Wall St. Bull

God has marched on Wall Street, and that's no bull. You have probably heard about the protesters who have invaded the financial district of New York City. This grassroots, social media driven occupation is drawing attention to the financial fiasco in the United States which was precipitated by greedy money-movers and for which millions of ordinary people are paying with lost jobs and foreclosed mortgages. Religious leaders have joined the movement making the connection between the growing gap between rich and more and God's justice. Read this report.

On Sunday (Oct. 9), a diverse group of New York religious leaders marched to Zuccotti Square carrying a handmade golden calf fashioned to resemble the iconic bull statue near the New York Stock Exchange."We think Wall Street has become idolatrous," said the Rev. Donna Schaper, senior minister at New York's Judson Memorial Church and one of more than 50 clergy who joined the New York protest, independent of the chaplains group.

"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."Schaper explained that the group's guiding principle was the biblical "golden rule" -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- but stressed the interfaith aspect of the demonstration, noting that the march was followed by a prayer service featuring Christian, Jewish and Muslim speakers.

"The golden rule is not just one that Christians observe... it's a way that all major faiths can unite," Schaper said. "We plan to be (at the demonstration) every Sunday and pray with people and thank people for making incredible sacrifices on behalf of our nation."

The golden calf is a reference to the idol worshipped by the Jewish nomads making their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses goes up on the mountain to retrieve the Ten Commandments and returns to discover his brother Aaron is leading idol worship. The book of Exodus tells us that neither Moses nor God were amused.

Read more about the Protest Chaplains http://protestchaplains.blogspot.com/

Should religious leaders get involved in this sort of protest? Is it our job to point out injustices even when it is disruptive and controversial? Can you see me roaming the corner of Silver and King decrying the banks?