Buckminster Fuller and the Choice for Life

On a very humid Sunday afternoon I found myself looking for refuge in a very stark stone structure known as the Whitney Museum. I had heard that there was a Buckminster Fuller exhibition - and, by the way, it is worthwhile seeing. We had an excellent guide who took us through the wondrous world of ideas of Fuller whose work testifies to the power of art, imagination, and genius. However, as you enter the exhibit, on the wall there was a paragraph that brought a chill to me on this hot day that said something like this: After Fuller’s daughter had died, he considered killing himself, but there was an inner voice that seemed to interrupt all of this to tell him he had a greater mission in life. That he could actually do something great for humankind.

Buckminster Fuller realized that he had a choice, just like all of us, with the gift of life that has been given us. Yet we know from statistics that many do not make the same choice he made in a time of crisis. In a recent New York Times Magazine article by Scott Anderson entitled “The Urge to End It All” Anderson tries to make the case that while suicide is an opportunity to end one’s life, it is often a permanent solution to a temporary situation. The article seems to say that when the opportunity to take one’s life is foiled or hindered, second thoughts about living come up and, oftentimes, can change one’s life’s trajectory totally. Buckminster Fuller is a case in point. As I strolled through the exhibit and saw many drawings and models of futuristic dwellings, even a car designed by him, it was also noted that Stanford University holds four tons of his documents. The whole time I kept pondering over and over again in my head his decision to choose life.

For many of us it does not seem like a hard choice. Our fear of death and cowardliness prevents us from even considering the option. Even on a subtler level, not choosing life does not necessarily have to mean snuffing out your existence; it could mean making bad choices that in the end are self-destructive. It seems to me that we make choices every day that can be for life, creativity, and the enhancement of other lives that surround us. We can also make choices that diminish us and are self-destructive. In other words, we are wasting the energy and the moments given to us. The Old Testament offers these words of advice from Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”

So, be a blessing, and life may surprise you.

Nice Guys...

During the weekend of June 15—Father’s Day—I was watching the US Open and I noticed that my favorite golfer, Phil Mickelson, was still in the game. Tiger Woods had still not won, and Phil had just completed a great putt. The commentators later reported that when Phil had completed his putt and was leaving the green, he passed by a young boy on the shoulders of his father and he handed him the golf ball. The boy was elated. The commentators remarked that that was vintage Mickelson. At that point another commentator said in a rather critical way that Mickelson has “this problem of always wanting to be liked”. Right away, I was annoyed. What is wrong with doing something nice? Does there always have to be a selfish motive behind every good deed? Does a simple gesture like handing a golf ball to a boy have to have an ulterior motive?

One of the problems in our new world is that people are suspicious of everything, even good deeds. There must be something sinister behind every action. Why can’t we be nice, or kind, or good for its own sake? Jesus once said that you should love your enemies because loving your friends is something everyone can do. Put another way, doing good things for others and even caring for those who do not deserve it is what we are supposed to do.

I once saw a cartoon in the New Yorker that had a picture of a man smiling as he looked at another man and said, “I am a nice guy. Who finished first?” The world, of course, feels differently, captured in the old saying, “Nice guys finish last.” I am still thinking about another nice guy who is no longer with us -Tim Russert. Most of us did not realize how nice he was because we assume that to arrive at the top of your game or the “top of the heap”, you usually have to do some mean and selfish things, and even step on a few people. I do not want to canonize Tim Russert into sainthood. He is a sinner like the rest of us. Nevertheless, it is no secret that he loved his family, idolized his father, was extremely close to his son, was a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills and a devout Catholic whose faith meant something to him. It was part of his lifestyle and practice, and, dare we say, part of his being. He was definitely a nice guy who finished first.

“I Am as Corny as Kansas in August”

I am sure that Kansas is corny in August as stalks rise up to the sky. However, as fate would have it, I was there only a couple of weeks ago when the corn was just sprouting from the ground. I had never been to Kansas before even though I lived in Illinois and went to college in Indiana, and as I walked through the airport reading advertisements, I discovered to my surprise that it has produced a lot of famous people. As I looked at the walls, I saw names like Amelia Earhart, Dennis Hopper, William Ing, Bob Dole, Buster Keaton, Stan Kenton, Harold Lloyd, Zasu Pitts, John Cameron Swayze, and many others. They all reminded me that the ground I was standing on was significant.

And here I was – arriving to preside over the wedding of Kris and Ellen Roggemann ( http://www.krisandellen.com/home.asp ), a young couple that I am very fond of and one of whom I baptized and confirmed.

I usually do not like it when people write their wedding vows. They usually sound as corny as Kansas in August… However, Kris and Ellen insisted on writing their own and they did a wonderful job. They wrote:

I, Kris/Ellen, take you, Ellen/Kris, to be my wife/husband, to share the good times and the hard times side by side.

I humbly give you my hand and my heart as I pledge my faith and love to you.

I promise to encourage and inspire you, to support you in your goals, to laugh with you, to comfort you in times of sorrow, and to work by your side in creating a wonderful life together.

And during the exchange of rings:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.

As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you.

Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be faithful to you.

Upon my return to New York I learnt that Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller tied the knot the day before Kris and Ellen. They, too, wrote their own vows. Brooke reportedly said that she would cook more meals outside of the microwave and keep piles of debris on her side of the bed below the two foot mark and clean her closet at least once a decade. Sheen reportedly promised to organize less and listen more, quit breaking a hug too soon and mute the ball game when Brooke says, “This is a matter of life and death”. Sheen mentioned that traditional wedding vows are “so outdated” that there appears to be no difference from what is said at a wedding or at a funeral, except the casket. So, they ended their vows by saying “This and that, such and such, yada, yada, yada, bla, bla, bla.”

I suppose there is no need for me to comment on their wedding vows. They speak for themselves and for the lack of seriousness about their relationship. Perhaps that’s why all of Charlie Sheen’s relationships have ended up in a casket. Call me corny, but vows need to be taken seriously even if they are not lived up to as well as we would like it. In all relationships we need to set the bar high.

Review of the Play “Thurgood” with Theological Implications

I had the privilege of going to see the one-man play “Thurgood” starring Laurence Fishburne and written by George Stevens Jr. I had admired George Steven Jr. biographical film of his father entitled: “George Stevens, Film Maker’s Journey”. George Stevens (Sr.) films are favorites of mine; however, I had my doubts about his son as a writer because children do not always live up to the fame of their parents, i.e., Frank Sinatra Jr. So, I came to the play with some doubts about how good it could be. “Oh, me of little faith”. I was wrong, and for ninety minutes I was mesmerized by Fishburne’s portrayal of this giant of civil rights history. Anyone who is a lawyer ought to see this play because you would find it not only inspiring, but a renewing experience.

The play moves through the history of Thurgood Marshall who was on the Supreme Court for over twenty years. It has lots of humor, psychological depth, and is dramatically portrayed with such ease that you forget you are watching Laurence Fishburne and think you are actually seeing Thurgood Marshall. It is a miracle to be able to talk for ninety minutes and make it interesting and moving. He wrung out all the emotions in me, from anger to laughter to tears.

What I found to be important about this play was that it approached the civil rights issue and the racial divide in our country from a different perspective. Usually we think of inequality, racism and, linked with that, civil disobedience. For example, just recently here in New York, if you looked to find Al Sharpton he would generally be leading a media circus in an attempt to remove Don Imus from the radio (regardless of any apology) or leading a demonstration against a court decision. “Thurgood”, the play, talks about an individual who is dedicated and committed with a firm faith in the law of this land. He was dedicated to using the law as a way to bring justice to this country, and while justice may come slowly, when it does come, it is victorious.

This play brings out how little America knows about Thurgood Marshall and his early career as a civil rights lawyer who argued Brown vs. the Board of Education in 1954. It talks of racism in the military, with people like Gen. Douglas MacArthur denying it and defending the all-white military band. Marshall points out in a humorous line, “Don’t tell me you can’t find a Negro who can blow a horn”. You also get an interesting look at President Lyndon B. Johnson, who appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court, as the gifted politician who was able to convince enough senators, one by one, to confirm Marshall.

In the end, this is a history lesson that jogged my mind in a new direction, giving me not only a great admiration for Thurgood Marshall, but an immense appreciation for the law of our country. It also pushed me to think about documents and precepts that one’s own life could be dedicated towards from a faith perspective. For example, Marshall ended up not only using the law but loving the law. Perhaps what may be missing in our life and lifestyle as Christians is a deeper appreciation for scripture and even for such things as the Ten Commandments or the creeds of our Church. In most cases there is in ignorance that hovers like a cloud over many in our congregation who rarely open the Bible or even know what is foundational to our faith. For Marshall the law was not a dusty volume of torts on the wall – and wouldn’t it be great if the Bible were opened by us with a searching, questioning and appreciative mind?

During the play Marshall, arguing the law, says in exasperation, “I am sick of saving the white man’s soul.” All of our souls could use a little saving. Marshall found salvation in the law. Those of us of faith perhaps need to look to the good news found in our Bibles.

Pastor Disaster

One of the advantages of living in New York is being able to get an instant smile on your face when you see the front page of the New York Post. There is always some outrageous thing in print that stares back at you at the news stand. One such morning I saw the phrase “Pastor Disaster” and, of course, I had a sigh of relief when I found out it wasn’t me. I am sure it’s every pastor’s nightmare to find him- or herself on the front page of the Post with that label. In this case it was Barack Obama’s pastor Reverend Wright’s turn. Following the rather courageous speech of Obama who tried to put Rev. Wright in perspective, Rev. Wright came before the American press and threw Obama under the bus. Rev. Wright spoke about himself over and over again, ad nauseum. Yes, he was a disaster, and it is unfortunate that Obama was associated with him.

To be fair to Rev. Wright, I am sure he is a good pastor to his people. He has done a lot for people in this church. The place has grown under his leadership. He brought Obama in to the church and married him and his wife and baptized his children. His church has helped the poor directly and he has, I am sure, been very effective. At one time or another, if you are a good pastor, you feel like a disaster, or you feel that you have made a mess of things. All of us card-carrying reverends find ourselves in this situation at least once in our career. Usually, what leads to becoming a “Pastor Disaster” is when the pastor has too much ego infused into the situation. Being a minister is not about “me” and my troubles and my needs and my desire for attention, it is usually about trying to be a caring, non-anxious presence for someone who needs help. Ministry isn’t me first, it is trying to park your ego at the door and go into situations putting others first. I am not saying that I am always successful, but I do know that a pastor can make a mess out of things very quickly, when our narcissistic self rears its ugly head.

That is precisely the pitfall that took out Rev. Wright and labeled him as “Pastor Disaster”. Of course, he has made outrageous statements on the topics of race, AIDS, associations with Farrakhan, and a few inappropriate sermons that were filled with misdirected anger. Believe it or not, that stuff, while it is nothing I agree with, does not upset me as much as a minister getting up to talk about himself at the expense of a family that belongs to his church and one of whose members, by the way, is running for president. While I have not made up my mind about for whom I am going to vote, I have to agree with Bob Herbert of the New York Times who said that for the first time in American history a black man has a serious chance of being president and his pastor really cared more about himself when he got up onto the national stage to address his audience.

Jesus puts it this way as he addresses his disciples for the last time and insists on washing their feet: “I am among you as one who serves.”

Let that be a lesson to all pastors who could be heading for disaster.

Reaching Outside Our Jurisdiction

Many years ago, when I was interning at Grace Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara, CA, I did a ministry project in which I wanted to organize an interfaith worship service to pray for peace. This was during the Vietnam War. The project threw me out of the church doors into community coalitions, action groups, and other churches. I remember being at our first meeting and talking to the various leaders in our community about this idea. They were very surprised to find a religious leader in their midst, and when I suggested a service of prayer for peace inviting the entire community of Santa Barbara (which later turned out to have 1,500 people in attendance), they were a little taken aback. One person said to me: ”Can’t we do something instead of just pray?” It became a question that has rung in my ears ever since.

If you are like me, you do not want to sit around and talk about things—you want to make them happen. So, when he said in effect that prayer, while OK, was not doing something, it caused me to pause and rethink what I really thought about the importance of prayer and even worship.

Was he saying that worship and prayer and meditation and singing hymns just added up to a waste of time? Could we be doing better things with our time? How effective are such “activities” when we could be reading the New York Times, going to the gym and getting our workout done, or just doing our bills? Lots of people find worship to be inconvenient. It even seems like a passive activity. If worship goes over an hour, one might even hear a negative comment or two.

What is worship anyway? Is it an hour of torture? Is it a place where we write out our shopping list as the sermon is being spoken? Is it a place where our mind wanders into the great and deep recesses of our imagination? Or is it a place where we gather with fellow believers to
acknowledge that we are creatures who are worshipping our creator?

I am sure in terms of time management we could get a lot done during that Sunday morning, and many people do. On the other hand, maybe we have the wrong perspective on what it all means. I recall watching a film about a group of young people going through the wilderness area of Nepal where they came across a group of Hindus praying devoutly with their prayer wheels spinning. They were surprised by such piety and even inspired as they watched such devotion taking place. One of them wanted to go back and take yoga meditation, others looked on curiously and found it as an invitation to rethink their own spirituality.

Kurt Vonnegut tells a story of visiting John Updike and his wife and waking up Sunday morning to an empty house, wondering where everybody went. A while later, the Updikes returned, from church. He was surprised, but should not have been; John Updike has been going to church his whole life. He says that it is the only place where he can sing hymns and on certain, surprising, occasions find inspiration.

Today there is a lot of talk about spirituality; almost as if it is in opposition to being religious. In fact, I remember someone saying, “I am not religious, but I am spiritual.” Unfortunately, today the word spiritual has become a very fuzzy term with a variety of definitions. It can mean anything from getting a massage to traveling around the world to have an audience with the Maharishi, like the Beatles. I, a secular person who has chosen a highly spiritual path, am always challenged by spirituality. All of life can be interpreted spiritually and needs to be, so that we can discover its deep and profound meaning and enjoy the gift of life that we have been given. I always remember that quote from the Little Prince: The most important things are invisible.

To me, being spiritual requires something else. It means taking time and, in many ways, being disciplined. It is not about rushing or trying even to complete something; it is about a journey that invites you into a world within a world. To me, that is what worship, prayer, meditation are about. As the Roman Catholic priest and paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin once said: “True action must pass through the world of holiness.” Christians gather each week to feed their souls, to strengthen their spirits, to offer creation back to God by acknowledging the spiritual presence of the Creator in their life. The people of God gather for strength and find it confirmed when they stand shoulder to shoulder with each other, when they kneel at the same table for bread and wine, when they close their eyes, sometimes filled with tears, in prayer for others.

So - amid the noisy children, the sermon that makes your mind wander from place to place sometimes, the music that may at moments be less than rousing, something beyond all this may take place. Put differently, even though our efforts to relate to our Creator are mostly frail and imperfect, something happens in spite of us—we may gain deep insight, find ourselves connected in a more powerful way to what we must be doing in this world with love, compassion, and empathy. We may discover a way to forgive ourselves for things that have burdened us for months or even years. We may be given the wisdom we need to handle the challenges and obstacles that we face that week. We may even grow to understand that we have a relationship with this mystery we call God in a far deeper way than we first imagined.

I am in the process of reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a popular book in the area of spirituality that has gained some attention. She writes this: “ ‘[…] Experience teaches us that the world is no nursery school.’ I agree—the world isn’t a nursery school but the very fact that this world is so challenging is exactly why we must reach out of its jurisdiction for help, appealing to a higher authority in order to find your comfort.”

The experience on Sunday morning is just that—reaching outside of our jurisdiction for help.