If some shimmering person outside the tribe says even the most vacuous or ambiguous thing that can be spun positively, it will be seized upon and claimed as an affirmation of the tribe and all its values. If some upstart within the tribe says the identical statement, it will be interpreted in the most hostile light so that the speaker can be condemned as someone who opposes the tribe and its values. Read more
If cherubic little Bo turns out to be a literal cherub, then NBC's "Believe" could become a huge hit. That's probably true even if her powers are just vaguely attributed as a "miracle" or a "gift from God." But if the source of her powers is explained in some kind of New Age-y way, or as a leap forward in human evolution, then that same religious audience will likely reject this show. Read more
Samantha Field: The problem isn’t just that universities like Pensacola Christian College, Bob Jones University, and Patrick Henry College are steeped in “purity culture” — a culture that teaches women who have sex are like used toothbrushes and half-eaten candybars: in a word, women are disposable. Purity culture is worth examining, but the heart of the problem at PCC is that purity culture is enshrined in the Pathway – and the Pathway makes it virtually impossible for victims to come forward, even more so than the roadblocks facing victims at secular colleges. Read more
Ken Wilson isn't like Rob Bell or Brian McLaren -- a former pastor already labeled with the tribal warning sign of "controversy." He is an until-now non-controversial member of the tribe, and he's still an evangelical pastor writing as an evangelical pastor. The title, and format, of his book is "A Letter to My Congregation." Read more
The congressman wants proof gay men exist. Biblical "inerrancy" can lead to oppression -- that's its appeal. Bryan College faculty stand up to creationist bullies on the board. Michael Medved surely knows that we know he's lying. Read more
The great fun of watching a show like this unfold is that it invites us to consider all its disparate claims and symbols and plot lines, to engage with its various narrators -- Marty, Rust, the camera -- and to choose how much or whether or when each is being trustworthy. And all the while it reminds us that we must be cautious of our own tendency, need or desire to impose meaning and patterns where none was intended. Read more
"Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan." Read more
"Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." Read more
Hannah has wise words for good Christian young people governed by "the worst possible state of mind: horny celibacy." Religion not a significant variable when it comes to viewing porn. Please let's not use the term "pre-married." Horrible news from JPUSA. Boz Tchividjian on how concern for a "good reputation" is making the church disreputable. Read more
Frat houses and insurance, the EEOC on religious discrimination, an anti-racist anti-feminist (?), Rick Warren and Billy Ray Cyrus, Paul Ryan and implausible sermon illustrations, and 50 movies that prove Rush Limbaugh is, as usual, broadcasting out of his backside. Read more
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