Monday, March 17, 2008
Obama and Black Liberation Theology
I'd thought the impact of religion on the 2008 presidential primaries had peaked with Mitt Romney's January speech on "Faith in America" and Mike Huckabee's, an ordained Baptist minister, more recent withdrawal from the Republican race. But tomorrow, when Barack Obama addresses race and incidentally his relationship with his minister of twenty years, the controversial Jeremiah Wright, will be an even higher peak relative to religion and politics.
In my estimation, at issue will be the notion of black liberation theology, a variety of Christianity that preaches self-definition, self-affirmation and self-determination for African Americans, who are posited as historically oppressed by American society. I hope Mr. Obama does not repudiate/denounce/reject this pertinent and challenging take on Jesus's message and mission. That would be a supreme irony during Holy Week.
Mr. Obama's speech tomorrow will be his most crucial speech to date, particularly for the sake of his own integrity.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Oprah's Virtual Church
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What's the biggest spiritual/religious phenomenon of our time? How about Oprah Winfrey's ten week, ninety minute on-line course "A New Earth?" She and best selling author Eckhart Tolle of the book of the same name as the course, are collaborating. The course is free; there's a workbook to download; and 700,000 folks have signed on. That's right 700,000!
In my estimation this may well represent a shift in public religion. Not only does this phenomenon operate outside the realm of institutional religion, it gives permission (by Oprah) for that shift to be okay.
Many say Oprah's become America's leading spiritual guide. It's her authority that legitimazes a freelance "spiritual teacher" such as Eckhart Tolle. In Oprah there's a huge cult of personality operating for a large number of persons willing to be influenced. The World Wide Web takes these infuences and creates a virtual community (church?).
In an age of traditional religion's slow decline as well as shifting affiliations, Oprah's Virtual Church and her imitators will be a phenomenon to be reckoned with.
What's the biggest spiritual/religious phenomenon of our time? How about Oprah Winfrey's ten week, ninety minute on-line course "A New Earth?" She and best selling author Eckhart Tolle of the book of the same name as the course, are collaborating. The course is free; there's a workbook to download; and 700,000 folks have signed on. That's right 700,000!
In my estimation this may well represent a shift in public religion. Not only does this phenomenon operate outside the realm of institutional religion, it gives permission (by Oprah) for that shift to be okay.
Many say Oprah's become America's leading spiritual guide. It's her authority that legitimazes a freelance "spiritual teacher" such as Eckhart Tolle. In Oprah there's a huge cult of personality operating for a large number of persons willing to be influenced. The World Wide Web takes these infuences and creates a virtual community (church?).
In an age of traditional religion's slow decline as well as shifting affiliations, Oprah's Virtual Church and her imitators will be a phenomenon to be reckoned with.
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