By Tony Evans
For the Express
The Very Rev. Brian Baker, formerly rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley, will return to the Wood River Valley this weekend to facilitate a discussion of panelists at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival.
"I want to support the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival because its program supports a broad range of spiritual traditions," he said. "Fundamentalists are shown under the same umbrella with more progressive views. There are perspectives from established religions, as well as spiritual perspectives unconnected to any religious traditions at all. I think the real work to be done right now is in understanding religious traditions other than our own.
"In the broadest terms, I look at spirituality as trying to understand more of our existence. I suppose it is theoretically possible to live on the material plane of existence without a spiritual or mystical presence, but spirituality is about living connected to that deep source. If it becomes easier for me to be with and to love people who I find difficult to love, I know I am becoming more enlightened. I don't put much weight in judging another's level of spiritual development. But I do like Annie LaMott's quote: 'If it turns out God hates all the same people you do, it is likely you've created God in your own image.'"
Before accepting the Deanship of Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento, Calif., last year, Baker hosted interfaith panels in the classrooms of St. Thomas, mingling the traditions of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The Wood River Buddhist Sangha and the Wood River Jewish Community continue to worship and practice within the walls of St. Thomas Church, continuing a tradition of religious pluralism begun by Baker.
"What unified us was a common desire to learn, to grow spiritually, and to serve our community together," he said.
Still serving his community, Baker eagerly awaited a decision last week by the California governor and Legislature on setting limitations on the effects of global warming. Baker was one of more than 200 religious leaders in that state to sign a petition calling for mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases in California. He also holds strong opinions on U.S. military activities in the Middle East.
Before earning a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Baker graduated from West Point Military Academy. There he was schooled in the "Just War" theory, a military point of view, which he continues to reconcile with his role as a religious leader.
Baker's current frustrations involve U.S. military actions in the Middle East.
"When we joined the military, my friends and I were willing to give our lives for a greater good. There were honorable people who taught when a war was just—and the rules of war—how to avoid civilian casualties. The pre-emptive strike in Iraq didn't come close to meeting the criteria for a 'just war,' which we learned at West Point. We had a great deal of sympathy in the world after 9/11, even from the Arab world, had we stayed in Afghanistan and rebuilt that country. Now our military is acting like a bully.
"To fully embody the teachings of Jesus, it would be impossible to ever kill someone. How Jesus walked in the world is very transformative, but I'm not there yet. And I don't have those expectations for the rest of the world. I would step in or call the police if someone in my family were being harmed. But even then, violence is an evil. It is not something which brings us closer to the Kingdom of Heaven."
Special presentations
· "Inside Spiritual Filmmaking," presented by producer Steve Crisman, $5, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9. Liberty Theatre, in Hailey. What does it take to be a filmmaker in the spiritual film genre? Crisman will share stories and experiences as a filmmaker and producer, including a 10-minute clip of his new documentary on the Dalai Lama.
· "Spirituality in America," chaired by The Rev. Brian Baker, $10, 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 10, at Sun Valley Opera House. Chaired by Baker, the panel will explore the current relationship between the media and spirituality, and education and spirituality in the U.S. Composed of scholars on spirituality and expert film-makers, this is an in-depth look at important issues facing America today.
· "Globalization and Spirituality," presented by Nathan Katz, $10, noon, Monday, Sept. 11, at Sun Valley Opera House. Katz will explore the nature and meaning of the explosion of interest in spirituality around the world today, from New Delhi to New York. It will consider spiritually oriented films as embodying a new paradigm from inter-and intra-religious relationships.
· "The Filmmaker as Spiritual Warrior," presented by Mathew Fox, $10, 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at Sun Valley Opera House. Fox will discuss the power of film to wake people up. To do this, "the filmmaker must be busy waking up herself."
· Sharon Janis performs a selection of sacred music from India and around the world, free, 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11.
Rev. Brian Baker
