I Confess: I'm Woke!

Please hear my confession: I’m Woke. What some use as a condemnation is, for me, a proclamation of what healthy Christian faith is all about. I reveal my support for equal rights, sectarian respect, scientific research, and even—using banned words! Most Americans would join me in my confession. Let’s fight for it!

Segments include:

Equal Rights for All

Equality for Women

Respect for All Religions

Support of Science

Speaking Banned Words

Newsletter subscription

Transcript

Here’s a confession: I’m WOKE!

I’m Larry Payne your host of TFJ a network dedicated to your well-being. I beg your patience as I explain my confession in this episode.

I’ve tried to live without bigotry toward Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indigenous, and LBGTIA Americans. Honoring their history in all it’s richness and tragedy has enriched my understanding of humanity, both in the good and the bad. When I lead a hospital chaplain’s department I hired a Black chaplain and felt he made many contributions to the care of people at the hospital. I’m a proud uncle to my brother’s family as he married into the Tahltan tribe of British Columbia and worked to further their progress for more than 40 years. I’ve read and taught a book about the privileges of Whiteness at my church. I officiated at weddings and burials of gay Americans. Because I believe what the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” OMG, I’m woke!

I’ve promoted equality for women. The ordained or licensed women chaplains led my staff in loving pastoral care day after day. They were paid on the same scale as the men. I’ve been thrilled to read of women working to overcome the sexism of the marketplace to become a CEO, Judge, Doctor, Professor, Astronaut, Mechanic, Entrepreneur, or President. I’ve taught books that dismantle the theology behind patriarchy. I left the Southern Baptist Convention when it enshrined misogyny as an article of faith. I’m proud of my daughters and daughters-in-law who are working Moms. I even—yes, it's true—married a woman who had a wonderful career outside the home! Because I believe what the Bible says, “There is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus...” OMG, I’m woke!

I’ve worked to respect all faith traditions. I cohosted interdenominational and non-sectarian services. I’ve attended the synagogue, stood in the mosque on Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock, been in awe of Notre Dame, and prayed with Hindus at the bedside of a dying loved one. I believe every human being since the dawn of human history has been loved by God as a full member of the divine family. Today it is vital to respect every faith tradition as a portion of God’s revelation. Because I believe what the Bible says, “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people… The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” OMG, I’m woke!

I believe the advancements of medical research, clinical psychology, social sciences, genetics, climate science, and other fields have brought better health and a higher material quality of life than at any other time in history. I installed solar panels on my roof and own a hybrid car. I think the emissions from fossil fuels and other pollutants must be curtailed to slow the impact of human-caused global warming. I have relatives alive today because of federally funded medical research. I think God is a part of this search to better the quality of life for all people, creatures, and the planet. Because I believe what the Bible says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” OMG, I’m woke!  

I actually use words now banned by the federal government: diversity, climate science, gay, inequality, sex, gender, science-based, BIPOC, inclusion, minority, and, of course, the Gulf of Mexico. OMG, I’m woke!

Here’s the reality: the arc of God’s work in history is toward equality, justice, pluralism, globalism, science, and Shalom. All of the anti-woke rhetoric seems a desperate effort to reclaim a world of white patriarchy and nationalism through autocratic political power. I believe the majority of Americans have been and are Woke. Let’s awaken to and fight for the best life together.