I could not believe my ears when Hillary, from 1000 Bible Stories, chose to venerate ESTHER as the one she is most drawn to. This yesterday on CNN's Compassion Forum. Esther is an Old Testament book which is the basis of the Purim celebration. It is a book that celebrates violence. A few years ago when I read Esther, it became the linchpin of my decision to embrace nonviolence at all costs. Revulsion toward Esther turned me around for good. I have dug out an old note I wrote at the time. Here it is, amended a bit to take out some of the "shorthand".
This was originally a note to an online Rene Girard Forum on Ecunet, designed to jostle those who talk intellectually about theories. There was no immediate response. I am accounted an eccentric curmudgeon in such circles.
THE NOTE:
I picked up a Gideon Bible when I woke up this AM.
It opened to Esther so I read it.
It said that the King ruled. His word was absolute law.
So he got rid rid of Queen 1 and made Esther Queen 2.
A manifestation of rampant hierarchical rule.
A manifestation of our fallen human nature and the corruption if power.
Now Purim is celebrated because, having bought into the arbitrary placement of Esther on the throne, everyone, Jews and Persians and everyone else, engaged in mutual slaughter.
Result: Many Dead Bodies. But wait, in their defense, they did not pounder.
I am disgusted because I read Esther as a text which celebrates war and the God on our side mentality.
I will not celebrate any such holidays in the future.
I will inveigh against violence even though I confess myself as violent and original-sinned as the next person.
Let's talk direct and simple sometimes.
Anything that kills or leads to same is not something to buy into. Anything, not just some things.
Best, S
Hillary Clinton chose the illegitimately-enthroned queen, author of a celebrated bloodbath, as her shining example of Biblical propriety. She might better have chosen Jesus standing silent before his accusers who mocked him as a failed and false ruler but whose overcoming of the principalities and powers have made him the venerated -- if rarely obeyed -- ruler of this world.
Born in NYC, attended Oberlin & Trinity Schools, then Exeter and Williams (Phi Beta Kappa 1958). Worked with the Reverend James Robinson, finished Union Theological Seminary in NYC (1961). Joined Student Interracial Ministry in Nashville. Founded Renewal Magazine in Chicago, served The Christian Century and Christianity Crisis magazines. Covered civil rights in Oxford, Birmingham and Selma. Interviewed Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X. My book The Grass Roots Church had impact on the ecumenical movement. Have authored some 15 books, been a house-husband and father of three wonderful (grown) children. I have written published music choral and popular. Most recently I served in UN agencies including UNICEF in NYC and edited CHOICES which was the flagship magazine of UNDP.
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