Strangely, „resistance writing“ seems to have been 8 years early. Now that it would actually be required, it is nowhere to be found because it’s not the aesthetic/ vibe of the moment.
In most sermons, it's important to have an application. I'd like to request the same from your writing, Sam. You're pointing at the right things but so often they're obscured by over-thinking and under-doing.
I like the sound of that initiative, I do appreciate a society that respects the church as a place of sanctuary and that seems to be fading in the US. But to elaborate futher I want us to get even more local, more relational. Because I wonder how much of this 'heart' is withered because we're looking at youtube instead of right in front of us. My church has a transitional housing ministry. Instead of getting angry at trump and feeling flabbergasted I can actually serve real human beings there. You don't have to be a Christian to guess which path Jesus would suggest.
I agree that in person is the way to go. I wonder if there are college campuses where it would be feasible to connect vulnerable international students with a group who would just, you know, escort them places. You would need an agreement about what to do if something actually happens (witness? intervene?). You would also need decision making about what to do with people who might call for a group just because they want the attention, although in some ways that’s the easier problem to have. The broader point would be collecting people together to regularly do something in person; you’d create networks. Resistance networks, if you will.
Strangely, „resistance writing“ seems to have been 8 years early. Now that it would actually be required, it is nowhere to be found because it’s not the aesthetic/ vibe of the moment.
In most sermons, it's important to have an application. I'd like to request the same from your writing, Sam. You're pointing at the right things but so often they're obscured by over-thinking and under-doing.
I kind of agree, except that I think the uncertainty about how to act, or even speak, may be part of the point?
One suggestion that I read recently is that of interfaith groups to guard churches that have seen their numbers drop due to members of the congregation who are afraid of ICE: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2025/04/01/interfaith-volunteers-needed-to-guard-nonwhite-churches/
I thought that sounded cool, but of course I’m not in a position to participate, outside the US.
I like the sound of that initiative, I do appreciate a society that respects the church as a place of sanctuary and that seems to be fading in the US. But to elaborate futher I want us to get even more local, more relational. Because I wonder how much of this 'heart' is withered because we're looking at youtube instead of right in front of us. My church has a transitional housing ministry. Instead of getting angry at trump and feeling flabbergasted I can actually serve real human beings there. You don't have to be a Christian to guess which path Jesus would suggest.
I agree that in person is the way to go. I wonder if there are college campuses where it would be feasible to connect vulnerable international students with a group who would just, you know, escort them places. You would need an agreement about what to do if something actually happens (witness? intervene?). You would also need decision making about what to do with people who might call for a group just because they want the attention, although in some ways that’s the easier problem to have. The broader point would be collecting people together to regularly do something in person; you’d create networks. Resistance networks, if you will.
BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you for reminding the reader of the complexity of Living, even if, in doing so, there is the ever-present risk of dying.