Tag: Bible

Christianity and Social Justice

“The poor you have with you always.” —Jesus And with that people who self label as Christians dismiss any obligation to help anyone but their religious leaders as they seek to curry God‘s favor and reap the bountiful blessings they believe are due them. It’s just easier. I stumbled upon1 this quotation that needs to sink deeply into the hearts… Continue reading

And Man Became a Living Soul [Updated]

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 21st-century America, I am feeling less and less like a living soul and more and more like a collection of data points. I place the blame for this at the feet of the American church. The church has, as the Bible refers to it, “lost its savor.1” Today’s Sorry State of Affairs I think that most people now realize… Continue reading

A Brief Moment of Clarity & Consistency

Introduction I have blogged before about Bob Jones University‘s racist history, the current chancellor’s support for stoning gay people (comments made in 1980 to an AP reporter when Jones was president of the institution), and that institution’s persistent subjugation of women. Thinking About Attending Bob Jones University? (focused more on misogyny and racism) Homophobia & Religious Fundamentalism: The Real Issue… Continue reading

Orwellian Doublespeak

OK, let’s carefully look at this quotation from CNN’s website today, with a critical eye focused a bit more precisely on reality and not Orwellian doublespeak: After Jason Collins came out as gay, ESPN’s Chris Broussard said the NBA player was living in “open rebellion to God” — sparking a backlash against the sportswriter. That’s proof, some Christians say, that… Continue reading

Love This Faith Practice Quotation

The more I have read the Bible and study the life of Jesus, the more I have become convinced that Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination.” —Shane Claiborne The truth is: I want nothing to do with Christianity as it is widely seen and practiced in this country. I find its moralism and hatred revolting.… Continue reading

Beautiful Packaging and Brilliant Marketing

I personally find the way businesses package products to be of interest. Packaging can sell a product or keep it on the store shelf. Take religion—really big business: today’s purveyors of religion package the Bible. They co-opt the concepts of “biblical” on numerous issues. Yet, they pick and choose what each package looks like. They market their agenda with carefully… Continue reading

Homophobia & Religious Fundamentalism: The Real Issue Extremists Don’t Want You To Know

I brought forward several issues in my post last week, Thinking About Attending Bob Jones University? Don’t!, that I find of great concern about that institution. Three of the four broader issues are*: Sexism Racism Homophobia The focus of this post is what all three of these issues have in common. I begin by sharing a conversation I and four… Continue reading

For the Bible Tells Me So

The Pew Research Center conducted a poll to determine the issues on which evangelical leaders agree and disagree: The Bible is the Word of God.  (98% agreed) Christianity is the one, true faith leading to eternal life.  (96% agreed) Abortion is usually or always wrong.  (96% agreed) Society should discourage homosexuality.  (84% agreed) Men have a duty to serve as… Continue reading

Making a List & Checking It Twice…

OK, if you’re easily offended by jokes about religious matters, don’t read this post. It might offend you.  (It’s not meant to offend.) Surely you know by now that Jesus is returning on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at about 6:00PM, but I don’t know for sure in what time zone though speculation is Pacific Time, because that’s where Mr. Harold… Continue reading

Let Me Blow Your Mind…

Image via Wikipedia So here’s a mind-blowing question for everyone. Can you even entertain it? Can you play, “What if…”? Are you capable of this? I’m going to guess that you are not — especially if you are an extremely religious person, but we’ll see. Now remember, this is just a “What if…” mental exercise. OK: The Setup Most of… Continue reading