I was interviewed for the Muskogee Phoenix about my position on Halloween Hell Houses such as the Nightmare in Tulsa. I said that, "Scaring people into accepting Jesus is a dubious practice. Such spiritual scare tactics are by no means new. Hell has been used for centuries as a way to frighten people into the salvation schemes of various churches. The concept of hell and eternal torment have no relationship to the teachings of the Hebrew Prophets or the actual teachings of Jesus. These tactics and theologies poision children�s minds with superstitions about death and what happens after we die. For some it fills their days with fear. For others it turns them away from any concept of God or religion. For yet others it fills them with an arrogance that makes them feel special and separates them from people with other beliefs and cultures. If someone wants to see hell, they don�t have to look to the next world. We have war, political corruption, poverty, addiction, abuse and oppression. These hells are real, and it is these hells that ought to be the main concern of religion. And these hells cannot be destroyed by fear. These hells can only be transformed by love and commitment and people of good will.

In America today an increasing number of evangelical Christian children are isolated from the world. On the surface these kids have a normal middle-class kid experience: trips to Wal-Mart, homework, sports, dancing to their favorite music, summer camp. Quickly, it becomes clear that these children are living a version of childhood where evangelical Christianity is at the center of everything. Their music may sound heavy metal, but it celebrates the "blood of Jesus." Their homework hails from a strict creation-based curriculum and their sports teams proudly wear red bracelets imprinted with HWJC ("How would Jesus Compete?")

The documentary Jesus Camp, created by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, has received national attention. The film follows Levi, Rachael, and Tory to Pastor Becky Fischer’s "Kids on Fire" summer camp where kids as young as six years-old are taught to become dedicated Christian soldiers in "God’s army." The children in Jesus Camp are at war. They are taught that American nationalism and devout Christianity are one and the same. They are led on a religious and emotional journey that preys on fear. What are the implications of this growing number of evangelical children coming of age in America?

Greetings to you all! I am Debra Garfinkel, your new Director of Pastoral Care. Although I began my service of ministry with All Souls on June 1st, this Sunday will be my first Sunday this year in the pulpit. As you no doubt have noticed, Marlin and I are sharing the pulpit. What an exciting opportunity to hear two voices address the same topic in the same service!

You are more familiar with Marlin's voice and you are learning much from Rev. Tamara Lebak's voice. Now it is my privilege to join my ministerial voice with theirs. Whether you remember me from my year as intern, or you are a relative newcomer, I welcome this moment of worshipful meeting. During my sermon, (and my ministry,) I invite you to consider the value that I place on each person's voice.

Listening, truly listening, helps me know your story in your own voice. It helps me make the connections that hold us together as a faith community, as one human family, and as one mysterious, universe. This is a life-long journey; I experience it as my vocation, my calling.

When I was a child, I felt "called" to speak and to talk, talk, talk, talk, talk! As I grew older, I began to notice that sometimes I was tolerated. That did not feel good! I did not feel that I was being heard. Out of those beginnings arose a life time of work to move beyond tolerance.

Please join Marlin and I as we consider the implications of moving "Beyond Tolerance." Thank you for listening.

We'll see you in church!