Once per month or so, Fallon’s faith leaders offer their thoughts on faith and life. Any church or faith community of any kind is welcome and encouraged to participate. We have room for just a few in each column, and so we will publish in a rotation. If you have ideas for topics we should write about, or if you are a faith leader and would like to participate, please call Pastor Dawn Blundell at Epworth UMC, 775-423-4714. This week is part 1 of a 3-part series on Race in America.
RACE IN AMERICA, PART 1: HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Adam Bayer, Base Chaplain NAS Fallon
Facebook Live stream Sunday mornings 10:00am, Naval Air Station Fallon Chapel
*The views or opinions expressed herein are solely his, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense or the United States government.*
Sin. We got to where we attack, provoke, and oppress others by sin, or breaking God’s commands. This reason forces us to consider two ideas. First, how we often treat one another goes against God’s desire. The Declaration of Independence accurately states (even if it meant something else) that God created all people equal—regardless of race, gender, or any distinguishing characteristic—according to value He ascribes to them. He actually wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves! Second, we follow a long line of such disregard for God’s design. From the first murder, to the sham trial and execution of Jesus, to the world’s marred history of slavery, and finally to the current state of conflict, humanity is familiar with ignoring God’s plan.
Troy Smith, Second Counselor, Fallon South Stake Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, www.churchofjesuschrist.org
We are all children of God. A loving Heavenly Father created all of us equally, with differences and diversity. Throughout the history of mankind, unfortunately, some have tried to use the differences between us as a reason to gain power and authority over others. Even today, some still use this reasoning to claim superiority. This is wrong, but still exists. Loving our neighbor, all neighbors, as the Savior taught, is what is needed.
Rev Dawn Blundell, Epworth UMC
www.epworthfallon.org, 775-423-4714
Drive-in and Zoom worship Sunday mornings at 9:00am, sermon on Facebook Live and KVLV Radio AM980 at 9:30am
It has been said that the most important question in the Bible is when Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” and that all the rest of the Bible is the answer to that question. I have often wondered if this is the root of human sin, this refusal to be our neighbor’s keeper, this desire to have power over another rather than valuing them as siblings. This sinfulness certainly shows up in the ugliness of racism that has poisoned the world for so long. The good news, though, is that we are not helpless against it. We can, and must – for our neighbors’ sakes as much as for our own – stand for justice, in the name and in the way of Jesus.
Pastor Brennen Behimer, Parkside Bible Fellowship
www.parksidebible.com, 775-423-3855
On-site worship services at 8:30am and 10:15am
The saddening racial tensions and hostilities in our nation right now have very deep, spiritual roots. At mankind’s creation, all humanity was contained in two sinless people, Adam and Eve, who lived in beautiful harmony with their Creator and one another. When they sinfully rebelled against God, they broke relationship with Him, and there arose another, unforeseen consequence - the beginnings of hostilities between humans. When we see interpersonal or racial tensions like those plaguing our nation, we need to recognize that the cause is the same today as it was for Adam and Eve, namely, personal and corporate sin and rebellion against God.
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