More research on immigration and American society

Pew Research Center has some excellent reports on immigration. The religious news service of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at times carries stories on immigration.

The National Association of Evangelicals, an organization that is often associated in the popular mind with conservative causes, last year issued a statment calling for comprehensive immigration reform.

Migration and Theology

Immigration is an important social issue in America. The political rhetoric was very heated in 2006 and will likely increase as the Obama administration discusses changes to America's immigration laws.

In a series of blog posts I will explore dimensions of the rhetoric surrounding immigration, the impact of racism and bias on this rhetoric; the way in which immigrants are treated in American society; issues of gender and immigration; the role of churches and religious organizations in helping migrants to adjust to life in a new host country as well as the prophetic religious organizations have in rebutting ideological and victim-blaming rhetoric concerning immigration; and the way in which postively engaging in issues of immigration, all of us can make a contributino to building the beloved community.

National Parks

Anyone interested in environmental theology needs to watch the Ken Burn's 12 hour PBS special on America's National Parks. Not only will you be treated to lots of shots of incredible beauty, but you will learn of the conflicts between those who feel that everything is a commodity to be bought and sold, and who feel so-called "free markets" are the be all and end all and those who feel that goverment needs to act for all of us, for all of America, to preserve parts of nature and to remove those areas from the realm of the free marketeers. Its a dialog--if not a rant--that has a very long history in America. To read about the series, check out this page. Also, a link to the series page at PBS is here.

Five Mindfulness Trainings and Care for the Environment

As I started a course at Church Divinity School of the Pacific via the internet on the Greening of American Christianity, I was looking at spiritual sources relevant to this issue.  One source is the fifth of Tich Nhat Hahn's Zen Buddhist Mindfulness Trainings. That training states: "Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society."  Obviously, this is a very all encompassing training and one that is point on when it comes to environmental spirituality.

Website/ Buddhist Spirituality

I am including a link to my website: http://sites.google.com/site/edwingreenlee/
It contains the text of last December's service on Buddhist spirituality and video art. I will also place documents there as I develop a service on the theme of "Haiku as a spiritual/meditative practice." I am also beginning work on a meditation on Kyuan Yin, the Bodhisattva Avalokitsvera and the 25th chapter of the lost sutra. I hope to offer a small version of this for the mediation group at First Unitarian Church this summer.

Kuan-Yin

I am working on a larger meditation about Kuan Yin and the 25th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which is also termed the Kuan Yin sutra or the Sutra of the Perceiver of the Sounds of the World. Here is a link to the sutra.