As the #OccupyWallStreet movement continues to flourish as a national symbol of outrage at economic injustice and inequality, faith leaders are bringing a new dimension to the demonstrations in New York. I'm an ordained Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister, and I traveled to Wall Street last weekend with a lay Catholic friend dedicated to fighting for economic justice. Our other passenger was an inanimate object that spoke volumes -- a statue of a golden calf -- a powerful symbol of idolatry in Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions.
On Sunday, we joined hundreds of people for an interfaith worship service at Judson Memorial Church and march to reflect on the condemnation of greed throughout Scripture. The calf was displayed in the sanctuary during worship and carried at the front of our procession through Lower Manhattan. In church and in the streets, the cheers and prayers were overwhelming. Photographers and TV crews flocked to us. Apparently you don't need to know your Exodus to understand a symbol of idolatry.
People know deep down that greed has been idolized for too long in our nation, with disastrous economic and spiritual consequences, and our effort struck that chord. Americans have wised up to the fact that bad actors on Wall Street -- and their servants in Washington -- have segregated a grossly unjust concentration of our nation's wealth in the hands of the people whose recklessness and greed caused our economic collapse. And we know from experience that working hard and playing by the rules doesn't bring the security that it used to. And we're outraged. We recognize a great sin and injustice in our midst.
This awakening has scared the hell out of the defenders of the status quo, and they're going on the attack. Karl Rove calls us "left-wing crazies," and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor described us as a "growing mob" at a recent religious right conference. Turn on Fox News at any time of day and you'll see pundits throwing around terms like "anti-American" and "class warfare."
What they may not realize is that there's no turning back. Not when the nation has realized an unjust truth. Not when the inspiring and sustaining power of faith is directed toward building a more just economic order. We're not going to forget what we've seen and go back to our homes and our churches like none of this ever happened. We finally, truly understand that greed really is a pervasive sinful force that must be confronted, not a necessary thing that leads to prosperity.
The faith community's movement for economic justice didn't start in Zuccotti Park in September. In addition to overcoming Jim Crow, Martin Luther King Jr. worked to end poverty for people of all races in all places. Since the Tea Party has taken over Washington, we've organized to protect the poor and the vulnerable from immoral budget cuts and confronted politicians who pay lip service to the Gospel but pursue an economic agenda inspired by Ayn Rand. We're working to hold predatory banks accountable, not only on Wall Street, but in cities across the country.
Scripture is replete with examples of people backsliding into sin after progressing toward righteousness. It would be foolish to believe that we are ushering in a golden age free of greed. But the occupiers are helping to end the era in which it is celebrated and rewarded with obscene wealth and power. And it's fitting that the faith community is part of it.
My belief is that we are more than a collection of atoms; life is more than linear and the material world is not all there is. Most people recognize this in one form or another; there is a yearning to fill the void that the lack of spirituality creates.
When you try to fill that hole with stuff, you are inevitably not satisfied, and you need more and more. Also, you look about you and see what others have, and decide if you can keep up with your co-workers or rivals, that will make you happy.
But really, how much stuff do you need? How many houses, cars, $10,000 purses and $25,000 sunglasses must you have to be happy?
americans are as much responsible for the greed on wall street as those that are on wall street doing their scams and they have have taken on greed as their god and savior.
greed knows no boundaries and deregulated capitalism allows individual and corp greed to be on steroids.
americans love their capitalism more than their bibles and when it does it thing like we see on wall street, we blame the individuals. without regulations some humans will go nuts with greed even think they are doing god's work as they scam americans and their pension funds.
if you think it is bad now wait until wall street gets their greedy hands on education and social security. you aint seen nothing yet in greed; wait until they scam the kids and seniors like they have the medical insurance for the sick and needy.
really the evangels consider america a christian nation. really. interesting perception of a christian nation.
I've had email exchanges with lots of family and friends lately about what's wrong with America. The common thread? Our politician don't represent us anymore. They're bought and paid for by big money special interests.
If you're a Washington politician, I'd suggest you start thinking about about how to fix this. It's clear this hasn't been in your interest, since big money put you into power, but it's going to be very soon. This movement is only going to grow, since millions of us are quietly thinking the same thoughts.
So, I was not impressed. It's going to take a lot more hardship before the people who need to be out there are motivated to join the societal fringes in the parks today.
It will happen, I have no doubt. But that isn't going to occur until people can no longer afford a cell phone and cable plan after monthly expenses are paid.
Would these be the old rules about not borrowing money that you cannot repay; making a substantial down payment when you buy a house; not spending the house equity that you have accumulated on consumer goods; not buying consumer goods on credit?
In my country, the banks are either prohibited from doing this or simply don't do because it doesn't make sense to lend money to risky people!!
What happened in the American system that allowed these types of loans to be made, and then on-sold and securitized until they became ticking time bombs?
Your local pawn shop for one - they don’t care if you never come back for the Rolex you put up for the loan, they just sell it to recoup their money. Houses were supposed to be the same; hence the old expression: “Safe as houses”. If someone defaulted on the mortgage; then the lender could just foreclose and sell to recoup. Usually, they didn’t even have to go to that much trouble since the person unable to repay would sell the house first to avoid the hit to their credit rating. This is why mortgage interest is a third of credit card interest.
I applaud people of all walks of faith and life who support this incredibly important effort because, you're right, Rev., "we recognize a great sin and injustice in our midst." And something has to be done about it.
Being one of the richest people in America hasn't brought peace to Sam Walton's daughter:
http://www.katv.com/story/15688273/alice-walton-arrested-for-dui-in-texas
Alice Walton Arrested for DUI in Texas - KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas
The judge should sentence her to help those who are suffering because of greed.