The War on Women - Silent No Longer!

Silence No Longer

Rev. Aaron R. Payson

Saturday, April 28, 2012 

War on Women Rally

City Hall, Boston, MA

               My name is Aaron Payson, son of Marcia, husband of Kristen, father of Morgaine and Charlie.  I am also a minister to scores of women, men and their families at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester and a member of the Board of Directors of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in Washington, D.C..  I am here today to categorically proclaim that religion, reproductive freedom and economic justice are not an oxymoron. As a person of deep faith and a professional religious leader, I know that the decisions related to family planning and economic welfare are deeply sacred. I am here too because I have faith in women to know when and how and if they wish to bring children into this world.  I believe we are here today to proclaim that very same message.  It would seem, however, that “religion” has been synonymous with the voices of those who deny the moral authority of women; those who claim “life” as though it begins at conception and ends with birth; who pit the human family against itself by denying the full personhood of those already in existence and will continue to do so unless people of conscience and faith proclaim and demand a different vision of justice.

               Today, my vision is that of Miriam, sister of Moses, who the Hebrew scriptures say was struck silent by the Divine for disobedience.  What if we got it wrong? What if this was written by those in power in order to protect their power?  What if, instead, as a number of women religious scholars like Rabbi Ruth Sohn of Los Angeles have suggested, she was silenced because she spoke for other women in her community, women like the Tzipporah, the Cushite wife of Moses.  What if the efforts to demand the just treatment of women and families was part of a conspiracy to silence such voices by those in charge?  Shall we follow the lead of those who seek to silence women?  Shall we take as gospel the notion of feminine subservience?  I implore you not to be silent!  When those we elect to represent us in government and those we entrust with religious authority demand our silence, in order to enact laws and doctrines which treat women in this country and world as second-class citizens who are incapable of claiming the full power of their citizenship and discipleship, we shall not remain silent!  When those in power refuse to admit the full humanity of women of every ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and ability, we shall not remain silent!  When those who govern us refuse to recognize the right of health care, including the right to contraceptive coverage, abortion and family planning services, we shall not remain silent!  When those in the religious institutions strive to high-jack the term “life”, we shall not remain silent.  When the those who claim religious exemptions from their civic duty to provide the full range of health care services to employees, students and their families, we shall not remain silent.  When politicians bank on religion to protect their bias, bigotry and bad theology, we shall not remain silent, and we will vote! And I have a message for Speaker Boehner. . .we will not give you a break!  The war on women is real.  It was not concocted by political liberal but by your political allies.  And the idea that we fund the status quo for student loan rates by defunding family planning services is morally indefensible!

               Today, let us proclaim to those who seek our silence that we will shout from the roof-tops our demand for justice and reproductive freedom.  For our mothers, our sisters, our wives and our daughters. For our fathers, brothers, and sons.  We have a voice, we will use it.  We will not be silent!

Heralds of Joy

A Christmas Dialogue by Rev. Aaron Payson

A recent archeological survey uncovered an as yet unknown ancient manuscript containing an illuminating conversation between two of Hebrew and Christian scripture’s most important personalities.  The following has been translated to date.

Gabriel, my most beloved, trusted friend, come in, come in.  Please have a seat.

Thanks. . .um, Michael said your message was urgent, and I figure if its urgent for you, must be urgent for all of us.  What’s up?”

Well. . .um. . .how do I say this. . .I. . I’m in a bit of a predicament.

You. . .in a predicament.  That’s rich.  Oh I get it. . .Did Satan put you up to this.  That little narc!  He’s always trying to get me in trouble.  I tried to tell him that I said “Gosh Darn” but would he listen. . . Noooooooo.  But its true, that’s what I said.  Ask anybody.  Ask Michael.  Wait till I see him next week.  I’ve got a itch to give him a piece of my mind.  Little tattle tale. 

No, no, no, Satan has nothing to do with this.  This is something, just between you and me see.  No one else knows yet, and I don’t want them to know yet.  So I have a special job for you.

Great!  What is it.  Want me to smite someone. . .rain down hail and fire. . .givem the old what for, so to speak.

Noooooo, now listen.  I need you to make a couple of house calls for me. 

House calls?  Why?   WHAT DID YOU DO?

Well I tell you.  But swear you won’t tell anyone else.

(whispers in ear).

Uhum, okay, yes, WHAT!  You didn’t!  How could you!  She’s supposed to marry soon!  What will the neighbors think!   How many times do we have to tell you not to play around down there!  It’s not Disneyland you know!

I wasn’t playing.  And you’ve got it all wrong.  I’m involved every time a child is born.  It’s all holy.  But this one, there’s something about this one that’s unique.  Not that they aren’t all unique and wonderful in their own way.  But this one. . .This one’s got an old soul.  Something rare.  He’s got it in him to spin a story so well, and so beautifully, that it’ll make your heart burst from your chest.  And like so many others before him, he’s got integrity, and wisdom beyond his years.  In fact he’s got the capacity to be present to others that I’ll bet they’ll swear he healed them right there on the spot. 

Isn’t this a bit dangerous.  I mean, what if Herod finds out.  What if Caesar gets wind of this new dreamer? How’s it going to look when the powers that be come crashing down on him.

Haven’t thought that one through all the way yet.  Want to give him a chance to love them first.  That’s where you come in.

Right. . .where do I come in.

Right now.  I want you to go down there and tell his mother and father that a baby’s coming.  Let them know who special this one is.  Give them a sense of their place in this miracle.

Right. . .well, wrong. . .not that you’re wrong, but I think you’ve go the wrong guy.  This sounds more like a job for Michael.  Remember the last time you sent me out.  Daniel, I think that’s what is name was?  I much better explaining things rationally.  If your confused.  I’m the guy.  But I don’t like this sentimental stuff.  Besides.  Every time I show up I scare the daylights out of someone.  I don’t like it.

But that’s why I choose you.   Seems to me that we need a bit of reason in all of this, and someone whose had some experience dealing with others in difficult times.  Besides, this is a skill that might suit you to learn.

What skill?

Presence.

Presence?

Presence. . .all you need to do is deal gently with them. They are already frightened.  Young, about to be married, now with child, and no real place to call home.  Go.  Remind them that they are not alone.  Remind them of how precious they are.  Let them know that whatever happens I’m with them.   And then just stand with them.  Surround them with all the joy you can muster.

Joy. . .what’s joy?  I’m certain I recognize confusion and can be compassionate.  But joy, that’s something entirely different.

Joy, my friend, is a feeling of fullness.  A feeling of gratitude, love, ecstasy, all wrapped up into one sensual feeling.  It is being so full of life that you can’t get that manna eating grin off your face.  It is remembering, in the face of all that would rob you of memory, of dreams and hope, where you come from, what you are for and whose you are.   It is that feeling that takes you beyond the things of life, to the core of your existence, and there it lights a fire that burns with the intensity of unfathomable fire.

Oh, I get it, right.  Joy.  Happiness rit large.

Not just happiness.  Unconquerable happiness.  Happiness that transcends any given worry, hurt, fear, or frustration.  Its about the heart of things.

Like I said, maybe Michael’s the one you want for this.  I don’t really think. . .

Look, would it help if didn’t go alone?

You mean I could take. . .

Take the whole blooming choir if you want.  Make it a party.  Enjoy each other.  Remind them that its important to share joy with those you love, friends, family, neighbors, strangers you meet in the marketplace.  Remind them that they too can be angels unawares.

O.K. then.  Whose first on your list?

Mary. 

Really. . .don’t you think she already knows? 

She’s probably got an inkling. But I want her to know, in spite of her confusion, she’s not alone and what she’s about is holy business.

Whose next?

Joseph.

Ouch.  Really.  Don’t you think he’s going to freak out a bit.  I mean, wouldn’t you?

Well, perhaps, but he’s a bit of a hot head sometimes (aren’t we all).  I think he’ll come around.

O.k.

Then, if you have time, the shepherds.  If not, send the choir.  Shepherd’s love music.

So about this tendency to frighten people.  What do you recommend.

How about.  “Be not afraid.”  Tell them straight from the start you mean them no harm.

You think that’ll work?

Probably not.  Fear’s a natural response to unexpected experiences.  They’ll learn to trust you if you continue to be present with them.  A company them for a while, let them know they’re not alone.  Give’m an excuse to play their instruments and join in the singing.  You know.  Play with them.  Enjoy the experience with them.

We’ll alrighty then.  Guess I, we, should get started.  Anything else? 

On your way home, pick up some Arabic coffee.  I get the feeling this is going to be a long night.

American Entitlement Indeed

I've come to the conclusion that the most costly "entitlement" that American's rely on is the myth of American hegemony (supremacy). And I'm convinced by the public rhetoric witnessed today between the President and Republican leadership in Congress that the debate over taxes is a excellent metaphor for America's relationship with the rest of the world. To countenance a system of taxation that perpetuates the inequities of our current income divide in this country is an act of breath-taking hubris and erodes what little confidence other people in the world have concerning our capacity to lead.

WE LIVE IN DEEDS, NOT YEARS. . .

I came across the following quote from the poem, Festus, by the English poet, Philip James Bailey (1816-1902), in the preface ("Initial Considerations") to The Magic Staff, an autobiography of the 19th century Spiritualist, Andrew Jackson Davis. In her introduction to the work, Davis' wife, Mary Fein Davis, referenced these words as an a rationale for the appearance of her husband's work at such a young age (he was only 31 at the time, and Bailey was only 29 when he published Festus).

"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best."

In his poem, Bailey's words continue,

"And he whose heart beats quickest lives the longest:
Lives in one hour more than in years do some
Whose fat blood sleeps as it slips along their veins.
Life’s but a means unto an end; that end,
Beginning, mean, and end to all things—God.
The dead have all the glory of the world."

Bailey's poem was a testament to his faith concerning the relationship between the Divine and humankind, the immortality of the soul, and the relationship between faith and reason. Which is why, perhaps, Unitarian Minot Savage, in his Our Unitarian Gospel (1900), also looked to Bailey's prose as a reflection of his own theological understanding of the purpose and meaning of life.

"What is human life, then ? What is it for ? The object of life is living. But what does living mean ? Most people cannot answer that question, because they have never more than half lived, and consequently have never appreciated its depth and significance. As I have had occasion over and over and over again, to say to business men,— and I like to say it on every opportunity,— it seems to me, as I look over the face of society, that most people live only in some little fragmentary way, some corner of their being. Most men spend their lives in the attempt to accumulate the means to live, and forget to begin to live at all. Sometimes, as you are riding through the country on a winter evening, you come to a silent farm-house, and you see one window lighted; and, if you should go and knock at the door, you would probably find out that the light is shining from the kitchen, where the family is gathered in the evening, perhaps as a matter of economy to save fire, perhaps to save trouble. And, if you examine the lives of these people, you would find that they live chiefly in the kitchen. They may have a sitting-room where they spend a few leisure hours; perhaps they have the beginning of a library; but they do not spend much time in that. They have little opportunity for the life of the parlor, representing the expansive, social human life which comes into contact with other lives. And so you will find that this, which is a figure, represents that which is true of most of us. We have only begun to live ; and we live in the lower ranges of our nature, or perhaps we have touched life on a higher level in some tentative sort of way. But the most of us are only partly alive, have only developed a little of what is possible in us, have only come in contact with some fragments of this wonderful universe that is all around us on every hand."

I've been reflecting a great deal lately on the shooting rampage in Arizona last week. This tragedy, like all such tragedies, has been a moment for reflection for many. My own work with those who have been traumatized by violence suggests that the quest for blame is first and foremost a complex act of bargaining with the past. It is normal to strive to answer "why" questions. Our attempt to fix blame quickly, though, is also an attempt at control, and a futile one, ultimately. Somehow, if we know why this or that happened, we gain a sense of psychic control over the event, which ultimately quells our anxiety in the moment. But what of lasting change and transformation? 


It's not that the quest for answers isn't ultimately important, or that reducing anxiety isn't ultimately healthful. My concern is that the pace at which we jump to answers suggest that we are not dealing with the ultimate questions which arise in the wake of such tragedy. The loss of life, especially young life, is often the hardest thing we face as human beings. Such experiences often lead to deep questions. To quote the Sabbath and Festival Prayer Book,

"In this solemn hour consecrated to our beloved dead, we ponder over the flight of time, the frailty and uncertainty of human life. We ask ourselves: What are we? What is our life? To what purpose our wisdom and knowledge? Wherein is our strength, our power, our fame? Alas [we seem] born to trouble, and [our] years are few and full of travail. But our great teachers have taught us to penetrate beneath appearances and see the higher worth, the deeper meaning, and the abiding glory of human life."

It is the quest for dealing with these deeper questions that Minot Savage points to in his reflection on the poet Bailey's words. And the poet himself, also points to this journey


"And he whose heart beats quickest lives the longest:
Lives in one hour more than in years do some
Whose fat blood sleeps as it slips along their veins."

To pay tribute to the lives lost in tragedy is to reflect on the ways and means by which we will live more deeply, intentionally, faithfully, and peacefully in a world which, while often bruised and hurting, deserves the service of our deepest selves. Fixing blame only reduces anxiety in the moment, faithful commitment to life and love, serves a life much larger than anyone of us can live in one life-time.