>>> COMING UP, THE KENTUCKY GAY MARRIAGE LICENSE CONTROVERSY.
WE WILL TALK TO TWO EXPERTS ABOUT WHETHER RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CAN TRUMP OBEYING THE LAW.
ALSO H, THE BATTLE OF BEARS EARS, UTAH, AND LUCKY SEVERSON IS GOING TO REPORT ON SOME OF THE RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO USE THE LAND THAT 25 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES SAY IS SACRED.
>> EWE WANT TO LEAVE IT THE SAME.
KEEP IT.
PROTECT IT.
>>> AND A NEW REFORM JEWISH PRAYER BOOK WITH MANY >>> WELCOME.
I'M BOB ABERNETHY AND IT IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
THIS WEEK, EUROPEAN NATIONS CONTINUED TO GRAPPLING WITH THE INFLUX OF MASSIVE MIGRANTS FLEEING POVERTY IN THEIR COUNTRIES COUNTRIES.
IN GREECE A SHIP PACKED WITH MORE THAN 2,000 MIGRANTS MANY OF THEM SYRIANS DOCK EDED AT A PORT NEAR ATHENS, AND IN MUNICH, THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES ARRIVED BY TRAIN, AND GERMANY EXPECTS TO TAKE IN AN ESTIMATED 800,000 MIGRANTS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
AS E.U.
NATIONS DEBAITED HOW THE DEAL WITH THE GROWING NUMBERS THOUSANDS RALLIED IN PARIS AND AUSTRALIA TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR MIGRANTS, AND TO URGE THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO ASSIST THEM.
PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID THAT THE U.S. WILL ACCEPT AT LEAST 10,000 SYRIAN REFUGEES IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, AND AT THE VATICAN POPE FRANCIS CALLED ON EVERY CATHOLIC PARISH ACROSS EUROPE TO TAKE IN AT LEAST ONE MIGRANT FAMILY.
HE SAID THAT CATH LIBLGS WERE CALLED TO BE, QUOTE, NEIGHBORS OF THE SMALLEST AND MOST ABANDONED.
IN OTHER NEWS, THE VATICAN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT POPE FRANCIS HAS MADE SWEEPING RE REFORMS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S MARRIAGE ANNULMENT PROCESS.
THE NEW LAW EMPOWERS BISHOPS TO FAST-TRACK THE PROCESS TO GETTING AN ANNULMENT WHICH IS LONG CRITICIZED AS TOO COME COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE.
FRANCES SAID THAT ANNULMENTS SHOULD BE FREE.
WITHOUT AN ANNULMENT, DIVORCED CATHOLICS CANNOT BE MARRIED IN THE CHURCH AND NOR ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE COMMUNION IF THEY HAVE REMARRIED OUT SOOIDSIDE OF THE CHURCH.
ACCORDING TO THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER 1 IN 4 CATHOLICS HAVE BEEN DIVORCED AND MORE THAN ONE QUARTER HAVE SOUGHT ANNULMENTS.
>>> AND IN CUBA, THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE POPE'S VISIT IS HEIGHTENING BEFORE HE HEADS TO THE U.S.
HUNDREDS OF SINGERS AND MUSICIANS HELD REHEARSALS FOR A MASSIVE OPEN-AIR MASS THAT FRANCES WILL CELEBRATE IN THE HAVANA'S REVOLUTION SQUARE.
FRANCES IS THE THIRD POPE TO VISIT THE COMMUNIST COUNTRY, AND RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE VATICAN HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED SINCE THE END OF THE COLD WAR, AND MOST NOTABLY WITH JOHN PAUL II'S VISIT IN 1998 AND BEN BENEDICT'S VISIT IN 2012.
>> Reporter: IN MECCA MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN AN ENORMOUS CRANE CRASHED THROUGH THE ROOF, AND HEAVY WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE THE REASON OF THE COLLAPSE.
THE GRAND MOSQUE HOUSES THE MOST HOLY SITE OF THE KABBALAH, AND IT DRAWS MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE TO THE PILGRIMAGE.
>>> HERE, PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC LEADERS GATHERED FOR A PRAYER SERVICE FOR MIDDLE EASTERN AND OTHER MINORITY LEADERS EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE AT THE HANDS OF ISIS.
THE SERVICE WAS PART OF THE THREE-DAY CONVENTION HELD TO URGE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THE PLIGHT OF CHRISTIANS AND YAZIDIS AND OTHER MINORITYIES IN IRAQ.
>>> COUNTY CLERK KIM DAVIS WAS RELEASED AFTER SPENDING SIX DAYS IN JAIL FOR REFUSING TO ISSUE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES TO SAME SEX COUPLES BECAUSE SHE SAID IT WOULD VIOLATE HER CHRISTIAN E BELIEFS.
SHE WAS ORDERED NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE DEPUTIES WHO WERE TO ISSUE THE MARRIAGE LICENSES.
SHE WAS AT A RALLY OUTSIDE OF THE DETENTION CENTER WHERE SHE WAS HELD.
>> I WANT TO GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR THE RALLY AND YOU ARE A STRONG PEOPLE.
>> THE KENTUCKY CASE HAS RAISED MANY ISSUES AND AMONG THEM WHETHER APPEALING TO A PERSON'S RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CAN A CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HERITAGE CENTER'S SOCIETY, AND BARRY LIND IS A ORDAINED UCC CENTER AND AMERICAN'S UNITED CENTER FOR SEPARATION OF THE CHURCH AND STATE.
AND THANK YOU BOTH.
BAR BARRY, DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREAK THE LAW IN ORDER TO OBEY WHAT I SAY IS GOD'S LAW?
>> IF YOU ARE SEEKING A JOB AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, AND YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT THE DUTIES AND THE RESPONSIBILITY S OFIES OF THAT OFFICE HOLDS, THEN I DON'T THINK THAT IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE PERMITTED TO OPT-OUT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THOSE DUTIES BY CLAIMING THAT ONE DUTY VIET LATE -- VIOLATES YOUR CONSCIOUS.
THERE ARE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE ONE PERSON MAY BREAK THE LAW AND APPEAL TO A I HERE AUTHORITY, BUT RELIGIOUS BELIEF IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
>> WELL, BARRY IS WRONG, BECAUSE RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION IS PART OF THE LAW, AND ESPECIALLY IN KENTUCKY, BECAUSE YOU CAN OPT OUT OF FISHING AND GAMING LICENSES IF YOU RARE A VEGETARIAN, AND IF YOU HAVE A MORAL CONVICTION THERE, YOU KCAN RESPECT, THAT AND WHY NOT RESPECT HER MORAL CONVICTIONS THERE, BECAUSE SHE IS ASKING TO HAVE HER NAME AND TITLE OFF OF THE LICENSE SS.
AND IS SO IT SHOULD BE PURSUED AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THROWN IN JAIL.
IT SIS UNNECESSARY AND WRONG.
>> OF COURSE, SHE CHOSE TO GO TO JAIL SO FAR FOR SIX DAYS ASH AND THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE THAT YOU CAN EVEN FISH OR HUNT, BUT IN THE CASE OF KIM DAVIS, WHAT SHE IS REFUSING TO DO IS TO SIGN A PAPER OR EVEN ALLOW HER NAME TO BE PRINTED ON A FORM AND HAVE SOMEONE ELSE SIGN IT THAT INVOLVES WHAT THE SUPREME COURT IN JUNE CALLED A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHOM YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY.
SO THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER DEAL, AND A MUCH GREATER INSULT TO THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN BEINGS THAN SAYING, SORRY, I WON'T GIVE YOU A FISHING LICENSE.
ROGER?
>> WELL, NORTH CAROLINA HAD A SOLUTION.
THEY OPTED OUT CLERKS FROM THE ENTIRE PROCESS SO THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO ISSUE THE LICENSES WERE ISSUING THEM TO SAME SEX COUPLES.
AND SAME SEX COUPLES ARE RE SOOEFCEIVE ING THE LICENSES IN KENTUCKY AS WE SPEAK, AND KIM DAVIS' NAME IS NO LONGER ON THEM, AND THE TITLE IS THE LAST THING LEFT, AND TAKE OFF THE TITLE, AND EVERYBODY WINS AND WHY NOT SPUR SUE THE OPTION.
>> ARE YOU EXPECTING TO SEE MORE CASES LIKE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY?
PART OF POLITICS IS PART OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN KENTUCKY, AND THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN, WOULD YOU SEE MORE ATTEMPTS TO TRY TO UNITE THE TWO THINGS?
>> WELL, IN IS A RESULT OF THE SUPREME COURT'S REDEFINITION OF MARRIAGE AND IMPOSING ON THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
ANDP 5 75% OF THE KENTUCKIANS VOTED TO HAVE ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN MARRIAGE.
AND SO THESE WILL ARISE.
>> BUT SOME POLITICIANS FIND IT USEFUL, DON'T THEY BARRY?
>> YES, THEY DO.
AND YOU SAW THIS WEEK, TWO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WITH KIM DAVIS AT THE RALLY WHEN SHE WAS RELEASED FROM HER BRIEF TIME IN JAIL.
I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IS SO SHOCKED IN THE REP PAR -- REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT EVEN THE EVAN GEL CANS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTING DONALD TRUMP, AND WHEN YOU TO THAT, AND THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THE EVANGELICAL SS, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO BUT TO LATCH ON THE HOTTEST HUMAN BEING AND BIGGEST TOPIC, AND THAT TURNS OUT TO BE KIM DAVIS.
>> ROGER, WE ONCE AGAIN, AND VERY CLEARLY, HOW DO WE GET THROUGH THIS THEN SO THAT IN CITY AFTER CITY AFTER CITY SO THAT THE SAME THING DOESN'T HAPPEN.
>> SO WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE LIVE AND LET LIVE SOCIETY TO OPT OUT.
AND KIM DAVIS COULD OPT OUT WITH THE BAKERS A AND THE FLORIST SS AND THE BAKEERS IN OTHER STATES, AND THEY WANT TO OPT-OUT OF PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME SEX CEREMONIES AND WHEN THEY COULD PROVIDE THE SERVICES ELSEWHERE, EVERYBODY COULD BE HAPPY AND LIVE AND LET LIVE AND THAT IS THE SOCIETY WE SHOULD AIM FOR.
>> MANY THANKS FOR BOTH OF YOU, BARRY LIND FOR AMERICA UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND ROGER SEVERINO OF THE MARRIAGE FOUNDATION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANKS.
>>> WE HAVE A LUCKY SEVERSON STORY TODAY ABOUT WHAT WE CALL THE BATTLE OF BEARS EARS IN UTAH.
25 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE SS THERE WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT NEARLY 2 MILLION ACRES OF LAND THEY SAY IS SACRED.
BUT LONGTIME RESIDENTS WANT AT LEAST SOME OF THE LAND AVAILABLE FOR LAND AND USE, AND EMOTIONS ON BOTH SIDES ARE RUNNING HIGH.
>> Reporter: THESE ARE NAVAJO HORSEMEN IN A PLACE CALLED BEARS EARS CELEBRATING A MOST UNUSUAL E EVENT.
25 TRIBES COMING TOGETHER FOR A SINGLE BRAND CAUSE.
THEY WANT CONGRESS OR THE PRESIDENT TO CREATE A NATIONAL MONUMENT CALLED BEARS EARS TO PROTECT ALMOST 2 MILLION ACRES OF LAND SACRED TO NATIVE AMERICANS.
THIS IS WILLIE GRAY EYES FROM NAVAJO MOUNTAIN.
>> BACK IN TIME AND IN MEMORIAL, NAVAJOS AND OTHER NATIVE AMERICANS WERE TIED TO THIS LAND DIRECTLY, DEEPLY, AND THERE WERE PROBABLY 3 TO 6 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING UP HERE BEFORE.
>> AND THE AREA GOT THE NAME BEFORE SO THAT EARLY NATIVE AMERICANS GOT THE VIEW FROM THE MESA BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE BEARS' EARS.
AND THIS ARCHAEOLOGIST IS A MEMBER OF THE ZUNI PUEBLO TRIBES WHOSE PEOPLE OCCUPIED THE LANDS AS FAR BACK AS 25 MILLION YEAR SS.
>> THE ASPECT IS THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES WHO ONCE INHABITED THE AREAS, AND THE SPIRIT AND PRESENCE IS STILL HERE.
THEY MAY BE DEAD AND GONE, BUT WE CONSIDER THAT PART OF THE PRESENCE.
THAT IS AN IMPORTANT LINK TO THE LIVING NATIVE PEOPLE.
>> THE LOCAL RESIDENTS FOR THE MOST PART ARE DECIDEDLY NOT HAPPY WITH THE PROPOSAL SAYING IT WILL LIMIT ACCESS TO THE LAND.
THIS IS COUNTY COMMISSIONER PHIL LINEMAN.
>> OUR JOB AS COMMISSIONER IS TO PAY THE BILLS.
WE KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN, KEEP THE KIDS EDUCATED, PAY FOR THE BASIC SERVICES, AND OTHER PEOPLE COME WITH THE HE PROPOSALS OF THE LAND USE, AND I SAY, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED WHAT THAT WOULD DO TO THE LAND USE.
>> Reporter: PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH THE LAND USE, AND 60% OF THE LAND IS OWNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
>> BLANDING IS AN ISLAND SURROUNDED IN AN OCEAN OF FEDERAL LAND, AND SO WE ARE DEPENDENT ON IT, WHICH LEADS TO THE CONFLICTS AND THINGS.
>> Reporter: CONFLICTS ARE NOT UNCOMMON AROUND HERE ESPECIALLY FOR THE COMMISSIONER LYEMAN WHO WAS CONVICT AND IS TO THE SPEND A YEAR IN JAIL FOR LEADING A GROUP OF ATVERS AROUND ON A TOUR TO THE RAISE FUNDS.
>> GOING TO JAIL DOES NOT SCARE ME, BUT LIVING IN A COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN GO TO JAIL WITHOUT HAVING BROKEN ANY LAWS SCARES ME.
THAT SCARES ME A LOT.
>> Reporter: HE IS NOT ALONE IN THE VIEW THAT THE LOCALS ARE BEING SQUEEZED.
SAN JUAN KOUNCOUNTY COMMISSIONER, A FOURTH-GENERATION RANCHER ALSO OPPOSES THE BEARS EARS PROPOSAL, BECAUSE IT CAN LIMIT PUBLIC ACCESS, AND HIKING AND BIKING AND HUNTING ARE PERMITTED, BUT IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND NO NEW INDUSTRY.
>> WE BELIEVE THAT THE ROADS IN SAN JUAN COUNTY NEED TO STAY OPEN.
PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS BEAUTIFUL WONDERFUL LAND, BUT WE ARE JUST FEELING LIKE MAYBE THAT PROPOSAL IS JUST TOO BIG BIG.
>> IF YOU DON'T GET THIS DESIGNATION, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE FUTURE?
>> PROBABLY A LOT OF ATV TRAILS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS A PRISTINE AREA, REALLY NATURE'S OWN WORKS.
IF YOU ALTER THAT AND PUT A HOTEL IN HERE OR SOMETHING, IT WILL CHANGE THE WHOLE STORY.
>> Reporter: IT IS NOT EASY FOR THE OUTSIDERS TO UNDERSTAND THE SACREDNESS OF THIS LAND TO NATIVE AMERICANS, AND MOTHER NATURE IS NOT SIMPLY AN EXPRESSION EXPRESSION.
LISTEN TO JONAH YELLOWMAN, THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE NAVAJOS.
>> THE ELDERS TELL US, YOU NOEKNOW, YOUR CREATOR WILL SPEAK TO YOU EVERYDAY OF YOUR LIFE, AND WE SPEAK TO THE NATURE, AND THE AIR AND THE WATER AND THE SOUND AND THE BREEZE AND THE SOUND OF THE HORSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND HE GIVES US, AND IT KIND OF TELLS YOU THINGS.
>> Reporter: ANOTHER REASON THAT THE NATIVE AMERICANS CONSIDER THE LAND HOLY IS THAT AMONG THE COTTONWOODS AND THE SAGE BRUSH IS PLANTS USED FOR HEALING AND ANCIENT CEREMONIES AND PLANTS LIKE INDIAN TOBACCO AND THE DITURA.
>> AND MUCH OF IT IS DONE THROUGH THE PREHISTORIC PRACTITIONERS TO COME AND ASSIST IN THE HEALING OF THE PEOPLE.
IT IS NOT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE MEDICINEMEN PER SE, BUT THEY ARE THE CONDUIT TO THAT TYPE OF TEACHINGS FROM THE PAST.
PEOPLE WHO INHABIT THESE AREAS ARE STILL HERE.
>> Reporter: THEIR ANCESTORS MAY BE HERE, BUT MANY OF THE GRAVES ARE GONE, DUG UP, DESECRATED AND THESE RUINS ARE CALLED THE LONG FINGERS.
THE SITE HAS BEEN LOOTED AND MANY OF THE STRUCTURES DESTROYED.
CAMERON COX IS AN ARCHAEOLOGIST WITH THE BLM.
>> UNFORTUNATELY THE GRAVES MAY HAVE BEEN TARGETED BECAUSE OF THE ARTIFACTS THAT THEY CONTAINED.
>> Reporter: ARTIFACTS LIKE THESE THAT REST AT THE EDGE OF TO SEE DAR PARK LANDING, AND THESE ARTIFACTS BRING BIG MONEYT TA AUCTION HOUSES AND PRIZED BY COLLECTORS.
WE KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT LOOTING.
IN 2009 THE FEDERAL AGENTS ARRESTED 24 PEOPLE FROM THE SMALL TOWN THE OF BLANDA, UTAH, AND CHARGED THEM WITH STEALING ANCIENT AMERICAN ARTIFACTS FROM PUBLIC LANDS AND INCLUDING RELICS OF BONES AND IT IS SAID TO BE THE BIGGEST BUST EVER.
THE TOWN'S DOCKTOR COMMITTED SUICIDE, AND MANY PLEAD GUILTY, AND THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN WON'T FORGET.
>> YOU HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN AT DAYBREAK IN FULL BODY ARMOR IN BLACK SUBURBANS JUMPING OUT OF THE VEHICLES, AND TAKING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES IN THE NIGHT CLOTHES, AND THROWING THEM FACE DOWN ON THE LAWN AND HANDCUFFING THEM AND PUTTING THE LEG IRONS ON THEM, AND THE CHILDREN WATCHING WHILE THIS IS GOING ON.
IT IS TRAUMATIC.
>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONER WAS MORE UPSET ABOUT THE S. S.W.A.T.-LIKE TACTIC SS THAN THE GUILTY PLEAS.
>> NO QUESTION, THERE WERE SOME THAT WERE FINED BECAUSE OF THE ARTIFACTS THAT THEY HAD COLLECTED BY WHATEVER MEANS.
I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW THEY CAME UP WITH THOSE ARTIFACT, BUT, YEAH, SOME PEOPLE RECEIVED FINES.
>> I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD RENT A TRACK TRACTOR, A BACKHOE, AND TAKE IT DOWN TO THE GRAVEYARD AND IN THE CITY AND START DIGGING UP THOSE COFFINS TO MAKE A STATEMENT AS TO HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OUR ANCESTRAL GRAVEYARD, AND MAYBE THAT IS THE TYPE OF ACTION IT WOULD TAKE TO EDUCATE.
>> I AM NOT GOING TO TRY TO DEFEND ANYBODY WHO TAKES A BACKHOE AND TRIES TO DIG UP A NATIVE AMERICAN ANCESTRAL GRAVE.
IT IS TERRIBLE AND WRONG AND THEY OUGHT TO BE PROSECUTED AND BROUGHT TO THE FULL JUSTICE OF THE LAW.
>> Reporter: WILLIE GRAY EYES AND OTHER TRIBAL LEADERS ARE COUNTING ON THE PRESIDENT TO SET ASIDE BEARS EARS AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT MUCH AS PRESIDENT CLINTON DID IN THE AREA OF SOUTHERN UTAH IN 1996 WHICH CAUSED A LOCAL UPROAR THAT HAS NOT SUBSIDED.
>> THAT IS THE THREAT.
THAT IS WHAT HAS MOTIVATED THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL IS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE THREAT THAT OBAMA WITH THIS PEN CAN CREATE WHATEVER HE WANTS TO CREATE.
>> WE WILL LEAVE IT THE SAME, KEEP IT, PROTECT IT.
WE ARE GOING TO USE IT THE RIGHT WAY.
THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.
>> Reporter: FOR NOW THE COUNTY, THE STATE AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ARE PUSHING HARD TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL TO KEEP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT BAY, AND LIMIT THE SIZE OF BEARS EARS.
FOR RELIGION AND ETHICS NEWS WEEKLY, I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN BLANDA, UTAH.
>>> SAD NEWS NOW, ANDREW KOHUT DIED OF LEUKEMIA TODAY.
HE WAS ADMIRED FOR HIS PUBLIC RESEARCH.
HE HEADED THE PEW RESERARCH, AND HE BELIEVED STRONGLY IN THE VALUE OF EVERYONE IN THE DEMOCRACY OF ACCURATE AND NONPARTISAN POLLING, AND HE WAS AN OCCASIONAL GUEST AND LONG TIME FRIEND OF THIS PROGRAM.
HE WAS 73 YEARS OLD.
>>> ON OUR CALENDAR, NEXT WEEK, HINDUS BEGIN THE 10-DAY FESTIVAL THAT IS DEDICATED TO THE POPULAR ELEPHANT-HEADED GOD.
CLAY FIGURES OF HIM ARE IMMERSED IN LAKES AND RIVERS.
>> AND THE HOLIEST TIME ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR BEGINS SUNDOWN ON SUNDAY WITH ROSH HASHANAH OF THE NEW YEAR, AND THE HIGH HOLIDAY AND THEN TEN DAYS LATER YOM KIPPUR, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT, AND ON THE EVE OF THE HIGH HOLIDAYS THE JEWS IN THE REFORM HOLIDAY ARE USING REFORMS WITH THE NEW PRAYER BOOK.
WE SPOKE WITH TWO RABBIS AT THE HE BREWCONGREGATION, AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE ACCEPTANCE AND DOUBT.
>> IN THE JEWISH MONTH THAT LEADS UP TO ROSH HASHANAH, WE ARE USING THE PRAYER BOOK AS THE PRAYER BOOK TO FAMILIAR IZEIZE PEOPLE WITH THE PRAYER POOK.
OUR PRAYER IS JEWISH, AND WE KNOW AND EMBRACE OPENLY THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT JEWISH, AND THE BOOK HAS TO REACH THOSE POPULATIONS, AND YOUNGER, AND OLDER, AND TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT GOD, AND PEOPLE WHO FIND BELIEF IN GOD VERY COMFORTABLE, AND EASY.
>> WE REALLY WANTED TO CREATE A PRAYER BOOK THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE FULL RANGE OF WHO SIS IN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY.
SO, IT IS LGBTQ FRIENDLY, AND NOT BRIDE AND GROOM, BUT COUPLE.
AND WE HAVE A BLESSING FOR THE PEOPLE CALLED UP TO THE TORAH WHICH IS GENDER-NEUTRAL, AND SO SOMEBODY CAN BE CALL UP, AND BLESS AND THE HONOR OF READING FROM THE TORAH, AND THE GOD LANGUAGE AS WELL.
AND SO THERE ARE TIME S THATS THAT WE KEEP THE MS. YOU LIN -- MAS CUE CAN -- MASCULINE LANGUAGE, AND THERE ARE THE TIMES OF THE PRAYERS AND THE TRANSLATIONS OF THEM, AND THE TRANSLITERATION THROUGHOUT, BECAUSE IT SIS INCLUSIVE PART OF IT, BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO HAVE PEOPLE SAY, YOU ARE WELCOME AND INCLUDED IF YOU CANNOT READ THE TEXT IN HEBREW, AND WE HAVE AT THE BOTTOM, A SPIRITUAL, AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT CONTEXT, AND THE POETRY THAT GOES TO THE BIG THEMES AND THE BIG IDEAS.
WE HAVE ARTWORK IN THE BOOK.
FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY ORIENTED, THESE BEAUTIFUL ABSTRACT ART AND THE SHAPES ARE GOING TO BE THE SAME SORT OF THING THAT A POEM WOULD BE, A KIND OF VISUAL MET TAAPHOR AND ANOTHER DOORWAY INTO MEANING AND CONNECTION.
AND THERE ARE METTATIONS IN THE BOOK AS WELL, AND THINGS THAT ARE NOT MEANT TO BE READ ALOUD, BUT MEANT TO HAVE PEOPLE REST IN CERTAIN PLACES TO MAYBE TAKE A MOMENT TO HAVE THEIR OWN TIME OF REFLECTION OR TIME FOR INSPIRATION.
WE EMBRACE DOUBT.
WE EMBRACE AINGENGER.
WE EMBRACE AMBIVALENCE, AND WE EMBRACE DISCOMFORT.
AT THE MOST LITERAL LEVEL, WE HAVE SANCTUARY OF THE SOUL.
THE BIG ETERNAL QUESTIONS ARE THE SAME ETERNAL QUESTIONS THAT OUR ANCESTORS WERE GRAPPLING WITH, THE NATURE OF SIS TENSE, AND IMMORTALITY, AND GOD.
THOSE ARE TIMELESS QUESTIONS.
BUT THE WAYS THAT WE CONNECT TO THEM ARE OFTEN DIFFERENT, AND CERTAINLY THE PROSE TO RELIGION SHIFTS OVER TIME, AND NOT THE CORE BELIEFS AND NOT THE SORT OF CORE ETHICAL VALUES, BUT THE CORE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES DON'T NECESSARILY CHANGE, BUT THE WAY WE APPROACH THEM, AND HOW WE LIVE THEM OUT IN OUR LIVES AND THE QUESTIONS THAT WE ASK ABOUT THEM, AND THOSE, I THINK, CHANGE.
>> TODAY, WE STAND BEFORE THE SHOFAR TO OFFER HOPE.
>> THERE IS A MIX OF WANT INGING TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE AND WHERE IT IS FAM FAMILIAR, AND ALSO WANTING TO SHAKE PEOPLE OUT INTO A NEW PLACE, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT CHANGE COMES WHERE WE ARE UNCAN COME -- UNCOMFORTABLE, AND IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THE REPENTANCE AND THE GROWTH THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IN THE HIGH HOLIDAYS, THAT IS REALLY ABOUT MOVING OUT OF THE KOMCOMFORT ZONE, AND INTO THE NEW PLACE.
>> AND LITTLE DISCOMFORT IS NOT A BAD THING, AND THE ROSH HASHANAH IS AND YOM KIPPUR IS TO BE REMIND EDED TO THE IMPROVE, AND EACH YEAR, WE ARE TO BE REMINDED OF THAT, AND EACH YEAR TO BE REMINDED OF OUR REACTION AND ACTIONS AND THOUGHT PROCESSES.
>>> AND FINALLY, REMEMBRANCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11th AT A TACK SS THIS WEEK.
IN SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A NEW VISITOR SENATOR WAS DEDICATED AT THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL.
THE $26 MILLION FACILITY USES INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS TO TELL THE STORY OF HOW PASSENGERS AND CREW TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE PLANE FROM AL QAEDA CAN HIJACKERS.
FLIGHT 93 WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR HIJACKED PLANES THAT DID NOT REACH THE INTENDED TARGET ON 9/11.
THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.
I'M BOB ABERNETHY, AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND WATCH US ANY TIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.
THERE IS ALSO MUCH MORE ON THE WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN LISTEN TO OR WATCH EVERY PROGRAM.
JOIN US AT PBS.ORG.
