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Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Save the Date: ICUJP George Regas Award event on Sept 10: Housing is a Human Right
Thursday, August 3, 2023
The Power of the Peace Movement vs. The Folly of Scientists: A Quaker Perspective
The Power of the Peace Movement vs. The Folly of Scientists: A Quaker Perspective
My wife and I went to see “Oppenheimer” with some friends and were deeply moved by its complex
portrayal of the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” Oppenheimer’s story is profoundly
tragic, as most war stories are. He is portrayed with all his ambiguity:
brilliant, full of hubris, and morally conflicted. He realizes too late that he
has released the genie of mass destruction from its bottle, and his effort to curtail
the consequences of this act of hubris leads to his political downfall.
The movie
assumes that the dropping of the bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima was a
necessary evil to end the war with Japan and saved countless lives. This claim
has been disputed by “revisionist” historians like Gar Alperovitz, author of “The Decision to Use the Atomic
Bomb,” and a former fellow of King’s College, Cambridge, and Martin J. Sherwin,
professor of history at George Mason University and author of “Gambling With
Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette From Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis.”
In 2020 these historians
wrote an op ed piece in the LA
Times showing that even the military questioned the necessity of using the
atomic bomb on Japan.[1]
The National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., states unambiguously on a plaque with its atomic bomb
exhibit: “The vast destruction wreaked by the bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the loss of 135,000 people made little impact on the
Japanese military. However, the Soviet invasion of Manchuria … changed their
minds.” Furthermore, the authors point out that “seven of the United
States’ eight five-star Army and Navy officers in 1945 agreed with the Navy’s
vitriolic assessment. Generals Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and Henry
“Hap” Arnold and Admirals William Leahy, Chester Nimitz, Ernest King, and
William Halsey are on record stating that the atomic bombs were either
militarily unnecessary, morally reprehensible, or both.
What the movie portrays instead is
the frenzied jubilation of most Americans when they learned that the atomic bomb
had been dropped on the Japanese, who surrendered the next day. In a dramatic scene,
Oppenheimer boasts that the bomb has been dropped on the Japanese, and should
have dropped on the Germans, and everyone applauds wildly. During the deafening
and uncontrollable applause, Oppenheimer has a horrific vision of the room
consumed with atomic fire. This ambivalence is what makes Oppenheimer a tragic
figure, and the movie worth watching.
The movie ends on an apocalyptic
note, with Oppenheimer realizing that he has started an arms race that could
lead to the destruction of all life on the planet.
The power of the atomic bomb is seen
as god-like through the eyes of Oppenheimer and also the film maker, Christopher
Nolan. In a best-selling biography of Oppenheimer, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
compare him to Prometheus, the Greek god who gave humans fire and was punished
by Zeus by being chained to a rock and tortured for eternity. Oppenheimer names the first atomic test “Trinity,”
in reference to a poem by John Donne called “Batter my heart, three-personed
God.” When Oppenheimer witnessed the awesome power of the atomic bomb, he recalled
a line from his favorite scripture, the
Bhagavad-Gita: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.”
In reality, Oppenheimer is all too human. His efforts to prevent the US from
building hydrogen bombs prove ineffective. He never expressed regret for having
developed the atomic bomb or its use against Japan; and rather than consistently oppose the
"Red-baiting" of the late 1940s and early 1950s, Oppenheimer
testified against former colleagues and students, before and during his hearing.
He symbolized for many the folly of scientists who believed they could control
the use of their research, and the dilemmas of moral responsibility presented
by science in the nuclear age.
I’d like to contrast this tragic and morally ambiguous story with
that of the unsung heroes of the peace movement who helped to end the Cold War
and reverse the arms race. I am thinking of Albert Bigelow, a naval commander
who had a change of heart after he went to Hiroshima and witnessed the devastation
caused by the atomic bomb. He quit the Navy a month before being eligible for a
pension, joined the peace movement and became a Quaker. In 1958 he set sail on
a boat aptly named “The Golden Rule” with the intention of entering the nuclear
test site in the Marshall Islands. He and his crew were arrested in Hawaii, but
his action inspired others like Earl and Barbara Reynolds and Greenpeace. What
a great movie his life would make!
The American Friends Service Committee and the Quakers began
reaching out to the Soviets in the early 1950s to build trust and dispel stereotypes,
with the hope of ending the Cold War. They persisted in this effort for the
next thirty some years and in the 1980s their efforts bore fruit. When
Gorbachev came to power, he wanted an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms
race. Reagan was a staunch anti-Communist and Cold Warrior, but he was willing
to meet with Gorbachev, thanks in part to pressure from the peace movement.
The Nuclear Freeze movement not only garnered the support of
most American peace organizations but also was endorsed by numerous public
leaders, intellectuals, and activists. Former public officials, such as George
Ball, Clark Clifford, William Colby, Averell Harriman, and George Kennan, spoke
out in favor of a nuclear freeze. Support also came from leading scientists,
including Linus Pauling, Jerome Wiesner, Bernard Feld, and Carl Sagan.
Reagan was also influenced by the “citizen diplomacy
movement,” of which I was a part. Because of glasnost, Gorbachev’s
policy of “openness,” thousands of Americans went to the Soviet Union to meet
the Russians, build relationships and advocate for peace. This had a profound
impact on Reagan and Gorbachev. They eventually met at the Reykjavík
Summit in October 1986, and came very close to agreeing to ban all nuclear
weapons by 2000. Both men wanted nuclear abolition, but the American
generals persuaded Reagan not to go that far. While Reagan and Gorbachev didn’t
ban all nuclear weapons, their meeting paved the way
for the 1987 INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) and the 1991 START I
(Strategic Offensive Arms Reductions) Treaties, as well as limitations on
nuclear testing. There were over 60,000 nuclear weapons in the world
in the 1980s, and today there are 12,500. Far, far too many, but this reduction
wouldn’t have happened without the peace movement.
Hollywood buys
into the myth that Great Men are the ones who make history, but I believe that lasting
and positive change usually happens at the grass roots. I agree with Margaret
Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
As people of faith, committed to peacemaking, we shouldn’t underestimate our power. Around the world there
are thousands of groups like ours working for peace. Our efforts are generally
not reported in the media or portrayed in movies, but we are nonetheless
influential. I believe that with God’s help, we can change the world for the better. As Quakers say, we just need to be "persistent, passionate, and prophetic."
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Apartheid-Free Communities: An Interfaith Effort to Resist Racism and End Support for Israeli Apartheid.
7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize Start your morning with us! Facilitator: Dave Clennon ** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. ** ----- Here's how to join the online meeting:To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees. If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time. ICUJP Friday Forum 08/04/23 Option 1: Join video conference Meeting ID: 813 0228 7359 Option 2: Dial in by phone only: (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.) ----- Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you c |
Saturday, July 1, 2023
Affordable Housing Bus Tour on July 15
Join us on July 15 for either or both of these two events:
- A tour of ten beautiful affordable communities in Pasadena that are reducing homelessness, delivering millions to cities in outside investment, and improving neighborhoods.
- A session on how congregations can provide affordable apartments in their underutilized land. Includes lunch.
Event #1 Affordable Housing Bus Tour—See for yourself how Pasadena has provided beautiful and environmentally friendly homes for seniors, families, people with mental illness and those who have been chronically unhoused. You'll see ten different housing types and sizes with different funding sources. You'll hear from developers and also from some residents on how these communities have transformed their lives.
Time: 8:30 am and return at 12:30 pm
Where: 960 E. Walnut, Pasadena, CA, We leave from the Salvation Army Hope Center (they have plenty of free parking).
How: Our air-conditioned tour bus holds 57 passengers and is equipped with a restroom.
Cost for Bus Tour: $25.
Event #2: Affordable Housing on Religious Land.
Time: 12:30-2pm:
What: Lunch and presentations by the Pasadena’s Housing Department and the Congregational Land Committee of Making Housing and Community Happen, on how congregations can use their underutilized land for affordable and supportive housing.
Where: the Salvation Army Hope Center.
Cost for Lunch & Presentation: $15.
Deadline for lunch and presentation about affordable housing on religious land: July 10th. We will accept registrations for the bus tour as long as there are seats available. We recommend that you reserve your seat soon to ensure you have a place on the bus.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
ICUJP Friday Forum: Confessions of John Cobb, American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist
7:30 - 7:35 Log in and socialize Start your morning with us! Facilitator: Rick Banales ** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. ** ----- Here's how to join the online meeting:To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees. If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time. ICUJP Friday Forum 06/02/23 Option 1: Join video conference Meeting ID: 857 2312 4624 Option 2: Dial in by phone only: (To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.) ----- Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know. PLEASE SUPPORT ICUJP'S FERVENT CALL THAT RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES MUST STOP BLESSING WAR AND VIOLENCE BY MAKING A GENEROUS DONATIONSince 2001, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace has been advocating for a more peaceful and inclusive world, often in the face of constant war, violence, disinformation and cynicism. With a small part-time staff and lots of volunteers, your donations help us meet our budget and expand our reach. So far this year alone we have presented a series of exceptional Friday Forums exploring:
We know that you are asked to support a wide array of worthy organizations. All we ask is that you include ICUJP among them with as generous a contribution as you can afford. We are especially grateful to whose who can make a sustaining monthly donation of $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100. If you're able to give an annual contribution of $250, $500, or $1,000, it would allow us to mount more events and conferences throughout the year. If you belong to a congregation or organization, please explore whether they can make a donation or grant. |
Saturday, May 20, 2023
How the Holy Spirit Turned Believers into Doers of God's Word, in Acts 4: 31-35
I gave this reflection today at a gathering of 30 pastors and religious leaders who wanted to have affordable housing built on their church property, with guidance from our MHCH Congregational Land Committee. Our team of experts gave them aerial view maps of their property with specific information about height, density, number of units allowed, etc. Architects helped them envision different possibilities. One pastor said, "My eyes were opened!" And this sentiment was shared by many others as they envision potentials they hadn't imagined for their church property.
Religious leaders from four states (Washington, Colorado, Texas, and Northern California) were also participating in an Apprenticeship Program to learn how to provide similar advisement for interested churches in their states. In addition to technical advisement, we provided a biblical perspective that many of the pastors seemed to appreciate. This is what I shared:
We’re in the post-Easter time of the church calendar, with Pentecost only eight days from now. Pentecost is sometimes described as the birthday of the church, and it was a wild moment with people speaking in tongues with such exuberance some thought they were pixilated. After receiving the Holy Spirit, many signs and wonders were performed by the apostles, such as miraculous healings. What I’d like to talk about is how the coming of the Holy Spirit transformed believers into doers of the Word, as described in Acts 4, verses 31-35.
31 When [the believers] had prayed, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
It is clear from this passage that early Christians took
seriously Jesus’ mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me….I have come
to proclaim good news to the poor, comfort
to the oppressed…..” Jesus ends by proclaiming the “acceptable year of the
Lord,” the year of Jubilee when prisoners
and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven,
and all property was returned to its original owners.
Think about what our nation,
and our world, would be like if we practiced Jubilee economics!
Early Christians were
willing to do something that most Americans would find unthinkable: sell their
homes to help the poor. Sad to say, many
who profess to be Christians place property values above human values. They not
only don’t want to sell their homes to help the poor. They don’t want any poor
person to live near them because it might decrease their property values. This is
a myth, but this doesn’t stop people from protesting, In San Dimas, four
thousand people recently gathered to protest an affordable housing project for
seniors experiencing homelessness. They didn’t want the poor to be housed anywhere
near their community. Blessed are the poor as long as they don’t live near my
back yard!
That’s why what we are doing
is so important and so deeply biblical. Jesus didn’t care much about temples
built by human hands; he was interested in creating a compassionate community.
He probably would be too excited about the magnificent church buildings we see
in many urban centers, where fewer and fewer people are worshipping each year.
What probably would excite him was seeing his followers convert underutilized
parking into affordable housing for the poor. That’s what it means to be good
stewards, and that’s why we are here: to learn how we can make affordable housing
happen on religious land.
Friday, May 19, 2023
Are Homeless People a Threat to Children or Vice Versa?
Jim Wolf, before and after makeover
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By Anthony Manousos
This article is from the May 19 MHCH Newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, click here.
One of the most common myths we hear about unhoused people is that they are a threat to children and our schools. Disheveled, mentally ill people acting out on the street may seem threatening, like the man pictured above on the left. Shawn Morrisey, who lived on the streets for many years and now works for Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena, often says, “If you had seen me when I was homeless, you would thought I was a scary person.” This above picture went viral and shows Jim Wolf, a vet from Grand Rapids, MI, before and after a makeover that changed his life.
In San Dimas thousands of people showed up to protest permanent supportive housing for seniors (elderly folks over 55 years old) who were living on the streets, claiming that their proximity to a school would endanger children. But are these fears justified?
I did a google search and found very few cases where unhoused people attacked or harmed children, and in no cases were they living in supportive housing. In 2015 in Los Angeles a homeless man grabbed a child near Disney Hall and the headline said that the child was stabbed. The article goes on to state that the boy was only scratched.[1] There have been attacks on children and teens by homeless men on subways, none of which were fatal. In one incident a homeless man was accused of killing a child, but the charges were dropped.[2]
All of these incidents are disturbing and shouldn’t be dismissed, but we need to also keep in mind that children are much more likely to be sexually abused by relatives or by teachers than by the unhoused. One of the biggest threats to students is being killed by fellow students toting a gun.
What is also disturbing is the number of unhoused people who are assaulted by teens and even ten-year-old boys.
Egged on by a 17-year-old, two 10-year-old boys joined in the attack of a Florida homeless man, leaving him bruised and bloody, police said. The incident highlights an upswing in violent crime across the U.S. against the homeless. In 2006, there were 142 attacks and 20 murders, several involving teenagers seeking a vicious thrill, according to the Washington, D.C.-based National Coalition for the Homeless.[4]
In January 2023, seven teenage girls in Toronto allegedly “swarmed” and murdered a 59-year-old unhoused man.[5] Such incidents have become so common they have even received a name: “sport killings.” Horrific though this seems, it is not surprising since many parents harbor such negative stereotypes that children see nothing wrong in attacking or even killing unhoused people. This is happening everywhere, even in Pasadena, where teens sometimes throw rocks at the unhoused residents of our city.
Some schools don’t see affordable/supportive housing as threatening to their students, however. In East Whittier, the conversion of a motel to supportive housing received a lot of community support even though it was next to a school. Monica Oviedo, Whittier Union High School District superintendent, said that the location had fewer issues as a place for unhoused individuals than when it was a motel. She affirms:
“Whittier Union High School District is committed to ensuring our students have access to the resources they need to succeed in not only academics but their personal endeavors as well. This includes having access to affordable housing. Whittier Union is supportive of Supervisor Janice Hahn’s efforts in making this a reality. She has always been a strong advocate for our District community, and we are tremendously grateful.”[6]
As people of faith, we need to remind our friends and neighbors that our unhoused neighbors are children of God, just like us, and we should be grateful when they are safely housed. If they are given the supportive services they need, they will thrive, and our communities will be better off and safer. This is putting the command to love thy neighbor into action. And as the Gospel says, “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
[1] https://abc7.com/homeless-man-stabs-child-disney-concert-hall-stabbed-downtown-los-angeles/1118120/
[2] https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/neighborhood/neighborhood-outraged-after-child-killed-walking-home-from-school/285-202040703
[3] https://www.troyrecord.com/2023/03/26/homeless-man-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-a-child-in-north-greenbush/
[4] www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/29/homeless.attack/index.html
[5] https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ken-lee-identified-as-victim-of-alleged-stabbing-attack-by-8-teen-girls-in-toronto-1.6224355
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