An Aggressive And Rapidly Growing "MCUSA"

Evelyn De Morgan's 1909 painting, The Worship of Mammon, is on the cover of McCarraher's widely read book on modern capitalism. 

All around us we can see signs of a hostile takeover of the Christian movement. Mennonites, along with members of all denominations, have metamorphosed into something Jesus may have difficulty recognizing as his body and embracing as his bride. According to authors like Eugene McCarraher, we and our fellow Protestant and Catholics neighbors have become enmeshed in the cult of Mammon, becoming what we might call "Mammonite Church USA." 

Meanwhile, Christians continue reciting the same Apostles Creed, praying the same Lord's Prayer, preaching from the same Holy Bible and singing the same hymns exalting God as Sovereign and Jesus as Lord--as though nothing had changed since the first century founding of the Christian faith. 

How has this leaven of Mammon so permeated and deformed us? How have followers of Jesus been seduced into embracing a gospel of gain, a creed of greed, a community of shrewd capitalists not essentially different from the rest of their pagan neighbors?

This seductive and viral heresy is based on some of the following "Ten Amendments" (displacing Moses's Ten Commandments) as introduced and amplified here:

It is I, Mammon, the market-driven, wealth-amassing, earth-exploiting Sovereign of the Capitalist Age, who will deliver you from want and offer you the truly good life of comfort, convenience and consumer wealth. Therefore,

1. You shall have no other goals before me.

2. You shall devote the best years of your life, give the primary share of your attention, and pledge your ultimate loyalty and allegiance, to me above everything else.

3. You shall invest in compound interest yielding savings and wealth-multiplying stocks early and often throughout your working life. 

4. Six decades shall you labor and do all your work, but in the seventh you shall enter a well deserved and carefully planned retirement, having laid up for yourself more than enough to live well, travel extensively and enjoy a life of ease.

5. Honor your financial advisors and your money management consultants to ensure that that you will live long and well in the land and have an ample estate to leave to your children.

6. You shall make sure that you have accumulated more assets and gained more wealth by the end of each year of your working life than you had the year before.

7. When giving to charity, never do so at the risk of jeopardizing the achievement of the prior (#6) goal.

8. You shall not steal, but certainly make the most of being a part of a nation that has robbed native Americans of their lives and their land and has benefitted enormously from the labor of slaves and of oppressed workers at home and abroad.

9. You shall not bear false witness, yet always make sure you take advantage of every loophole possible to circumvent government regulations and reduce or eliminate tax liability.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, but coveting a lot of other things is commendable, since the economy is dependent on everyone spending beyond their means for luxury homes with multiple bedrooms and baths, fashionable clothing made by oppressed workers to fill our walk-in closets, environmentally destructive cruises and other exotic vacations for our entertainment and pleasure, and frequent dinners at 5-star restaurants.

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Meanwhile, Jesus's message to each of us remains the same, "It's me or Mammon. You cannot serve both."

Kyrie Eleison. 

Time-Tested Truth In A Season Of Spin

Besides the familiar ten commandments, there are 36 commands in the Torah to show hospitality to refugees and migrants--more than to observe the Sabbath or any other law.

Ungodly Socialism Versus God-blessed Socialism

At the very beginning of his ministry Jesus formed a
community of followers who shared all things in common.

"May God's will be done on earth as in heaven."                       -from the Bible 

Socialism: a social and economic doctrine that calls for public rather than private ownership or control of property and natural resources. According to socialism, everything that people produce is in some sense a social product, and everyone who contributes to the production of a good is entitled to a share in it. -from the Britannica

Any mention of socialism, or of people owning things, or doing things, communally, is likely to evoke a negative reaction these days. And given some really bad examples of socialist economies in recent history, this is understandable.

For instance, many brutal anti-capitalist, communist or socialist regimes have caused untold harm and suffering, and their policies have clearly stifled motivation and creativity on the part of their citizens. The Soviet Union under Stalin, China during the Cultural Revolution and North Korea, under Kim Jong Un and Nicholas Madura's Venezuela especially come to mind. 

Other kinds of mammoth, socialist-run systems are tax-funded and dictatorially-run military forces intended by nation-states for self-defense, but which have been responsible for unimaginable death and destruction throughout history. These are far from benevolent and democratic institutions.

But there are also many exemplary forms of "socialism" that are commonly accepted as a part of industrialized democratic nations, all of which have some blend of capitalist and socialist elements. Postal service, universal public education, road and highway systems, sewage and garbage removal, public universities, departments of public health, and programs like our US social security and Medicare systems are just a few examples. 

Multitudes of non-governmental services and agencies within these societies also operate on a not-for-profit basis and for the public good. Many are faith-based organizations such as monasteries, convents, voluntary service units and an untold numbers of charitable organizations that serve the common good.

Then there are entire faith communities patterned after the miraculous and generous sharing inspired by God's Spirit on the day of Pentecost. These include Hutterite and Bruderhof communities and similar families of faith. And congregations of all faiths routinely provide mutual aid to their members and reach out with childcare and many other services to members of their community and beyond.

Even more fundamentally "socialist" are scripturally-based institutions like marriage and the family. Spouses pledge their lives and pool their fortunes in a uniquely collaborative and cooperative covenant, and in all families wealth is held in common and is used for the common good. Children are provided care regardless of their age or their ability to earn, as are any other family members in need of care in cases of illness or an accident.

But the purest example of a socialist-style paradise is, well, Paradise. None of us can imagine living in a God-governed "new heaven and a new earth" in which there would be inequalities based on some people gaining personal advantage over others. Everyone is fully committed to God and to the common good and there is no competition for power or wealth on the part of anyone.

That's heaven, and citizens of God's worldwide, heaven-ruled regime are to begin now to demonstrate ever more of that reality right here on earth.

After all, we ask for just that every time we pray the Lord's Prayer.

The Kind of Campaign Speech I'd Love To Hear

 What happened to "Ask not what your country can do for you..."?

I am still waiting to hear this kind of campaign speech, as follows:

My fellow Americans, the only way a country can become truly great is for its citizens to become truly good. So in the spirit of John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you...” here are ten good things you can do for your country:

1. Make friends with people who are different from you. Foster understanding by celebrating good things from the diversity of your cultures, traditions and faith convictions. 

2. Be generous with your neighbors in need. Government programs must do their part, but each of us needs to generously volunteer our time and resources to help those less fortunate across the street and around the world.

3. Live a life of honesty and integrity. Show up on time at your work or school every day. Do your share and more. Never defraud your workers, employers, government agencies, insurance companies, or any other persons or institutions. 

4. Obey all legitimate laws, and work to change unjust ones. For example, if you are asked to wear a face covering and socially distance in public, do so without complaining. Be law-abiding not just for fear of being punished but simply because of who you are and the good example you want to set for others.

5. Respect all life from the womb to the tomb. Honor the unborn, and do all you can to spare the already born from the ravages of abuse, hunger, disease, war and poverty.

6. Save lovemaking for the married love of your life. Be faithful to your spouse and take responsibility to bring up children in loving, stable and nurturing environments.

7. Take special care of the planet’s soil, air and water. Reduce wasteful consumption by reusing and enjoying more of what you already have, recycling everything you can, and by relying less on forms of  energy that pollute the atmosphere and waste scarce resources. 

8. Don’t harm your body with tobacco, illegal drugs, or other harmful substances. Take personal responsibility for your health by eating right, exercising every day and maintaining a good level of emotional and spiritual well-being. The best kind of national healthcare is one in which each citizen first takes responsibility for maintaining their own good health.

9. Honor your parents, grandparents and all aging and dependent persons. Care for them as you would want to be cared for yourself, and don't simply abandon them or assign them to government funded nursing homes in their old age.

10. Avoid all forms of media that promote pornography, denigrate women, enflame bigotry and racism and glorify violence--and make sure to protect children from these destructive influences. Spend less time with TV, movies, video games and the Internet and more time in wholesome interactions with real people.

With God’s help, we could truly make ours a great country and the whole world a better neighborhood. And in the process we could save untold billions in law enforcement and court expenses, in health care costs, and in  prison and social service programs. 

Best of all, none of the above would require special legislation or an increase in tax dollars, only more personal responsibility by people like you and me.

The above "speech" is adapted from a July 11, 2011 blog post. 

Needed: A Hundred Walkers For This Sunday's "100's For 100's Walk"--Will You Join Us?

 

Click here for our SOS Facebook page.

The Daily News-Record contacted the chair of the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale yesterday about doing a DNR article on Sunday's "Hundreds for Hundreds" event. This makes the SOS Walk an even greater opportunity to highlight the desperate needs of refugees and to promote support for Mennonite Central Committee during its 100th Anniversary. 

A hundred walkers raising an average of $100 each would really help get this year's Relief Sale efforts )scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic) off to a great start, and help make this a year in which the Sale raises more money than ever for needs around the world. Relief Sale Chair David Rush even dreams of a "Thousand for Thousands" campaign!

Whatever we do, we should do in response to the prophet Micah's call to "do justice, love mercy, and to Walk humbly with our God". 

And with our world neighbors in need.

If you can't do the physical Walk, simply donate here https://vareliefsale.com/donate/

A 35th Anniversary Picnic With Gemeinschaft!

DATE
Friday, August 28 or Saturday, August 29, 2020

TIME
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Curbside meal pickup at Park View Mennonite Church

You are cordially invited to join us for a Picnic with Gemeinschaft Home, an online fundraising event, in honor of our 35th Anniversary.

Rather than the usual large, indoor gathering for our annual banquet, we are providing a complimentary picnic meal, with curbside pickup service, and a special video broadcast for attendees to enjoy from the safety of their homes. It will feature interviews with current residents and with past supporters, along with a brief talk by Brian Moran, Virginia's Secretary for Public Safety.

The event will take place over two nights, and it is your choice which evening you would like to attend. The picnic meal will feature a summer barbecue fare, with the option of chicken, beef, vegetarian, or vegan.

There is no cost to attend, but we suggest a minimum $35 donation toward our 2020 Campaign of raising $220,000 for a Women’s Treatment Facility.

RSVP NO LATER THAN SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2020, BY CALLING
540-434-1690 OR VISITING gemeinschafthome.org/picnic TO SUBMIT YOUR RSVP ONLINE.

Walk, Don’t Run, To Your Nearest Relief Sale--Guest Post by Jim Bishop

This "Bishop's Mantle" piece by columnist and photographer Jim Bishop appeared in today's Daily News-Record, and is posted here with his kind permission.

“I’m walkin’, yes, indeed, 

I’m talkin’, ‘bout you and me . . .”

-Fats Domino

Harvey Yoder of Harrisonburg probably doesn’t have this 1957 Fats Domino song ricocheting down the cobwebbed corridors of his mind while out on his daily constitutional, but there’s a determined look on his face to keep time with his pace.

The 81-year-old pastor, family counselor and community activist is walking at least a brisk mile every day for a hundred days with one purpose – to promote a “Hundreds for Hundreds” campaign to raise awareness of and funds for the 54^th annual Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale, scheduled for Oct. 2-3 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. All funds raised go to support the worldwide relief, service and peacebuilding programs of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year.

But more immediately, he and his planning group have set up a “Sharing Our Surplus” (SOS) walk on Sunday, Aug. 23, starting at 6 p.m. at Community Mennonite Church, 70 S. High St. in Harrisonburg.  The 2.3-mile walk will be self-guided (maps will be provided) with individuals and family units departing at staggered times. Walkers are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing during the event.

MCC representatives will be present with information on refugee and other needs and to collect contributions by cash, check or credit card. 

“This effort is one way to support MCC’s response to the worldwide refugee crisis,” Harvey said. “COVID-19 has only added to this dire situation, and monetary gifts are needed more than ever. It’s also a way to give an early promotional push to the relief sale that has its own set of issues to contend with, due to restrictions placed on major public events.”

If unable to participate in person on Aug. 23, fret not. Persons can walk their own route at a time that best suits them, then send a donation (make checks payable to Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale) and mail to SOS, 601 Parkwood Dr., Harrisonburg VA 22801. 

Registration for the walk is not required but would be helpful to planners and may be done through a “Refugee SOS” Facebook page: https://facebook.com/events/s/hundreds-for-hundreds-fundrais/602016113787339/?ti=icl

Gifts can also be sent effortlessly and securely on-line at https://vareliefsale.com/donate.

Whatever course one chooses, Harvey is hopeful that many people will “come together to share our surplus with the world’s most vulnerable population.”

Like Yoder, relief sale chair Dave Rush of Harrisonburg is a man with a plan to loosen the pandemic’s potential grip on the relief sale. He believes that, with a major, generous response from the public and yeoman efforts from a host of volunteers, this year’s relief sale has the potential to surpass last year’s record $400,000 raised. 

“It’s disheartening to have to make major readjustments this year, when MCC is in the middle of their 100^th anniversary year of helping people ‘in the name of Christ,’” Dave said. “We were planning some special reflections to celebrate all the relief, development, education and peace efforts over the years. Instead, MCC has been forced to cut back certain programs while the pandemic rages on.  For this reason, we are especially hopeful that we can come together and raise significant funds despite the obstacles.”

A decision has been made to conduct this year’s main auction online; persons can bid from the comfort of their home through the sale’s website (vareliefsale.com). All items will be on display Thursday, Oct. 1 through the end of the auction Saturday, Oct. 3.

Planners are hopeful that the many unique food options, always a sale highlight, will be offered again this fall, but most will be sold on a drive-through basis at the fairgrounds, including barbecued chicken, fresh Mississippi catfish fry, Brunswick stew, a wide assortment of baked goods, kettle-cooked potato chips and more. 

Another activity that will be tricky to pull off this year is the “My Coins Count” fund-raiser, when area churches and businesses collect coins and currency in large water jugs, usually during Sunday morning worship services. The funds raised are divided between MCC and local causes through Virginia Mennonite Missions. Last year’s drive raised $24,804.

Congregations will not be deterred by COVID-19.  For example, from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday until the sale, children and parents of Community Mennonite Church are invited to bring their money for “My Coins Count” to the church building.  A CMC pastor, wearing a mask, will be outside with a plastic jug to receive their “noisy offering.” Other congregations are devising their own creative ways to participate in this event.

“No doubt about it, this will be a relief sale unlike any other,” Dave said. “We will still embrace the basic purpose of the sale – to raise sorely-needed money for MCC to help ‘the least of these,’ as Matthew 25 notes.”

The relief sale is certainly one way to walk a mile in the shoes of the less fortunate, and some don’t even have shoes to begin with. 

Let’s get ready to do some serious walking.

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Please join our SOS "Hundreds for Hundred" campaign! 

https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2020/07/join-me-for-100-mile-prayer-walk-for-mcc.html