Goodbye Facebook. Goodbye Twitter.

I am deleting both my personal Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The radio show accounts will remain and exist simply to promote new episodes. Of course, Southminster accounts will remain.

I hope to do more of my own writing and research on issues critical to our survival as a species. Perhaps that writing will occur here. For now I am taking this first step to disconnect to some small degree from the vast disinformation psyop that is destroying my soul, and I believe our collective soul.

When I think of Facebook, I think of Hansel and Gretel, delighted with the house made of candy only to discover that its keeper created it in order to cook them for supper.

This will be a great loss in many respects as Facebook especially has been a way to connect with many people from my past. No longer will folks be able to communicate with me via these social media platforms. I also will no longer be posting pictures or information about my family.

There are many reasons for this change that has been brewing within me for some time.

Church members can as always connect with me via email, phone, and text.  

Analysis Of A Smear Campaign

UPDATE Saturday 10:40 am

Kevin Barrett, on March 16th's False Flag Weekly News, talks about KBOO's decision. The issue is about 9/11. Rather than debate, those who defend the official story censor.

The KBOO staff said the decision to cancel my interview at the last minute with Kevin Barrett was not due to "any type of pressure." KBOO Program Advisory Committee member Herschel Soles sees it differently. He writes: "I heard via a call to the station that there were threats of cutting funding and death threats which suggest there was some pressure."

--

UPDATE: Thursday 12:17 pm

AR Ross, an antifa leader of the smear campaign I wrote about below, has had an article he wrote removed from the Southern Poverty Law Center's website.  The campaign against Barrett isn't Mr. Ross's first go-around regarding name-calling in an attempt to silence journalists and activists who are opposing the military industrial complex. According to Kevin Gastola of Shadowproof:

It lumped anti-war or anti-imperialist journalism in with the work of fascists, who are allegedly part of a massive Russian conspiracy to create a multipolar world where the United States is no longer the greatest superpower.

This is the SPLC's "Explanation and Apology" for Ross's article (Emphasis mine).

On March 9, 2018, we posted an article on our Hatewatch blog entitled “The multipolar spin: how fascists operationalize left-wing resentment.” 

Shortly after its publication, we received complaints registered by or on behalf of several journalists mentioned in the article that it falsely described one or another of them as white supremacists, fascists, and/or anti-Semites, and falsely accused them of engaging in a conspiracy with the Putin regime to promote such views. Because neither we nor the article’s author intended to make any such accusations, we took it down while we re-examined its contents. 

That re-examination has caused us to conclude that, while the intent of the article, which we thought was clear at the time of publication, was to show only that individuals on the left share some policy views with respect to multipolarism that are also held by the far right and/or appear on far-right media and conferences advocating them, the article did not make that point as clearly as it could or should have. 

Accordingly, we have decided not to re-post it. In addition, we extend a sincere apology to those who believe they have been falsely described in it, including Max Blumenthal, Ben Norton, Tim Pool, Rania Khalek, and Brian Becker, and disclaim, as clearly as we can, any intention to suggest that any of them are white supremacists, fascists, and/or anti-Semites, that they hold such views, or that they are engaged in a conspiracy with the Russian government to promote such views or otherwise.

Meanwhile, KBOO's management has released a statement about canceling Kevin Barrett's appearance on my Friday show. When I spoke with them this morning, staff stated that the decision was not due to pressure. Morning news director, Derric Crooks, who was chiefly responsible for the decision, said he conducted his own research and helped draft the statement that said Barrett's "speeches, writing, and other publicly available material are diametrically opposed to KBOO's values."

Obviously, I disagree.  Kevin is a well-researched scholar and academic and has sacrificed a great deal to point out some very uncomfortable truths about 9/11, Islamophobia, and Zionism which is exactly what we were going to talk about on my show.  The important stuff. Uncovering uncomfortable truths is a KBOO value.

--
UPDATE: Tuesday 5:59 pm.

Kevin has declared a debate challenge with local antifa leader, AR Ross.

--

TUESDAY, March 13th. 11:38 a.m.

It has been an interesting series of events.

Dr. Kevin Barrett was not on my monthly KBOO show, Beloved Community, last Friday, March 9th as scheduled. Dr. Barrett is a Muslim and an Arabic scholar. We were going to discuss his thoughts about Islamophobia and what drives it.  Here is that story.

I had planned to have him on my show for some time and it received on-line and on-air promotions.  A couple of days before the show was to air, the Program Director sent me an email that had been sent to her, ""Stop Kevin Barrett from polluting the airwaves with anti-semitism...."

I knew it was a smear campaign when I first saw the trigger words (antisemite, holocaust denier, conspiracy theorist).  I didn't take this email too seriously as I myself have been a target of smear campaigns. I wrote back to the program director that I would take responsibility because Kevin was my guest. I thought that would be it. I even replied to the RCA (Rose City Antifa) email and invited them to call in on the live show.

Then the smear campaign began in earnest. After a day's worth of libelous Twitter attacks, emails and phone calls to KBOO, the staff (for reasons I am not sure as I have yet to speak with them), called me and forbade me from interviewing him. I love the staff and I assume the best of them. My guess is that they panicked.

Kevin offers his take on the bullying by RCA here (9:45) while speaking with Dr. John Andrew Morrow. By the way, Professor Morrow is an Islamic scholar, author and activist with The Covenants Initiative. I will be on a panel with him in Seattle April 28th for an interfaith event.

These are the Muslims who are 'peace through justice and truth' Muslims, not the Wahhabists. These covenants are about how to live together, how to coexist, Muslim and Christian. We keep saying, "Where are the peaceful Muslims?" Here they are. Do we really want to ban them from the airwaves?

My interest in having Kevin as a guest arose because I met him at a conference that was put on by Roots of Conflict. They invited me to moderate the discussion at Portland State on February 3rd  (Co-Sponsored by KBOO), because of my interfaith work with the masjid across from my church. We  have collaborated on the Ramadan Tent Project and shared birthday celebrations of prophets Mohammad and Jesus (Peace Be Upon Them).

This was the second conference in which Roots of Conflict had Kevin Barrett as a presenter. Here is a summation of the first. I was nervous about it at first as I knew he was outspoken about 9/11, but I said to myself, "These are the people my friends want me to hear. So I will." 

My mind is opening. Islamophobia is real. Kevin has a defensible and interesting theory of how it arose and continues to do damage. Agree with his theory. Don't agree. Or as I quoted Aristotle at the beginning of the conference,

"The mark of an educated mind is to entertain a thought without accepting it."

Anyway, on Friday morning I had to scramble on what to air in the place of my interview with Dr. Barrett. Luckily, I had prepared a special program for my syndicated show, Progressive Spirit, featuring presentations by Dr. Aisha Jumaan and Mohammad Al-Nimr that were presented at the Roots of Conflict event at Portland State. KBOO was going to air it another time, but I decided to air it then in place of my live interview with Dr. Barrett.

[BTW, please listen to this and share widely. Look up Dr. Aisha Jumaan about the Yemen Catastrophe that would not happen without U.S. support. And look up the story of Saudi Cleric, Nimr Al-Nimr who was executed by the Saudis for speaking out about their human rights abuses.]

The irony is that Dr. Barrett also spoke at that event! I asked KBOO to co-sponsor it which it did.

Here is another irony. Sunday, I preached on Nicodemus. Nicodemus only appears in the Gospel of John and he appears three times.  Nicodemus is a member of the Pharisees, the religious establishment.  He is interested in Jesus and speaks with him about spiritual matters (chapter 3). Nicodemus also buys 75 pounds of spices to give Jesus a proper burial (chapter 19). In chapter 7, when Jesus is being maligned by religious leaders and their cops, Nicodemus comes to the defense of Jesus amidst a smear campaign.

Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, ‘Why did you not arrest him?’ 

The police answered, ‘Never has anyone spoken like this!’ 

Then the Pharisees replied, ‘Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.’ 

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, ‘Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?’  

They replied, ‘Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.’ 

Smear campaigns are at least as old as the Bible and still as deadly. Before condemning him, maybe we should follow the wisdom of Nicodemus and give Dr. Kevin Barrett a hearing. Those who don't like what he says can share their views too.

KBOO station management should hear from you about this.  As I wrote in my email to them:

It is important to me that Kevin not be considered an enemy (nor me for that matter) because we explore controversial and often taboo topics.  I want to be able to do that at KBOO and not freak you all out. I don't want RCA members to be an enemy either, but I do want to call out this particular campaign tactic as unhealthy to a beloved community.

Denied.

So I am eating my eggs at Shari's restaurant and using their wifi.  I am checking to see if the link from this post to my blog works, and I get this:

Request denied by WatchGuard HTTP proxy.
Reason: Category 'Elevated Exposure' denied by WebBlocker policy 'newWebBlocker.3'.
Method: GET Host: www.shuckandjive.xyz Path: /2017/09/remembering-911-for-what-purpose.html

So how do I tell WatchGuard to stop denying access to Shuck and Jive? Against what are they guarding? Porn? No porn on Shuck and Jive. Just the search for truth.

No I don't have an ssl certificate because I don't sell anything here.  My church website www.southmin.org doesn't have the ssl thingy either.  But you can eat your eggs at Shari's and enjoy perusing my church website.

Shari's customers need access to Shuck and Jive and to eggs.  We shouldn't have to choose between eggs and Shuck and Jive.

Losing Our Religion Screening at Southminster

Brendan is a pastor in a small, evangelical church, and he has a secret. 

He doesn't believe in God anymore. His wife is still a true believer - and she just told the wrong person.  

Losing Our Religion is a feature length documentary about preachers who are not believers, and what atheists do when they miss church. Allowed access to the 600 members of The Clergy Project – a safe haven for preachers from all faiths who no longer believe – the documentary follows ex-members and clergy who are still undercover.

We will be screening this important film on Thursday November 30th at 7:30 pm at Southminster. Join us at 7:00 for a pre-screening conversation. I am a member of the Clergy Project and have a small part in the film. I will talk about the protesters Southminster received after I posted an article in the Friendly Atheist about the need to move beyond the requirements of belief if faith communities wish to survive in the 21st century. There will be a donation request for the cost of screening the film.

Why this film? From my perspective, it is not to push "losing religion" or to push "anti-church." I am in the church. I like my job. I would not like it if I were forced to lie about who I really am. The church can be deadly when it lives within its own box. This film is about promoting freedom to question, to grow, and to change. I show it for all my clergy colleagues, past and present, who have devoted their lives to truth and compassion but have been boxed in by beliefs that no longer resonate. Someone asked me why I would show this in a church. It is exactly in the church where it needs to be shown. I also show it for my congregations who have demonstrated that it is possible to grow and be a place of acceptance and encouragement for all people on their various paths.

Other Links:
Southminster Facebook Event.
The film's website.
An interview I had with the producer of the film, Leslea Mair on KBOO's The Beloved Community.

Out of Order: Queer Pastors Redefining Church

On Tuesday October 17th at 7 p.m., Southminster will screen the new film Out of Order: Queer Pastors Redefining Church.

Out of Order is a groundbreaking feature documentary revealing the complex and painful struggles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) faith leaders as they confront entrenched bigotry and work to build loving support within their churches.... 

The leaders of this movement are young LGBTQ people of faith claiming a place in their church pulpits — and recognition in the everyday moments of church life. 

The film draws timely attention to the joyful experiences and complex struggles of queer young people, the need for greater awareness and understanding of bisexuality, and the growing visibility of transgender individuals, offering a unique perspective on a trans person of faith. 

Out of Order offers audiences a glimpse into what it looks like to navigate the reality of gender transition and lived sexual identity as a person of faith.

Here is the Facebook event.

Again, please attend and share widely among all your networks.

A five dollar donation will be encouraged for screening costs.

Southminster Presbyterian Church is on the corner of Denney and Hall. 

12250 SW Denney Road, Beaverton. 

Justice and Love for the T in LGBT

Southminster is hosting two events regarding justice.

On Tuesday, October 10th at 7 pm, eight panelists will tell their stories and take questions regarding the challenges and joys of being transgender. The panel discussion is called "The Church's Response to the T in LGBT."

The panel will include Emma Lugo and Nicolette James of Transpositive PDX radio show on 90.7 KBOO. (Facebook). From the website:

Transpositive PDX Logo

"Transpositive PDX explores the vibrant activism going on in Portland reflecting the Transgender, Two Spirit, Non Binary and Gender Non-Conforming Community.  Through the strength of our vibrant and diverse Trans and Gender Queer communities. 

Transpositive PDX connects listeners with the ongoing activist, arts, culture, and dialogue happening in Portland and beyond.  Transpositive PDX is especially concerned about the underrepresented voices of Trans People of Color, Homeless Youth, and the most vulnerable in our communities."

Leo Bancroft describes himself as

"an out bisexual trans guy who is a mission developer/intern pastor for the Oregon Synod of the ELCA (Lutherans). In this role, I have started a small LGBTQIA and ally church called The Flame." Facebook

 Leo blogs at One of the Boys PDX.

Also on the panel Lurissa Sponsler-Overby and Eric Overby of PFLAG East Multnomah County. Lurissa and Eric are parents of a trans daughter. Lurissa said to me that she

"knows what it feels like as a parent to have your child rejected due to religious beliefs." 

Among many projects, Eric and Lurissa are leaders of PFLAG East. Facebook

The panel will also feature Southminster member, Jaimee, and her friends, Amber and Blair who will share their experience of being trans in Washington County.

Here is the Facebook page for the event.

Please share widely.

This is an important opportunity for trans understanding and trans justice.

On Tuesday October 17th at 7 p.m., Southminster will screen the new film Out of Order: Queer Pastors Redefining Church.

Out of Order is a groundbreaking feature documentary revealing the complex and painful struggles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) faith leaders as they confront entrenched bigotry and work to build loving support within their churches.... 

The leaders of this movement are young LGBTQ people of faith claiming a place in their church pulpits — and recognition in the everyday moments of church life. 

The film draws timely attention to the joyful experiences and complex struggles of queer young people, the need for greater awareness and understanding of bisexuality, and the growing visibility of transgender individuals, offering a unique perspective on a trans person of faith. 

Out of Order offers audiences a glimpse into what it looks like to navigate the reality of gender transition and lived sexual identity as a person of faith.

Here is the Facebook event.

Again, please attend and share widely among all your networks.

A five dollar donation will be encouraged for screening costs.

Southminster Presbyterian Church is on the corner of Denney and Hall. 

12250 SW Denney Road, Beaverton. 

KBOO: Support One of Portland's Greatest Treasures

KBOO's Fall membership drive has begun!

KBOO is a Portland treasure. It is going to be fifty years old and it can kick, stretch, and kick.



I am thankful that KBOO is here doing justice and bringing diverse voices of the Pacific Northwest to the airwaves. I interview guests and produce Progressive Spirit and the Beloved Community at KBOO. I wouldn't be able to do this without KBOO.

I am on the KBOO Foundation Board and know a little bit about what it takes to keep this station going. It requires a lot of love, hard work, and members who give time and money to keep KBOO on the air and offering non-commercial, non-corporate truth.

This is the resistance.

Go to the website and click Donate or call 877-500-5266 from now to September 28th and become a member with a one-time gift or a recurring gift ($5, $10, $20, $50, etc. per month).

Here is a fun fact.  Typically in music-formatted radio, commercial stations run 12-16 minutes of commercials per hour. Talk shows often up to 18 minutes per hour or more. Every freaking day.

If that is not enough, commercial stations speed up Rush Limbaugh’s chatter so they can squeeze more ads in per hour!

KBOO makes an appeal for a couple of weeks three times per year. Volunteers make KBOO sing. And we don't speed up their voices.

These volunteers need to eat. I am soliciting restaurants to provide a meal for 15 volunteers. Know of a restaurant that can help? KBOO will thank them on the air the day they offer a meal.

I have a few openings. Email johnshuck [at] kboo [dot] fm.

With Appreciation,
John

Remembering 9/11 for What Purpose?

This is the day on social media where we dutifully post where we were and when and what we were doing when we first learned that the World Trade Center Towers had been hit by airplanes. On the anniversary we repeat the slogan "Never forget." But why? What are we not supposed to forget? Obviously, it can't be that we are supposed to forget it happened. The images are burned into our memories. Of what are we in danger of forgetting? I certainly have not forgotten 9/11 and until death or the onslaught of dementia, I likely won't ever forget that day. So why do we need to remind each other, "Never forget?" Never forget, what?

I suggest that the "never forget" command refers not to what but to who. We are never to forget who did this to us.  As Christians since the medieval period remembered the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday, they recalled a who. Who killed our Lord? Never forget it was the Jews, so they believed.  Why did they believe it? They believed what they were told in sermons by those in authority. They believed interpretations of their holy texts that were ritualized in worship.

24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:24-5 KJV).

Who are "all the people?" Everybody knows, the Jews. It isn't until modern scholarship that these texts have been exposed for the false history they represent. As John Dominic Crossan wrote:

Here is the question at the heart of my book [Who Killed Jesus?]. Jesus stands before a Roman governor who declares him innocent and wants him released while a Jewish crowd declares him guilty and wants him crucified. The crowd wins. Is that scene Roman history or Christian propaganda?

Never underestimate the power of propaganda. Why would the gospel writers focus on the Jews rather than the obvious culprit, the Roman Empire, for executing a Jew, Jesus? If you are believers in Jesus writing after the Jewish Revolt and War in 66-70, you might want to distinguish yourself from that unpleasantness and let the Roman authorities know that you won't be making trouble. They painted the Roman Empire innocently washing its hands, while the murderous Jews scream for the death of the messiah, even as history shows that imperial Rome crucified Jews by the thousands.

Propaganda serves a purpose. Propaganda keeps us on message. Propaganda keeps us focused on the enemy and what is necessary to combat the enemy. Since 9/11, we need to keep focused on the Global War On Terror and never let up.

Who are we never to forget on 9/11? Muslims. Particularly, radical Muslim terrorists. Never forget that the Muslim terrorists attacked us on 9/11 because they don't like our freedoms. On this high holy day, 9/11, we remember why the Patriot Act is necessary, why we need to allow the NSA to spy on us, why torture is necessary, why we need killer drones, why we need to topple governments and why we need to spend obscene amounts of money on military equipment and personnel all over the Middle East, and indeed, the world.

The latest book by David Ray Griffin, Bush and Cheney: How They Ruined America and the World, (my interview with Dr. Griffin is here) spells out the consequences of 9/11. At the conclusion of his book, Professor Griffin includes a quote from William Rivers Pitt, "recalling that on 9/11 people in New York City were running for their lives, said:

We are still running because September 11, never ended. To the contrary, it grew, expanded, metatisized and ultimately subsumed this nation. We are a wildly different place, and a wildly different people than we were fifteen years ago....We accept [demeaning] things after a decade and a half of taming and training....September 11 gave us the horror and shame of Abu Ghraib as well as the disgrace of Guantanamo Bay. It gave us the concept of the Unitary Executive through which the president wields unlimited power in defiance of constitutional law. The PATRIOT Act exploded the surveillance dam and flooded the nation with watching eyes and ears....Fifteen years later, the pall of poison smoke from the day still hangs low over us all. The great mission for the remainder of this century is plain: We must get out from under the control mechanism September 11 has become." pp. 304-5.

Professor Griffin concludes his book with this:

The argument of this book is that we will not get out from under it unless the Big Lie of 9/11 is publicly exposed. p. 305

In my interview with Professor Griffin, he said that most people don't know about the 9/11 Consensus Panel. I didn't know about it. Professor Griffin writes:

In writing about skeptics regarding the official account of 9/11, newspapers have often not distinguished between 9/11 scholars and other skeptics, who may be uninformed or irrational. Ignoring this distinction has allowed the press to quote some silly statement by non-scholars and say, "This is what 9/11 Truthers believe." To try to reduce this problem, an organization called Consensus 9/11: The 9/11 Best Evidence Panel, was formed in 2011. 

The panel reminds me of the Jesus Seminar, except that I think the 9/11 Consensus Panel may be even more stringent as to how they to come to consensus on the evidence. Of course, the sources and evidence regarding the events of 9/11 are more easily tested and evaluated than the sources and evidence of early first century Palestine.

Nonetheless, both groups state their methodology, evaluate the evidence as their professions dictate, are transparent about their processes and results, and invite others to peer review their work. It is not propaganda. It is reason.  Both groups have been dismissed by the mainstream media because their conclusions upset the beliefs of established orthodoxy.

How to get people even to look at the work of the 9/11 Consensus Panel or Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth? That is the trillion dollar question.

I think for me it took a realization that being open to the evidence and all that it implied would not cripple me. I could look at it, discuss it, and share it and not be afraid of the consequences. What keeps me going when fear does creep up upon me, is that I cannot in good conscience allow the blame for 9/11 to be misplaced on Muslims any more than I can allow the blame for the execution of Jesus to be misplaced on Jews.

As I light a candle for the thousands who were murdered on the day of 9/11, I also light a candle for the destruction of the Middle East and for the millions who have been murdered since 9/11 by US imperialism fueled by propaganda and fear.

I light a candle because I trust that we can heal from this. We can follow where ever the evidence leads and we can be free. It is our great work. As more and more people dare to challenge the propaganda for themselves and look at the evidence itself, the movement for justice and truth will emerge. If the evidence leads us to prosecute criminals within our own government, then it will be because of true patriots who have shown us the way.

Rather than "never forget" I invite readers of this blog post to consider the evidence and be brave.

Other links of interest:

A review and summary of David Ray Griffin's book by Edward Curtin, The Lies of 9/11 “Miracle Workers”. Bush and Cheney, How They Ruined America and the World.

My interview with David Ray Griffin, Bush and Cheney: How they Ruined America and the World.

My interview with Dr. Niels Harrit, The Science Behind the Destruction of the Three World Trade Center Towers on 9/11.

My interview with Frances Shure, Why Good People Become Silent (or Worse) About 9/11.

Community Radio, Podcasts, Religion, and Money (Yowza)

I have been trying to figure out the direction for Progressive Spirit in terms of making it sustainable and connected with the two entities that make it possible, my congregation and the radio station where it is produced. The content of the show is mine. It serves a niche. Progressive, sometimes radical, politics, values, education and activism.  The tagline is spirituality and social justice.

There are a number of interesting complications to all of this. My congregation and I are working out a "memorandum of understanding" between my show and the church. In essence, the show is supported by the church but is distinct. We are working out the details of that and I am exploring the option of a non-profit board to support the program.

On one hand, the show is part of my job as a minister. I fund books, equipment, websites from my professional expense, a budget item for the show from the church, and my own personal expenses.  At this point, to run the show takes probably $2000 a year. I want to add transcripts and other things to make it more accessible.

But, I have studio time at KBOO to interview guests, produce the podcast and my monthly show, Beloved Community, that airs every second Friday at 9 am. In addition to my own website, KBOO posts my podcast on its website.  I do have a home studio, and I do a lot of production from it, but it isn't at all as cool as the radio station is for recording interviews. The radio station is an important part of this. I am indebted to it and happy to be so.

I also support the radio station with volunteer time and membership and I serve on the KBOO board until my term expires September 2018.  For the next few weeks, I will be working on getting restaurants to supply food for the station for the volunteers during the upcoming fund drive.

I really love the vision, work and mission of KBOO and want to do my part to make sure it is running and healthy and providing access to many diverse voices. I also love the work and mission of my congregation and I think it is great to connect these communities.

But it can be tricky. We have a religious institution, a community radio station, and me.  And not just one community station. Progressive Spirit currently airs on six stations weekly and others sporadically. It is a podcast and radio show. When we bring money into the equation, it gets way more tricky.

I was exploring at the suggestion of a friend, Patreon.  Out of curiosity, I set it up. So far I have one patron, my beloved wife who pledged a dollar an episode.  She hasn't paid. Obviously, I haven't done much with that. It seems complicated. I think it would be fun to set up Patreon and have the money go to KBOO. Would that work?

Even if that were possible, I still need to fund the show.  Frankly, I don't like asking for money. I have a service that is worth something to others. It is cleaner on one level to sell advertising. Since my podcast is on Podomatic, they have some kind of offshoot thing called Advertisecast. So, I set it up to see how it works.

I sold one ad. It was an app for Simply Zen. The ad was for $5. Advertisecast took $1. Then I went and purchased the app for $2. It is pretty cool, actually.  I made a $2 profit. I will donate it to KBOO.  I was curious how it all worked and how podcasts get monetized. I went and talked to some folks at KBOO about this and then decided to put the Patreon and Advertisecast accounts on the shelf.

I don't know how to do all of this and do it correctly and legally and with love and peace and justice for all parties.  I would love to share the wealth of my vast media empire with my two favorite non-profits, KBOO and Southminster as well as fund and improve the show. My guess is that a separate non-profit entity to fund the show is the way to go, perhaps similar to the way New Dimensions works it out.

Anyone else traversed these murky waters?

Shuck and Jive is Eleven

I started this blog on July 4th, 2006.  Here is that first post.  I sought to write a blog about truth and goodness, with the ironic title, Shuck and Jive. One of my favorite phrases that guides my ministry is from the Presbyterian Book of Order.

Truth is in Order to Goodness.

Here is the complete text:

F-3.0104 Truth and Goodness
That truth is in order to goodness; and the great touchstone of truth, its tendency to promote holiness, according to our Savior’s rule, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” And that no opinion can either be more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon a level, and represents it as of no consequence what a man’s opinions are. On the contrary, we are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

Truth matters. Duty matters. I have not become so cynical, so post-modern, that I no longer trust that truth and goodness are ideals still worth pursuing. We live within the fog of spin and marketing. What is spoken is not important. What is done is not important. What is important is what a person with power can make people believe is true and good.

The mainstream media is purchased. Every politician is purchased. The presidency is nothing more than a new mask on the same empty suit.  Whether that mask looks like George W. Bush, Barack H. Obama, or Donald J. Trump, (or had it been Hillary R. Clinton) the hollow empty container is the same. It is the hole of spin and marketing that exists to sell Americans that we are exceptional and thus deserve "the American Way of Life." This way of life is the consumption of 20 million barrels of oil per day when we produce 9 million bpd. This way of life is using 25 percent of the world's resources while we are 5 percent of the world's population.

Whether that is morally wrong or right is beside the point. The point is that this discrepancy does not exist without militarism, subterfuge, murder, and lies disguised as morality and goodness, in other words, this discrepancy does not exist apart from evil in high places.

America is not good. Charles Krauthammer whines that American children are not learning enough nice things about America. I wish what he is concerned about was happening. The truth is that neither American adults or children know what actually built America (genocide and slavery) and what sustains it (military dominance of fossil fuels). We follow the adage never to look a gift horse in the mouth. Because of corporate influence on politics and media and cheap toys for the consumers, nothing of substance will ever change. Unless...

America can be good. Representative democracy (thanks, Presbyterians) is not a bad form of government. The problem with it is that it requires every citizen to participate by seeking truth. When our paychecks are based on avoiding truth, we tend not to participate in truth-seeking and we fight over partisan politics that get us nowhere. The empty suit (whether Democrat or Republican) regardless of rhetoric, regardless of charm, regardless of whether he is a black guy who reads Niebuhr or a white guy who tweets, neither does anything to end the wars. Neither does anything to end our march to extinction.  Still...

America can be good if we want it to be good. There is a price. If we want goodness we must seek truth. Truth hurts before it heals. The truth that will end our wars is possible to uncover. When enough people say truth matters and act on that truth as patriots, change will come.

This is a revolution.

Happy Independence Day.

John Shuck, Signatory
Religious Leaders for 9/11 Truth
9/11 Truth Action Project