How Would Jesus Vote?

Last updated on: July 17, 2014 at 6:32 pm By Christian Piatt

I read an article on Huffington Post today about a new survey by a nonpartisan organization called YouGov of self-identified Christians. Asked how they believe Jesus would vote on various hot current topics, here’s a run-down of the results: 1. Jesus would not support gay marriage. 2. Jesus would oppose legal abortion. 3. Jesus would support universal healthcare. 4. Jesus would not support the death penalty for murderers. 5. Jesus would not support stricter gun laws. 6. Jesus would not... Read more

Fence-Sitters and Boundary-Pushers: A Postmodern Reflection

Last updated on: July 15, 2014 at 8:20 pm By Christian Piatt

My mom always loved gardening, but rarely had time for it in our two-career household. In her retirement to West Texas, though, she’s taken to it with a passion. She posts photos of her recent yields, be they impressive or pathetic. Today, she shared a photo that speaks volumes in metaphor. Her caption which got plenty of smiles and amused comments, read, “This is what happens when you don’t know which side of the fence you’re on.” The question, as... Read more

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Last updated on: July 12, 2014 at 7:50 pm By Christian Piatt

Jesus talks to me, pretty much every day. No, I don’t mean he speaks to me while I’m in the throes of prayer or comes to me in my dreams. He actually talks to me through twitter. A lot. And he’s pretty weird. Yesterday he told me that the Shroud of Turin was his photograph. I’m starting to think this Jesus is a little bit…off. We have no shortage of messiahs among us, it seems. From David Koresh types who... Read more

Four Reasons Conservatives are Embracing Prison Reform

Last updated on: July 10, 2014 at 7:06 pm By Christian Piatt

There are few social issues over which all within the greater Christian Church can agree, or at least historically have been able to find common ground. From gay marriage to gun control, it seems that religious ideology have gone part and parcel along with the respective political parties that tend to represent our social views. Criminal sentencing certainly has been one of those divisive social issues among Christians, with many progressives calling for more leniency on nonviolent crimes, and conservatives... Read more

Early Praise for “postChristian: What’s Left? Can We Fix It? Do We Care?”

Last updated on: July 8, 2014 at 10:27 pm By Christian Piatt

With just over a month to go before publication, I’m getting really excited to share my next book with Jericho/Hachette, “postChristian: What’s Left? Can We Fix It? Do We Care?” with the world. It’s receiving some strong early praise, including from Publishers Weekly, which says the book is, “expert at deconstructing false precepts, false practices, and prejudices of all sorts,” and that it “invites readers on a Kerouac-style journey of faith on the road with others who are preoccupied with... Read more

Church Sign Epic Fails, “Race Car to Hell” Edition

Last updated on: July 6, 2014 at 10:51 pm By Christian Piatt

Celebrating all things bumper sticker today, because nothing says “I’m following the path of Jesus” like an obnoxious sticker on your environmentally hostile car! Read more

Protect Your Daughters; Turn Them Into Corporations

Last updated on: July 3, 2014 at 4:14 pm By Christian Piatt

It’s been suggested that the recent Supreme Court decision involving Hobby Lobby’s resistance to provide insurance coverage for particular types of birth control is a blow to women’s rights. But if we’re willing to think creatively, not unlike writer and satirist Jonathan Swift, SCOTUS may have unknowingly offered us a loophole. The recent Supreme Court ruling that allows “closely held” family corporations to decide what kinds of care they will and won’t cover, based on their religious beliefs was a... Read more

The Holy Common Ground of Wild Goose

Last updated on: July 1, 2014 at 6:16 pm By Christian Piatt

We’re headed home from Wild Goose Festival, a gathering of artists, activists, musicians, and theologians, in Hot Springs, N.C. It was hot, rainy, and messy. My suitcase smells like my fifth grade gym locker. I can’t wait to go back next year. The speakers are remarkable; many of them are walking the talk they’re offering, which is an unfortunately rare phenomenon. But the most important part of the whole four-day event lies in the unexpected moments. Sometimes I would walk... Read more

Church Sign Epic Fails, “Christian Tacos” Edition

Last updated on: June 30, 2014 at 3:25 pm By Christian Piatt

I keep seeing signs for Kosher food and Halal food…thank goodness we’re finally making food that Christians can eat. I’m starving after 42 years of waiting! Read more

Engaging a Generation for Justice

Last updated on: June 25, 2014 at 7:02 pm By Christian Piatt

Often the Church does many things well: outreach in their neighborhoods, dynamic worship services, and children and youth programs to name a few. However, one of the gaping absences in church community often is a point of entry or transition for young adults. How do we serve them? How do we help them navigate the questions and complexities of adult life? How can we help connect their questions, passion and lived experiences to their Christian faith? One organization taking on... Read more