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Tuesday, April 28, 2009



Mojave Desert Cross
a journalistic report
by Peter Menkin


About the Desert Cross and its controversial court debate:

A white steel pipe cross that stands off a lone highway route by about 10 miles in the California Mojave Desert has become the subject of a legal case. The legal case regarding the cross will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court in October, 2009. This is a unique case of Church/State separation in the United States.

The Christian cross has in one form or another been in this location since 1934, and was originally a war memorial to American First World War veterans. (The lonely road is between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.) The cross is now claimed by veteran’s organizations and by the individual who privately erected it. It is located on the public parkland, erected without permission.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) represents the Plaintiff—who is a “practicing Catholic” by his own definition, and a retired Assistant Superintendent of the desert park district. The Plaintiff’s argument goes, according to the ACLU: "The [9th Circuit] said this case is really quite simple. Using a sectarian religious symbol is not permissible on federal land.” Peter Eliasberg, managing attorney for the ACLU of Southern California, so states the argument in a report by B.A. Robinson of the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. The government argues the cross is a war memorial.

Attorney Eliasberg states, "…[The Christian cross] doesn't honor Muslim veterans, Jewish veterans, Atheist veterans or Agnostic veterans. It's a preeminent symbol of a [single] religion. If we want to have a war memorial on federal land, the government certainly knows how to do that without using a divisive sectarian religious symbol."

In a telephone interview lasting half an hour from his office in Arizona, the attorney Joe Infranco retorts, “One person’s agenda (Mr. Buono’s, Plaintiff) should not diminish the sacrifices (of) Americans and their families. The legal theory used in these cases is offended observer.” Mr. Infranco argues, “It bothers people that one person’s offence causes the destruction of a memorial that millions of veterans want to see maintained.” Mr. Infranco, who has talked about this issue for a long time, says in a verbal headline during the interview: “Two American veteran’s organizations, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (among others) weighed in against by lone atheist: Frank Buono.”

Mr. Buono, says he is a “practicing Catholic,” and has not talked to his parish priest or bishop about the subject. Mr. Buono continues in explanation, and adds in argument: “If open and available to all religious symbols, and all religious beliefs, [the memorial would be okay], but the park service originally rejected a request to put a Buddhist symbol there. To me this (Christian cross) was an (act of) endorsement of a specific religious view of tolerating and accepting a trespass on federal land.”

Explaining his 10-year cause, Plaintiff Mr. Buono remarks about the use of a cross or religious symbol, in this specific case the white cross of iron pipe: Is this a war memorial by intent? he was asked in the interview: “When a private person erects a religious symbol on federal land, no matter what they call it…in the case of the cross it (is) improper. That it is a war memorial is not relevant to the case.”

Continuing by phone, Mr. Buono reports with emphatic emphasis, the federal park service asked Henry Sandoz to remove the cross, (another in a long serious of replacements of the originally erected one by numers of private persons). It was Mary Martin, Superintendent of Mojave National Preserve who asked. Henry Sandoz refused. “Mr. Sandoz erected the cross that is now there with no permit or authority for the purpose to serve religious purposes for sunrise (services). Henry Sandoz did not remove it.”

U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, Redlands, California sponsored a vote by the U.S. Congress to allow a private purchase of the park property on which the cross stands. Mr. Buono says, this was, “his error.” After the private purchase, the American Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Congressional measure, and the cross remains standing, but covered.


Mr. Buono claims this erection of the cross is an, “illegal act by a private individual which led to the erection of permanent display of a religious symbol on public lands.” “What is my concern? It doesn’t make me happy (because) I know that what guarantees freedom of religion in America is strict separation of Church/State. Strife occurs elsewhere in the world is in places where religion is not separated from State. The best guarantee by government neutrality towards religion.”

Congressman Jerry Lewis (not the actor/comedian) did not respond to an inquiry by email on his measure to save the cross from removal.

Mr. Infranco, the attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, who is defending the cross, will make the oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. He says he is not aware of any organized American Church position on the issue at this time.


Correction to article by Mr. Joe Giles, Alliance Defense Fund (May 7, 2009) sent via email. He writes:
Important clarification we might want to make – our role was only in filing the amicus (or “friend of the court”) brief with the Supreme Court. The Solicitor General office of the U.S. Department of Justice will be the Counsel of Record for the Department of the Interior (thus, Joe Infranco wouldn’t be arguing before the S. Ct.).



This report was written for the website, Religious Intelligence, London.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009






Notes about theology
as a failed poem,
a poetic statement
by Peter Menkin

For some time my interest to write a poem telling what theology is about has failed. What is presented below is one of my attempts, posted to a poet's workshop and the following brief discussion of its failure. The content of the poem remains an explanation of an important aspect of theology, and gives a reason to study the subject for as the "poem" points out, theology helps us in our relationship with God.


Theology as a means of refining
faith is the ticket
Rowan William's offers.

So this offering, a response,
to the Trinitarian reflections on
"The Grammar of God."

Heady stuff, meant for the heart and life,
phenomenon of human history.
Of faith,
Jesus brings us to an encompassing knowledge
of new, refreshed, evergiving love in a life
emulated by Christians- the event of Jesus
a man named Panikkar says.

These concepts, written
to give fertile ground to inner life
calls us to consider belief in Church,
that institution of mythical cosmology.
Words that sounds celestial,
large, god reaching.

The theologian has the task
to help us know this God.

There is too the attitude
of confidence,
that hopeful enterprise
of the "general human future"
-Are these too lofty for one,

so grand to soar and enjoy some understandings
in dialogue with large thinkers.
The "Christic" vision.

See how many times
quote marks appear.
Copying from the book, "On Christian Theology",
this commentary praises
the recognition of Trinity in history,
defining relationships
"to catch a glimpse."



Audio of poem by poet is here:





Peter,



I read this more like a sermon. The preaching overpowers the poetics and
steers the reader rather than stimulates.

It's a narrow track with few turnings...I'm completely straight-jacketed by
it.
I see god is not capitalised in S3L4 and I don't know if it should be,
but a hyphen may be useful, following.

Cheers
terry

Terry:



Thanks for taking the time to read this poem, which is an attempt to note
some ideas about God with the big G, and even a mention of god with the little
g. A little here, a little there is what I try with that one. Sometimes I do
better than others, and in this effort did try for a poem. That it seems more a
sermon I hope has to do with some theological integrity, or the subject itself,
more than the lack of flexibility. For it uses as its format statements by a
theologian who has distinct ideas, which I agree with and believe help us
understand God and religion. That's why I am reading the book, "On Christian
Theology: Challenges in contemporary theology." I find the book a challenge, as
the writer, Rowan Williams, writes an erudite book and I must lift myself with
the writing to come along with it as a reader.

Here's a sentence, which I did not touch on in this restricted expression
that was inspired
by his points on the Trinity and the church. Maybe
something along these thoughts added would have helped: "It will effectively be
claiming that what is vital to Christian discourse about the resurrection can be
stated exclusively in terms of what happens to the minds and hearts of believers

when proclamation is made that the victim of the crucifixion is the one through
whom God continues to act and speak." I can understand that, but it is better to
take ones time with it-so I think.


What I want to express is my agreement with a statement about
the..."different phenomena and different perspectives of Christian history..."
Kind of my effort as a book review. They are faith, belief, and confidence. I
guess I better take some time and reread the poem in light of your comments on
it being too restrictive, hopefully not so esoteric for most readers as what I

have quoted. That won't do.

Thanks for reading what is probably a more rarified (complimentary way
of putting it, if it is that) exercise of mine to make a poem. I appreciate your
taking the time to comment, and I am glad to have your thoughts.

Peter

Sunday, April 19, 2009



Embrace of God

by Peter Menkin
Apr 24, 2006


The heart yearns,
wishes for warmth, finds opening
to the Lord. A deeper thing
like the blood that courses through the body

this divine love sustains life.
More.
In the secret of the self, within the psyche,
we yearn for knowledge with self recognition
of existence, Christ does feed us.
More.

The beyond
calls; mankind discovers something uniquely

greater than the mysteries that Intrigue senses and thoughts.
Easter reveals to us this greater than,
this renewal of the good, exploding with eternal might

there is love greater everlastinggift unforgettable recognized with prayer.
More.
With a knowledge of expanded eternity beyond
the measure of imagination--the gasp of surrender.
Promise that tells us God
Embraces the spirit of mankind.


Image: Painting by Camaldoli Priest and monk Father
Arthur, "Radiant Light:"

Camaldolese, Benedictine monk Father Arthur Poulin paints contemplative works, as he describes them. These shown here are selected from his many paintings.
Father Arthur lives and works at Incarnation Monastery, Berkeley,
CA USA--study house of Camaldolese monks located near the Graduate Theological Union, and University of California's North Gate.
This description of his paintings, from I. wolk Gallery in St. Helena, California USA:
Father Poulin's paintings have been acquired extensively by people here inthe US and abroad. Many of his commissioned works hang in churches here in California.

Thursday, April 16, 2009


Finding Myself in Brethren, in Lent 2000
poem by Peter Menkin


Where my self-forgettingLove is hid,
I know
In my clinging to the Christ,

In the cleft of the rock
I am unto you all hearts
Are open, no secrets hid.
I fathom on in my mortal
Weakness seeking the heart
Again to witness my faith
Knowing you are all--a Word.

New life is granted us, the me
Of being in the following--
The master to the body

that is him, incarnate,
heavenly Church.

Forgive my wretched masks, my
Deceptions, my strengths of
Bone, pride, and many wishes.

Complete me in prayer, and as
A swift arrow, hear me, Lord.
My life; I come.

Monday, April 13, 2009


That point of light in the beginning is the morning star

a poem by Peter Menkin



Expand it to a myth and I can
imagine the star of the three wise men.
Star of mystery, too.

But for me, since it was real,
it was a surprise
like a sign in the sky of Christ's presence.

It was a star as symbol waking me up to the day
and the presence of God--his goodness.
It reminded me of the other that is the Lord, a welcoming
and comforting other overhead--like a beacon.

It is a wish in the sky.
It is a hope.
My mind thinks of so many things
when it comes to the beginning of the poem.

Saturday, April 11, 2009


About the Dance...(2000)

poem by Peter Menkin




Tonight the ballet, through the storm
And with some delight in the practice
Of movement that belies the interval
Dance, oh, this is a balanced pattern
Of set and good company.
The ushers are willing to show us
To our seats, with special tickets of
The set builder, the curtain puller, the Carpenter's wife girlfriend to company.
When shall this modern dance of California
This modern dance of San Francisco,
This choreography of shadow and lithesome
Classical movement in man and woman
Begin to the tell story.

We begin to gather
This the winter storm this week brings a large
Sky in some splendor and dread to the City.
Magnificent, so clear in the interlude of a winter storm.
Gathering we.
Oh, Lord, our God, who are
Amid the dancers in their presence before you
How kind they move to the music of orchestral

Reverberation in the golden walled palace
On the Coast near the Pacific Ocean.
What story
We look forward to in the movement of the limbs.

A concert of sound and movement, with a designed
Backdrop of sets constructed so overlarge and spare.
In their lighted scenery to display the colors of the
Many players who come to perform for us this evening.

Move dancers, dance dancers, lift, and turn, and go
On with the youth of the strength that we share among Us.
As audience, as visitor, as lover in the times of our Lives.

We seek the sublime in this elesion statement
Of the majestic movement with sound and story.
Gladly.

The San Francisco Ballet.
What wonderful company
On a stormy, wet, and El Nino driven evening.
Respite.

The musicians will play.
We will gather in our listening
To a congregation of observers, partakers, waiting for
The love of the body in movement before the Almighty.

In this season of the turn towards Spring and all that
Means for Lent is near and
Epiphany remains this week.

For mindfulness of the presence mankind offers in an
Homage of disciplined lives for the sake of their artistic

Sense in a life we do share with you dancers, dance for us.
Dance for yourselves, and among yourselves, with your troupe,
To be a part of this dance and this music is what we can find
For ourselves in the darkened theatre, in companionship.
And good tidings, with pleasures of the aesthetic joys.

Thank you for the gift you bring us in music, sound, light
And the stand upon the stage so large to be seen by us
With grateful minds and good concern for what you bring
Us in the beauty of your enjoyment in love for this practice.

In dance, oh, yes we go on with our tickets to our seats: visitors
And participants in this act of the ballet.




Images: Hubble telescope picture, first picture.
"Maltese Falcon" in San Francisco Bay
with Cityscape in background,
by Rick White, Mill Valley, CA USA.

Friday, April 03, 2009






A short essay answering this assertion about Christianity:

Why are the majority of proclaimed Christians, hypocritical bigots?Most don't read the bible, attend religious services, or pray. A higher percentage of Christians commit crimes than non-religious people and Christians are more likely to support capital punishment and wars which are all murder.

Non-religious people tend to be more tolerant and accepting,
promoting social welfare and peace. But then Christians procliam to have some kind of moral superiority.

Why is this so backwards?


The response:

With any religion, those who attend services and are active participants in good standing with their church or other place of worship find themselves at different levels of understanding and practice. I cannot speak in agreement with your rhetorical question, but as a Christian and Episcopalian will respond in kind regarding the Christian experience.A proclaimed Christian will probably be Baptized, recite the creeds, and other prayers in Church, and do deeds of service.

These similar kinds of acts are pretty standard Christian practice for the good Christian. Even the regular or average one of good standing.Yet many Christians fail, and all Christians are in some manner or degree sinners. That is a human who is and will, has failed in the eyes of Christ in God. It is in returning to the Lord, as practice, that redemption can be found. At least this is a significant way.

Interestingly, among many believers in this faith, intention is important.Each Christian meets his fellow where he may be in his journey, hypocrite, warmonger, war starter, warrior, supporter of capital punishment, evil conservative or even Fascist (pretty far gone, I know), or other. I cannot agree that the higher percentage of Christians commit crimes, but you may be right.Jails are full of Christians. One reason they seek out the faith and way of living is that it is a way of forgiveness and mercy.

It is also a way of transformation and change, whether that search for such is honest or not isn't the issue. Come and see at a Church to discover or observe this God who is generous, kind, merciful, and faithful to human beings through history. That is not an answer, per se. It is a way of saying, is this God's fault that Christians may fail? They do.

But most important in my answer, is the fact that ministers and members of the Church meet their fellows where they may be, not as they would be perfect, or as Christians would like them to be.I cannot speak to how many read the Bible, but in the Church of my denomination, if one attends one is going to hear the Bible read.

Interestingly, though, the Episcopalian who is a member remains in good standing and is considered in Communion if he or she attends worship services and takes Eucharist a mere three times a year. This means going, for instance, on Christmas, Easter, and other time. This seems scant attendance, I know. But it is so.As for the non-religious being the better part of human kind, I cannot speak in answer to your assertion. There are, after all, easily more than a billion Christians in the world--if memory serves correct.

Many may be failed Christians, even those who have fallen away but still consider themselves Christian. You may be speaking of these, too, in your question.

Regardless, they identify with Christianity, and even if not the better part may have to be their light, as Christians and Christianity is a light to the world. So I
believe.Christians live a life and way, their Church is a moral organization, and by definition membership and participation in such is a valid source of the moral life. Christ is and was a moral force, a good, in the world both now and in the history of mankind. I think most people would say so, even those not practicing or professed Christians.

How moral is what I've discussed as more, for you imply a requirement of high standard. As I say, we meet each other where one may be. Do I think Christians are morally superior? Certainly, history and Western Civilization has shown that the Christian influence has been positive and uplifting, despite its human shortcomings, failures, and errors.

This is not so much an apology, but a means of putting a framework on your questions and statements regarding the moral superiority and standing of the Christian faith. This is a framework of Christian living, which follows the poor, chaste Christ through the year. Is Christianity not one of the world's great religion, and as such by definition a superior one in our eyes of Western Civilization.

--Peter Menkin, Mill Valley, CA USA