[UPDATE: The moment where I seriously dislike Cardinal George] Our friends over at Truth Wins Out (a non-profit organization that fights anti-gay religious extremism) want you to be aware of what they’re doing in response to the unfortunate statements recently made by Chicago Archbishop Francis George, wherein he compared participants in gay pride parades to members of the Ku Klux Klan. (more…) Read more
Here's how this happens. Read more
I recently received an email seeking my contribution to a book wherein people prominent in various fields answer the question, “What (if anything) should public schools teach children about religion?” Among those who have already submitted their answer are former US President Jimmy Carter; John Hennessy (president, Stanford University); Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Katharine Jefferts Schori (Presiding Bishop, Episcopal Church USA); Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion); Bernie Siegel, M.D. (and bestselling author); Jon Kyl (senate minority whip); Susan N. Herman (president, American Civil Liberties... Read more
If you have made it this far into the lessons, then as Muslims are keen to say, you will “seek knowledge even as far as China.” This third lesson is a quick outline that is designed to let you perceive both the major historical periods within Islam, as well as some of the details. With the amazing changes and challenges of power in the “Arab Spring” (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, …) there are significant historical events being played out at... Read more
(Here’s the sermon preached by pastor Bob last night. Wishing all of you the greatest possible Christmas.) “You know this story by heart—and even if this is your first time ever in a church, you likely know the Christmas songs from sacred places like Target, Walmart, or the new Kohl’s. This story is so familiar, so embedded in us, that sometimes it’s hard to really hear it, touch it. For myself, the story always leaves me with questions: Couldn’t God... Read more
Christmas is our one chance, once a year, to revel in the truly new. Now comes to us the essence and totality of all that we have ever been or dreamed we might become. Now comes God. Made of man! Made of woman. Made of us. Made of the best of us—and more, of course. Merry Christmas, to all for whom Jesus is enough. Merry Christmas to all for whom he’s not. Happy Birthday to the god who knows us... Read more
Wondering how you can go to work every day every day for twelve days in a row dressed like a different character from "The Twelve Days of Christmas"? Great! Here's how. Read more
“Certainly, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and Mary and Joseph all had to look at their lives anew. Any expectations of what life would look like surely changed with a few words from God—with two baby boys who would forever change everything for all of us.” (more…) Read more
A conversation between Mary and Joseph the night before Jesus was born. Read more
I just received the below from the young woman who wrote the letter I answered in this morning’s “Why would God degrade Mary as he did?” I asked her if I could share it, and she said okay. (more…) Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In