We are empathetic toward a victim of violence, persecution, or exclusion. This is a general truth. Yet, we see many would-be persecutors play the role of victim when they are not allowed to act badly. Here is why we do not have to play the game with them. Victim of Inclusiveness One scenario played over and over is when people who propagate lies and advocate violent repression against other people accuse progressives of failing at inclusion. The charge of hypocrisy... Read more
A favorite essay of mine is Wendell Berry’s The Gift of Good Land. It is not his best piece of writing. But it renewed for me a way of thinking about our relationship to the land. Or maybe it is more accurate to say my relationship to land. Basic capitalist economics claims the three resources for production are land, labor, and capital. Beyond the mere mention of it, I do not recall anything about the role of land in production. One may as... Read more
American Christians focus on any empty tomb. But we rarely speak publicly about occupied tombs. This is a shame because Jesus was not ashamed to speak about certain ones. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you testify... Read more
The White House scene in Oppenheimer demonstrates the need for a conscious conscience. The American Prometheus sits in the room with President Truman to whom he gave the destructive fire. He says, “Mr. President, I feel I have blood on my hands.” According to the story, Harry Truman did not have any problem using the atomic bombs to end the war with Japan. We have debated the point for many years now. J. Robert Oppenheimer possessed a conscious conscience. Harry Truman... Read more
The ubiquitous meme we see, “I Stand With Israel” is another way of saying genocide is okay. The worst part is Western Christians are the loudest voices. The US news media is univocal in making clear Israel is the victim of terrorism. And yet, the plight of the Palestinians is ignored. Too many of us shrug and give the excuse, “They brought it on themselves.” No, they did not. It is the same argument made when Germany placed severe restrictions... Read more
Israel declares war the day before our Columbus Day. What an interesting time for reflection? The year was 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain took two world changing actions that year. One is they sent one of the most controversial and enigmatic figures in western history to the orient. The other action is they expelled all the Jews and Muslims from their Most Catholic Kingdom. These actions launched the beginning of the European empires in the New World... Read more
First, let me say I am not slamming the door on future reaffiliation. The people who left The United Methodist Church closed it. I do not think we should be too quick to reopen it. A fair amount of coverage is being given to the resolution adopted by the Alabama-West Florida Conference. While many see it as a hopeful expression of grace, I think it is too soon. Deep wounds need time to heal. Should we try reconciliation before there... Read more
It is often advisable to admit you do not know the answer rather than bluff your way through it. It shows a lack of integrity. But it is not a good idea to pretend you do not know the answer when everyone knows you do. It also shows a lack of integrity. The chief priests know the answer they believe to be true. Do they accept John’s authority came from heaven? They do not see their answer for or against... Read more
“Now or never!” Instead of never we could put “is the time.” Better still is the political slogan “(Whatever) Now!” Curiously though, none of these slogans are actually talking about present time. Rather, they are all talking about an ideal future because the present situation is not very good. Act now for the good of the future. We are given a great gift of eternity within the moment. The gift of now is underappreciated. But only because we think we... Read more
“Fascism will come to America wrapped in the flag while carrying the cross.” – not said by Sinclair Lewis. There is no state or national church in the United States. We do not have one because of a freedom of religion (and from religion) value enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. But that does not stop some ambitious religious leaders. When fascism was new in the 1920’s and 30’s, the economic and social crises of the time... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In