The role of religion in the OWS demonstrations

The OWS movement, and its corollaries around the country, are not religious phenomena. These demonstrations and encampments have primarily arisen out of a compelling conviction that a plutocratic oligarchy, and the politicians it has bought, have generated an unfair redistribution of America’s wealth. Religion is only a minor player offering a supportive role. Yet broad support is what these demonstrations need if they are sustainable. Here are just a few examples of the way organized religion is involved.

Protesters approaching Zuccotti Park have encountered dozens of white-robed worshipers holding signs reading, “Blessed are poor.” Calling themselves “protest chaplains.” they traveled from Boston to support the rallies and marches. Members of Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Reformed Church have joined the protest with a signs declaring, “Jesus stood with the 99%.” A series of other churches and seminarians have been in the Park offering similar witnesses. Donna Scaper, pastor of the Judson Memorial Church, a personal friend with whom I visited a couple of weeks ago, is one of over 50 interfaith clergy from New York who has regularly been with the demonstrators and has said, “I’m not saying God is against the people of Wall Street, but I think God is sick of Wall Street taking more than they deserve.” Across the nation, beyond New York, a collection of churches and religious organizations have become more visible in providing direct undergirding for the demonstrations

Two leading religious bodies have distributed a list of ten principles of nonviolent witness which describe effective ways to demonstrate without resorting to violence. Hundreds of other evidences of religion’s participation are evidenced every week.

occupyfaithnyc.org

forusa.org

While religious groups play a less out-front role than in the Civil Rights movement, where they were central, and the Anti-Vietnam War movement, where they were highly visible, here they have been in the background with sturdy support for those who organized the protests and who will remain the basic participants.

It is true, also that some of the people who go to the polls to vote are followers of religion.

Does that make the act of voting, (an equally legal activity as demonstrating in democracies),a "religious" experience?

Of course not.

It is a secular political experience by someone who also has in the midst of life's journey, a religious motivation.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience;
we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

In that sense, secular politics is just one aspect of our human experience.

It can't help but come in and exploit things for self-promotion. OWS has nothing to do with religion, and yet here you are thrusting it out into the limelight.