[kendi]

Originally Posted by loisr

has the clergy even spoken about this in their sermons?

yes!!

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Marty94

I was a volunteer engineer on a team that traveled several times each year to Haiti. We were comprised of engineers, doctors, nurses, etc. My responsibility was to oversee the building of schools and a healthcare clinic and work on a water pipeline.

On one of my first trips, I had to replace some PRVs on a pipeline. I was down in a pit, waist deep in mud pulling out the old valves when I looked up and realized that I was surrounded by about 15 men who were staring and silently watching me work. When I finished, the gaggle of men followed me to the next worksite and a few even volunteered to carry my pipe wrenches. When I returned to the rectory, I told Father that I had a bit of a crowd watching me and thought it was rather humorous... let me put this into context: I am a woman. So on Sunday at mass, Father asked me to come forward and stand in front of his parishioners. He explained that I had a degree in engineering and it was because of my education that they had access to clean water. He asked them to think about their own daughters and what they could achieve if they would allow them to attend school. Since then, Father has reported a steady increase in female enrollment and I have returned several times to attend graduation ceremonies and even to see a few go on to college. It was heart warming to see progress in this incredibly destitute and remote village and especially the change in attitude of men who often asked me if they could send their daughters to help me in my work.

I am not an overly religious person, but I do attend church and I believe with my whole heart that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Recent homilies have included discussions concerning equality, centered around love, but more so to show one’s love through actions. While I knew at the time how important it was for me to fix the pipeline, I had no idea what the overall impact this would have. My actions spoke volumes and gave young women hope.

As a woman engineer, I know first hand the uphill battle of discrimination. Both race and gender have their challenges. I never let this be a roadblock. I persevere. Attitudes will change. It takes time.

Wonderful! You make the world a better place. Now I don’t know if this guy came from the part of Haiti where you put in the clean water supply, but when my daughter was in kindergarten, her teacher was from Haiti. I’d like to think it was from the area you helped. And in kindergarten he helped her.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by LoisR

It's obvious reading social media, including this publication, that bigotry and racism are still present in our society. I would be very interested to hear what has your clergy person said about this topic and what
"take away" points did you glean?

This is a leading question containing suggestive insinuations and asserting unconfirmed qualities.

My clergy would agree that these allegations are bogus and point out that is just another shakedown.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by ficoguy

Jesus said "love one another...as I have loved you"
Not that Jesus didn't get impatient or angry from time to time at trying to bring 12 non scholars up to speed

Even Jesus lost his temper now and then. He even cursed a fig tree.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Marty94

I was a volunteer engineer on a team that traveled several times each year to Haiti. We were comprised of engineers, doctors, nurses, etc. My responsibility was to oversee the building of schools and a healthcare clinic and work on a water pipeline.

On one of my first trips, I had to replace some PRVs on a pipeline. I was down in a pit, waist deep in mud pulling out the old valves when I looked up and realized that I was surrounded by about 15 men who were staring and silently watching me work. When I finished, the gaggle of men followed me to the next worksite and a few even volunteered to carry my pipe wrenches. When I returned to the rectory, I told Father that I had a bit of a crowd watching me and thought it was rather humorous... let me put this into context: I am a woman. So on Sunday at mass, Father asked me to come forward and stand in front of his parishioners. He explained that I had a degree in engineering and it was because of my education that they had access to clean water. He asked them to think about their own daughters and what they could achieve if they would allow them to attend school. Since then, Father has reported a steady increase in female enrollment and I have returned several times to attend graduation ceremonies and even to see a few go on to college. It was heart warming to see progress in this incredibly destitute and remote village and especially the change in attitude of men who often asked me if they could send their daughters to help me in my work.

I am not an overly religious person, but I do attend church and I believe with my whole heart that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Recent homilies have included discussions concerning equality, centered around love, but more so to show one’s love through actions. While I knew at the time how important it was for me to fix the pipeline, I had no idea what the overall impact this would have. My actions spoke volumes and gave young women hope.

As a woman engineer, I know first hand the uphill battle of discrimination. Both race and gender have their challenges. I never let this be a roadblock. I persevere. Attitudes will change. It takes time.

That is how you change the world. I truly admire you.

[quietpine]

In my church services you won’t hear any references to race, social justice, killing unarmed black people, violent protests, hate crimes, white supremacy, Trump rallies, election interference or any other topic that might offend a 99.9% conservative white congregation, you know the people who pay the bills.

[CanTho]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

What has the clergy said?

"Please send donations!"

Donations ? I'm with you on this. They now actually accept credit cards, it is not uncommon for some to travel 1st class, have Huge Homes, Private Airplane, etc.etc.

So doesn't it really matter what opinions they have, follow the $$$$$.

Tuesday thru Saturday they practice the Sunday Sermon that's important big time, all about the delivery = the Donations = the Life Style = Living Large.

Monday's ? Rest the vocal chords.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by Marty94

I was a volunteer engineer on a team that traveled several times each year to Haiti. We were comprised of engineers, doctors, nurses, etc. My responsibility was to oversee the building of schools and a healthcare clinic and work on a water pipeline.

On one of my first trips, I had to replace some PRVs on a pipeline. I was down in a pit, waist deep in mud pulling out the old valves when I looked up and realized that I was surrounded by about 15 men who were staring and silently watching me work. When I finished, the gaggle of men followed me to the next worksite and a few even volunteered to carry my pipe wrenches. When I returned to the rectory, I told Father that I had a bit of a crowd watching me and thought it was rather humorous... let me put this into context: I am a woman. So on Sunday at mass, Father asked me to come forward and stand in front of his parishioners. He explained that I had a degree in engineering and it was because of my education that they had access to clean water. He asked them to think about their own daughters and what they could achieve if they would allow them to attend school. Since then, Father has reported a steady increase in female enrollment and I have returned several times to attend graduation ceremonies and even to see a few go on to college. It was heart warming to see progress in this incredibly destitute and remote village and especially the change in attitude of men who often asked me if they could send their daughters to help me in my work.

I am not an overly religious person, but I do attend church and I believe with my whole heart that ‘actions speak louder than words’. Recent homilies have included discussions concerning equality, centered around love, but more so to show one’s love through actions. While I knew at the time how important it was for me to fix the pipeline, I had no idea what the overall impact this would have. My actions spoke volumes and gave young women hope.

As a woman engineer, I know first hand the uphill battle of discrimination. Both race and gender have their challenges. I never let this be a roadblock. I persevere. Attitudes will change. It takes time.

What an excellent post. I much prefer your positive example to the condescending questions of some people on this thread.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CanTho

Donations ? I'm with you on this. They now actually accept credit cards, it is not uncommon for some to travel 1st class, have Huge Homes, Private Airplane, etc.etc.

So doesn't it really matter what opinions they have, follow the $$$$$.

Tuesday thru Saturday they practice the Sunday Sermon that's important big time, all about the delivery = the Donations = the Life Style = Living Large.

Monday's ? Rest the vocal chords.

I am not the person to preach to anyone. I happen to like and love a lot of friends who seek and find comfort in churches of every kind. I find their piety honest and their efforts to follow Christian teachings endearing. I am pleased that their use of the ten commandments helps keep the entire world heading in a good direction.

I don't think any of them support tele-evangelists or any other showmen. I don't know of any who say that their priest or pastor has the big house and fancy car. Churches have bills. Bills need to be paid. Many outreach programs churches have to help the truly needy (and some sneaky not so needy) have to be funded.

I don't like for people to diss others for practicing their religion that does no harm and much good. I worry about anyone giving money to anyone for almost any causes. I absolutely loathe go fund me's. I mistrust every parking lot beggar and freeway exit bandit.

BUT....All this flippant criticism for those who put their buck in when they pass the plate is a bit much for even me the tight person.

It is wise to be careful with your money. Always. Very careful. But there are many, many, many good communities that worship God together.

[ruralgoddess]

no, it asked what direction advice from clergy is taking in presenting solutions to the current situation. WWJD?

[Bay Kid]

Mine say God bless our country.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

As to reparations ---- I read that Abe Lincoln had a idea to send back Blacks, that volunteered to do so, back to Africa. Maybe his getting assassinated prevented that. And maybe(?) 50% of Blacks would have taken him up on that offer. And maybe (?) the present generation of those returning to Afrrica would be happier than those presently in America. It probably (?) sounds racist for me to say that. But, I think I am not. And I am not advocating any future repatriation or resettlement. (Native Americans are in greater need of reparations.) I just wish we were all one color or, better still, we could all be perfectly comfortable with our diversity. Diversity is good, but can be turned into problems when foreign countries and others are determined to use 'wedge issues" to spark a race riot or war. We are in VERY precarious times. Do not turn diversity into hatred!

Check out the history of Liberia:
A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The last time I was a member of a religious congregation, we had Rabbi Goldberg. What did he say? Doesn't matter. What did he do? He got arrested with Martin Lewis King, Jr. in 1961 for protesting to establish Civil Rights.

I'm good with that.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

As to reparations ---- I read that Abe Lincoln had a idea to send back Blacks, that volunteered to do so, back to Africa. Maybe his getting assassinated prevented that. And maybe(?) 50% of Blacks would have taken him up on that offer. And maybe (?) the present generation of those returning to Afrrica would be happier than those presently in America. It probably (?) sounds racist for me to say that. But, I think I am not. And I am not advocating any future repatriation or resettlement. (Native Americans are in greater need of reparations.) I just wish we were all one color or, better still, we could all be perfectly comfortable with our diversity. Diversity is good, but can be turned into problems when foreign countries and others are determined to use 'wedge issues" to spark a race riot or war. We are in VERY precarious times. Do not turn diversity into hatred!

Ever heard of Liberia?

As for those blacks that "might" wish to return to the African continent, I know of NONE that would do so willingly. Why would they? Everyone that I know, including relatives are quite happy here, other than the occasional inference of racism when it becomes popular for politicians to use it like a weapon or tool. Many blacks realize that the product of slavery is their living a hundred times better in America than they would if they were born in most African countries.
Whites are accessories to slavery but not responsible for slavery (as everyone knows). You can no more cast blame on today's whites for the slavery of their forefathers, than you can blame a child of a black man that robbed your parents and may have murdered him, fifty years ago.
Reparations should be totally discounted, as there are NO victims alive. The person that stole my bicycle when I was seven was responsible for the theft, not his offspring. I do not demand restitution from the child of the criminal. Time to move on.

Racism is not a valid excuse for violence and destruction of property. Anyone breaking the law in a demonstration should be arrested and prosecuted, period. There is no excuse. Looting is another term for theft. Burning a building is another term for arson. Assaulting someone is a crime of violence. None of these crimes are excusable. If you believe that a police officer violated his oath of office or committed a crime, there are legal avenues for righting the supposed wrong. There is never a reason to destroy or kill to make a point.

My pastor does not speak of politics in the pulpit. He speaks of Christ's love for his fellow man. He does not speak of ethnicity in the pulpit, only Christ's love for all, including prostitutes, slaves as well as the rich.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Quixote

Check out the history of Liberia:
A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia

Thank you!