The Journey 193: Religious Rights (Rev. Dr. Joe Joseph Kuruvilla)
Read: Mathew 23
Phoenix Pastor Jailed for holding bible study in home: This was the news item that was carried by the Fox News yesterday, The news items has brought mixed reaction from people all over. Some supporting the pastor while some supporting the Phoenix city council. The pastor in the centre of this storm is Michael Salman, whose home was raided by more than dozen Phoenix police officers and city officials for holding a private bible study. He has now been sentenced to 60 days in jail and a fine of $12, 180. According to the city officials they say that people aren’t allowed to hold private Bible studies on their own property. The moment one hears the news the immediate reaction from everyone is that of shock and disbelief. According to Salman’s wife Suzanne, the city has told her that her husband was essentially arrested because the Bible study was at a private house .. and that essentially, it’s a church. Since they weren’t zoned for church, they were told they were breaking the rules. Some people state that this family is being discriminated purely on the grounds of their faith. But then there is something more behind the story. According to the city council, the real problem is that Salman is intent on building a church in his own backyard, a 4,200-square-foot building, which will only a few feet away from his neighbor's property. The question that the city council and the residents are asking is “In a residential area does the freedom of religion grant a person to disturb the peace and tranquility of neighbours especially when some church’s idea of worship involves the use of high powered speakers and amplifiers, loud music, gathering of people very frequently in the premises”. We may not know the legal tangles and intricacies of this case, but the question needs to be addressed as whether we have the freedom of practicing of our faith, to an extent that it becomes a nuisance to others and neighbours?.
This week we are meditating on the theme “ Transformation in the life of the sick and suffering”. The portion that we shall use for our meditation is from Mathew 23. This is the portion where Jesus is vehemently criticizing the Pharisees. Why is Jesus always at loggerheads with the Pharisees. Pharisees were basically good and righteous people, but the real issue was that they would obey the tenets of the law only in letter but not in spirit. Which means for the Pharisees, the faith and religion were more of outward expressions rather than an inward change. When it is only outward expression, then I don't care as to what happens to others, my action is never evaluated in terms of justice and mercy [Mathew 23: 23]. What Jesus taught was a producing a life style where both faith and works go hand in hand, where ones faith expression helps not only the concerned individuals but also the people in the community. Today when we focus more and more on individual rights, there are times even in our “spiritual realm” where we don't care for the needs and rights of others. Hence sometimes conflicts like one that is happening in Phoenix arises. It is high time that we as Christians need to think whether being a believer is all about loud expressions of praise and worship or it also includes silent witness of caring and bearing in the pain of others. Let us consciously make a decision that when I practice my faith, I should also be aware of the rights of my neighbours.
Phoenix Pastor Jailed for holding bible study in home: This was the news item that was carried by the Fox News yesterday, The news items has brought mixed reaction from people all over. Some supporting the pastor while some supporting the Phoenix city council. The pastor in the centre of this storm is Michael Salman, whose home was raided by more than dozen Phoenix police officers and city officials for holding a private bible study. He has now been sentenced to 60 days in jail and a fine of $12, 180. According to the city officials they say that people aren’t allowed to hold private Bible studies on their own property. The moment one hears the news the immediate reaction from everyone is that of shock and disbelief. According to Salman’s wife Suzanne, the city has told her that her husband was essentially arrested because the Bible study was at a private house .. and that essentially, it’s a church. Since they weren’t zoned for church, they were told they were breaking the rules. Some people state that this family is being discriminated purely on the grounds of their faith. But then there is something more behind the story. According to the city council, the real problem is that Salman is intent on building a church in his own backyard, a 4,200-square-foot building, which will only a few feet away from his neighbor's property. The question that the city council and the residents are asking is “In a residential area does the freedom of religion grant a person to disturb the peace and tranquility of neighbours especially when some church’s idea of worship involves the use of high powered speakers and amplifiers, loud music, gathering of people very frequently in the premises”. We may not know the legal tangles and intricacies of this case, but the question needs to be addressed as whether we have the freedom of practicing of our faith, to an extent that it becomes a nuisance to others and neighbours?.
This week we are meditating on the theme “ Transformation in the life of the sick and suffering”. The portion that we shall use for our meditation is from Mathew 23. This is the portion where Jesus is vehemently criticizing the Pharisees. Why is Jesus always at loggerheads with the Pharisees. Pharisees were basically good and righteous people, but the real issue was that they would obey the tenets of the law only in letter but not in spirit. Which means for the Pharisees, the faith and religion were more of outward expressions rather than an inward change. When it is only outward expression, then I don't care as to what happens to others, my action is never evaluated in terms of justice and mercy [Mathew 23: 23]. What Jesus taught was a producing a life style where both faith and works go hand in hand, where ones faith expression helps not only the concerned individuals but also the people in the community. Today when we focus more and more on individual rights, there are times even in our “spiritual realm” where we don't care for the needs and rights of others. Hence sometimes conflicts like one that is happening in Phoenix arises. It is high time that we as Christians need to think whether being a believer is all about loud expressions of praise and worship or it also includes silent witness of caring and bearing in the pain of others. Let us consciously make a decision that when I practice my faith, I should also be aware of the rights of my neighbours.