I was raised in a Christian family, and have professed my faith since I was a young child. I was also homeschooled in the middle of nowhere, with my only socialization being in the church and youth group I grew up in. As you can imagine, I was a very sheltered child. (more…) Read more
Got this letter in: I grew up in a very conservative Christian environment and as I have grown into adulthood I have gravitated away from that view of Christianity in favor of, for lack of a better word, liberal Christianity. Recently I brought up to my parents that my girlfriend and I plan on getting an apartment together (my girlfriend and I are both 25 and have been together for a year now). They reacted like I murdered an entire... Read more
So to continue with last time’s Everybody Self-Harms. One thing: I read in a few of the (outstanding because you guys rockethetheth) comments a reaction against my assertion that there is no fully independent consciousness without radical and complete individuation. (more…) Read more
So in yesterday’s post I wrote (um … to quote myself, which I know is Automatically Pretentious, but whatever): For what it’s worth, everyone self-harms. Some do it with booze, some with food, some with drugs or whatever. That doesn’t mean it’s okay for you to cut yourself; if that’s what you do, you need to stop that. But just know that the core urge to self-negate is simply part of—and the worst part of, really—being human. Everyone’s life is... Read more
Dear John, I am part of a ministry that answers prayers via email and sends out encouragement, as well as answering biblical questions. The ministry is rather conservative, and after speaking to my fellow members I know that I’m the only liberal Christian amongst fundamentalists. (more…) Read more
What role does church play in your spiritual life? Do you feel it’s a necessary component of it, a natural but not necessary extension of it, primarily a social thing, an obligation you could do without, or what? (more…) Read more
Sorry for the late notice, but this just came together. If you’re in San Diego I can definitely recommend coming to the 7:30 showing tonight of HELLBOUND? at the AMC Mission Valley 20. Immediately following the show will be a Q&A with guests Rich McCullen, Colby Martin and myself. This is your last chance to see this movie in San Diego. (more…) Read more
Yesterday on my Facebook page I wrote this: I receive letters from closeted liberals in conservative Christian organizations–ministries, seminaries, churches. They’re torn between leaving, and staying so they can effect change from within. What’s been your experience? (more…) Read more
Lately we’ve been diving a bit into the swirling dark waters of Christian fundamentalism (The fundamentally toxic Christianity, yesterday’s She’s terrified of her growing attraction to Christ.) Ugh. Talk about wanting to put on a wetsuit and bring your own oxygen. (more…) Read more
Dear John, I need to ask about Christian conversion, and I need to ask someone I can trust to help sort it out. (more…) Read more
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