A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Right now, the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee is having a hearing titled "Lines Crossed: Separation of Church and State. Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?" Witnesses include the head of my church body, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod).
Also there: Dr. Ben Mitchell of Union University, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik of Yeshiva University, Dr. Craig Mitchell of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Roman Catholic Bishop William Lori of Connecticut.
The hearing included many of the members (on both sides of the aisle) engaged in grandstanding, but that shouldn't take away from the unity shown by the many religious bodies taking the threat to religious liberty very seriously. This is routinely treated as an issue for bishops or a Catholic issue, and that is far too narrow. This is an issue that poses serious threats to all religious groups. In fact, we're talking about threats to our individual freedom that go well beyond religion -- the federal government telling individuals how to run their businesses with no detail too small.
At one point, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., suggested that the religious leaders were lying when they said they were concerned about religious liberty and called the hearing "a sham."
How wise of a political strategy is it for Democrats to shake their finger at Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish leaders while calling them liars? It didn't sit particularly well with me.
Rev. Harrison revisited the topic later by saying that he loathes politics and reminding the members that 98% of what we Lutherans do has nothing to do with politics and that our church is full of Democrats and Republicans. We are focused on preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments, rather than politics. We pray for President Obama daily, he noted. He said he was there for one reason and one reason only: the HHS threat to religious liberty. Other leaders echoed those sentiments.
I believe that the church has much more important work to do than weighing in on politics every day. I can't emphasize how rare it is for our church to get involved. I don't know if the head of our church body has ever testified before Congress before.
And we do think this is a worthy fight. Earlier today Rep. Nancy Pelosi told reporters she believes the federal government should require the Catholic Church itself to pay for free birth control. And Rep. DeLauro claimed, in the hearing, that religious liberty doesn't extend beyond the right to worship. She basically said that so long as religious people keep their beliefs secret and private, she won't bring the boot heel of the state down on us. Why thank you! It's really amazing we're complaining at all, isn't it!
We don't want to engage in these politics, but we will if forced to. And it looks like we're being forced to.
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Aug '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
It gives me hope that leaders from such different faiths are standing together on this one.
Nov '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
I saw Rep. Connolly's despicable behavior during the most recent Fast and Furious hearing. That man needs to be relieved of his job as soon as possible.
Sep '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
BTW, I hope I'm not being trivial in saying that the distinguished leader of the Missouri Synod has the most impressive looking "don't mess with Texas" stache I've seen in quite some time. If he was seated beside John Bolton, I would think several people would begin hiding under their desks.
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Dare I mention that Bolton is LCMS, too?
Sep '10
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Dare I mention that Bolton is LCMS, too? · 3 minutes ago
As the rewrite of Casablanca said:
"Matthew, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful discipleship."
Seeing Lutherans, Baptists, Jews and Catholics together testifying against King Barry VIII reminds me of the movie The Devil's Brigade when the US and Canadian soldiers teamed up to fight another preening orator with a penchant for government endorsed automobiles.
Apr '11
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
Pseudodionysius
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Dare I mention that Bolton is LCMS, too? · 3 minutes ago
As the rewrite of Casablanca said:
"Matthew, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful discipleship."
Seeing Lutherans, Baptists, Jews and Catholics together testifying against King Barry VIII reminds me of the movie The Devil's Brigade when the US and Canadian soldiers teamed up to fight another preening orator with a penchant for government endorsed automobiles. · 1 hour ago
The uniting of evangelicals and all the other reputedly bigoted Christians behind Catholics and a Mormon has been one of the genuine pleasures of the campaign. It is wonderful to have Jews being prominently featured as part of the coalition of faith. Personally, I'd love to see some Muslims invited to testify in future hearings, too.
Feb '12
Re: A Lutheran, a Jew, a Baptist and a Catholic Walk Into A Hearing
I didn't read your story. The Headline was enough for me to start following you.