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Conversant Life is at its best when it creates a dialogue. Part of what has weakened the witness of the church has been its inability to have an intelligent conversation without it degenerating into a “Liberal” vs “Conservative” cage match. Thanks to each of you who have engaged a difficult issue in this wonderful cyber-community. Three things I have come away with: I might not think highly enough of the church. Several friends have pointed out that the church’s role in this mess is to step in and provide for those in need. Wow, I love that. And, to be honest, I also think, “good luck!” Maybe if churches cleared out the pews and replaced them with aluminum hospital beds, or if we liquidated all the overhead projectors stored in dusty basement Sunday school rooms, we might have a chance. Maybe I’m too cynical. I need to work that out. The issue is not health care coverage; the issue is the system that creates a lack of coverage. The system itself is broken. The health care industry has manipulated the law and tinkered with our ethics to create a scheme that discharges those who need care, funneling the rest into a vortex of highly profitable medications, tests, and procedures. The health care industry is willing to work with the Obama administration because our President is willing to compromise his previously stated intent to fix a broken system. If legislation keeps going the way it’s currently headed, the politicians will play with coverage, act like they care, and nothing will change except that the government will foot more of the bill to sustain a broken system. If you take a second look, the health care crisis in the United States is also a racial issue. I know, people really don’t seem to like this, but it must be said. And frankly, it must be said by white evangelicals. If Al Sharpton makes a claim based on race, part of America immediately writes it off. “They’re always upset about something!” But if the white Christian community speaks loudly about the racial disparity in health care, we might get some attention. One of the most encouraging insights I walk away with is the fact that many Christians care very deeply about the issue of healthcare. And they don’t agree with me! And that’s a beautiful thing. As we walk through the next round of “discussions” in Washington, I hope and pray that our nation will find ways to talk intelligently about a life and death issue. And may the Church lead the way. |
Comments
I'm saying amen. And I like your tone, too. It's, as you say, a broken system, but pretending like everything's okay never works. Doesn't work for bad marriages or termites in the floorboards or wacky churches, and it won't work for health care reform.
Thanks, Caroline. Was reading an article today about Eisenhower wanting to do something. Johnson, Clinton, even George Bush expanded coverage for children. We have been playing with this issue too long.
Mark,
Thanks for this post. A theology that does not become conversant with contemporary issues is irrelevant.
If we remove the miracles of Jesus from the bible, particularly those dealing with physical healing, we would be left with a truncated narrative. People's health and well being, and wholeness was important to Christ. So if there are systems that presently don't promote these things, such as our healthcare system, they're broken (as you mentioned).
Not ignoring the racial implications, as well as the economic ones (lest we be dismissed as idealists), I think the problem is ideological. So ideology leads to particular questions. The issue is the priority of question. When we talk about the issue of health care, I'm not sure if "how much is it going to cost?", ought to be the first question. It's a valid question, but is it the first?
My faith in particular has led me to ask, As people created in the image of God, how critical is access to health care for them to maintain their dignity as human beings? When a system disproportionately ignores particular people groups (you mentioned that the issue is racialized), what is our moral obligation to ensure that these people are heard?
Wow, Jose, such a good point. Our ideology is the issue. Just like I believe that the health care system is broken, so that coverage is only a result, I have to see that our lack of care is not a surface issue, but something different. Something much deeper. And more disturbing.
Mark, I have to tell you that you have challenged me to see another side of this healthcare issue. I've had to put aside my distrust of the current administration to confront the inequality of healthcare based on race. It is undeniable.
Whatever perceived solution the government proceeds with, there will still be those in need. Believers are still called to care for the needy.
And BlueDiamond, I'm grateful for your help in seeing the role of the church more clearly. I'm afraid I've been cynical about the role of the church in this, and you have helped me see that. Thanks!!!
Mark, great synopsis. You too have stretched me. I have gotta say, nothing has stretched me more, than your own willingness to be stretched. There are so many times where, as you said, we have left/right blanket statements (I am SICK of Facebook!). The actual issues have many more fissures and cracks and valleys than just what is presented on either side.
..race issue... hmm, I'll have to think about that. It's DEFINITELY a poverty issue. Are you tying those two together?
It is time for the Christian church- and the entire Christian church, to stand up together on issues like this. As M. Gandhi is quoted as saying, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Man it is time to be standing up and turning that around. Thanks for causing me to delve deeper.
Thanks, David. So glad that we have this point of contact. Interesting about Facebook. How does Facebook shape conversations? Those one line posts are so strange . . . . Future blog, perhaps? : )
The race thing. I have a lot to learn there, David. And I want to grow in how I handle it and how I impact others. Feel like I'm just starting to see clearly. But I have to say that it's a growing passion in me. Just to much disparity to ignore, not just in health care, but in prisons, poverty, so many areas.
And I agree with you about the church, David. I'm very grateful to you and BlueDiamond for helping me to see how I've been cynical about the role of the body. Maybe it is time for the church to stand up, to see the injustice, to know we can do something that would be bring glory to God. Very cool.
Mark, since you and I both work for parachurch organizations, we are exposed to a subtle and serious occupational hazard: losing our vision for the local church.
I know you have a heart for the Bronx and have tried to pass that on to students at Nyack. You also have a background in business and leadership. What would it take and what would it look like for someone to mobilize groups of believers to get more personally involved in caring for needs there?
Kingdom economics are pretty crazy: finite beings administering the unlimited resources of an infinite God. I, for one, tend to think far too small. I suspect I'm not the only one!
So true, Mike! It's easy to forget. Love your idea, Mike. Actually, looking at something like that right now. Who knows where it could go . . . .