask her for clarification and know they will get it. I suggest you check your blog every day or two and add a post. It certainly seems to make a difference in Jacobyland.

Also, don't be shocked if the posts tend to sound extreme. Someone noted that blogging is like people talking, during rush hour, from their cars, in NYC. It sounds unpleasant but once you understand the environment you learn to take it in stride.

So welcome Mr. Walters, and good luck.

The discussion on George Carlin's passing was a carry over from the discussion that was underway on Susan Jacoby's blogs. So anyone wanting to make full sense must read both. It is time well invested since the cycle of questions and answers tends to repeat itself every couple of weeks.

As a Memphian and Minister who deeply appreciated the insightful and sometimes risky way you wrote in the center of the Bible Belt, I am glad to see you writing again. I am certain your readers will find what you write very enriching - whether or not they agree with you. The nice thing about the internet is that I still have the opportunity to read what you write, too.

GO David. I struggle to figure out what it means to live "Under God", not just in my daily grind, but as a citizen. Look forward to being enlightened. By the way - is the blog allowed to considered non-Christian ways of thinking about God. Buddhism and Jainism are looking particularly interesting to me at the moment.

A Buddhist Perspective on Black America

As African American Buddhists gear up for what promises to be another pounding of "Black America as Christian Nation," I again ponder a historical issue I raised my book Black Buddha.

Both slaveholders and abolitionists argued their positions based on the bible. Whether a slave remained in bondage or was "freed" their only faith choice was Christianity. The dominant religion in the black community has no origin other than this.

From then until today a black person who choses any faith practice or lifestyle not sanctioned by the black Church is considered to have "strayed" not only from the church but the interests and survivability of the black community itself.

To be black and Buddhist is to be seen by some as one who shows contempt for the African American covenant with Christianity, the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement. In black America every Sunday from 10am to 2pm being Buddhist and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or polyamorous is to be considered misguided at the very least and in extreme cases a navel-watching race traitor.

There are some exceptions such as when spending money in black businesses or being courted for the vote. But where does the child of a black Buddhist family fit into the Christian solution for Black America? How does the Buddhist parent explain the chant, "One nation under God," to their child in a so called secular non-denominational school?

How can the potential of a black Christian president provide so much hope for America yet a duly elected black Buddhist Congressman remain relatively unnoticed?

Can CNN handle the responsibility of inclusion and objectivity around issues important to the black Buddhist community?

I'll be blogging daily on each installment of this series (July 23 & 24):

http://originalblackbuddha.blogspot.com/2008/07/special-reports-black-in-america.html

As a former Memphian, I enjoyed reading David Water's perspectives on religion but I did not enjoy paying for that stinky newspaper in Memphis. I am happy to see you accociated with two publications of higher quality than your former. I look forward to the dialogue the blog format avails. My advice is 1) to stay true to your southern upbringing and be polite as you moderate the cornacopia of views and 2)Remember All the world is your parish here in the blogosphere more than ever.