Notes from the Balcony

Ongoing comment and dialogue on being a new church in a new world - A Blog by John Montgomery

[The Bible] is not, for a start, a list of rules, though it contains many commandments of various sorts and in various contexts. Nor is it a compendium of true doctrines, though, of course, many parts of the Bible declare great truths about God, Jesus, the world and ourselves in no uncertain terms. Most of its constituent parts, and all of it when put together (whether in the Jewish canonical form or the Christian form), can best be described as story. This is a complicated and much-discussed theme, but there is nothing to be gained by ignoring it. - N.T. Wright

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Of Kilts and Burgundy Robes

It’s the bad joke of the week….

It seems that the Dalai Lama came to the White House last week. He knocked on the door and was met by George Bush. W took one look and said, “You’re early, wait here. I’ll go get some candy.” Hmmm…

It’s the bad joke of the week because, while Bush and I disagree about nearly everything, especially disconcerting is the repeated justification of torture that comes from the administration, it seems to me that our Methodist president does get religious pluralism correct. Indeed, Bush did meet with the Dalai Lama last week, and it is the fourth visit with this important human rights advocate and Nobel Peace prize winner.




It has been a landmark last couple of days here in Atlanta as well and United Methodist Emory University has done itself proud. This morning, President Jim Wagner welcomed and presided over the inauguration of His Holiness as Presidential Distinguished Professor at this venerable institution. Reports describe an amazing morning, a cacophony of sounds with Emory’s Bagpipers troop playing away and the ever-present entourage of monks chanting and playing their traditional Tibetan long horns. Several events marked this two day visit. This morning at Atlanta’s Centennial Park, His Holiness spoke to a city-wide crowd about the reality of our interdependent world. He talked about the possibilities of world peace and shared an image of “inner disarmament.” There was a smaller conference between representatives of the many religious traditions part of the Emory community as well as another meeting on Science and Spiritualtity.

This appointment represents a longstanding commitment by Emory to supporting key human rights leaders and is the culmination of several years of work with the Tibetan exile community. Just a few years ago, Bishop Desmond Tutu held a distinguished visiting professorship at Candler. This XIV Dalai Lama’s presence also points a radical commitment by the University toward strengthening interfaith dialogue among the great faith traditions. I am proud that our church, Glenn Memorial is actively working with the university toward the creation of a Center for the Study of Religion. Dr. Jan Love, the new dean of Candler witnesses to her decision to take this position with the School of Theology particularly because of the University’s long-range commitment to not just the study of religion, but the appropriation of religion in the lives of its students and faculty.

Emory is truly a pioneer in these efforts. We live in an interfaith world. It permeates our lives. Prior to our family’s move from Chicago to Atlanta in 1990. I had been in conversation with what became the local steering committee for the 100th year celebration marking the Parliament of World Religions, first held in Chicago as part of the Columbian Exposition of 1892 – remember, “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” While primarily a Christian gathering, serious effort was made to bring key representatives of the world’s enduring faith traditions to participate. As the planning group talked, the question was obviously raised as to whether we needed to invite similar leaders from around the world this time, but quickly the group acknowledged that we no longer had to go around the globe, but just down the block.

When I need to buy groceries, on the way to my local Kroger, I pass a large Buddhist temple. Next to the facility where my kids swam, is a newly built Hindu temple. At the last, New Year’s festival, they hosted 6,000 guests. Talk about mega-churches. Each day as I commute to work, I pass the newly renovated 14th Street Mosque.

Emory is not my alma mater, but I am happy to live in Atlanta and participate in the life of this great institution. A couple of weeks ago, Lisa asked what makes us proud to be a United Methodist. I am proud of our seminaries and affiliated institutions and this week Emory has given us all something to celebrate.



Picture: AJC - 10/21/08

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