tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15646897.post-88090693989789647362008-07-10T12:45:00.002-05:002008-07-10T12:59:27.178-05:00Yesterday, in the mail, I received my Asbury Link. It is one of those things that is supposed to keep alumni up-to-date with other alumni. <br /><br />Yesterday's, the issue was devoted to alumni involved in the military in different capacities. It was a glorification of those alumni and students who have worked in the military and seen their ministry role there. And I have some issue with this.<br /><br />My main issue is that, while at Asbury, it became apparent to me that most of the people that attend there see nothing wrong with war and the war-machine that is Western civilization. However, there is a strong contingent of people on campus, both students and faculty, who identify themselves as pacifists, or that are opposed to some of the unjust practices necessarily involved in war. The magazine upset me then because there is no mention of these students or faculty in the magazine or in the work. And I'm pretty sure the next issue I get won't be devoted to some of the alumni I know that have taken peace-keeping trips to Palestine and Iraq, or who organize people for peace and justice issues. <br /><br />Why is this? Well, I think it's because it is about money. If Asbury Seminary openly endorsed their pacifist faculty and students, a lot of people would stop giving money because of their "liberal" politics (as opposed to Christ-like politics). And, I also find it a bit precarious to give this out in the middle of the presidential election, where this is an explicit endorsement of the military, which is an incredibly political statement. <br /><br />And, I must mention this contrast. This last Sunday (July 6), I was in church, where a massive flag hung in the background right below the cross (at least it was not above), and we obviously saw the celebration of America. However, my denomination's magazine lay there and it was focused on the growing international look of the Wesleyan Church. It was a great contrast on a denominational level to the celebration of American, civil religion practiced at my church. I rip on my denomination a lot for it's lack of a social ethic, but I thought I should praise it for doing well here.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/15646897-8809069398978964736?l=ncrawford.blogspot.com'/></div>Nathan Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14341745750521129659noreply@blogger.com1