Tag: Christianity

Happy Easter!

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]o celebrate this season in Christian faith, let’s pause to remember who Jesus of Nazareth actually was. I quote from Michael Schulson’s interview with Reza Aslan in Salon magazine: The real Jesus, the historical Jesus, the Middle Eastern Jew who advocated for the poor, whose politics were adamantly, I would even say violently, against the wealthy, is a Jesus that… Continue reading

Christian Taliban? [Updated]

From time to time I’ve used the expression “Christian Taliban” in my blog posts. I want to make certain people understand what I mean by that, as well as what I don’t mean. What I Don’t Mean I don’t mean that Christians are like the Taliban. Most Christians in my experience are basically good people who try to be kind… Continue reading

One More Before I Let It Go…

Predictably, after the SCOTUS rulings on Prop 8 and DOMA, the Christian Taliban is crying foul, throwing around their poor me persecution complex. From my friend Jeffrey Hoffman, this was just too well said not to share at every turn: A quick note to the “Christian” Right today: Folks, when you bully somebody long enough that the law has to… Continue reading

Authentic Living As Motion

Being Stuck Today, for some odd reason, I woke up pondering “being stuck.” I don’t mean being physically stuck, but being stuck in a perspective of what life is. I read the Facebook posts of 95% of the people with whom I went to high school and am in wonder at how their perspectives are virtually the very same as… 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

Your Voice Absolutely Matters

The Setup Many years ago now, I was confronted by a co-worker after taking what, in the short term, turned out to be an unpopular stance. At the time, I was “the new kid on the block” when she wisely said to me, “You reveal yourself by the things you say and do. You are showing everyone who you really… Continue reading

No Other Name Under Heaven

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Source: Acts 4:12 (NIV) Christ. Follow Christ. Be a Christian. The central message of the New Testament. Many Americans have even begun to use being “Christian” as a litmus test for the presidency. This month I… Continue reading

A Sermon that Resonates

I stumbled upon this by accident. Normally, I’m not patient enough to watch a YouTube video that’s 18 minutes long. But Dr. Ray immediately caught my attention with his concept of the Canon within the Canon. What he says in this short sermon resonates deeply with me. The message of the real Christ of the Canon is social justice. Faith… Continue reading

The War on Christmas

This whole article by Mark Sandlin on “The War on Christmas“ is brilliant and needs to be shared! I encourage you to take the time to read it. But today, our stories [of Christmas] are told from places and positions of power. Today, Christianity is the dominant culture.  So, instead of story of a olive skinned middle-eastern, unwed, pregnant mother,… Continue reading

Jesus, a Socialist

Not too long ago I posted on Facebook that Jesus was a socialist. (Dare the historical fact that the early church even experimented with communism be mentioned?!) My comment drew the ire of a well-meaning conservative. Some of the ideology with which she responded was a vivid reminder to me of why I fled from religious fundamentalism decades ago. As… Continue reading