[content note: domestic violence and spiritual abuse]If you spend a lot of time in the same "progressive Christian internet" circles that I frequent, you may have heard of Tony Jones (theologian, blogger, and one of the founders of the Emergent Church movement). Hopefully you have also heard of his ex-wife, Julie McMahon, who recently went public with accusations (and supporting documents) that Jones abused her both during and after their marriage.If you haven't heard, R.L. Stollar has … [Read more...]
Tony Jones’ Cross is a Symbol of Abuse (Or, How To Abuse Women Like A Pacifist)
April 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Not Your Average Easter Story: A Review of “Walking Toward Resurrection”
April 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
If you were to ask me which writers have had the most influence on my theology, Shannon T.L. Kearns would definitely be in the top 10 (right up there with bell hooks and James Cone). I have been reading his blog for several years, and so I was excited when he asked me to read and review his new e-book, Walking Toward Resurrection. Fr. Shay's writing gave me permission to do theology that starts with my body, and with the experiences I have in my body. That is … [Read more...]
Liberating Liturgies: This Is Our Body. This Is Our Blood.
April 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
[content note: rape and abuse] I figured Holy Week would be as good of a time as any to revive my Liberating Liturgies series. If you want to contribute your own liturgies, songs, poems, or other writings, email me at moonsn11@gmail.com This is my body, broken for you. This is the body of my sisters. Battered by men. The bodies broken because they “fell down the stairs.” The black eyes behind never-enough layers of makeup. The broken hopes and the broken dreams of women. These are the … [Read more...]
How To Be Pro-Life Without Being Violent: Whose Bodies? Whose Choices?
March 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This post is part of a series on how pro-life and pro-choice people can find common ground to work for holistic reproductive justice. The introduction to this series can be found at this link. In light of the recent arrest of Purvi Patel, a woman who is currently facing 20 years in prison because she had a miscarriage, I need to start this post by being VERY CLEAR that this series is not an excuse for violent pro-life ideologies.Many pro-life people claim that they are not forcing people … [Read more...]
How To Be Pro-Life Without Being Violent: Holistic Reproductive Justice
March 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I recently wrote a piece about "Pro-Life Pacifism" as a form of violence. My main argument was that Pro-Life Pacifists cannot claim to be anti-violent while also forcing or coercing people into pregnancy and childbirth. Contributing to someone having to give birth against their will is a form of horrific violence.Though I stand by that piece, I do want to be clear that I believe there are ways to be pro-life without also supporting violence against pregnant people. It's a fine line to walk, b … [Read more...]
The Inherent Violence Of “Pro-Life Pacifism”
March 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment
[Content Notes: Abortion. Graphic Discussion of Pregnancy/Childbirth Risks. Brief Discussion of Rape] Today I want to talk about everyone's favorite topic: ABORTION! YAY!Actually, I want want to talk about a very specific subgroup of pro-lifers: Pro-Life Pacifists. I should start by explaining who these Pro-Life Pacifists are. Pro-life pacifists are usually liberal/left-leaning Christians who claim to be pro-life "across the board." They not only oppose abortion, but also war, the d … [Read more...]
Is the Bible the Word of God? Or is Jesus? Or….
March 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment
I'm not sure where the phrase "The Bible is not the Word of God; Jesus is" originated. The first time I heard the phrase, though, (on Rachel Held Evan's blog) it was just short of life-changing. It became my go-to answer to those who used the Bible as a weapon to hurt me or others.I say this show that I see how the phrase can be extremely liberating to those who are used to being oppressed by harmful Biblical messages.I wanted to affirm that before I start deconstructing this … [Read more...]
Reconciling God and Evolution, Part 1: The World Between The Covers Of A Book
March 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
More and more millennials are accepting evolution as true, and society's attitude toward evolution is, well, evolving. Even many evangelical Christians are embracing the reality of evolution, and joining the ranks of Christians who have found a way to reconcile science and their faith.But there is still pushback, and not only from within evangelical Christianity. One example is a recent article by Greta Christina (who is an atheist) entitled, "Why You Can't Reconcile God and Evolution."I … [Read more...]
The Creation Museum on Race
March 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Content Note for discussion of racism, and images depicting slavery and genocide As you may know, I recently took a trip with my spouse to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. I've already documented my experience in blog form, and have written about some of the "subtle" sexist and hetero and cisnormative agendas behind the place. I'd also like to talk briefly about the...interesting...way the Creation Museum handles the topic of race. As a white person, I want to trend carefully on this topic. I … [Read more...]
“Damaged Goods” Has Something For Everyone
February 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Full disclosure: Dianna Anderson is a close friend of mine, and has been since before she started writing Damaged Goods. She did not ask me to write this review, but I fully believe her book is an important one. I will try to be as honest as I can in this review, but of course I have some friendship bias. :) ------- Let me start by saying that I think Damaged Goods has something for everyone: for the atheist feminist wanting to know more about purity culture, for the "Jesus Feminist" tryi … [Read more...]
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