Not long ago, a producer at Day1 asked about my brand new book, Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. “Does the Church have a future?” he asked.  And the Day1 folks pointed a camera at me and caught this impromptu reflection. I hope you find it [...]

It’s war. At least according to some, President Obama has declared a war on religion.  This is the latest attack designed to make the President look like an infidel. In the last four years, the President’s opponents have branded him: 1) a liberal Christian; 2) a follower of liberation theology; 3) a secret Muslim; and [...]

This Black Friday, I expect that some religion commentators will write their yearly screed on the immorality of consumerism decrying the shopping frenzy gripping the nation on the day after Thanksgiving. But I am not going to join that chorus. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t love consumerism or the outburst of materialism that accompanies American [...]

This weekend, as many celebrate Halloween, some Christians will remember another holiday—one that marks the Protestant Reformation.  On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther challenged the Roman Catholic Church’s theology of salvation and sacraments, thus initiating the religious movement that became known as Protestantism.  On the Sunday before October 31, Lutherans (and some Presbyterians and Congregationalists) [...]

From the “Christian Nation?” Department: The death penalty has been abolished by 106 nations, 30 countries since 1990. Amnesty International reports that over 1/2 world’s nations have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. The United States, China, the Congo and Iran are the most prolific executioners in the world. I do not [...]

Over the past few weeks, a debate has been roiling on the web about people who claim to be “spiritual but not religious,” a.k.a., “SBNR.” Kicked off by the Rev. Lillian Daniel (who is, in full disclosure, a friend whom I admire), a pastor in the mostly-liberal United Church of Christ, who confessed in a [...]

For weeks now, news programs, radio commentators, and blogs have encouraged people to share their memories about 9/11.  Some of it has been very moving, some trite, and no small amount divisive.  But all of it has reminded me of one thing: words often fail to express what is beyond emotional comprehension.  As poet Ardrienne [...]

Welcome to my new blog. I plan to start posting here the week of July 18. For now, you can sign up for my RSS feed or subscribe by email (both are to the right). Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to continuing the conversation soon! Diana