The Counterpunching Minister (who couldn't be "preyed" away) is a collection of 64 Counterpunch articles, calling for religious leaders to regain their prophetic role of confronting political power and wealth with reality and moral truth, rather than serving as chaplains of the status quo and providing the Invocations and Benedictions for those in power. The articles deal with America's moral decay. The refusal of our government to engage in national self-examination after the horrific 9/11 attacks. Instead, starting a so-called global "war on terrorism" in the continuing pursuit of world domination-under the pretext of "protecting our national security." Launching illegal, pre-emptive falsely based wars of choice against Afghanistan and Iraq, resulting in the deaths, dislocation and diminishing of millions of people. Violating the national sovereignty of other countries with weaponized drones, filling their skies with dread, and bringing sudden death and injury to innocent children, women and men. Creating endless enemies that fuels an unending "war on terror-which benefits the political/corporate/ energy/ intelligence complex. Essays focus on the pervasive militarization of America, aided by mainstream media which serve as guardians of the status quo. A militarization that has accommodated the government's criminal wars, the brutal Guantanamo Bay detention center, a presidential "kill list" that denies due process even to Americans, the National Security Agency spying on all of us citizens, and the prosecution and pursuit of whistleblowers like Pvt. Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden. Articles also spotlight the ever widening economic gap between the politically influential wealthy and the 99%. With the country's white-controlled hierarchy of access to political, economic and legal power reinforcing America's historic racial divide-with the current black president an accommodating exception to the ruling elite. Certain pieces address the use of "God" to "sancti-tize" the moral decay. Such as belief in "American exceptionalism" and "Christocentricism" and "God bless America"-- the latter presidential code words for the imperialistic ways of "Providence." For many, the "God of our Fathers," is American, white, Christian, imperialistic, heterosexual, male. The writings confront a major issue of religion: the aversion of many people of faith to politics and conflict. Speaking truth to political and corporate power creates controversy and carries the risk of losing their own institution's privileged status-and the financial support of disaffected members. It is much easier-and safer-to be a shepherd than a prophet, and to see people as sheep rather than as individuals with human rights. The book is about empathy. Inclusive empathetic moral caring for other persons-- near and far-- depends on the humanness of those who represent and serve people and the common good-whether clergy and their congregations, health care professionals, social service and civic leaders, educators, politicians, or citizen volunteers. Included in this collection is an article on the writer's own successful lawsuit against an abusive denominational hierarchy that violated his right of privacy in an attempt to assassinate his character and end his ministry. The writer's case provides a landmark ruling that protects clergy-and other workers and whistleblowers-- who refuse to allow those with authority over them to control their conscience and set limits on their empathy and political involvement.
About the Author: Rev. William E. Alberts, Ph.D., at the age of 88, is completing 22 years as a hospital chaplain at Boston Medical Center, over 18 of those years full-time. His book, A Hospital Chaplain at the Crossroads of Humanity, "demonstrates what top-notch pastoral care looks like, feels like, maybe even smells like," states the review in the Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling. A diplomate in the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy, he is both a Unitarian Universalist and a United Methodist minister. He is married to Eva Young Alberts, the father of four daughters and a son, grandfather of seven children and great-grandfather of six. His e-mail address is wm.alberts@gmail.com.