Prayer for Aurora

By now we all know about the tragedy in Aurora, CO that took place on July 20th when an armed person walked into a movie theater and opened fire on the unsuspecting audience, killing and wounding dozens. http://www.washingtonpost.com/colorado-shooter-identified-as-james-holmes-24/2012/07/20/gJQAWkdrxW_story.html?hpid=z1 When the unexplainable happens, we are tempted to ask why, but there is no reason that could satisfy. We can only acknowledge our shock, our horror, our sadness, our compassion, and our hope (even when that hope seems too thin to name). There are no magic words that will bring the dead back to life. There is no ritual that will miraculously mend the broken hearts of those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Even as wounded bodies heal, we know the psychic wounds may linger much longer. And while the assailant will undoubtedly face a system of justice, no amount of punishment, rehabilitation, sorrow, or regret will undo the harm that was unleashed by his actions. And still, as powerless and overwhelmed as the situation may leave us feeling, and as senseless as the violence seems to be to us, human decency and goodness demand of us an expression of concern, despair, and deeply held wishes for healing for the people of Aurora, CO. And so, once again, we turn to the practice of prayer for the comfort and strength it can provide. Let us pray: Spirit of life, the tears and moans of the grieving people of Aurora must reverberate throughout the universe, touching and moving the very heart of the one Presence in which we live and move and have our being. We can't know what brokenness led to the horrific events of that tragic day. Nor can we know how or when healing, peace, and joy will return to the community that has been so badly shaken. But we do know that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. The night may be long, but it must eventually give way to a new day. We give thanks that anguish is not everlasting. We are thankful that the human spirit is resilient and that Life, in spite of chaos, is always seeking to express Itself in marvelous ways. And so, unnamable Mystery upon which we depend but that can never be fully known, we ask you to move gently among the people of Aurora to begin the healing process that will lead them to one day embrace the possibilities of life again and to claim that peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable; for goodness' sake. Amen. In the shared human experience, Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins Senior Minister Sunshine Cathedral

Sunday Worship: 9 am & 10:30 am "I see no evil; I behold only the good. I have seen the drunkard lying in the gutter, and the saint kneeling in ecstasy before the high altar of his faith; but I have found no difference. I have perceived that each, in his own tongue, is seeking to express the One Life. I will not separate and divide; I cannot condemn nor censure, for I know that there is but One in All. I know that all came from the One, and all will return to the One. I know that all are now in the One, and that each is seeking to express the One. I know and Love all!" Ernest Holmes

the gay struggle continues

The Gay Struggle Continues

Kweerspirit: Progressive Spirituality  by Durrell Watkins for the online magazine, www.gaysofla.com:   http://gaysofla.com/articles/72-kweerspirit/249-the-gay-struggle-continues.html

There’s a real struggle going on in our society right now. I’m not referring to the economy, or the presidential campaigns, or matters of procreative freedom, or to the ubiquitous and seemingly endless debates about health care and taxes. Those struggles exist obviously, but added to the list of social tug of war bouts is a simple matter: same-gender love and attraction. Now when I say same-gender love and attraction, I’m not talking about same-sex marriage (which is another contentious grappling match that has yet to see its last round) nor am I talking about the various scientific and social scientific hypotheses and theories that attempt to explain homosexuality. I’m not even referring to the question of whether same-gender love and attraction is in any way disordered…on that matter, the jury has decided! From the Kinsey reports in the 1940s and 1950s, to Dr. Evelyn Hooker’s research in the 1950s, to the American Psychiatric Association removing homosexuality from its list of disorders in 1973 to the American Psychological Association taking similar action in 1975, to the American Counseling Association and National Association of Social Workers doing the same, to the World Health Organization removing homosexuality from its list of disorders in 1993, that issue has been well decided. In fact, all major mental health organizations in the US (and many throughout the world) have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental illness and that gay and lesbian persons are no more likely to have mental disorders than their heterosexual counter-parts! No, when I mention the “struggle” over the issue of same-gender love and attraction, I am, sadly, referring to religion (I say “sadly” because, well, I’m a religion guy). The Metropolitan Community Church movement was started in the late 1960s by a gay rights leader (Troy Perry) to provide a safe and affirming worshiping community for lesbian and gay people and their allies. Since then, one bible scholar after another, one theologian after another, even one denomination after another has come to affirm the sacred value of same-gender loving people and to recognize the holiness of loved shared between persons regardless of gender identity. And yet, in spite of the best science, the best social science, and the best theological scholarship all affirming the legitimacy of same-gender love and attraction, there continues to be increasingly vocal preachers of pugnacious rhetoric vilifying LBGT people; and politicians continue to use gay rights (or rather, the denial thereof) as a political issue and entire communities continue to speak out and vote against their LBGT neighbors, usually using religion as the excuse for their prejudice. Like I said, it is sad. Religion, at its best, isn’t about teaching people who to hate or fear. Religion, at its best, isn’t meant to promote discrimination and inequality. Religion, at its best, isn’t supposed to disguise prejudices as values or bigotry as righteousness. I also don’t believe religion’s purpose is to help people know “God.” We each in our own way experience the Sacred and most of us will seek a spiritual life whether within or apart from religious communities. Whatever else God may be, It/She/He must be everywhere fully present, all-inclusive, and much more inclined to nudge the human family toward peace, health, joy, and love than toward shame, fear, acrimony, and hate. We will each find whatever we choose to call divine in our own way, with or without religion. No, religion’s highest purpose is to bring people together, to form positive, benevolent communities, to help people believe in and live into their great potential, and to guide people to discover and share joy. My guess is that the struggle will continue. There will be churches and church leaders who continue to demonize and dehumanize same-gender loving people. And they will insist that such nefarious, spiritual brutality is somehow in compliance with a divine calling. Such was the case when Galileo declared a heliocentric rather than geocentric universe; such was the case when women were kept from pulpits and voting booths; such was the case in every war waged in the name of religion; and such was the case not too long ago when even racism was preached as righteousness. Why would the road to LBGT liberation be any easier? But, as history has shown time and again, codified bigotry has a shelf-life and cannot endure forever. The struggle may continue for a while, but in the mean time, there are those of us, even those of us who call ourselves religious, who are committed to celebrating the sacred value of ALL people and the holiness of all mutually shared love.  Durrell Watkins holds sociology and theatre degrees from Henderson State University and Goddard College, respectively, as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Episcopal Divinity School. He is the author of Wrestling with God without Getting Pinned: Old Stories, New Thoughts, & Progressive Spirituality (Outskirts Press, available at Amazon.com), and is the Senior Pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale (www.sunshinecathedral.org).

i love my queer life

When I think of all the ridiculous homophobic hate speech presented as theology (and yes, as much as those of us who live in progressive pockets like to live in denial, it still happens every day), then think of my life, my chosen family, and the person I love who brings me so much joy, I'm glad I don't feel the need to choose between spirituality and being honest about who I am; but if I had to choose, I'd choose my life as it has unfolded. I wouldn't sacrifice one minute of this life for any imagined afterlife, and I certainly would never worship any deity that couldn't see the beauty of the love in my life.

Cathedral Responds to Homophobic Preaching

Sunshine Cathedral Responds to Homophobic Preaching

Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Senior Pastor

Another homophobic preacher has taken to gay-bashing from the pulpit and calling it the gospel. Of course, we enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of religion in our country, so he and his church can have any understanding of God they choose and can believe anything they want about people who are different from them.

However, some of what the North Miami pastor (who meets in a rented space at a public school) preaches to his congregation (and posts on You Tube) is hurtful, mean-spirited, and inaccurate. Invoking the same rights of free speech and religion, Sunshine Cathedral has been dutifully offering a corrective to such intolerance disguised as virtue.

Jack Hakimian (the North Miami preacher) has posted videos on You Tube equating same-gender loving relationships to pedophilia (which is outrageous - mutual adult relationships have nothing to do with the abuse of power that takes place when an adult enters a relationship with a non-adult), claiming that the bible says gays can become non-gay (which is false - it says no such thing anywhere), and comparing same-sex love and attraction to drug abuse and witchcraft (which is too ridiculous to warrant a rebuttal).

On Facebook, Mr. Hakimian has posted, "I want to make clear that I disagree based on the scriptures that you can actively be gay and still call yourself a Christian."

Hakimian is entitled to his opinions and to the expression of them, but he has neither the moral nor the institutional authority to determine who may call themselves anything. A Christian is one who is either culturally or historically part of a larger community that identifies as Christian, or one who actively participates in a worshiping congregation that has Jesus of Nazareth somehow as its central figure. Sexual identity does not make one a Christian nor does it exclude one from being a Christian.

Responses to this situation have been shared in E-blasts from Sunshine Cathedral, in interviews with a local Channel 10 reporter, and in a commentary to be posted on the South Florida Gay News website.

We can’t change “Pastor Jack’s” mind, nor would we bother to try. But to those who are hurt by his misinformed rhetoric of intolerance and bigotry, we have an obligation to offer an alternative message that is truly good news. And so we are. And so we will.

Letter Re: Homophobic Association (sent July 10)

Dear Friends,

In an effort to influence local residents on a zoning issue, WPBT helped pay for and distribute a flier that carries their logo, as well as that of Impact Miami, a church led by homophobic preacher Jack Hakimian.

YouTube videos show Pastor Hakimian equating same-gender loving relationships to pedophilia (which is outrageous - mutual adult relationships have nothing to do with the abuse of power that takes place when an adult enters a relationship with a non-adult), claiming that the bible says gays can become non-gay (which is false - it says no such thing anywhere), and comparing same-sex love and attraction to drug abuse and witchcraft (which is too ridiculous to warrant a rebuttal).

On Facebook, Mr. Hakimian has posted, "I want to make clear that I disagree based on the scriptures that you can actively be gay and still call yourself a Christian."

He is certainly free to disagree, but he has neither the moral nor the institutional authority to determine who may call themselves anything. A Christian is one who is either culturally or historically part of a larger community that identifies as Christian, or one who actively participates in a worshiping congregation that has Jesus of Nazareth somehow as its central figure. Sexual identity does not make one a Christian nor does it exclude one from being a Christian.

Of course, Pastor Jack is entitled to his opinions and is free to share them with his congregation. Homophobia and heterosexism are not new and many have tried to disguise their prejudices as religious values. In a free country, one can express any opinion however hateful, hurtful, or exclusionary it may be.

But it seems problematic that WPBT would partner with such a divisive figure; it is at very least cause for concern for their LBGT viewers.

Of course, WPBT may deny that working with Impact Miami on one issue equals support of their oppressive rhetoric, but I'm not sure that argument is persuasive. The appearance is that a WPBT shares the values of Impact Miami, and if that is the case, the viewers have a right to know.

And so, I have written to the CEO of WPBT and the WPBT board members for whom I had email addresses. If you would like to express concern to the television station, contact CEO Rick Schneider (rickschneider@wpbt.org).

Below is the letter I sent to Rick Schneider and various board members. I invite you to share your thoughts and concerns with WPBT as well.

Yours in the work for justice,

Rev. Durrell Watkins, D.Min.

....................................................................

From: Durrell Watkins
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 3:25 PM
To: 'rickschneider@wpbt.org'
Cc: 'emma@carrascocomm.com'; 'wsartory@alslaw.com'; 'jack.lowell@flaglerdev.com'
Subject: wpbt2

"WPBT2 is a vibrant force in the South Florida community that entertains, enlightens, and educates. Our content changes lives, inspires trust, and makes a difference. We reflect the diversity of the region in which we live and work." - WPBT2 Mission Statement

The stated mission above is laudable. However, it was clearly not in the mind of decision makers when the station's logo was put on a flier next to the logo for an area church that promotes homophobia and intolerance.

The pastor of Impact Miami has a right to preach hatred and intolerance, and his church and your station have a right to oppose zoning changes, but to put your logos side by side without explanation gives the appearance of an ideological partnership that isn't enlightening, educational, life changing, or trust inspiring.

As a community resource, you might wish to cover what his church stands for as you might wish to cover what various churches, synagogues, civic organizations, spiritual and political groups stand for, but when lobbying for a specific political outcome to simply without equivocation place your logos side by side sends a disturbing message.

The rights of same-gender loving people are constantly under attack and religion is the excuse most often used for trying to deny them their civil liberties and social equality. Is it really appropriate to seem to align yourselves with an oppressive voice of intolerance simply because on one issue you share a common goal?

As a progressive minister committed to working for social justice and the healing of harm done by oppressive and abusive ideologies such as those proclaimed by the pastor of Impact Miami, I felt compelled to share with you how disappointing I find your choice to team with his church on your recent flier. I find that choice to be ill advised and certainly less than enlightened; I do not find that trust has been inspired in this case.

Thank you for allowing me to share my concerns.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins
Senior Pastor
Sunshine Cathedral

Carol Channing: Larger Than Life

Just watched Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.

90+ and still going strong. Amazing.

She's a little frail (but doesn't use a cane)...still giving interviews, doing an autobiographical documentary, performing for Broadway Cares fundraiser, advocating for the arts in public schools, but most importantly, after being apart for about 70 years she reunited with her Junior High sweetheart and they spent the last 8 years of his life together (he died about 8 months ago, after the film had been released).

of course, one forgets that really her career was built on two big plays (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hello Dolly!) and a movie (Thoroughly Modern Millie). that's her legacy. Of course she's done other things like talk shows and Vegas (i remember a television two part series of alice in wonderland where she played the White Queen and she appeared on the Kennedy Center Honors when they were blowing smoke up Jerry Herman's hiney), and Dolly she did for about 116 years (multiple thousands of performances, including a 1994 revival and tour). Meanwhile, she met Jackie O and every president from Johnson to Bush I, performed at the White House for Johnson, has a star on the palm springs walk of fame, has won three Tony Awards and was nominated for an Oscar. to have not done much variety, she's certainly endured and been well rewarded for she has done (and she's still doing "Carol")!

I've seen such living legends (in their 70s and 80s) as Angela Lansbury, Lily Tomlin, James Earl Jones, George Hamilton, Linda Lavin and Joan Rivers live on stage recently. It was nice to catch Carol "live" on film. Also saw Charles Nelson Reilly in his last stage performance which was filmed (saw it shortly after he died). On a mission to see the legends while they are still with us. Was devastated in high school when Ethel Merman died and i never got the chance to see her live. Can't let that happen with any of the other greats.

Memphis: The Musical

I'm sure you've probably seen it already, but if not, correct that at once!

The last few NYC trips I decided not to see it b/c I knew it was coming to FtL and I thought I could just wait for the tour, so that allowed me to see more stuff in the city.

Well, last night, we accidentally found it on Netflix! Original cast, just a filmed recording of the Broadway production (good quality, not like that tragic West Coast filmed version of Naked Boys Singing which somehow made both fun music and male nudity boring!) and it was fabulous.

I'm kind of new to the filmed version thing...I remember the special PBS version (no audience) of Joseph/Dream Coat, the filmed production of Company (well, two filmed productions, one for PBS - terrible, and the other for the big screen with Neal Patrick Harris- wonderful), the PBS version of CATS, and the PBS recording of the live performances of The Women and The Man Who Came to Dinner. I was given a DVD version of the last cast for RENT (Broadway cast before it reopened Off-Broadway)..., OK, maybe i'm not so new to the phenomenon after all. But thsi was the first time I accessed on through NetFlix.

I must say, I much prefer the stage productions on film to the plays made into movies (often miscast and almost always dropping 1-3 great songs): Hairspray, Chicago, Oklahoma!, Carousel, Guys & Dolls, Nine, etc.

Anywhoo, got a front row seat on Broadway in the living room in Florida for Memphis. It's loosely based on the life/career of Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips (character's name is Huey Calhoun in the musical), who was one of the first white DJs in Memphis to play music by African American artists.

the story takes place during the decade between 1951 and 1961, an unenlightened time in US Southern history to be sure. The story is about the rise and fall of an illiterate DJ son of a racist mother who falls in love first with R&B music and then with an unknown R&B artist.

Calhoun's speech pattern is at first strange and annoying, and later endearing. I don't know why the peculiar speech pattern was adopted. Maybe it was based on Phillips' speech. the music and dancing in the show are amazing and the set is both simple and sophisticated at the same time.


A romance between Calhoun and the artist he discovers and promotes (Felicia) is forbidden not only by cultural prejudices but also by state law. So they keep it on the low, but eventually they are suspected and are even brutally attacked by racist thugs once. that doesn't end their relationship, but later, when Felicia has a chance to go to NYC they have a chance to really be together. They will have to be discreet if Felicia is to have national appeal, but their love will no longer be criminal.


Felicia arranges for Huey to get a shot (competing against Dick Clark) for a national TV music show, but Huey is scared to leave his local success but doesn't want to lose Felicia, so he tries to sabotage the NY opportunity by kissing Felicia on local television. For safety, Felicia has to immediately leave town. He doesn't go with her, and four years later we discover Felicia is now a national R&B singing sensation, and Huey has gone from the number 1 DJ in the middle of the dial to a virtually unknown DJ way up on the dial. He guesses that his audience may be as small as a single listener. But on tour, Felicia returns to Memphis to sing at the Orpheum and so she stops by Huey's radio station to reconnect and to invite him to participate in her show. He is heartbroken to learn she has a fiancee and at first refuses to be a guest in her concert. But at the end, he does join her on the stage.

The script brilliantly does what even ancient scriptures sometimes do ("Daniel" writes about Nebuchadnezzar as a way to criticize Antiochus IV Epiphanes and "John" writes about Babylon as a way to criticize Rome). By showing the pain and injustice of laws and taboos that kept biracial marriages from happening, the show also shows the injustice of marriage equality being denied to same-gender loving people. There is even the assumption made by some white characters that "Christian" means white and Christian-white means remaining separate from people of color. Using religion to justify hatred and fear is another queer connection.
AND, by placing the story in the past, but not the too distant past, the problems of racism which still persist in many ways are also highlighted. And, by putting human faces to love derailed by hatred and ignorance, it shows the personal tragedy that results from bigotry.

Well, if you haven't seen it - rush to Net Flix now.

if you aren't familiar with Net Flix, for $9 a month it can become your friend, or you may have friends with Net Flix...exploit that connection at once! Even if the tour is coming to town, why not see the original Bway cast first?

I expected a Tony winning musical to be good, but it was better than i even hoped. I think you'll like it.