Jesus: The Aftermath
George Anthony Watson, Eureka
Editor:
Have you heard the one about an anti-theist, a Baptist pastor and the local town heretic who walked into a bar … oh wait, that was an NCJ cover story!
After Catalyst’s Sunday night service this week, which consisted of an apology and some clarity for a bit of miscommunication on my part surrounding a few theological issues published in the article — more about that on our website: provokechange.org — I joined Deric for sushi.
He’s a great guy and we share many similar bits of vision for trying to make the world a better place. We have our differences, too. He is driven by a type of humanism, I by what I understand to be Jesus’ teachings. But there is enough common ground to try to make our community better together. As a matter of fact, his girlfriend told me about some of the activism she has been involved in over the last few years and offered to help mentor us in some strategies. It was very generous of her, and we plan to take her up on the offer.
Deric is an anti-theist who sees organized religion as harmful to society. I assured him we are unorganized religion. He sees religion as a potential cancer. I said we’re the nicotine patch of churches. In the end we can both see how many real problems face our world (from poverty, to environmental crisis, to trigger-happy cops…), and how religion at best is often a distraction from dealing with those things, and at worst can even make things worse. But I think where Deric and I finally part worldviews is that I authentically (not ambiguously) see Jesus as offering radical teachings and modeling a way of life that really can transform individuals and societies.
Thanks for taking a risk to run a story about religion. I know it’s outside your normal purview. But I think it has sparked some meaningful discussion, and at least a few hilarious comments on your website.
Dan Davis, Co-Pastor, Catalyst Church
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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FIVE Comments
Comment / By John / Sept. 2, 1:58 p.m.
Oh Dan, while trying to clear up the confusion of your status as a Christian, you only confuse us more:
“I authentically (not ambiguously) see Jesus as offering radical teachings and modeling a way of life that really can transform individuals and societies.”
Jesus is more than a teacher or model for way of life. He is God in the flesh, creator of the universe (whether through evolution or not) and savior, not merely to make the world a better place, but to save our eternal souls. You my friend, remain as ambiguous as ever. But I don’t worry. Catalyst is Jesus’ church and He does with it as He will. I’d be happy to meet you, but I imagine who have better things to do. Blessings on your family.
Comment / By Tamara / Sept. 2, 6:46 p.m.
I’ve heard Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah’s witnesses and Catholics all say the same thing as Dan and talk about how they want to make the world a better place. What makes Dan different than any other cult leader?
Comment / By Hank Sims / Sept. 2, 7:07 p.m.
What makes you different from any other cult follower?
Comment / By Tamara / Sept. 2, 7:57 p.m.
Yeah, I guess that question comes off rude. Thanky Hanky.
Comment / By Joel Mielke / Sept. 2, 11:21 p.m.
That’s funny, she expresses such certainty when the subject is other people.