I’m not a gun guy. I got turned off by guns the one time my dad took be to a gun range and let me try out his Ruger. It was deceptively light, made of some kind of polymer. It felt more like a toy than a weapon with any real power. Then I pulled the trigger. The recoil made my wrist and shoulder tingle, and not in a good way. I’ve always been averse to sudden, loud noises too,... Read more
It’s not exactly headline-worthy news that many Catholics actually hold personal beliefs that don’t line up with church doctrine. It does get a little more interesting, however, when an umbrella group for 57,000 American nuns is called to the carpet for straying from Church teaching. Reportedly, the nuns are promoting ideas on issues like abortion and homosexuality, among others in their programs that the Church condemns. The ladies in black and white have gotten into some hot water with the... Read more
Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, appeared on Janet Mefferd‘s Christian radio show recently and offered what shocked many, though it probably shouldn’t have. The surprise came when Perkins drew a correlation between the repeal of the Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law and the recent Secret Service scandal involving agents hiring prostitutes in Colombia. Following is an excerpt of what he said during the interview: Just for a moment step back and look at the implications of... Read more
The sovereignty of religion in the United States is a thorny issue when it comes to state powers. But most Americans can agree that there are lines that even the Church cannot cross. The problem is that sometimes that realization comes too late. Sixteen-year-old Austin Sprout is the most recent victim of such religious transgressions. Oregon’s Register-Guard recently reported that Sprout’s parents declined medical care for their son, opting instead for prayer to ensure his recovery from an undisclosed but... Read more
I don’t usually pull such large quotes from other sources on my blog, but the recent cover article in The Atlantic called “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely?” (Stephen Marche) is worth sharing. It’s about a growing trend of social isolation and loneliness in our culture, despite innumerable social media connections we use to counteract that problem. Marche starts with a sobering illustration: Yvette Vickers, a former model and B-rate movie star, best known for her role in Attack of the... Read more
HBO debuted a new comedy last night called “Girls.” Twenty-five-year-old Lena Dunham writes, directs and stars a new Young Adult generation’s “Reality Bites.” Creator and star of the underground hit film, “Tiny Furniture,” Dunham is fast establishing herself as a cultural prophet. As she states, perhaps a little ironically, in the first episode last night: “I could be the voice for this generation..or at least a voice for a generation.” Her fearless transparency and clever knack for witty dialogue... Read more
With almost thirty-seven thousand views this past month, I’m humbled and encouraged by the ever-growing readership finding their way here. THANK YOU for helping make this blog such a pleasure to put together and share every day. So without any further delay, here’s what people have been reading the most. #5 Critiques of the “Blue Like Jazz” Movie and My Thoughts: It surprised me, once again (notice a pattern here?) that readers were more interested in this back-and-forth about the... Read more
Hard to top the Easter Edition, but here’s another batch to keep you smiling on Tax Day. Church Sign Epic Fails: Easter Edition Church Sign Epic Fails, Part Six Church sign epic fails, part five Church sign epic fails, part four Church sign epic fails, part three More church sign epic fails Church sign epic fails Read more
Got some good news last night; the first printing of PregMANcy is finally in the warehouse. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered for your patience. And for those who have yet to put in their order, what the hell are you waiting for??? In honor of the arrival of our newest bundle of joy, here’s one of my favorite chapters from the book. It’s a rather, um, personal look at my experience getting a vasectomy. ***** I’m thrilled to have Zoe... Read more
This song really is a rare and fantastic find. Thanks to Jason Rose for directing me to it. As a writer, I just can’t summon the words to do it justice. You simply have to watch. And make sure you hang in there until the 1:50 mark to get the full pop-and-lock effect, along with some moonwalking in penny loafers that will BLOW YOUR MIND. Happy Friday! Read more
Christian Piatt
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