This oft-quoted text presents a mystery. If God did not make Steve, then where did this uncreature come from? How did Steve come to be? We come to mystery. Steve was neither made nor begotten; yet Steve is. Read more
This oft-quoted text presents a mystery. If God did not make Steve, then where did this uncreature come from? How did Steve come to be? We come to mystery. Steve was neither made nor begotten; yet Steve is. Read more
"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Read more
This is almost precisely the opposite of what newspapers exist to do. They exist to provide their readers access to information — not to wedge themselves in between the readers and that information. Read more
Jesus, you'll notice, was not attired according to Timothy's dress code. No collared shirt. No dress pants. No socks or dress shoes. And hair like that would've gotten you enough demerits for a week of detention. Read more
The only people who think it’s a Good Thing are those who belong to the sect in question. Ah, but who is that? And are all those who claim to be members of this elevated sect really members of it? Can they prove it? How can they prove it? Historically speaking, the answers to that last question always involve duress. Read more
Tim LaHaye's major "contribution" to dispensationalist ideology was his grafting in of old John Birch Society legends, simply replacing their dishonest paranoia about a Communist one-world government with fears of an Antichrist one-world government instead. This is the main difference between the tea party of the 21st century and the Birchers of the 1950s and '60s. Read more
Defamation suit shines spotlight on utility's icky yellow water. Risking harm to save someone who wants to do you harm. "This much truth can grow an honest soul." I'm old enough to remember when Pat Robertson was the fresh new, friendlier face of the religious right. James McGrath and Bob Cargill are gonna be on TV. Families lose meals as Recovery Act's boost to SNAP ends today. Offshore wind power sets new records for the 15 countries that have such facilities. I do not live in one of those 15 countries -- American leadership! Read more
The demagogues of the religious right pursue power — political and economic power — by preying on fears and prejudices. Their power depends upon the perception of barbarians at the gate, on the perception that some menacing Other is on the verge of destroying all that their followers hold dear. This Other, the demagogue’s scapegoat who must die for our salvation, can’t be something that presents a genuine danger, because that would expose the demagogue’s impotence to protect his followers from real threats. Read more
New Destiny's abortion mythology posits that every fertilized egg is a fully human person, and also that every fertilized egg that dies before reaching an "age of accountability" ascends to Heaven. That presents an unnerving picture of Heaven. Read more
"Who likes Halloween candy?" Hell Houses -- now with "Gay Wedding" module -- still scaring born-again Christians into being born again again. Vincent Price reads "The Raven." Jewish Halloween music. The witches of Narnia, backstage. North Dakota woman begs for house to be Mischief Night target. Meet the next wanna-be Mike Warnke. Read more
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