Faith

‘Occupy Faith’: This Is What Christian Pastors Are Doing to Help the Occupy May Day Protests

Christian Pastors Are Participating In Occupys May Day Protests

Image Credit: OccupyFaithNYC.org

Since Occupy’s inception, select faith leaders have been pledging their support for the movement. But as time goes on, it seems their devotion is only increasing. From progressive pastor Jim Wallis to the Rev. Michael Ellick, leftist preachers have latched on to both the initiative and its adherents. It seems, based on increased activities and planned events, that leftist Christian leaders will now be helping Occupy transition into its next phase of protest and action.

A few days ago, the official Occupy Wall Street blog promoted the fact that Christian pastors will be supporting today’s May Day events. Their involvement, though, is certainly strategic and intended to assist in the spring and summer growth of the movement. After all, churches are localities that provide access to a large number of people who are bonded together by shared beliefs. If properly accessed and utilized, faith communities can be valuable in spreading any and all messages — including Occupy’s.

“May Day is really going to kick off a whole series of actions that are going to go on this summer,” the Rev. John Merz, the head faith leader at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, recently explained. “There are sleeping bags in front of the [New York] Stock Exchange. There may even be attempts at various reoccupations, whether it’s Zuccotti or elsewhere. That may happen on a mass scale.”

Christian Pastors Are Participating In Occupys May Day Protests

Rev. Michael Ellick of Judson Memorial Church speaks to various religious leaders who have come together to pledge their support to the Occupy Wall Street protests at Judson Memorial Church in New York - AP

Merz, of course, is only one of the many preachers who is currently mobilizing believers to support the movement. When examining the overall participation coming from preachers, the Episcopal Church has a heavy-weighted presence. A few weeks ago, the Episcopal News Service highlighted much of the denomination’s involvement:

Episcopalians and other people of faith have supported the movement from the beginning. Harvard doctoral candidate Marisa Egerstrom organized a group called Protest Chaplains that participated in the launch at Zuccotti Park and has supported Occupy Boston. In New York, Episcopal clergy, including Diocese of Long Island Bishop Lawrence Provenzano and those arrested Dec. 17, spent time with occupiers at Zuccotti Park and have been involved with Occupy Faith NYC.

In late March, Occupy Faith members from across the country…attended a national planning meeting in Oakland, California, where members of various religious groups had maintained an “Interfaith Tent” at Occupy Oakland and 14 were arrested in November after refusing to evacuate that encampment.

The Oakland meeting included discussion about national coordination and actions, including what will happen May 1 and a push for a commission on debt and debt culture — “something along the lines of a truth commission around wealth and debt” — Merz said. But it also showed the challenges of a national strategy for a diverse movement.

Apparently, some faith leaders also see Occupy has a way in which conversions can be more readily made. This, of course, could be the root cause of some of the more outright outreach attempts that churches like Trinity Wall Street are engaging in (we reported earlier this morning about the church’s teach-in event later today).

“The camps taught us that there is no substitute for face-to-face conversations,” explained Egerstrom. ”And the camps taught us that there is nothing that scares the wealthy elite and their institutions more than a collection of people having face-to-face conversations.”

Christian Pastors Are Participating In Occupys May Day Protests

Image Credit: OccupyFaithNYC.org

As for May Day itself, in addition to Trinity’s efforts, other churches in New York City are planning heavy involvement. On the Occupy Faith NYC web site (the group is headed by Ellick, whose church, Judson Memorial, is affiliated with American Baptist Churches and United Church of Christ), a special event is being held to commemorate the “general strike.” The web site explains:

Tomorrow is May Day, the true launch pad of the “99% Spring,” and the culmination of much hard work on behalf of “Occupy” activists, as well as their labor & immigration allies. OccupyFaithNYC will gather at 4pm at the Gandhi statue in Union Square Park tomorrow; several of us will arrive to welcome you as early as 3:30 pm. There will be a General Assembly beginning at 5pm at Union Square’s NW corner. Around 5:30, we march to Zuccotti Park which. It’s especially important for us to show up tomorrow as people of faith.

Several of us wear many hats, and have deep commitments on several levels to the work of economic justice as well as to Occupy Wall Street. Yet we believe our most effective testimony right now, particularly with the possibility of escalating police violence, is to provide a nonviolent, faith-based voice for justice. I encourage you, if you are clergy, to wear garb consistent with your faith tradition. If you are laity, I encourage you to wear faith symbols consistent with your practice. Most of all, I encourage you to bring with you the spirit of your tradition throughout this long and important day. We look forward to seeing you in the streets tomorrow.

In Chicago, The Anglican Catholic Mission Our Lady of Guadalupe will march alongside Occupy to protest against the deportation of illegal immigrants — yet another example of the diverse involvement of faith leaders.

So it seems some members of the faith community will continue to take an active role in the progressive Occupy movement — even as some of the tactics protesters use seemingly contradict the tenets held within the Christian faith.

(H/T: ENS)

Comments (99)

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  • old *******
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 2:43pm

    Be ware of wolves in sheeps clothing.These are not christian pastors they are far left wing nuts working to destroy the US as we know it.Obama loving commies.They should be ripped from the church and be fired.I would not want to be a pastor speaking this crap,in the end they will have to answer for their lies.Off to the lake of fire for them.I pray they will enjoy their eternity in Hell where they belong.

    Report Post »  
    • RossPoldark
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 7:50pm

      In end times, Jesus talks about placing delusionments in front of idiots likes these wolves, and those who follow them, so they will never be capable of seeing the true words of Jesus.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 1:12pm

    So the “ Harvard doctoral candidate” Marissa Egerstrom has organized a group called Protest Chaplains. Hmmm. When I hear that Egerstrom mentions ” the wealthy elite and their institutions..economic justice…escalating police violence,” I think of one thing : Comrade Egerstrom has an agenda . Comrade Egerstrom sounds far more like the expected anti-capitalist member of the Occupy Movement than Comrade Egerstrom sounds like a loving Christian. Just another example of the 99% Big Lies and Deception which we see on a daily basis from our international Lefties and their anarchist buddies. Hijacked Christianity. Christ spoke out against liars and hypocrites. He would not support these communists ( aka ” anti-capitalists “) What a sham. What a scam.

    Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 4:12pm

      The wealthy and the elite….sure sounds like a Harvard graduate to me.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 1:06pm

    Just like individuals…..there are patriotic religions and righteous God-fearing religions, and there are those who are trashy communist. We have just read about the ‘trashy communist’. I wonder if obama’s reverend wright was included in that communistic bunch of false reverends. He should have been.

    Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:49pm

    So do these pastors also support the many felonies, including rape, that these Occupy groups commit in their “camps”?

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 1:01pm

      They must believe… sucking from Satan’s Breast… or taking in his Minions… will Not Corrupt the “Pure of Heart”!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Real Christians do not support those who are against God, family and country. These people are not real Christians and are wolves in sheeps clothing to confuse. These people stand for all causes that are gainst what real Christians believe. That is why people need to study to show themselves approved (King James Version 1611 or Scofield.) There will be many who are coming in His name who will deceive and cause people to stray. Do not fall for this. They will lead you to hell.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • rangerp
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:50pm

      these are not christians, they are communists agitators using the Bible incorrectly

      Report Post » rangerp  
  • ltcwilly
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:24pm

    These “pastors” are the equivalent to the Liberation Theology heretics in Latin & South America. The Judson Memorial Church mentioned, affiliated with American Baptists and United Church of Christ???? That’s interesting since they have conflicting theological beliefs…uninteresting because they are both liberal and moving further left as we speak. It is disappointing that they named the church after Adoniram Judson, one of the earliest evangelical missionaries, eventually working in Burma and on the heels of the great missionary Carey.

    Report Post » ltcwilly  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:11pm

    Bella Dodd — From Communist to Catholic | Catholicism.org
    Bella Dodd did much harm to her country and her Church. It is a great blessing … More likely to me is that Bella Dodd’s testimony was allowed to take place (she could …
    catholicism.org/bella-dodd-—-from-communist-to-catholic… – Cached

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • Greenwood
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:04pm

    Matthew 7:12“All things, therefore, that YOU want men to do to YOU, YOU also must likewise do to them; this, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.

    13“Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.

    15“Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruits YOU will recognize them.

    Report Post » Greenwood  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:57am

    Stop the church bashing. I am so tired of it. Whatever church is participating in the OWS is not in line with the teaching of the tenents of that church. Especially the Catholic Church. They do care for the poor and sick, but anyone speaking for a church had better get the approval of the heirachy of that church, otherwise that are disobeying their own church and are radicals. If you look up Bella Dodd on the internet and read her story, you will see how the communist have infiltrated the churches and the government. If you have a good church and pastor, support them.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • cemerius
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:49am

    Wars, rumours of Wars, and False Prophets…….just saying….

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • TMink
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:01pm

      Indeed!

      Occupy Christ, rather, He needs to occupy me. And you. That is the entirity of Christianity, to be occupied by Christ.

      Trey

      Report Post »  
    • circleDwagons
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:10pm

      Not GOD BLESS America BUT America BLESS GOD

      false leaders indeed, Time to Stand Good will know Good Evil draws Evil

      Report Post » circleDwagons  
    • Tony
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:18pm

      Labeling these “pastors” as “Christians” is a stretch. Jesus said we would know them by their fruit and the fruit of these “pastors” stink to low hell. Just say’n.

      Report Post »  
    • blackyb
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:26pm

      You are right. They are false prophets.

      Report Post » blackyb  
  • jungle J
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:48am

    This is by design progressives learned a long time ago that they can’t supress the Church. So they now infliltrate it and then infect the confused church goer.

    Report Post »  
  • johnjamison
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:45am

    Exactly Religion is more of a business than a true philosophy theses day. More about filling seats and coffers than actually spreading the word…..The bible warned of the false prophets and the Catholic church whose has alot of blood in God’s name certainly is one. Fact is churches that erect 20 million dollars prayers houses are one as well. Christ taught on the shores of rivers,and seas,in the parks ,and in the streets he and reached more than all these churches combined.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:39am

    the common man need to unite against the elite to get rid of the system and put up a new one called the constitution.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • barber2
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 2:27pm

      “elite”…code word for ” I’ve got issues “…

      Report Post »  
  • LaBelle
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:39am

    These are not christian pastors, they’re imposters, posers for the progressives and their cause, nothing more and nothing less.

    Report Post » LaBelle  
    • In That Day
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:56am

      True, Labelle!

      Our Founders put One-God, One-Philosophy this way: “laws of nature and of nature’s God.”

      Is not the sum of these two things Life and Love? (A fair trial for Zimmerman would be justice.)

      And is not the result of lesser ideas Death and Hate? (A non-PC outcome of above trial would be what, riots & death?)

      Yet Love conquers all, does it not? Like Ronald Reagan said, We win. They lose. Love wins.

      And we must be humbled by the notion a) There is One God above us all and b) There is One Universal Philosophy, that of the West.

      And that notion is this: We must be humble enough to be self-aware of our own Shenanigans.

      Last week I pointed out the gross Shenanigans employed by James Robison (hypnotic voice-shout on second syllables… disgustingly mesmerizing!), how Pastor Jim Garlow showed his animus getting away from himself with antipodal idiocy, how Glenn Beck went along with all that Skyline Church’s cheap a) showmanship, b) stage hypnotism, c) suggestion and d) misdirection.

      Well, neither Pastor Jim Garlow nor Glenn Beck came running to me for advanced lessons on how to recognize a) cheap conning tricks, b) stop using them and c) truly teach sheep mental freedom!

      No, too often half-smart leaders con their sheep while explaining nominal liberty… yet keeping hidden mental enslavement’s shackles largely employed!

      Our political and Christian leaders need greater faith to stop using blinkering techniques of cash gain!

      Anybody agr

      Report Post »  
    • sWampy
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:57am

      Yes, it’s time to kick the money changers out of the temple.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:10pm

      You’re right, I‘m willing to bet most of them don’t even believe in Jesus’ physical resurection or the infallibility of scripture.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:36am

    Who lives in a pineapple under their mom? OWS’ers – It’s me, it’s me, I’m slurping your work in the sea.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:35am

    When The Commies take a Dump on the Pulpit,will these Social Justice ( AKA Jim Jones) types still be as giving?

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:33am

    The IQ of a mob is the IQ of it’s lowest member.

    The Hollywood set, Wealthy Liberals, Left Leaning Pastors, and Liberal Representatives are useful now, but when they are not. The same mob that they support and curry favor with; will destroy them.

    All it takes is for some “guy” to say Hey Dude! you’re not part of the struggle, you’re making over a million a year!! **Pregnant Silence** **Eyes turn to the offending 1 percenter**

    The mob sharpens their little knives and another 1% falls. These “Leaders” and supporters will be the first to fall. Then they’ll come after their real enemies; The evil conservative, capitolist, small business owner, the Godly, the honorable.

    Of course there will be a difference. The above enemies are usually armed. It will be interesting to see what happens when they meet the real America. The people that still believe this is the land of the free, home of the brave.

    The Long Night is Coming

    RANGER

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
  • gbfreak
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:32am

    This is by design. commie pukes learned a long time ago that they can’t supress the Church. So they now infliltrate it.

    Report Post » gbfreak  
    • In That Day
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:45am

      Yes, GBFreak…

      Consider the writings of Dr. Larry P. Arnn (President of Hillsdale College) in Liberty and Learning.

      Redacting Arnn, we might say that of Those-Who-Hate a) One-God-Above-Us-All AND b) One Western Philosophy-Above-All-Else-Tried… are going to be incapable of defending existence in a non-hubristic, sane and moral world, and will in fact, become champions for some surreal realities that cannot end well, because death and hate are promulgated.

      Bishop Berkeley said famously: “And, whatever the world may say, he who hath not much meditated upon God, the human mind, and the summum bonum, [the highest end humans must pursue] may possibly make a thriving earthworm, but will most indubitably make a sorry patriot and a sorry statesman.”

      Our faith in One-God, One Philosophy is live and let live, don’t force ideas on others, simply defend these our two ideas against attackers who would replace them with lesser/death-creating ideas, and to find and support among us those who by virtue and talent honed are able to be statesmen for man’s best hope on Earth, Western Freedom, Western Liberty, Western Correction, Western understanding that men are not angels, nor are any leaders… so make allowances against all proud things unable to yet see that above us all are always One-God and One-Universal-Philosphy.

      And therefore Hate, Hates Something, and that is that in the end, Hate will lose. And Hate Hates to lose.

      But in the end, Love wins, does it not?

      Report Post »  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:30am

    Even the brethren of OWS er’s know that they are a crying bunch of sponges.
    I always laugh about the cartoon Sponge-Bob, “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” It’s a “Sponge”, and what does a “Sponge” do? It sucks up everything from the sea. Kind of like many people are like a sponge sucking up the work of people.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • scuba13
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:44am

      Go back and watch cartoons for awhile and get more songs for your posts.

      Report Post » scuba13  
  • brntout
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:21am

    Ahhh…. Maybe these “pastors” can help by bringing a few bars of soap,and turn it into an Irish Spring…

    Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:37am

      I love it the irish spring would smell much better

      Report Post »  
    • Hades
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:43am

      LOL! I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. What would the OWS crowd be without horrible grooming standards and plenty of B.O.?

      That was classic man, I’m going to have to reuse that!

      Report Post »  
    • brntout
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:18pm

      I was also thinking ,I couldn’t remember the ditty, but maybe they could hum a few bars?

      Report Post »  
  • DDD
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:18am

    Guess they feel they shouldn’t let their faith get in their way. There only back up in the bible is Christ’s clearing of the temple. They were ripping people off and deserved to be cast out of a religious place. Too bad Jesus can’t do the same with these “Christian” pastors. In any case, it does not justify the destruction and harm that Occupiers bring.

    Report Post »  
  • In That Day
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:16am

    Our Weltanschauung War can perhaps be described as to who loves or hates the following two statements:
    • There is One God above us all (more or less described by Judaic/Christian Orthodoxy, which forces itself not on others)

    • There is One Universal Philosophy (as more or less described by Western Enlightenment, far above North, East & South)
    Who hates, loathes, despises, fights against, and spends huge amounts of expensive resources to discredit the above two Truths of Love, the above summum bonum, mankind’s highest pursuit?

    Liberal Pastors. The Modern University. The Mainstream Inverted-Narrative Media. The oligarch political class. Devolutionary Hollywood. The Left. Democrats. School Boards subsumed by Idiocy. The Communists, Socialists, the Community Organizers. The Teachers Union. Divorce Courts. Gun-Grabbers. NYC. Boston. DC. L.A. San Francisco. The L.A. Times. The Race-Baiters. Public Education. Extreme Muslims. Euro-globalists. Almost all Elite, Powerful High-Money People. Almost all So-Called Experts. Unions. Government Employees. Federal Overlords. The EPA. etc.

    This also explains whack-job broadcast Christianity, because whereas it might believe in One God, it has become the enemy of One Philosophy of Western Correcting Protocols: i.e. it believes its leaders angelic, just send $s!

    Our Founders put One-God, One-Philosophy this way: “laws of nature and of nature’s God”.

    Our Founders especially did not trust clerical leaders.

    Report Post »  
  • Infidel49
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:16am

    Once again, a misguided clergyman.

    Report Post » Infidel49  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:26am

      Even the very elect will be fooled should that be possible.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • Greenwood
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:23pm

      Mathew 7:21“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.

      Report Post » Greenwood  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:14am

    We‘ve seen how OWS treats it’s friends. Men’s Wearhouse supported OWS..it got it‘s windows smashed for it’s support. Churches in New York gave them shelter, they urinated and defecated in the church as a thank you. OWS is a mindless, anarchist mob of animals. You ally with them at your own peril. Thankfully…no on is taking them seriously they’re only seen as a disruption and a nuisance today.

    Report Post »  
  • grimmy
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:13am

    This is one reason i dont connect with some religious sect. Those so called religious leaders are no better than a politician,the want power, weath, and total controll over the masses.So all of you who are part of some church, be it lds,lutheren,jewish or catholic,take a very colse look at he pastor,preacher etc…and tell me im wrong……Also, before you flame me, know this, i dont believe in religion,but i do believe in God, and i do worship him, im my own way,that way, no one owns me……

    Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:20am

      Morning, GRIMMY ~~~

      Agree with you on supporting churches, denominations and / or pastors as being different than supporting GOD, especially in today’s world.

      My husband and I have moved away from three denominations in order to follow GOD. While we miss the fellowship of being in a GODly church, we feel much closer to GOD away from the denominational indoctrination that seems to pervade the churches today. Sad state of affairs, that.

      Report Post »  
    • undercover
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:09pm

      What a shame that you’ve allowed someone elses misdeeds to keep you from Christian fellowship. There is no Church of one. It can’t be just you and God. Christianity is Christ the head and ALL other belivers as the Body. Without other believers you cannot even be a Christian since the Church (not individuals) is God’s manifestation for this day. Don’t kid yourselve, there really are good Christian churches out there that love the Lord and desire only to serve Him. It WILL take some work to find them, but don’t give up! Start with small local fellowships rather than the big mega churches.

      Report Post »  
    • Fubared
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:11pm

      Grimmy-
      You ain’t alone man; once things “organize” in any way, I am gone.

      Report Post »  
    • Greenwood
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:43pm

      @FUBARED……………..
      Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, 25 not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near.

      Where would a person direct interested ones so they could obey this command if there were no organization where they could gather?

      1Corinthians 14:33,40 “God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace……………….Let all things take place decently and by arrandement.”

      Report Post » Greenwood  
    • Greenwood
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:50pm

      arrangement

      Report Post » Greenwood  
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