THE QUESTION: A word gets surprising media attention. What does biblical “inerrancy” mean? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: A February article by Stephen Young of Appalachian State University in North Carolina pulls the “inerrancy” of the Bible into a surprising media spotlight. Writing in the liberal religiondispatches.org, Young blames this concept for American Christian racism and “white patriarchy” that subjugates women. By coincidence, days before Young’s posting Michael F. Bird of Ridley College, an Anglican seminary in Australia, contended via the interfaith... Read more

THE QUESTION: What is a religious “cult” THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: On this somewhat delicate terrain, trusty Merriam-Webster offers us three definitions of “cult.” 1)  A small religious group “not part of a larger and more accepted religion” with beliefs many regard as “extreme or dangerous.” 2)  A situation with something or someone cared about “very much or too much,” as in “a cult of personality.” 3)  A small group of “very devoted supporters.” Note that the word can also... Read more

THE QUESTION: Is having children a moral duty for married couples? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Pope Francis provoked a fuss at his first general audience of 2022 by remarking that “many, many couples do not have children because they do not want to, or they have just one — but they have two dogs, two cats. . . . Dogs and cats take the place of children.” He continued, “This denial of fatherhood or motherhood diminishes us; it takes away... Read more

THE QUESTION: What do U.S. churches believe on the transgender issue? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: As with American society at large, churches’ consideration of the sensitive transgender issue emerged only recently and rather suddenly, compared with their decades-long-debate over whether to leave behind the Christian tradition against gay and lesbian relationships. The religious implications go well beyond political agitation over “bathroom bills,” athletic competition, or women’s shelters. Transgenderism is part of a broader gender-fluidity movement. A recent survey by the... Read more

The Religion Guy is taking time off to celebrate Christmas so with slight changes posts this "Q & A" from December, 2013. MARY (appropriate name for this item) ASKS: Did the infant Jesus cry? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Good one. A beloved Christmas carol says “the little Lord Jesus no crying he makes,” which would have been a tiny miracle. But newborn reality — and Christian doctrine — are better expressed by Jesus’ “tears” in “Once in Royal David’s City.” This... Read more

THE QUESTION: Do beards symbolize good or bad character? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Any self-respecting Santa Claus will have actual or artificial paunch, a red suit and, perhaps most important, that luxuriant white beard. Yet notwithstanding shopping-mall Santas and St. Nicholas, the bearded but skinny 4th Century original, some fear that beards symbolize questionable character. Take the New York Yankees. Please. In 1973, boss George Steinbrenner was perturbed by a player’s sloppy appearance during the National Anthem and ever since... Read more

THE QUESTION: Is U.S. Christianity becoming two separate religions? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: If the question above seems off the wall, at least look why it has arisen. Two years ago, The Guy wrote that he was quite astonished by some survey research reported in “The Twentysomething Soul” (Oxford University Press) by Tim Clydesdale of the College of New Jersey and Kathleen Garces-Foley of Marymount University. Young Americans age 30 and under, quizzed about religion, were asked how they think... Read more

THE QUESTION: What was the biblical “thorn in the flesh” that so plagued St. Paul? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: We’ll never be sure. But the question is perennially fascinating. “Thorn in the flesh” is one of many commonplace phrases we take from the Bible. It appears in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, where St. Paul writes that he knew “a man” — modestly referring to himself — who was “caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be... Read more

THE QUESTION: How do Latter-day Saints view the polygamy in their faith’s past? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which seeks to abolish its former “Mormon” nickname) was founded in 1830 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., who later began practicing and advocating polygamy (the faith prefers the term “plural marriage” and in past times spoke of “the Principle.”) Smith wanted this kept secret but dissenters inside his flock revealed the controversial teaching, which... Read more

THE QUESTION: Is the COVID vaccine the biblical “mark of the beast”? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Many odd anti-vaccination rumors with murky origins are floating around social media, alarming healthcare workers as they combat a virus that has killed 720,000 Americans and counting. Take the “mark of the beast” claim. The Guy can confidently answer “no” to this question, based upon the strong consensus among Bible experts, both those who take the Bible portion at issue — Revelation chapter 13... Read more