I *heart* Stevie! Jason and I went to Steven Curtis Chapman's All Things New concert last night at the Key Arena in Seattle. It was great... though I wish there was more of Stevie, and less of Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin (not that I don't like them, but they took away time from Stevie.)

"Why vote if you are disillusioned?" This is John Piper's answer. I admit that, after several months of gathering and sifting through all the information, trying to talk to folks, and trying to make sense of it all, sometimes I wonder if it even matters. On top of that, although I've come to a tentative decision, I'm still not sure it's the right one. It is subject to change in the next 5 days, I suppose.

Another perspective, from Ronald Sider in PRISM magazine, which I find to be somewhat comforting (especially when I may not vote the "right" (er, left?) way):

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A CONSCIENCE DECISION: How faith informs the vote - Part 5 of 5 - BUSH VS. KERRY: DOES GOD HAVE A PREFERENCE? by Ron Sider

DOES God have a preference? Yes, but God has not told anybody what it is. Instead, God has provided a normative framework through biblical revelation and expects us to use our rational minds to ponder wisely over every political decision. It is clear from the Bible that God is pro-life, pro-poor, pro-family, pro-racial justice, and pro-creation care. So how do Bush and Kerry stack up?

Bush is much better on the sanctity of human life (when it comes to the unborn and the very old), family issues, and the faith-based initiative. Here's a run-down:

Human life - Whereas Kerry is pro-choice on abortion, Bush promoted and signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Act, the first major legislative restriction on abortion in many years. Whether the issue is abortion, euthanasia, or stem-cell research, the Bush administration seeks to respect the sanctity of human life. (Capital punishment is a tragic exception.)

Family issues - Bush has eliminated the marriage penalty in most tax codes, earmarked TANF funds to strengthen wholesome families among poor folk, earmarked the use of federal funds to promote abstinence programs here and abroad, supported the historic understanding of marriage, and endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment specifying that marriage be defined as between a man and a woman.

Faith-based initiatives - Bush's vigorous use of executive orders has prompted a significant, perhaps historic, change in the way government relates to faith-based agencies. An earlier bias has been replaced by a wide variety of initiatives affecting billions of dollars in federal funds. Now, when government uses nongovernmental agencies to deliver social services (and it does that in a vast variety of instances) there is a level playing field that enables faith-based organizations to compete fairly.

Closely related to all the above is the fact that the next president will probably nominate one, two, or possibly more new justices for a Supreme Court which is presently sharply divided and often decides key issues with a 5-4 majority. The nominees of the next president may very well decide whether some restrictions on abortion-on-demand become law, whether gay marriage becomes the norm in this country, and whether the First Amendment means a radical wall of separation between religion and public life or equal treatment for all religious viewpoints with no bias toward secularism. It is certainly plausible to argue that the next president will have an unusual opportunity to shape the Supreme Court and thus the nation for the next generation. On issues of life, family, and the First Amendment, I believe Bush's nominees would be preferable to Kerry's.

On the other hand, Kerry is better on economic and racial justice, the environment, and America's international role.

Economic justice - Bush's policies have been sharply slanted toward the rich. His tax cuts have overwhelmingly benefited the richest 10 percent. He has cut a variety of programs that benefit poorer Americans, most recently slashing the number of Section-8 housing vouchers that partially subsidize low-income housing at a time when more and more poor working families cannot afford housing. His tax cuts have helped create a huge federal deficit that our grandchildren will have to repay. Kerry promises to reverse some of the most unfair tax cuts, increase effective programs to empower poor Americans, and lower the budget deficit faster than Bush.

Racial justice - The situation is less clear-cut here. Bush has made high-level, very visible minority appointments. He has also dared to talk publicly about our nation's ghastly failure to provide quality education to African-American and Latino children and has insisted on regular testing so that we know clearly which (often inner-city) schools are failing. He also substantially increased federal funding for education, by about 35 percent, although his No Child Left Behind package is not fully funded and Kerry promises to change that. On balance, however, for several decades, the Democratic Party has been more open to and supportive of African-Americans and Latinos than have the Republicans.

Environmental issues - Bush's stance on the environment has been appalling. In spite of clear scientific evidence of global warming, he rejected the global agreement worked out at Kyoto to reduce fossil-fuel emissions. Domestically, he has largely ignored conservation, and refused to raise substantially the CAFE standards that could easily force car manufacturers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. (Regrettably, Kerry has proposed using our reserve of petroleum to lower rising gasoline prices, when in fact they should go still higher to discourage the use of fossil fuels.)

Foreign policy - Bush's unilateralist policies have resulted in a dramatic loss of respect for America all around the world. On the environment, the World Court, and, of course, Iraq, he has chosen to defy world opinion and act in a unilateralist manner that is widely perceived as arrogant. Many of the reasons Bush gave for invading Iraq have proven - at best! - to have been based on faulty judgments. After the fall of Iraq, when a multilateral approach might have avoided the ferocious opposition of so many Iraqis, he refused to welcome a significant role for the United Nations. High-level decisions about the application of the Geneva Conventions to prisoners of war in Afghanistan, Guantánamo Bay, and then Iraq contributed to the terrible abuses at Abu Ghraib that will continue to undermine American credibility for years to come. Bush has a great catch phrase - Freedom is not America's gift to the world, it is God's gift to humanity - but his actions have tragically weakened America's ability to play its historic role of nurturing freedom for everyone around the globe. Kerry's promise to do better is credible.

In some areas, it is a toss-up. Bush has pledged to increase economic foreign aid for poor nations far more dramatically than any president in years. His $15-billion commitment to Africa to combat AIDS is also commendable. Kerry, of course, would probably implement both commitments. On international trade, Kerry has sometimes sounded like a protectionist who ignores the fact that when Western jobs move to poorer nations and thus enable poor people to find new and better paying jobs, poor nations benefit - and so do consumers who pay less for the things they buy. On the other hand, Kerry is right that international trade agreements pay far too little attention to concerns for the environment and the rights of labor, and he promises to correct that.

I have two final comments. First, it is obviously presumptuous to make such sweeping, summary judgments about enormously complex topics, but I believe that a much more extensive analysis of both biblical norms and the facts of our world would back up what I have said. (And in other places - e.g., my books RICH CHRISTIANS IN AN AGE OF HUNGER; JUST GENEROSITY: A NEW VISION FOR OVERCOMING POVERTY IN AMERICA; COMPLETELY PRO-LIFE; and many past columns in PRISM - I have spelled out those arguments in a lot more detail than I can here.)

Finally, I cannot tell you how to vote. Personally, I find this year's decision especially wrenching. Evaluate both candidates on the basis of what you consider to be a biblically grounded, factually informed approach to politics. Pray. Discuss the issues with others. Then vote your conscience, knowing that God promises to accomplish his will through our weak, finite, often perplexed efforts. May God use your vote on November 2 to bless this nation and the world.

Been thinking much since I viewed the film, The Day My God Died, on Saturday evening. What a powerful reminder of the suffering in this world! And still I'm left with the question of, what do I do about it?

"When a man really gives up trying to make something out of himself - a saint, or a converted sinner, or a churchman (a so-called clerical somebody), a righteous or unrighteous man... when in the fullness of tasks, questions, success or ill-hap, experiences and perplexities, a man throws himself into the arms of God.. then he wakes with Christ in Gethsemane. That is faith, that is metanoia and it is thus that he becomes a man and Christian. How can a man wax arrogant if in a this-sided life he shares the suffering of God?" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1945)

A couple days ago, a friend and I went to Chipotle (burrito place) on the Ave. I'm usually discouraged by the extremely long (20-30 people, no joke) in line, so that was the first time I had tried the place. It's a cafeteria-style burrito place, not unlike your Subway or Quizno's where the food is laid out under the glass counter and you pick and choose the ingredients for your burrito.

My friend was ahead of me in line, but I noticed that there were only a couple tables available, so I offered to go snag a table first. I got out of line, left my backpack at the table, and then walked back into line. A guy, tall with a large cellphone earpiece on, stood behind my friend. I joined my friend again, but she then told me that the food servers had already started on his burrito order. He said, sorry, I didn't know you were in line. No problem, I said, and moved into line behind him.

I ordered my burrito, and as we moved along the counter towards the register, one of the burrito-makers yelled out, "Whoo! Free burrito!" I was startled, and I thought that my friend had received a free burrito. I congratulated her, but then she said, no, I didn't get it. I asked, who got the free burrito? The server then said, "He got it." It was the guy standing in line between the two of us! Oh no! He looked somewhat apologetic and jokingly said something to the effect of, "first I cut in line and then I steal your free burrito." I joked back with him and said that it was doubly harsh.

Ah well - there's no such thing as a free lunch anyway, as my parents have often told me. At least I got a free drink with my student I.D. card. At the register, the guy was standing there waiting for some change, and I flashed my I.D.

Later, as my friend and I were eating, the same guy from the counter came by and handed me a $5 bill. He said, "Here, take this." I protested and said, Oh no, it's okay, really. He then said, "I've got a job, you're a student." With that, he took off. I felt a little embarassed, but at the same time, appreciative of his nice gesture. Then I told my friend we'd have to split the money - I'd buy coffee for her next time.

A few belated birthday shout-outs!

Happy Birthday to Janet! (10/18) Happy Birthday to Putnam! (10/14) Happy Birthday to Dave! (10/19) Happy Birthday to Steve! (10/14) Happy Birthday to Elite (I think? Was it 10/11 or last month???) Michelle, I forgot to wish you Happy Birthday! (10/1)

Upcoming birthdays:
Erin (10/22)
Daron (10/25)

The New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd annoys me to no end. Check out her most recent column here. She says that our president ignores the facts and goes by hearing the voice of God.

While I don't claim to know the truth of that matter, Dowd does seem to be the authority on that subject... in fact, she's dogmatic that George W.'s desires are NOT God's desires. My question is - how in heavens would she know what God's desires are? Give me a break. She wouldn't be the one I'd consult to figure that one out, that's for sure.

It has begun. I knew it wouldn't take long for Season 2 of 24 to make its way into our must-see TV (the only other show to make its home here is ALIAS.) It's so good, so addictive. And it's COMMERCIAL-FREE on DVD!

Plus, Jason and I both agree that we are going to vote for David Palmer in the upcoming election.

Ordinary Time in the Pews
Moore Moran

Ordinary days again.
Advent, Pentecost are past;
who now will accept our sins,
raise the dust in which we're cast?

Cold the God flesh on the tree,
banned the creche to attic murk,
sheer the silence after prayer,
nothing seems at all to work.

Yet, we try and try again
serving Him we hardly know:
honk if you love Jesus, friend,
beeping blessings as we go.

Here we meet, who somehow must
rescue meaning from the dust,
where betrayal's kiss presents
our best hope of relevance.


This poem (source: the periodical First Things) really struck me. Upon reading it again, and analyzing it more carefully, I wanted to offer a few comments. First, I think the poet identifies that Christ came ("Advent"), and the Church was sent on a mission ("Pentecost"). However, the poet recognizes that we are now in "ordinary days" and that there is some sort of spiritual gap. Our sins and apathy remain, we don't see God's visible power and don't hear His voice, and indeed, "nothing seems at all to work." While I dispute "Cold the God flesh on the tree" (that is, I believe Christ has resurrected), the poet probably intended to evoke the realization that perhaps we don't really care that Christ was crucified. And "yet, we try and try again/serving Him we hardly know." Does that provide a concise summation of our very sad state? And I love that line "honk if you love Jesus, friend" - enough said. Finally, the last section seems to shed some hope... but I confess, at first it seemed to make sense, but now that I look at it again, seems rather ambiguous. Thoughts?

Ohmygoodness, I laughed so hard while watching "This Land" at http://www.jibjab.com/. (The other one, "Good To Be In D.C." is not nearly as good.) No matter your political leanings (or lack thereof), this brings some fun into the election...

Oh yea - you'll need the sound on and a fairly fast connection, I think.

Enjoy!

Front cover of the Washington Law Review, Vol. 79, No. 3 (August 2004). 

It seems a little anticlimactic to report this... but I've been published! That is, the long, arduous and tedious journey, from Sept 2003 until yesterday when our office received copies of the August book, of my Law Review article is finally over.

"When Prisoners Are Weary and Their Religious Exercise Burdened, RLUIPA Provides Some Rest For Their Souls" has found its home at p. 999 of Volume 79, No. 3 of the Washington Law Review. May it rest in peace.

Ah, now this is the Seattle I have come to know... and love? It has been more than a week since I have returned, and today the first rain came down. I know it's cliche to speak of silence other than the sound of rain tapping on the roof and windows, but that's what I'm experiencing right now. There's also the familiar sound of the buses and cars sloshing their way through the streets.

I first realized that I missed (and would miss, once I leave) Seattle while living in New York over the summer. The feeling was not dissimilar to something I experienced after moving away from my beloved Berkeley. The neighborhood streets, the air, the Indian restaurant where Jason and I have had many a candlelit dinner. The water... the glorious view at dusk of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound as one drives down the freeway bridge into downtown.

I am preparing to face a similar nostalgia as this school year will become a drawn-out goodbye to the life here. It's not as if there was any other way. It's not as if I could stay. Even if I could, it would merely be a postponement of the inevitable. In the end, I'd still need to do it.

And I think that's the terrible thing about life on earth. It's so temporal, temporary... you can only hold so much of it at a time. The places, the years, and the people. Everything constantly shifting, before you're ready for it.

But, perhaps that's what heaven promises to remedy. That is, there will be no goodbyes, only re-acquaintances. For it is "by [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together." (Col. 1:16-17) All things made new, superseding the pale - in comparison - glory of the old.

Jason cooked dinner for 18 people yesterday... 20 if you include the two of us. I think that's the record thus far. We have concluded that our new place will need a kitchen larger than the roughly less than 5 by 3 ft. space (including space occupied by the refrigerator and counters/cabinets) he currently uses. It pretty much holds about 1.5 people and a trash can. One of our guests called it a "travesty" that such an amazing chef is confined to such a kitchen! :P On top of that, a dishwasher (currently absent) is an absolute requirement.