Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren & the so-called "Christian" right

James Dobson of the Focus on the Family radio program and who speaks off in the same vein with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell wrote a letter complaining about the position taken by a leader in a Christian evangelical organization on global warming. Dobson among other things said that it is a scientific not a theological issues. Wonder what the tellers and writers of the creation narratives in Genesis and a lot of the Psalms, at the least, would say about that? Anyway, Dobson and some others, want that leader's head.

Brian McLaren and Jim Wallis have replied to Dobson. Even discounting what they are responding to, their comments are very helpful for all of us as we view what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a worshiper of God in times like these. But, as Brian is often able to do, he found points for conversation in the Dobson letter. He saw openings for discussion whereas many of us just see the name "Dobson" or those others, and we go off in a rant. I think Brian's comments are very important for us in the liberal main-line churches to pay attention to. We need to learn to really listen rather than to be reactive to code words.

Both our leadership team and our 8th grade Confirmation class will be starting to use the books by Marshall Rosenberg on non-violent communication (The Center for Non-Violent Communication). What Brian does in his response is exactly what Marshall is helping many people in the world e.g. Rwanda, Middle East, the Balkans, to learn how to use language and how to listen to reduce conflict. Marshall makes the distinction between "jackal" language and "giraffe" language. The jackal keeps his head close to the ground, rarely looking up, and focuses on his own assumptions. The giraffe has the largest heart of any being, and keeps the head up to continue to scan the horizon. Marshall is helping the world through organizing not merely by political language, but by helping people to change behavior and thinking. Compassionate Communication. Also, "anger and domination systems" by Marshall

I just read in our local paper the Akron Beacon Journal how our mayor at a city council meeting went off on a personal attack on the one council member who didn't vote the way the mayor thought he should. The mayor is a liberal Democrat who opposes a lot of injustice in the world. Yet his language and conversation really contributes to the mass of conflict in the world. I see that often among my own colleagues on the left...our style belies our rhetoric.