Response to Bishop Cythia Moore-Koikoi's Letter on George Floyd's Death and Racism!

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi sent a letter to those on her email list of the Western PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on the occasion of the tragic death of George Floyd and the issue of racism. I responded on June 1st to the letter and this response is printed below. This will make the 7th letter I have sent to the bishop with copies going to members of the cabinet most times. My first letter to her was shortly after she was appointed to be the episcopal leader of the W. PA Annual Conference in 2016. To this date I never once received a reply from her. I expect this time will be no different than in the case of the previous 6 letters! She will likely be upset with some things said in my response! It is almost an unwritten law in the United Methodist Church -- one is to never question, criticize, or even make suggestions to a bishop!

Bishop:

To inform you a bit as to where I am coming from on this issue I need to give you a bit of background. One of the very best buddies I had when I did my military time was black. Having no vehicle, he rode each day with me from New Bern to our squadron where we worked at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. There isn’t a thing he wouldn’t have done for me if it had been within his power to do so, nor I for him. And over the years I have become friends with a number of African Americans for whom I have the greatest appreciation and respect.

I also am greatly disturbed at the tragic death of George Floyd and the circumstances under which it occurred as well as the rioting resulting. And I do agree with the sign often posted that says, “Black lives matter!” As you highly stress in your remarks, it is a crisis of racism. However, you seem to overlook the fact that racism is a two way street! A picture was recently posted of a young black who killed an elderly couple visiting the grave of a relative in a cemetery! Or the killing of a white police officer from Grand Forks by a black recently! No protesting nor riots as a result of this due mainly to the fact that the mainstream media did not give this 24 hour blanket coverage! Obviously the skin colors of the victims and the killers were not considered “politically correct” by the mainstream media – actually, it is more accurate to use the term, slipstream, as applied to that bunch.

You bishops are rather selective when it comes to speaking against violence. You have much to say about the recent incident, but how does that compare to what you have said about the intentional murders and dismemberment of tens of millions of unborn children since 1973? Our national track record at this point is over 61 million victims, each of whom God claimed to be forming in the womb and whom He identifies as persons for whom He has a purpose! As mentioned, silence is common among UMC bishops regarding this violence of the first magnitude! See www.crrange.com/umcbishopsavoidissue.html Further, this is the major factor in bringing the wrath of God down upon this republic just as He brought a devastating judgment upon the kingdom of Judah when it was ruled by king Zedekiah – see summary in 2 Chronicles 36. This policy of the violent killing of thousands of unborn children each week has got to stop >> www.crrange.com/page54.html

However, as we start to recover from the pandemic and eventually move beyond the season of riots, it is obvious that a majority want to get hammers in their hands and start pounding nails again! You ask what that is all about? Take a close and thoughtful look at www.crrange.com/USACoffin.html

Still contending at www.crrange.com and blogging at http://cdharriger.blogspot.com

Clayton D. Harriger, Retired Elder
Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church

CC: Members of the Cabinet

A PS to the above -- since the letter was sent to the bishop and cabinet members I have learned that over 18 1/2 million unborn African American children have been violently dismembered and murdered over the last number of years! I have since raised the issue of this on Facebook and questioned why there are no protests about this happening.

I'm Sending "Smokey" To a Seminar on Dismantling Racism!

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is a belief or ideology that all members of each racial group possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as being either superior or inferior to another racial group or racial groups. The Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines racism as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular racial group, and that it is also the prejudice based on such a belief. The Macquarie Dictionary defines racism as: "the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others." --- references in Wikipedia - the Free Encyclopedia as to how various dictionaries define racism

I've been watching him (actually I'm not sure about his gender) for quite some time now and I'm fully convinced that he is deeply infected with prejudice! So I've decided that he needs to go to one of those session that focus on dismantling this ugly thing of racism in our churches and in our culture.

The W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church had a series of those events a while back in which all active pastors were REQUIRED to attend and retired pastors were strongly urged to attend also. Maybe they all did -- well, all except one, that is!

But getting back to "Smokey" -- I've got photo proof of his prejudice -- no question about it. Take a look at the hard evidence and see for yourself ----

I call him "Smokey" because he is what we call a smoke bush -- I really don't know what his scientific name is when it comes to bushes, shrubs etc. He's getting his plumes and on a foggy morning he puts on quite a show with the droplets from the fog clinging to the plumes.

But he is very prejudiced -- he doesn't like hemlock trees! See how he has withdrawn from the hemlock to his right? When I planted "Smokey" he was a nice even little round bush. But as he bagan to grow and the neighboring hemlock wanted to be friends as it reached out to him, he concentrated on growing in the opposite direction. He wants nothing to do with "Harry" the hemlock! You see beyond them a couple of different maples and some beech trees -- they don't act like that -- in fact they get along quite well!

So, will a session on racism help "Smokey" get over his problems of being so prejudiced? Not likely, unless somehow you can get to his inner nature and do some changing there. If that happened, he and "Harry" would be the best of friends -- no intentional withdrawing as is now the case!

Actually this is an issue raised in an earlier posting. How is it that within a denomination claiming to be Christian in faith a bunch of bucks is paid to a secular outfit in order to try to solve what is perceived to be racism?

Let's get this straight -- do we not preach and teach that God's grace is sufficient for every need? Is Jesus Christ not powerful enough to heal and transform us in all areas of our lives where we are enslaved to sin and any form of prejudice that is a part of that sin?

What does it mean when we are told in Scripture that if anyone is in Christ that person is a new creature (or creation) with old things passing away and all things becoming new? Does that "being a new creature" apply to everything EXCEPT racial prejudice, so that we have to go to the people of the world -- the so-called "experts" to get delivered from our racism hang-ups?

The apostle Paul was deeply prejudiced against Christians at one time in his life -- so much so that he persecuted them even to the point of death under legal sanction to do so. How do we account for that change in his life wherein he was no longer prejudiced against that group of people? There is no record that he attended some "mandatory" session on racism conducted by some secular organization in the 1st Century!

Maybe it is really so that Paul experienced what a few of us refer to as being "born again!" -- that he knew first hand what it was to be healed of prejudice and to be a new creation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Further, this was solely and totally a miraculous work of God's grace!

Ah, could that be the real church problem? That among some pastors and laity there is no personal experience in being born again? We just ignore that demand issued by Jesus, get upset with anyone who mentions it or talks about it and continue to cling to our prejudices?

By the way, if sometime you are in the Belsano PA area driving through, stop by our place -- we'll provide some refreshments and I'll introduce you to "Smokey" and "Harry" and then we can sit on our comfortable front porch and discuss what is the best way (and only way) to really cure the problem of racism!

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." --- John 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17

You Don't Like Bible Verses Thrown Your Way, Do You?

"The truth is you need to do more than spout off Bible verses to combat racism in the church." --- statement by "anonymous" of W. VA in response to my post on the scheduled W. PA Annual Conference mandatory training sessions on racism.

Actually I find myself agreeing with "anonymous" from W. VA who objected to my post about the forthcoming training session on racism in the W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church -- well, up to a point that is.

Note the phrase, "The truth is you need to do more than spout off Bible verses to combat racism in the church."

Two things are most essential in experiencing the transforming power of God's Word:

First, there has to be a determination as to what this Bible, containing lots and lots of "verses," really is. The testimony, as given in the Bible, makes statements such as the following:

"Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" --- Jeremiah 23:29

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." --- Jesus in Matthew 24:35

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. --- Hebrews 4:12

However, the Scriptures have not only been viciously assailed outside the church, but within as well. One survey among protestant pastors a few years back determined that only about 51 percent of those pastors have a Biblical world view! And among United Methodist pastors that number dropped to 27 percent! But little wonder -- in the latter years of the 19th Century a deadly "virus" was imported from Europe -- in the disguise of "scholarship" it infected people with the view that the Bible is not trustworthy and as that expanded the end result was that many things as reported throughout the Bible simply did not take place and were not true!

So it really comes down to this -- a decision as to whether the Bible is nothing more than a "rag sheet" and we really can't be sure of much of anything by way of its contents, OR we are dealing with a volume of information brought together over time by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. If the latter view is taken then there is also recognition that where there is faithful witness to that Word and it is received by persons who are open in mind and heart, then miracles of change will take place!

Second, however, there must be a willingness to receive it -- both the Old and the New Testaments record numerous incidents in which God's Word was rejected. God's Word is light -- it is truth -- it explicitly reveals Jesus Christ to be God in human form and exclusively the only way of salvation and hope for human beings -- it rebukes and challenges -- it enhances growth in the Christian faith -- it enables the believer to discern right and wrong -- it often calls for decisions to be made in order for one to be conformed to the will of God -- and it provides absolute assurance for the future in terms of time as well as eternity! I am tempted to "spout off" a number of Bible verses in support of all this but I won't at the present time.

Ooops! I forgot -- when one does such a thing you are guilty of "proof-texting" are you not? It is quite interesting what people do to avoid being exposed to God's Word -- how their "defense system" automatically kicks into high gear when one of us "Bible thumpers" has made reference to something God has revealed for His people's benefit. If I quoted from the latest issue of Newsweek magazine or an ancient mold-covered issue for that matter, the Bible resisters would likely accept that without objection.

Yes, "anonymous" from W. VA, it does take more than "spouting" Bible verses as you put it to combat racism in the church -- there has to be a recognition of what it is you are dealing with when you confront the Bible, and whether or not you are willing to receive the contents of said Book which have the power to bring about desired and very positive changes in human life and relationships!

Since our culture finds itself in about the same identical position as that of the ancient kingdom of Judah in its latter years just prior to invasion and destruction by King Nebuchadnezzar and his army, our response to God's Word is also identical to theirs as well. Consequently racism, which is but one of the many spiritual, moral and ethical maladies infecting our nation, will continue!

I close with one more "spout off:"

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He also did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God; but he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy. Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand. And all the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all these he took to Babylon. Then they burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions. --- 2 Chronicles 36:11-19

Before & After Experiences with Racism!

And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts......" --- Mark 7:20-23

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17

As stated in yesterday's post, there are some more things I want to mention relative to the issue of racism, but this one is more of a record of a journey from the very young years to what most would say are the "senior" years! So let's get going!

In my very young years, I never saw a black person. They did not live in the rural area where I was born and raised. My first view of a person of another race was at our church where a mission program was being held and the featured person was a Japanese -- before WW II. I was very curious about that person and noticed immediately that he did not look like white people in his facial features.

Later on I may have seen some blacks, but do not distinctly remember the occasion/s.

My first real exposure and contacts with blacks came when I entered the USMC and boot camp at Parris Island SC. There were some black fellows in our platoon, but nobody expressed any "racist" attitudes or feelings toward them -- we considered ourselves all in the same boat and worked together as a team in all that we did -- this was especially important on field day nights when we had to clean the barracks from top to bottom.

The only kind of "confrontation" during boot camp that might be called a "racist" matter, but really was not -- on November 10 which is the Marine Corps birthday, we were about at the end of boot camp training -- it was a day of partying of a sort -- at one point our DI's got out the boxing gloves -- the senior DI had done some boxing and learned that a black fellow in our platoon had done some also, so he challenged H. to a match. It wasn't long before we realized that H. was getting the best of the DI, but he seemed to hold back from "putting him away!" When asked about it later and why he didn't really put the DI down, H. replied as he rolled his eyes, "No, suh -- that man would remember the next day what I did to him and I would really pay!"

Then came schools at Jacksonville FL and Millington TN with blacks and whites in classes -- everyone got along -- we learned together -- ate together - slept in the same barracks, etc. -- no problems.

Then came assignment to duty at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in NC. Jean and I were just married and got an apartment in New Bern which was a few miles from the base. I had a car -- some others didn't. I was approached by a black fellow in my squadron who lived in New Bern and asked if he could ride to base with me. I told him yes and we became very close buddies. There were a couple of other fellows who also rode with me and helped with the driving expense. But H. (not the fellow in boot camp) was the kind of fellow who would do anything for you if he could -- a real friend. But he lamented to me more than once how he wished we could just go out together in the evening to a bar and have some beers together (understand this was in my BC days [Before Christ]). Segregation was the order of the day -- we could not go into a bar together -- all whites in one place and all blacks in the other!

I was much bothered by this -- I saw water fountains in the local 5 & 10 -- one marked "colored" and the other marked "white" -- when I took my dad to the bus station for his trip back home we stared a bit at the way the station was set up -- an area for the "colored" and a much nicer area for the "white" folks.

And that's the way it was in NC for the time we were there and I admit to being very uncomfortable with that "social" system -- that under certain circumstances a very close buddy who happened to be black and I, a white person, could not socialize! It was ok if we were in a foxhole together under fire, but that was about it!

Then came discharge from the USMC -- back in northwestern PA and work in a factory that manufactured mobile homes near Clarion PA. Months passed and then God did a most merciful and miraculous work -- I repented of my many sins, received Jesus Christ into my life as Savior and Lord. Right on the heels of that came the call to the ministry in the former Methodist Church. From the time of receiving Jesus into my life to the time of standing in the pulpits of 2 Methodist Churches in New Castle PA was about 20 months, give or take a few weeks!

I finished college and was on the way to seminary. Contact with black people during this period was rather limited, but occasionally we crossed paths from time to time.

During the time at seminary things were rumbling a bit in Washington DC -- something called Civil Rights legislation was being debated in the Congress and pressure was mounting to correct many injustices and prejudices which had taken place over time. Three of us from the seminary went up to Washington DC to participate in what was called a "vigil" by seminary students -- a visible witness in the capitol in support of the proposed Civil Rights legislation. Some eyebrows were raised a bit at the seminary I was attending since the pending legislation was considered to be a "liberal" effort! While at the site of the vigil there was another "protest" going on just a few yards away from us -- the American Nazi Party under the leadership of George Lincoln Rockwell was vehemently protesting the Civil Rights legislation. They were dressed in their khaki uniforms with swastikas and all, and had their signs and their literature.

At one point a couple of us went over to one of the young men who was on "duty." We asked him some questions about this issue of race and the treatment of the blacks, etc. I can say that I never saw so much hate expressed in words, facial expressions and in the eyes of a person in my entire life. But that moment also was a blunt reminder of that need, as stressed in yesterday's post, that the only remedy for this thing is to experience what Jesus said must happen -- one has to be born again!

The legislation eventually was passed and some changes began to take place. It was by no means perfect, but at least it was a start.

As time passed there came into being something called Affirmative Action -- a further attempt to right the past wrongs and in a sense, go overboard to correct the past wrongs by use of a "quota" system.

I found out that this can be more than a bit rough for white folks under certain conditions. I had a PA State Trooper and his family attending one of my churches when they moved into the area. He was a corporal in rank and was working hard to prepare for the rank of sergeant. Andy was good at his job -- tough but always fair. He was in on a bust of a huge load of marijuana taken off an airplane which landed at the Johnstown Airport and was in charge of destruction of those bales of the weed -- they soaked it down with diesel fuel and then set it on fire. He was highly respected among his peers and by his superiors.

The day came -- he took the test for sergeant and scored higher than anyone else taking the test. Did he get the promotion? Nope -- it was given to a black who scored lower on the test! The reason was that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had put in place a "quota" system -- so many blacks had to be placed in the higher positions, in spite of not scoring high enough to earn the promotion as had been the custom.

So now we have a kind of racism of another kind rearing its ugly head, do we not? There were a host of explanations and reasoning as to why this was necessary. Is it appropriate to ask, "Do two wrongs make a right?"

What did Andy do? He quit the PA State Police and got a job with a major utility group, heading up its security system. Actually God worked this thing out for him in a wonderful way -- his pay and benefits were much better than if he had continued with the State Police! But the Commonwealth lost an excellent police officer!

Now then, how do you counsel a man such as Andy going through that experience? Do you just simply say, "Well, Andy, that's the way the little white ball bounces sometimes -- you'll just have to consider a bit of sacrifice in this -- just grin and bear it!"

In spite of the accusation of "spouting" off with Bible verses, I will continue to stand with the conviction that racism or any other social, moral or ethical problem can only be effectively remedied as each person meets the demands of Jesus -- and if that isn't done, the problems will continue to eat away at our culture as a fast growing cancer does within the human body!

Come to think of it -- perhaps Jesus should be compelled to attend the training event for racism. He didn't meet the quota system when He picked those 12 to follow Him, did He? At least not according to United Methodist Church standards as they are in place at the present time! There was not one female in that original group -- no other races were represented were they? Someone had better straighten Him out on this thing! Any volunteers?

But then if we don't pay much attention to His demands or to His personal claims regarding Himself (the "I am" statements) why be concerned with much of anything He did or said -- just follow our own ideas about how to level the playing field in our nation and in our world!

"But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'" --- Jeremiah 7:23-28

Mandatory Training on Racisim? You've Got to Be Kidding!

Mandatory Training on Racism Scheduled --- Headline on front page of the March 14, 2008 issue of InterLink, newspaper of the W. PA Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

It seems all systems are go as another "mandatory" training session for clergy of the W. PA Annual Conference on the explosive issue of racism will happen at four designated locations this spring. Bishop Bickerton has sent a letter detailing this matter and stressed also the need for church leaders among the laity to attend as well.

The events are being funded through the "Believe Again" program which was launched some time back. I still have not gotten an answer to an issue I raised about this at the begining -- just what is it I am to believe anyhow? A link at the bottom of this discussion will provide more details about that.

Apparently to get us all set straight on this racism thing a company known as Rhymes Consulting which is based in Pittsburgh will provide leadership for the sessions. Now the question is this -- is this a Christian organization and are the people leading this all dedicated Christians deeply involved in their respective churches?

But no matter -- at the heart of the Christian faith is something called transformation of a person in the inner depths of that person's being upon the condition of repenting from all known sin and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord -- quite literally, a miracle of change takes place!

In order for this miracle to take place the 4 demands Jesus placed upon us humans must happen -- no options here -- either we meet those conditions or we don't!

• Jesus said we must be born again - John 3:3
  
• Jesus said we must repent - Luke 13:3
  
• Jesus said we must be converted and become as a little child - Matthew 18:3
  
• Jesus said we must eat His flesh and drink of His blood -- not literally, of course, as He explains on the occasion of issuing this demand - John 6:53-66
  

But that is where the problem is -- it is possible to hang the label, "Christian," around your neck -- circulate in and around the church and not really know what it is to be born again as well as meeting those other demands as set forth by Jesus! I recall hearing a preacher many years ago expressing frustration about the subject of being "born again" -- he admitted he knew nothing about it!

But having the experience will change one's perspective when it comes to racial issues plus a lot of other stuff which relates one way or another to this thing called sin. Paul expressed it well in statements made in Galatians 3:28 -- and how about those statements in Colossians 3:4-14 -- you know, where he says racial identification is obliterated and not recognized in Christ Jesus -- sure shoots this diversity thing (of which too many United Methodists are so proud) all to pieces, does it not?

Is this racism thing the only thing NOT to go when Paul was inspired to write this:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. --- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Is there anyone brazen enough in the W. PA Annual Conference or anywhere else for that matter who will say to Paul -- "Yes, some things may be a bit different, but racism still remains -- it's an old thing and it will stay, no matter what -- even the grace of God is not sufficient to deal with that one -- at least not until we call in a consulting firm!" Come to think of it, there probably are some who would do it!

Just what is meant when it says that a person becomes a new creation in Jesus Christ? What are the "old things" which pass away? What are the things which become "new?"

More to come in a day or two about this racism matter -- as experienced by a fellow who at one point didn't really care if there was a God or not!

By the way, that link on the matter of "Believe Again!" as mentioned earlier -- it's at Believe Again! OK! But What Is It That I Am to Believe? A link at the bottom of that area will bring you back to this place.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
--- John 15:5-12