Join a Church (No. Really.)
Okay, so this is going to be a little crazy. But bear with me.
Here’s another idea for how to, well, fight back. Or at least prepare for the next four to eight (God forbid!) years. It is going to be a little odd, but please don’t just stop reading when you see it. There is a method to my madness.
Here’s the idea: Join a church.
No, really. I mean it. I know that sounds bizarre, particularly coming from me. I, mean, I am Mr. Secular Humanism. But, here’s the thing. I seem to be involved with a local United Church of Christ (UCC). It is small, very liberal, and very activist. (A bunch of us from the congregation are headed down to visit the local Islamic Center for Friday prayers this very afternoon.)
And here’s why I’m suggesting that you get involved with a church or synagogue or whatever. We need networks in this alien age. We need to be able to touch base with like minded people, and to find resources.
Churches are tailor-made for that. They’re national and even international. They provide support groups. They link people together. They have at least some resources. And they are protected by law (the Right hates liberal churches, but there isn’t much they can do about them. After all, if they delegitimate left wing churches, they risk their own churches’ legal standing as well.)
Moreover, they can move very quickly to address social injustices (after Trump’s election, the UCC developed a nation-wide policy of offering sanctuary to Muslims). And they can provide surprisingly secure communications over wide areas. Pastors and church members are always talking to one another.
And, maybe best of all, they are instant support groups -- emotionally, socially, and (sometimes) even financially.
So, here’s what I suggest. Shop around. Find a very liberal church in your area. Try your local Unitarians. Or look for an UCC church (most, but not all of them are fairly on the left). I’ve also heard good things about the Disciples of Christ.
Then, get involved. You don’t even have to join the congregation. Just attend regularly (doze through sermons if need be) and meet the paster and make friends and allies.
May serve you well in the long run.
Here’s some links
United Church of Christ (very active in supporting the LGBT communities): http://www.ucc.org/
Disciples of Christ: http://disciples.org/
Unitarian Universalist: http://www.uua.org/
Here’s another idea for how to, well, fight back. Or at least prepare for the next four to eight (God forbid!) years. It is going to be a little odd, but please don’t just stop reading when you see it. There is a method to my madness.
Here’s the idea: Join a church.
No, really. I mean it. I know that sounds bizarre, particularly coming from me. I, mean, I am Mr. Secular Humanism. But, here’s the thing. I seem to be involved with a local United Church of Christ (UCC). It is small, very liberal, and very activist. (A bunch of us from the congregation are headed down to visit the local Islamic Center for Friday prayers this very afternoon.)
And here’s why I’m suggesting that you get involved with a church or synagogue or whatever. We need networks in this alien age. We need to be able to touch base with like minded people, and to find resources.
Churches are tailor-made for that. They’re national and even international. They provide support groups. They link people together. They have at least some resources. And they are protected by law (the Right hates liberal churches, but there isn’t much they can do about them. After all, if they delegitimate left wing churches, they risk their own churches’ legal standing as well.)
Moreover, they can move very quickly to address social injustices (after Trump’s election, the UCC developed a nation-wide policy of offering sanctuary to Muslims). And they can provide surprisingly secure communications over wide areas. Pastors and church members are always talking to one another.
And, maybe best of all, they are instant support groups -- emotionally, socially, and (sometimes) even financially.
So, here’s what I suggest. Shop around. Find a very liberal church in your area. Try your local Unitarians. Or look for an UCC church (most, but not all of them are fairly on the left). I’ve also heard good things about the Disciples of Christ.
Then, get involved. You don’t even have to join the congregation. Just attend regularly (doze through sermons if need be) and meet the paster and make friends and allies.
May serve you well in the long run.
Here’s some links
United Church of Christ (very active in supporting the LGBT communities): http://www.ucc.org/
Disciples of Christ: http://disciples.org/
Unitarian Universalist: http://www.uua.org/
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