Hypocrisy is the ultimate death blow, whether it be politics or religion. And in the US, the two are inextricably linked together. Shame on us both. From the full article reprinted below, this comment leaped off the page: One Republican bundler who has worked closely with the Republican National Committee in the past was incensed, [Read More…]
The village idiot and the nature of greed: reflections on Donald Trump
May 16, 2017 by 7 Comments
Trump serves as the village idiot, speaking the truth while he masks it in his web of unending lies and mental craziness. We need that truth-teller. Even the “We love everything Trump and think the GOP can do no wrong” Wall Street Journal had this as its front page headline: “Trump Shared Secrets With Russians.” The [Read More…]
Right-handers=Good; Left-handers=Evil
May 15, 2017 by 8 Comments
The dominant world enriches itself endlessly when it makes room for the less-dominant to have a voice. Those on the margins: left-handed, minority, poor, mentally and physically challenged, non-cis-gendered—anything that is different from the dominant, mainstream culture—have voices that must be heard and embraced. Right-handers comprise 85-90% of human population. Many tools—table saws, scissors, manual [Read More…]
Help! Is the End Times near as the Bible promises?
May 9, 2017 by 4 Comments
To those who hold to literal end times prophecies, the earth, as a living entity, has no particular value. The quicker they facilitate the destruction, the sooner they bring about a new heaven and earth. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: How do you view the natural disasters, economic problems, and increased persecution of people today with the [Read More…]
Seven pieces of institutional clutter the UMC needs to leave behind
May 7, 2017 by 13 Comments
Right now, the UMC, bound by institutional clutter, is unfree, rigid, divisive and has regulated creativity out of the system. I’m a sucker for the “25 things you need to get rid of” article. Clutter drives me crazy. I used to watch those hoarding TV shows. In so doing, I became aware of the ease [Read More…]
Help! Do abusive people keep power by defining forgiveness?
May 3, 2017 by 2 Comments
When abusive people, those who misuse the power entrusted to them, face accusations of misconduct, they deflect the blame toward the one who has been abused. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: Why is it always the abusers and their advocates that concoct numerous ways to forgive them? Here is my experience. Abusers are usually sincere. They don’t [Read More…]
Help! How do I tell my sister to hush about her husband?
April 27, 2017 by 6 Comments
My biggest life mistake is asking people to read my mind and do what I want without my having to say it. Dear Thoughtful Pastor: My sister is separating from her husband and will soon move in with me while they decide to stay together or get a divorce. I want to be there for [Read More…]
It’s time. Blow up the UMC. My own breaking point.
April 24, 2017 by 80 Comments
These responses may be the breaking point for me. A church based on a theology of grace operates with the same nastiness of our current political discourse. I had planned a gentle, thoughtful post here. I have, after all, billed myself as the Thoughtful Pastor, although some certainly question the appropriateness of my claim. My proposed [Read More…]
Sexist pastors, sexist news commentators: losses and wins
April 19, 2017 by 3 Comments
Today: a possible victory for women subjected to sexist practices partnered with the long-running “Christian” and unquestionably sexist practice of keeping women’s voices subjugated. In the New York Times April 19, 2017, edition, the major editorial title reads, “Is Your Pastor Sexist?” It’s a piece about the extremely famous NYC pastor, Tim Keller, an excellent [Read More…]
Help! I’m peace loving and don’t WANT to fight wars for Jesus
April 19, 2017 by 2 Comments
Did Jesus finish the work of defeating evil or did he not finish the work and therefore we must go to battles and wars for him? Dear Thoughtful Pastor: There is a hymn called “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” It speaks of Christians as soldiers of the cross, marching as to war against what [Read More…]
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