Someone asked if I wrote my last post, You’re Not a Real Christian, in response to some of the snarkier comments I received to my Sane Evangelizing 101. I didn’t. But the question did remind me of this website, which is all about what a heretic I am. Don’t you just hate it when someone puts up a website declaring you a heretic? sigh…. (But wait—there’s more! Here’s another guy who thinks I’m going to hell and am trying to take... Read more
Whenever Christians engage in an exchange on the Internet about anything of almost any substance whatsoever—gays, hell, universal salvation, infallibility of Scripture, women as clergy, cushions on pews, colognes worn by pastors, cookies vs. donuts, off-key hymn belters—it’s inevitable that some Christians will start declaring that other Christians in the conversation aren’t really Christian at all. I can’t imagine being at an Elk’s Lodge meeting, and having one of the members stand up and say something about the minutes of... Read more
In response to my post Evangelist or Ego Driven Meddler?, a reader asked if I had any tips on how to keep your ego in check while evangelizing. As it happens, I wrote a whole book on that very matter (“I’m OK–You’re Not“) … so, yes, I do. My first Big Tip would be not to “share” your religious convictions with anyone who hasn’t first asked you to do that. Your strongest passion cannot change the fact that no one cares... Read more
A pox upon these these accursed new years, with their positively pristine possibilities, their perfectly positioned potentialities, their perennial promise of power and prestige! A large pox, too! A medium or small pox won’t do in this case! For already has the chubby-cheeked 2009 cherub changed into a chuckling, cheerful Chucky chillingly chopping at my chances for change. Um. Say, would you please excuse that? I’m terribly sorry for it. I have no idea what that was. I’m having a perfectly... Read more
Randomness: The important thing to remember when returning to work on a normal Monday after what feels like two months of holiday delightfulness wherein you barely had to go to work at all is not to kill yourself. Yesterday I spoke at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego on the relationships between Christians and people who feel they have every last reason to think Christians are insane homophobic misogynists. A ton of people showed up. I was awesome. Today I’m... Read more
My first set of 2009 resolutions was such a bust. “Intellectually mesmerizing.” Right. Meanwhile, I think Columbus discovered Ohio. Forget it. Here are my new 2009 resolutions: 1. Gain about 15 pounds. 2. Drink so much coffee every morning that by the time my wife gets up I’m like a rabid werewolf in the throes of an acute anxiety attack. 3. Practically never write the kids we support through Compassion International. 4. Vacuum our house so rarely our dust bunnies grow teeth... Read more
1. Be intellectually mesmerizing. Hmm. This morning I did search through five dictionaries looking for the definition of a word (“restitution”) that I preferred above the others. That seems reasonably intellectual. Or insanely picayune. They’re so close! Point being: I may still have a chance at this one. So never mind. 2. Become aesthetically inspiring. I am, right now, wearing black crew socks, knee-length charcoal pajama-shorts, and a red plaid shirt. So. One down, for sure. 3. Become awesomely well... Read more
So today one of my Facebook friends tagged me in one of those deals where you’re supposed to write 16 random things about yourself. So I did–and here they are. (Oh, about the Satan play, if you know what I’m talking about: more on that very soon! Thank you for your interest!): 1. I am, by nature and training, extremely adverse to saying or writing anything about myself that anyone could ever construe as bragging or pretentious. Which sounds pretty... Read more
For any fans of mine who live in San Diego and this Sunday don’t have anything to do, or anywhere to go, but who still feel like being somewhere at 9 a.m. in the morning … Um. So, to absolutely no one: During the “Forum” held between services, I will, this Sunday, Jan. 4, be speaking at St. Paul’s Cathedral in San Diego. I’ll be speaking on, “How to Talk to Non-Christians About Christianity Even Though You Know Going In That... Read more
(We are in Satan’s board room. In the room are the six ministers of his cabinet: RELIGION, FINANCE, POLITICS, EDUCATION, WAR, AND DISEASE. They are waiting for SATAN to arrive at the meeting to which he has called them all. As they are waiting for the Dark Lord to arrive, one of his ministers, perhaps by drumming on the table before him or her, begins distractedly keeping a beat. Another minister joins the rhythm of the first—and then a third... Read more
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