Those of you who know me know that I am no stranger to controversy. One may go so far as to say that I relish in it. This post is no exception.
For those of you who don’t follow politics or activism (or who haven’t watched television or surfed the internet in a year), North Carolina is set to have a monumental vote on May 8th regarding the issue of marriage. The amendment reads as follows:
“Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”
Most other “Southern” states have voted on (and passed) similar amendments to this between the years of 2005-2009, but North Carolina has not mandated such a vote, as one website (http://www.christianpost.com/news/north-carolina-only-southern-state-lacking-marriage-amendment-72279/) quoted because “the previous leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly kept the Marriage Protection Amendment bottled up in committee. [Their actions were] denying the people in our state the right to vote on this important issue and leaving marriage in our state vulnerable to being redefined by an activist judge.” While this is subject to opinion as to why we haven’t had such a referendum in our state, the fact remains: we haven’t. Yet.
As I look at this amendment, I can name 4 reasons why I should oppose this amendment, regardless of my opinions of homosexual marriage. Here we go…
1. Banning homosexual marriage does not stop people from being homosexual.
I think many folks believe that if we ban homosexual marriage, homosexuality will stop being an issue. Forget about that. People will still be homosexual no matter what laws are in place. Let me preface the next statement by saying these are not equivalent acts to homosexuality, but there are still murders and rapists despite the fact that we have laws against these acts. Making a law/amendment will not prevent homosexuality. The only thing it will do is discriminate against those individuals. Last time I checked, my Bible didn’t say “love your neighbor as yourself. Unless he/she is homosexual. In which case, treat them like dirt.” We are to love them as our own flesh, and this amendment is not about love. It is about one group of people thinking they are more right than another.
2. Our lawmakers would rather us write our own sentence than for them to do their job.
THIS IS A COP OUT.Our lawmakers don’t trust themselves enough to do the right thing, and therefore feel the need to let the mass public fight this one to the death. Certainly if we have the same fervor against homosexuality, we should feel the same way about murder as well, no? Rape? Where are the constitutional amendments against these issues? After all, the logic behind this amendment is that “statutes can be easily overturned by the courts or changed by the General Assembly, radically redefining marriage as genderless or worse” (per article above). If that is the case, why don’t we have a murder amendment? A rape amendment?
The fact is that people are using fear-mongering as a way to not have to deal with their insecurities with homosexuality. Nobody is insecure about murder or rape; they’re just wrong. But homosexuality is a gray area, as evidenced by the fact that our state (not unlike others) is split on the issue. Because we are split, this issue comes down to who can vote the most times, and this is not American Idol. Peoples’ well-beings are at stake.
If we let the general public decide every issue, we would still be segregated, women would have no rights, and slavery would still be en vogue. It takes courage on behalf of individuals to make the right choices, which are forefathers have done before, despite the anger of their constituents. It’s what is best for our country.
3. This amendment affects heterosexual marriage as well.
Wait, what? I thought this marriage amendment only prevented homosexuals from experiencing the legal rights of marriage? False. In a nice article written by a law professor at UNC (which can be found here http://www.acluofnc.org/files/Final%20Marriage%20Amendment%20Report%202.pdf), Eichner very nicely puts into perspective (in her 41 pages) that this amendment also affects anyone in domestic partnerships, which could “interfere with child custody and visitation rights that seek to protect the best interests of children.” Moreover, domestic violence laws in NC are directed towards persons who are in a “personal relationship.” If the amendment is approved, protection from domestic violence of unmarried couples would be UNCONSTITUTIONAL, and therefore, those protections would be revoked. This totally sticks it to the homosexual community, right?
This amendment is too vague for primetime. Many people who are not homosexual will have rights affected by this amendment. Many people who are homosexual will have rights affected by this amendment.
4. If Christians want to define what true “marriage” is, then we should start acting it out, not legislating it.
I’m sorry if you and your Christian heterosexual ex-spouse are offended by this, but if you want to be “offended” by a potential marriage of two guys, then I will be offended at the pot calling the kettle black. At my last check several years ago, people who attended church services incurred a 50% divorce rate among couples. The rate in the general population? You guessed it, 50%.
It is very hard for me to sit here and think about this issue and not be enraged at the fact that some of the very people who think this is a good idea have had failed marriages. Look, I understand things happened and that nobody is perfect. But if Christians want to get their collective panties in a wad over this issue, then we should start internally.
If Christians cannot help one another with their marriages enough to lower the divorce rate statistically, then what gives us the right to tell someone else how to do it? That’s like me telling my patients that they need to diet and exercise if I am obese. There’s a disconnect in church. People think that as long as they say the right things, that’s what gets them credit with God. Hate to break it to you, but your actions speak much, much louder.
Legislating a solution as opposed to loving a person has never been Christ’s rhetoric. Christians point to the Pharisees of the New Testament and mock them for their silly laws and rituals. Let’s get real for a minute and take a look in the mirror: this amendment is the equivalent. If Christians truly want to uplift their brothers/sisters, don’t take the cop-out of standing in a private voting booth and taking away someone’s rights. That is such a wuss move. Instead, take the time to love them and encourage them in the teachings of Christ.
On the subject of homosexual marriage, use your Bible. Not your voting booth.
As many of you who follow my blog know, I have been (and continue) raising money for charity:water, an organization that builds clean water wells in places that have no access to water. As a part of this, I vowed that for every $100 that was raised in the month of November, I would go 1 day eating only rice, beans, and fruit. I was privileged to be able to eat rice/beans/fruit for 10 days due to many of you giving faithfully. Although we still have not reached our goal of $5,000 to build a clean-water well, we are on our way. But what did I learn along the way? I feel like I can boil down my experience into 3 things.
1. We take variety for granted. I spent many meals either with someone with me who was eating normal variety or in a place that served more than beans and rice. We, as middle class Americans, think nothing about what struggles others may be facing. Many times on the radio over the Thanksgiving holiday, I heard talk of engorging on turkey, feasting with family, and indulging in desserts. For the first time, I was painfully aware that there were many who would not have this option for the holidays. What an eye-opening experience.
2. There is a reason why we are the fattest nation on earth. Even with taking a multivitamin and eating to what I felt like was my fill, I still lost 5 pounds over 10 days. Gluttony was certainly not an issue when the menu was the same at every meal, sans a bit of spice variety. When a spread of food is available, it’s easy to give in to our passions for food. When selection is limited, it’s not as difficult a challenge. This experience opened my eyes to just how much I love food – more than I ever imagined.
3. Being radical either endears you to people or makes you weird. I had the chance to talk with several people about what I was doing. Oddly, the response I received the most often was, “well I’m glad it’s you, and not me”. Really?!? I would think that this would be an easy thing for many folks to experience, yet we all have certain items that we refuse to let go of. Conversely, I had many folks who were inspired by my story, and who have used it as motivation in their own lives. If nothing else, I hope that I have at least raised awareness to the fact that we are blessed, and we are called to share that with those who need it.
I can’t stop now. Although my own personal sacrifice is over, there are so many folks who hurt, be it dirty water, disease, cancer, homelessness, and on and on. As Christ followers, and as civilized human beings, we have a responsibility to care for our own, to love each other, and to help the broken. Here’s hoping that I can be challenged by that fact daily.
With donations still coming in on a daily basis, we have now raised over $1,000 for charity:water over the last 2 weeks. We still have more to go, but now I have to begin living up to my end of the challenge bargain.
I’m now in the middle of day 2 of eating rice/beans/fruit, and I’ve got to say, I’m already missing having a wide selection of foods. But every time I think about that, I remember that there are so many people groups that know nothing other than these foods. We are so blessed to live in a country of prosperity, and we take it for granted, even in the little things like food variety.
Admittedly, my first rice that I made was less than impressive. No salt, no taste, and warmed over at work. Luckily, my wife came through with red beans and rice last night, which was delicious.
Remember, I am currently scheduled to eat rice/beans/fruit for 10 days, but any donations through the end of November count towards the challenge. For those of you who haven’t read my previous post, for every $100 given to charity water through my website, I will go 1 day of eating rice/beans/fruit, with a goal of 50 days.
I will post again after Thanksgiving. Look forward to my personal anguish as I will pass on the turkey and go for the rice/beans/fruit. Seriously, I find this a joy, but it will be tough.
Quick post everyone: due to popular demand, and many folks asking for more time to be able to spread the word, I will be extending the deadline for my challenge (see my last post) until the end of November. I will begin eating rice/beans/fruit beginning on Nov. 23rd, however, to stay true to my promise. I just want to give everyone a chance to be able to give to this wonderful organization. Please don’t feel bound to give by November 30th (although I would love you to), as my campaign does extend into December as well. You just won’t get to see me eat rice/beans/fruit for as long.
Visit my donation site here to be able to give today. If you see me, and don’t feel comfortable giving online, I will be happy to make sure your donation is put towards this cause.
Many of you may remember a few weeks back when I posted a blog about a group called charity:water. In that post, I announced that for my birthday this year, I would be accepting the challenge to raise $5,000 in order to build a well to provide clean water to a people group who do not currently have access.
I have already heard from many of you declaring your support for me in the coming days, and I’m sure many more of you have determined to give to this cause. But, always being one to love a challenge, I have a little something in mind to up the ante a bit, if you will.
My charity:water giving total currently rests at $25, two weeks before my birthday. Here is my challenge: for every $100 we raise over the next 2 weeks (through my birthday on Nov. 22nd), I will go 1 day, beginning Nov. 23rd, eating nothing but rice, beans, and fruit.
Let me be clear: I am not doing this because I feel it will bring me some sense of personal pride by doing this. Rather, I feel that having never been to a place in which water, a basic amenity for all of our lives in America, is not available in a clean form, I really have no idea what real suffering is. As a result, I wish to in some way relate to people around the world who are far less fortunate than we. I do not want this to be a pity party for Jay while he eats beans/rice/fruit. I do not want this to be about me suffering. There are MANY more people suffering far worse than I ever will around the world today.
What this is about is giving us motivation, about connecting me physically to people who have far less than we do, and about understanding that we have been blessed with so much, we MUST share it with our brothers and sisters.
I hope you will prayerfully consider joining the movement.
Jay
FOOTNOTE: If we exceed the $5,000 goal by 11/22, the challenge continues up to whatever amount is given. Also, I will be blogging pictures and commentary from the rice/beans/fruit days, just so you know I’m not cheating.
This is not your parents’ American Red Cross.
It is becoming cool for businesses to give things away. No longer are we in an age where folks give just because. Organizations have to distinguish themselves. As a result, humanitarian efforts are beginning to form their own “brand.”
A great example of this is an organization called Charity Water, founded by Scott Harrison. Charity Water is a humanitarian group that seeks to bring clean water to those who do not have any. Instead of focusing on seeking donations the traditional fashion, they have worked hard to form a brand that will bring capital to their organization, while giving their contributors something to call their own. This is a growing trend among humanitarian efforts, and I find it a very savvy idea.
Because I find this awesome, and because I am very much pro-giving, this year I am taking a challenge that was offered at the Catalyst 2010 conference a few weeks ago. This year, I will be giving up my birthday in order to bring clean water to those who have none. What that means is, instead of sending cards, gift cards, or gifts, I would love for you all to donate money to charity water. I have set up a page here. I am doing this because I believe it is time that we as Americans stood up for those around the world and here at home who are less fortunate. It’s time that we share our blessings with people who have no concept of Internet, blogging, or even clean water.
Please join me in this campaign. At this point in my life, I would rather my birthday go for others, than for more gain for myself.
Is capitalism still cool?
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a “I heart socialism” type of post. But really, is making as much wealth as possible still the coolest thing to do with our lives?
Take a company like TOMS shoes, for instance. This is a wildly popular shoe company, particularly among generation Y. Their success is certainly noteworthy, to say the least, as they have sold now over 1 million pairs of shoes. However, this business model is unique because of the philanthropy that is involved. Sure, Blake Mycoskie makes a great profit off of TOMS. However, he also donates 1 pair of shoes for every 1 pair of shoes that are purchased. 1 to 1, as Blake refers to it on the TOMS website.
Or take another company, like Project 7. Project 7 is a company that brews coffee, makes bottled water, and also makes sugar-free gum and mints. Similar to TOMS, whenever a purchase of any Project 7 item is made, a donation is made to one of 7 areas: feeding the hungry, healing the sick, hope for peace, housing the homeless, quenching the thirsty, teaching, and saving the Earth. Charities can apply on the website to be supported by Project 7.
Project 7’s founder, Tyler Merrick, is referred to on the website as a “social capitalist.” This is a very interesting moniker, but perhaps it is the most accurate description of the next wave of businessmen in our world. Generation Y is committed to doing something about the problems of the world, and companies like these are founded not just to support their owner, but to give something back to the world.
So I’m pretty sure that capitalism is not going away. God knows we all love money too much for that to happen, at least in this country. However, what a wonderful way this is to not only support one’s family with business, but to also make a lasting difference in the lives of other people.
Please join me in supporting these types of businesses. Instead of the luxuries money can buy, they are reaping the joy of blessing lives all over the world. And that, my friends, is worth celebrating.
Feel free to leave your thoughts on this business model or if you know of other businesses that are not mentioned here that should be supported.
With all of the press regarding healthcare and the future of our health benefits, I was blindsided by an ad on Pandora last week as I worked from my desk. This ad was for Medi-Share, a not-for-profit healthcare organization.
This organization works by using a fixed premium (although still dependent on your preexisting medical conditions) for each of its members. Sounds pretty good, right? For those who are not insurance-savvy, most premiums fluctuate, especially when the policies are exercised. With Medi-Share, the premium is set.
The reason for this is that each member collectively helps to pay for everyone’s healthcare bills. That’s correct – all premiums are pooled and used to pay for the collective bills accrued by all members.
So needless to say, I found this interesting. I would love to hear thoughts on this model. Is it a) exactly what we should be doing as Christians, sharing in each other’s burdens, b) socialism, c) a business using faith as a tactic to recruit Christians, d) a crock since it is touted to be “for Christians who want their healthcare dollars to help fellow believers”, and not for all comers, or e) something completely different.
Discuss. Also, feel free to pick more than one choice if you need.
“Grandpa’s in heaven now with grandma, and he is comforted in Jesus’ arms with choirs of angels singing his favorite songs.”
Tell me what’s more ridiculous, that statement or this prayer.
While I am not generally the type to respond to that statement and say, “Actually, your grandfather cheated many people out of money to build his empire and never once gave following Christ a second thought, so I’m pretty sure he’s not in heaven”, I do think as humans, we go a bit over-the-top to think that all people go to heaven. Think about it. When was the last time you attended a funeral for someone where the priest/pastor/whatever said, “this guy/lady lived a crappy life, and I’m fairly certain they are rotting in the depths of hell”? I’m doubting ever.
Seriously folks, since when does a) being old, b) being sick, or c) being old and sick offer you a free ticket into heaven? It seems that every time something unfortunate happens to someone, we like make ourselves feel better by convincing ourselves that the deceased has gone to heaven. It’s just not true. It strikes me as interesting that many non-believers only find Jesus when it is convenient for them, aka a loved one’s death, when all the money is gone, or when the wife/husband leaves.
The fact of the matter is that Jesus is just a convenience for many people. Most of the time he is a pest, bothering us with petty things such as helping take care of the sick, feeding the hungry, and my God, asking us to spend some time worshipping him. Doesn’t Jesus know that those things cut into my golf game AND my Wii time? Jesus is only truly missed whenever he was supposed to get us a better job or make us more money. But don’t worry, Jesus. Despite the fact that you blew it, we held up our end of the bargain by not killing anyone and keeping a job, so I know you got us a sweet crib laid up in heaven. By the way, I would like a crushed velvet sofa.
Johnny Cash might beg to differ, but it is insane to think about how we have molded the image of Christ to whatever we feel like he should be. Lover of 401ks? Sure. Forget the homeless, they don’t want to help themselves, why should I help? Absolutely. Lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd with a band of angels? Why not?
Our me-first society has done an unprecendented job of taking the Jesus of the Bible and making him relevant. The problem is, Jesus wearing D&G sunglasses and popped collars is not really Biblical, no matter how relevant we make it. I fear that we have done such a good job of making Christ fit into our lives that we are missing the point that we are supposed to be molding ourselves to his image.
Jesus certainly has a place in our lives today, and it won’t be the same as when he walked the earth 2,000 years ago. We do, however, need to closely examine our own lives to see if we fit into Christ’s calling, or are we leaning on “convenient Jesus” as a back-up plan.
As the final installment of my series on why I believe Christian music is destined to fail as a genre (see part 1 and part 2 for background), I believe we need to address one final issue: plagiarism.
It has become increasingly popular within the Christian genre to forego writing new songs. Many artists have tapped into the popularity of covering praise and worship songs and have devoted entire albums to this cause. While this is not wrong in and of itself, this repetition does lead to a stagnation of sorts with regard to fresh musicality.
So why have Christian artists fallen into the trap of covering someone else’s songs (because that’s exactly what “re-doing a praise and worship” song is)? I believe there are several reasons.
1. Recording a praise and worship song/album is an easy sell. There is a market for praise and worship music. Period. That doesn’t always mean that this music is great, but it does make it sellable. And as I have discussed before in this series of blogs, selling records is really the only thing that keeps these artists afloat in the business.
2. These are easy songs to write. And that is purposeful, because these songs have to be singable. Therefore, complex rhythms and chord progressions are not the status quo. As a result, even an average musician can churn out a praise and worship album of covers in 6 months. It’s that simple.
What does this mean for the industry? The lack of creativity leads to a death spiral of perpetual laziness. Quick quiz: what music genre has sounded exactly the same over the past 20 years? Answer: the one, the only, Christian music. Part of the reason for this is the fear of breaking away from a safe audience. Sure you can write better songs if you don’t copy someone else’s hits, but will people listen to them?
To sum up my thoughts over the past 3 blogs, I hope that the artists who make music in the Christian realm don’t die out. There are hugely talented people in each special niche of Christian music, and each listener is going to have different musical preferences. What needs to die, however, is the thought that if the music does not follow the status quo of Christian music over the past 20 years, it is unlistenable.
Here’s hoping for a change. For the better.
The Official Ramblings of Jay Brown 