Dealing with anti-Christianity in the LGBT community

Last updated on: May 26, 2013 at 5:59 am By John Shore

I recently got in an email with the subject line, “Dealing with anti-Christianity in the LGBT community.” It read: (more…) Read more

Alabama Shakes

Last updated on: February 16, 2016 at 3:48 am By John Shore

In case you haven’t yet met her, this is Brittany Howard, lead singer and guitarist of the band Alabama Shakes. If you missed Alabama Shakes playing their massive hit song (“hit song” = already retroiest phrase ever!) “Hold On” earlier this year on Saturday Night Live, then here’s your opportunity to be shamelessly grateful to be alive in the time that you are. Because: At fifty-five, I am just old enough to remember a time when music was understood to... Read more

Homosexuality? Hell? You be the judge.

Last updated on: July 2, 2014 at 9:54 am By John Shore

The rational Christian must admit that no one actually, in an objective sense, knows if there’s a hell, or knows how God feels about homosexuality. We can pretend that we know those things, of course. But none of us really does. The Bible is open to an infinite number of perfectly legitimate interpretations. That’s one of the things that makes the Bible so … perfect: in so many ways, and about so many things, it insists that ultimately we must arrive... Read more

Can this wife abuser change?

Last updated on: May 22, 2013 at 12:09 pm By John Shore

Got this in: Hello John, I am an abusive man. I have found many books and websites for abused women. Could you post some suggestions for any abusers who find your website? I admitted my abuse a couple of months ago. I started counseling just last week. I have also found a life skills course that I am taking. I am hopeful that I can change. (more…) Read more

The rational genius of Christianity

Last updated on: January 8, 2014 at 9:53 am By John Shore

I have zero interest in converting anyone to Christianity, be it “my” version of the faith or otherwise. Why would I? As long as your beliefs don’t in any way contribute to the oppression of others (such as, oh, gosh, I dunno—gay people or women), then what you believe is nobody’s business but yours. Business I do accept as mine, though, is defending the sheer, clear, tight-as-a-frog’s-butt rationality of what I believe. As a logical construct, core Christianity has always been as solid as a... Read more

Unfundamentalist Christians

Last updated on: April 13, 2015 at 3:56 pm By John Shore

A while back I responded to repeated requests that I articulate my personal theology by writing the 14-point document below, which expresses the Christianity that I have believed to be true since the moment of my sudden conversion experience. In February of 2012, I and a small group of people who had read and liked my mini-manifesto quietly started a Facebook page called Unfundamentalist Christians. We put my document under the page’s What We Believe tab, and then just …... Read more

How can I believe in God, when so many innocent people suffer?

Last updated on: January 13, 2015 at 4:01 pm By John Shore

The question people most often ask me is, “How can I believe in God, when so many innocent people suffer?” Those who ask it typically want to believe in God, but feel that the fact of innocents suffering leaves them no choice but to remain in their skepticism. (more…) Read more