So I spent 10 days with a bunch of Presbyterians. (Part 1)
This will be an ongoing blog, I guess you could say "series". Different posts throughout the week with a summary at the end (hopefully).
I used my OneNote app (thanks Microsoft - please sponsor me and pay for my education) to take notes and have "official" tabs and then "random thoughts" and "own thoughts" tabs. There are things speakers said that stuck out to me that I want to take back to my church like ideas and verses that need to be recognized and conversations that should be shared, but sitting in meetings, plenary, and committees for hours on end gave me a lot of time to think about who I am as a Christian, who I am as a young adult woman in this society, and who I am as Rachel Jewett.
This post may be controversial, may be surprising to you, and may make you uncomfortable, but these are some of my thoughts from the "random thoughts" and "own thoughts" tabs, places I want my voice to be heard. Enjoy.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Can Diversity be a Trigger Word?
It is possible to be diverse and not "look" like what society considers to be diverse. It is possible to empathize and support minorities and not be one. It is possible to be white and not think you are better than others. It is possible to be white and still want change and to bridge the gap of racial injustice. It is possible to be a white man over 40 and not be evil.
A fellow YAAD this week said something along the lines of, "I was so happy to see a group of people representing diversity and different races and there was not a single white man up there. That was pretty cool." Diversity as defined by my google search is "variety, a range of different things". Having a white man up there would still be a diverse group. The white man still deserves to be represented. Which leads me to my next point, after the leaders (moderators) of the 223rd General Assembly were chosen, many people were disappointed because they did not feel like they would be fully represented by someone who has the same skin tone, gender, or sexual orientation as them. These qualifications are not the only way someone can represent you. I feel as though I can be represented by someone who is different than me, I just need to find the pieces of us that connect. We can be represented through stories, personality, actions, beliefs, and not just the labels that everyone is trying to get passed.
A lot of times I feel like I am supposed to be ashamed of my skin tone (white) because of the history and power and oppression associated with it. I know that society is set up in an unfair way that being white gives me some weird advantage in life, and I full heartedly agree that this is not okay. But just like I will not judge or shame you for how you look, please do not judge or shame me either.
I feel as though pointing out diversity can separate us and define us rather than bring us together. We should welcome everyone regardless of their look or where they came from. There are universities around the country that are more likely to admit someone who is of a minority race because it will add to their school's diversity, and that just isn't fair - there are other ways to determine that they belong at your school. Instead of forcing diversity lets encourage community amongst everyone.
I know that acceptance is a huge issue in the church and in society. I ask you to remember that God calls us to invite our brothers and sisters, our enemies, and our neighbors into His love. To treat them as we would want to be treated. To let people know we are Christians by our love. Everyone deserves a voice and a place at the table in the kingdom of God.
Scripture: Galatians 3:28, Psalm 67:4, Ephesians 2:14, Genesis 1:27, John 13:34
Pro Choice does not mean Pro Death
I was walking through the Exhibit Hall and saw people wearing pins with a coat hanger with the red slash through to signify, no coat hanger abortions. I found this to be a fascinating way to say pro-choice. I believe in pro-choice, not "pro-life", but also not pro-abortion. It is MY choice as a human being to decide what I will put my body through, not the governments. BUT I do think that it should not be easy or even close to a first option for a woman to get an abortion - and it needs to be decided early on in fetal development. There should be regulations and greater education about other options (and how to prevent an unwanted pregnancy or support when continuing with a dangerous pregnancy). I believe that the plan for my life is determined by God and that the Holy Spirit will be present in all decisions. It is my choice over the governments, not my choice over God's.
The bottom line is there are TWO lives at stake. Choosing to continue carrying a pregnancy that could kill the mother or both the child and mother, is a terrible and difficult decision to have to process. A child conceived through sexual assault (rape) is an unfortunate (I realize this word does not even come close to being strong enough for the turmoil this causes) and terrible position to be placed. But in both these scenarios, it should be the choice of the mother of what happens next. Regarding people who conceive by accident and do not feel prepared or do not want to be a parent, adoption is a great option. Within adoption there are different formats for interaction and responsibility. I hope that adoption is an option that is taught and presented. I propose that schools and churches do a better job at teaching safe sex. I understand that the word of God says to refrain from sex until marriage, but the reality of the society we live in is different and we cannot be naïve about this. We need to remain strong in our beliefs and actions but I think we are called to meet people where they are, and teach and give support where needed.
I hope that termination is not chosen when the option of adoption is available, I hope that mothers who are in a dangerous pregnancy can find the prayer and support they need to continue on in life after they make their choice of what is best for them, I hope that new life keeps being brought into the world, but I full heartedly believe that it is my body and I get to decide what happens to it.
Scripture: Psalm 139: 13, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Psalm 32:8
Everyone Deserves to be Loved....That Does Not Mean I Agree With Everything They Do
I am scared to post this next part. I have flown through school, friendships, and conversations without fully saying where I stand because the way society and the PCUSA church is moving I am not in the majority. This is scary.
There are moment while I am here when I realize I am so much more conservative then I think I am. I get turned off when people are so stuck in their conservative ways and are not open to everyone or open to change. I have a progressive view on change but a what could be considered as conservative view in general. I believe that everyone deserves to be loved. I believe that everyone deserves equity and opportunities. I believe that we need to look into the word of God (Scripture from the Bible) and live it out in all manners - we cannot pick and chose what pieces of scripture we like.
So I will above all else love everyone (that means no judgement, no sending away, no shaming) BUT it does NOT mean I agree with all the progressive actions the church has taken on, that society has suggested. Marriage in the Bible is defined between a man and a woman. Marriage is not determined by a piece of paper sent from the government for people to sign. I view marriage as a promise between you, your partner, and God. If a homosexual couple wants to get married it should be outside the church and outside the sanction of God. Humans should have equal rights to the benefits and hardships of marriage meaning that for legal purposes; home life, taxes, travel, etc. same-sex couples should be allowed marriage under the state (government) but not in a church, and not in the same sacrament that Christians get married under God.
The church should open their doors to everyone, welcome them into the congregation, honor who they are in the image of God. It gets messy. We are not called to judge, we are called to love. We are called above all to strive to be like Christ - who sat with the marginalized, prayed with the outcasts, yet cared for and loved them. He did not agree with them or what they did per say, but he knew they still deserved the love of Christ and his Father.
Scripture: Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:21-33, John 13:34-35, Romans 15:7
How Long do I have to Stay Married?
whew that is over. Onto another one.....
What do I think of divorce? The Bible says you can get divorced if there is abuse or sexual immorality but not because things are just not working out. Marriage is a commitment so you better know that is who you want to live your WHOLE life with. So I believe in circumstantial divorce.
You don't just "fall out of love". And if for some reason you believe that is possible, then you don't get to have a divorce. It is your job to deal with it, and find a way to come to a compromise of how to live a married life with difference. Go to therapy, talk to other people, find a way to continue your life married to this person.
So PLEASE take time while dating and getting to know someone. Have the hard discussions, have the fun experiences. It may feel perfect but it takes time to get to the core of someone else and discover if you fit together for life.
Scripture: Mark 10:2-12, 1 Corinthians 7:39, Ephesians 5:33
Matthew 22:36-40
" 'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He said to him, 'you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
My Conclusion for this scary and hopefully powerful post
I am so glad that I was chosen by my presbytery to be their young adult advisory delegate at the 223rd General Assembly. Having experienced hurt from the church, I had fallen out of believing in the actual church. I promoted that Jesus > Religion (which I still believe but I have been reminded that religion and church is a part of scripture and being apart of a Christ community is important) The church still exists. I believe in faith and the power of God and Jesus and love and the scripture. But this is giving me the opportunity to fall back into the community and belief of the church and community and beliefs we stand on together.
This is just the beginning of what I am going to learn this week. I edit this, as I sit in a committee speaking about the Middle East, as I try to head to sleep after de-compressing in my home group. Later this week I will be sharing about my time in my committee, on the plenary floor, and spending 10 days with a bunch of Presbyterians.
My hope in posting this is that people will understand who I am a little better. That it will open discussion amongst friends and loved ones to not just accept how society says things should be, but challenges them to decide what they believe.
I realize some will be offended but my intention is not to hurt anyone, it is not to push anyone away. My intention is to say that even if you disagree or even disapprove of someone else's lifestyle or choices, we are above all STILL CALLED TO LOVE EACHOTHER.
~Be You
Rachel
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