*Lecture delivered in Columbus, Ohio on 10/9/2015 Queer theorists and theologians push against boundaries and borders until they are no more and the individual is liberated to exist in the perfect freedom that is being. Cosmologists study origins and the development of the universe. Tonight, I intend to push us into a queer cosmological experience. The spiritual experience of thinking about the last questions of those on death row teaches us about our origins and helps us to think... Read more
Spirit of Love. Spirit of Light. Spirit of Justice. Fill us from the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads with the passion and commitment necessary to end the death penalty. May the powerful words of abolition never be far from our lips. When we exit through the great wooden doors of this church and march out into the streets, let our cry ever be… “Not one more!” “Not one more!” “Not one more!” “Not one... Read more
In less than 24 hours, Texas will kill my friend. Though we only met once, Juan Garcia and I share a spiritual connection. I will never forget talking to Juan about the light of love. The conversation went deeper and deeper. Juan became my friend. Jesus is strange like that… I see absolutely no reason to kill Juan. Regardless, I know Texas will. Texans are proficient at sucking the life out of people. Of course, killing is always evil.... Read more
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced attraction to both men and women. Growing up Southern Baptist, I didn’t have much room to talk about sexuality. We were just told that if we didn’t have sex or masturbate we would be following God. I remained quiet. Later, I felt called to ministry. In the midst of my conservatism, I decided to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In the midst of my studies, I was reminded over and over that... Read more
Car after car sped by. I looked into the eyes of every face. The image of God looked back. I spent the day walking for the abolition of the death penalty in Southern Ohio. Every once in a while, someone would slow their car down, honk their horn and raise their middle finger as high as they could. Their mouths made sure their meaning was not lost, “Fuck You!” I got discouraged. Then, I got a word. The middle... Read more
“…tell the Gissendaner family that I am so sorry. That amazing man lost his life because of me…” Just after midnight on September 30, 2015 after her final words of apology, the State of Georgia began to execute Kelly Gissendaner for the murder of her husband Doug. After the process started, Gissendaner began to sing. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now... Read more
To put it bluntly, I’m over the ridiculous arguments against sweeping gun control. Charleston, Newtown, Columbine… People keep dying and cowards keep talking about the need for more guns. Earlier, Christians were forced to identify themselves and shot. Due to our loose gun laws, today Roseburg sounds more like ISIS than the US. Deranged people have unlimited access to guns. Congratulations gun lobby…you just caused another mass shooting. Unless we stand up to those who love guns more than... Read more
Over and over, Justin Sneed slammed a baseball bat into the flesh of Barry Van Treese. Blood splashed all over the Best Budget Inn until there was no life in Van Treese left. Oklahoma City was appalled at the horrific nature of the crime. Upon admitting to the crime, Sneed convinced prosecutors and two juries that motel manager Richard Glossip ordered him to kill Van Treese. Sneed got life and Glossip got death. After killing a man with a... Read more
1.75 million Southern Baptists forced her down the hallway. 619 thousand United Methodists strapped her to the gurney. 596 thousand Roman Catholics pushed the needle in. 566 thousand Evangelicals assured everyone that this was God’s will. As the poison started going in, there were millions of Georgia Christians participating in the homicide. Within minutes, Kelly Gissendaner died and Christians were the ones who killed her. Upwards of 85% of Georgians identify as Christians. When Gissendaner was prosecuted, Christians... Read more
In February of 1997, Greg Owen stabbed Doug Gissendaner until there was no life left in his body. Can you hear the screams? Can you smell the blood? Can you imagine the horror of it all? Make no mistake…this was an act of pure evil. Though not even present for the crime, the mastermind was Kelly Gissendaner. Prosecutors often argue that the mastermind is more culpable than the person who actually carries out the murder. In order to... Read more
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