Pentecost!
Pentecost was yesterday. My favorite Christian holy day. While it's not the shiniest, or the loudest, or even the most significant (some would say) theologically, it's still my favorite. Pentecost has great elements: fire, heat, light, freedom, wind, caring, and preaching. But best of all, Pentecost has the Holy Spirit. … [Read More...]
Mothers Deserve A Break
Mother's Day has just passed. Families around the United States gave their mothers flowers, beautiful handmade cards, and breakfast in bed. You know what else they gave mothers? Primary responsibility for their children, including financial and caregiving responsibilities. You know what they didn't give mothers? They didn't give them access to affordable childcare, extra family leave for children with special needs, or even equal wages. Working mothers deserve celebration. They also … [Read More...]
There Are No Enemies
I've just read the amazing story of Martha Mullen, who arranged for the body of the elder Boston bomber brother's body to be buried in Doswell, Virginia. It's a courageous act, after all the controversy that burying Tamerlan Tsarnaev has created. … [Read More...]
Coming Up For Air – New Book, New Job, More Writing.
It's been a while since I blogged. So I thought I'd do a quick update to catch you up on the goings-on in my life. … [Read More...]
December 17: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
I wrote this on December 18, 2007: I didn’t know her, but her life informed my life as much as anyone ever has. All the news reports said she was an exotic dancer, and they flashed a stock photo of a strip club on the screen. The weekend report asked people to look for her. The next weekend reports showed her former boyfriend and security guard being taken into police custody. Then the morning news reported that they had found her body, next to the wicker footlocker that her killer had … [Read More...]
Too Legit To Quit
According to the an article in the New York Times, a Nevada brothel owner has been elected to a seat on the Storey County Board of Commissioners. Lance Gilman, the owner of the Mustang Ranch is entering politics. There are some who believe that brothel owners should be seen and not heard, but others who believe that because brothels are legal and legitimate businesses in Nevada, owners should participate fully in the political process. I particularly like this statement from a … [Read More...]
It’s Not about Trafficking
It's not about trafficking. It's not about trafficking. It's not about trafficking. My new book, I Heart Sex Workers: A Christian Response to People in the Sex Trade is available as an eBook, as of this weekend. And guess what?!? It's not about trafficking. Yes. Trafficking is awful. Yes. Trafficking is massively unjust. Yes. Trafficking is very sexy right now. This book is not about trafficking. It's about women, including trans women, and men who are trading sex, whether by … [Read More...]
The Power of Ritual -or- You’re Doing That Wrong
I've participated in a bunch of rituals. From creating them, to fixing them, to just letting someone else create them, and rituals have an amazing amount of power. Unless you do them wrong. I can think of a lot of ways they were done wrong. At a local Transgender Day of Remembrance service I attended, the participants read out the names of the trans women and men who had been killed that year, then lit candles. You would think that would be moving. It would have been, but the room was sunny and … [Read More...]
Narrative Lectionary, Third Sunday: Joseph
Note to self: Come up with a better way to title these posts. The third Sunday of the Narrative Lectionary has us learning about Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel, grandson of Isaac and Rebeka, and great grandson of Abraham. Read about him here. There's a myth that I have never believed. I never believe that violence is singularly motivated by jealousy. In the days following 9/11, people said that the attacks were because of jealousy. I think that is a far too simplistic idea. Certainly … [Read More...]
Narrative Lectionary, Second Sunday
In an effort to get up-to-date on posting about the Narrative Lectionary (for more information, check here), I'm going to post a couple of thoughts this week, then post next Sunday's sermon next week. Week 2 of the narrative lectionary covered Genesis 15:1-6. This passage speaks as a visitation of God to Abram through a vision, reminding Abram of God's covenant with him, and that he will have many descendents. My Hebrew study group and I struggled through this chapter, trying to get at a … [Read More...]
Follow Patheos
Progressive Christian: