“Nothing to fear but ...”

For some time, television commentator and Rhodes Scholar Rachel Maddow refused to comment on the “Mosque controversy.” She rightly contended that it was a completely fabricated controversy contrived by the media during the slow news days of August. Still, the vitriol of the debate forced even Rachel to acquiesce and weigh in, labeling it “this month’s new scare white people story.”

What's worth noting about all of these different “scare white people” stories is that they're not really actual news stories. No real news organizations started running with this story as actual news. The best “scare white people'” stories are invented out of whole cloth, from inside the conservative media world so they can be the just right kind of scary, in just the right kind of way, in order to drive the just right political consequences. So, ultimately, if the conservative media drives this to make it big enough, then normal news organizations pick it up too, sometimes because they're guilted into it by conservatives. But no non-Fox News, non-conservative media outlet ever starts these things.

This media-contrived story is feeding on fear and prejudice (which are essentially the same thing). Our own government has worked since 9/11 to make us afraid and keep us afraid. Now they act surprised when bigotry of any sort rears its head. I want to say to our political leaders in BOTH parties, “This is YOUR fault!” With fear as their defense, they declared a “war on terror.” Do you get the irony in that sentence? They don’t. Read MORE...

Art4PJ Presents Suspended Animation
The art of cartoons is featured in new exhibit

Art for Peace & Justice will present “Suspended Animation: The Art of Cartoons” at the Cathedral of Hope from August 13 - September 13. The exhibit will contain a rare display of animation art from cartoon studios such as Max Fleischer, Paramount / Famous Studios, Hanna-Barbera Productions, Warner Bros., Disney, Chuck Jones and others. An opening reception will be held on August 13, from 6-8 p.m. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a limited edition print (shown here) to be given at the end of the reception. Read MORE...

40 Days and 40 Nights of Peace
November 7-December 24, 2010

Recorded history long has told the tales of significant 40-day events. The flood in the Book of Genesis. Moses on Mount Sinai. Jesus fasting in the wilderness. In addition, psychologists say that if a person can incorporate something into their lives for 40 days it will become a habit. For 40 days, beginning Sunday, November 7, we will seek to create a peacemaking habit by celebrating the dedication of the Interfaith Peace Chapel with 40 Days and 40 Nights of Peace. Read MORE...

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“Liberating Word” is designed to be daily nourishment to strengthen progressive people of faith. For the world to be transformed into a place of peace and justice, WE must enter the fray. It is tempting to duck our heads and just let things pass. It is easy to become so overwhelmed by life itself that we simply don’t have the energy to challenge what is said and done. However, if we do not, then who will?

New Books by Rev. Michael Piazza!

Signed copies of three new or updated books from Rev.
Michael Piazza, Dean and National Pastor of Cathedral of
Hope and President of Hope for Peace & Justice, are on sale today! MORE...