008 An Advent Carol week 3: The Ghost of Christmas Present, systemic racism in the church, seeing people for who they are, and debunking the myths about #BlackLivesMatter

Episode 008 An Advent Carol week 3: The Ghost of Christmas Present, systemic racism in the church, seeing people for who they are, and debunking the myths about #BlackLivesMatterThis week, the third week of Advent, we continue our Advent podcast theme: Scrooge and the Church.Blogger, candidate for priesthood in the Episcopal church, and social justice activist, Broderick, joins us for an important discussion about the systems that suffocate.  Broderick helps us define some terms and what we mean and what he means when we use the word "church."  We discuss the role of the church and why Christians aren't leading the way in terms of speaking out for the oppressed.  We talk about why racial justice is an important for the souls of privileged whites in this country as it is for the lives of people of color.  We tackle the problem with torture and why it is just one more chapter in the book of America that fits the chapters that precede it.Finally, we have a devil's advocate section where Joshua challenges Broderick to respond to some of the memes floating around the blogtuaries of FB, Twitter, etc, concerning race in America, Michael Brown, #BlackLivesMatter, and the myths that keep us from really seeing people and things for who and what they are.For a more OFFICIAL view of how the events in Ferguson and across this country are part of Christ's Advent in 2014, please check out Broderick's piece on HuffPo "If Time Were an Ocean."  It is extremely thoughtful and poignant, and part of our must-have advent devotional reading material this year.  You can also follow Broderick on Twitter @BroderickGreer.We're still giving away free stuff, packed and shipped with love, peace, and joy...just share our Episode status update from the Church Hoppers Podcast Facebook page and then message the page with an address for us to ship your shot glass!