There are few places as good as seminary to lose one’s faith, or at the least to have it pushed, twisted and forced past any place you had safely stacked out in advance. I had already considered myself a theologically liberal guy and had chosen my seminary carefully – a school with historically left-leaning theological faculty where I was one of three straight men in my class. Regardless, after several years of postmodern theory, queer and feminist theological methodologies as... Read more

This week, we're excited to launch a new column on Religion and Politics, by Baylor University Professor, author and Episcopal Lay Leader Greg Garrett. Each Thursday, Garrett will be raising questions and offering his insights on what it is to be a faithful citizen in this time. Read an excerpt from his first post here and join the conversation. Read more

Join us this week at Patheos for a live chat on PBS' 3-part series "God in America." Along with the opportunity to chat with the producers of the series, you'll also see interviews with three of the show's producers and a new review of the series. Read more

Now that I’m older and maybe wiser, May and October have switched places in my favorites list. October is golden glow. May is buttery yellow. October is realistic. May is false hopes that spring will last forever. October is closer to death and so, it is a spiritual opportunity for us to be more in touch with life. Read more

On Saturday afternoon, I was almost in tears after hearing on NPR that the long awaited breakthrough to the Chilean miners trapped since August has been made.  Their rescue is still some days away, but the hope this breakthrough represents is huge.  There is so much bad news reported in the press that I think all of us need to applaud when news like this makes the front page. Read the story here. As I reflected on this today I... Read more

In general, individuals and groups don’t admit to themselves that the reason they act or don’t act the way they do is because “I have no fear of God or respect for anyone…” That would be like saying: “I am an irreverent, disrespectful jerk who thinks only of my own convenience and comfort. Don’t expect any justice from me.” Real people and institutions protect themselves (ourselves) with layers of rationalizations, ways we can continue to pursue our lifestyles and sleep well at night while ignoring or downplaying the needs of those beyond our families and friends. Read more

Patheos is excited to announce the October Book Club Pick of the Month: Stephen Prothero's "God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run The World - And Why Their Differences Matter." Our resources for deeper reading include an exclusive author interview, discussion questions and a book excerpt to get your ready for our online discussion. Also next week, we'll begin our Blogger Roundtable, featuring nearly a dozen bloggers from different faith traditions responding to the book and raising questions for Prothero to respond to at the book cluv blog, Take & Read. So grab a copy of the book (or read the excerpt) and get ready to join the conversation at the Patheos Book Club! Read more

What is Progressive Christianity and where did it come from? Associate Dean of Religious life and pastor Jim Burklo offers some thoughts. Read more