Apology from a Former Christian Conservative

March 8, 2024 By James Werning

To every victim of racial and social injustice in this broken land we love. I’m sorry for not believing you when you said you experienced prejudice and bigotry. I’m sorry for selfishly judging America’s “greatness” in terms of my own prosperity and privilege. I’m sorry for pretending everyone has the same opportunities in America after 400+ years of slavery, forcible removals, genocide, segregation, red-lining, rapes and lynchings. I’m sorry for caring about the safety of my home and investments more... Read more

An Invitation to the Circle of Life

February 27, 2024 By James Werning

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~ It’s too simple! Fulfill your life purpose … while leaving a lasting legacy. ~ The “Circle of Life” describes our place in family and community. It is our greatest purpose and legacy in life; greater even than our highest achievements. What is the circle of life? It is being born and raised as a dependent child, maturing through adolescence, until as adults, we generously share our time and resources with children, the elderly and those outside of our... Read more

The Good Arab – A Parable

January 11, 2024 By James Werning

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~ Jesus couldn’t possibly mean that WE are the unloving ones in the story, could he? ~ You’re meeting Jesus for coffee and conversation when he brings up a familiar topic: loving your neighbor. “In this contemporary context,” you ask, “who is my neighbor?” “This story will explain.” ~~~~~~ A homeless man was camped out in a Wal-Mart parking lot when he was beaten and robbed. Soon an Evangelical Christian and his wife drove by. “Look at that... Read more

The Ghost of Fearless Future — A Christmas Parody

December 9, 2023 By James Werning

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What miraculous things might happen if we conquer our fears? Christmas Eve. “It’s so cold, I can barely move my fingers,” says Rob Ratchet. “Can we please turn up the heat?” Rob is working overtime, helping you meet the December quota. “It’s too late for that,” you say. “We’ll be done soon enough.” “You’re such a Scrooge,” he says, ripping off a piece of packing tape. “Always pinching pennies.” Abruptly, the front door opens with a creaking of hinges... Read more

12 Reasons Why Not to Be More Religious Than Jesus

December 6, 2023 By James Werning

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Only a rejection of the current religious group-think will lead to a spiritual breakthrough. If you are not concerned about hyper-religion in the church today, start now. We are doing what Jesus told us not to do. We should be very concerned that we are more pious than our religion’s founder. We have become like the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day. Years ago while I was working in Christian ministry, the leader liked to tell tales of piety. I... Read more

The Problem with Religion – and Why we Can’t See it

September 28, 2023 By James Werning

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It’s time we humble ourselves and stop believing our faith-practices are indisputable. “The first problem with your religion,” says Jesus, “is how right you think you are. That prevents you from seeing an even greater problem, which is how your rituals and public professions of faith have become more important to you than love, the greatest commandment of all.” Jesus sits on a park bench beside a historic church building, surrounded by stately trees, wrought iron fences and bronze plaques... Read more

Be a Hero: 7 Essentials for Saving America

July 3, 2023 By James Werning

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~ Are you heroic enough, first and foremost, to do battle in your own heart? ~ I’ve learned a lot since I had it all figured out; since I tried to save America while working in Christian Media; since I promoted political activism and got arrested at abortion clinics. I was fully immersed in that early wave of Christian activists, newly awakened to the potential and power of our Christian crusade. My regrets and triumphs through that tangled maze of... Read more

A World of One

June 5, 2023 By James Werning

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How can we awaken our superhuman powers to transform the world for good? This is part 3 of a 3-part series. See: A World of 100 and A World of Three. A woman and teen await a free meal at Haywood House in San Francisco’s Mission District.[1] Unlike many of the homeless patrons, this couple is pert and stylish: The 30-ish woman is dressed in a floral skirt, spaghetti-strap blouse and jangly earrings. The Latina youth has designer jeans, dark... Read more

A World of Three

June 4, 2023 By James Werning

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What if we treated other nations as if they actually were our neighbors? This is part 2 of a 3-part series. For part 1, see: A World of 100 For many years, our small planet has been populated by just three people. It’s a cute little planet with a beautiful assortment of flora and fauna, the circumference of which you can hike in about two hours. In the beginning, the three occupants of this little planet settled on three equal... Read more

A World of One Hundred

June 3, 2023 By James Werning

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What if the population of the world was 100, and the land we shared was just 100 acres? Imagine that the world’s population is 100 people, all living on 100 acres — in the same proportions as today. In this small world, 60 Asians live on 30 acres, 17 Africans live on 20 acres, 10 Europeans live on seven acres, nine Latin Americans live on 12 acres, and five North Americans live on 16 acres.[1] Now imagine that you are... Read more