Romney needed white evangelicals to embrace him as part of their sectarian tribe. And Franklin needed a prominent Republican to help restore his standing after a string of talk-radio-style incontinent gaffes. So they worked out a deal. Two sons desperate for the power once wielded by their more-famous fathers -- both unable to display the integrity their fathers displayed by pursuing something other than power. But they were able to help each other. Read more
Now, very suddenly, we are being asked to believe that the Rev. Billy Graham, at 93 years old, has completely changed his mind about both of the regrets he has repeatedly lamented over the past 20 years. We are asked to believe that Billy Graham has abruptly changed who he has been for many decades, casting aside everything he has been telling us he learned from his many years in ministry. Now, all of a sudden, we are being asked to believe that what Billy Graham really regrets was that he wasn't more actively opposed to civil rights, and that he wasn't more directly involved as a power-player in partisan power-politics. Read more
Want to feel better about yourself? Pretend everyone else is a "Communist Nazi" baby-killer. There, now you're better than everyone else. See how much easier that was than the hard work of being a decent person? Read more
"We support biblical families," Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy says of his fast-food corporation. So let's take a look at some of those rules for biblical families. Today's entry: Leviticus 19:20. Read more
Some lovely links from some of the usual suspects -- and some from some unusual suspects, including: Crosses of ivory, faith-based credulity, church and state, the prosperity gospel, interfaith respect, compassion for fundamentalists, and why being pro-women-who-obey-our-rules-for-women is not the same as being pro-women. Read more
Libby Anne on the "dignity of work" for poor women, but not for rich women, and Mitt Romney; Bruce Springsteen says he won't vote for the candidate who would screw over the people he sings about and sings for; Ezra Klein asks what's so "courageous" about making the elderly work longer; and Lee M. explains the difference between biblical "literalism" and the elasticity of "inerrancy." Read more
"Nowhere has Mitt Romney’s pursuit of the presidency been more warmly welcomed or closely followed than here in Utah," says that state's largest newspaper. But the paper says that Romney is "willing to say anything to get elected," and cannot be trusted to govern. Read more
I'm happy to learn of The Mordecai Project -- although not nearly as happy as I would be to learn of The Esther Project. But still, this is a positive step, particularly given that most conservative evangelical "books, preaching, mentoring, leadership conferences, ministerial retreats and television programs" seem to be supporting The Ahasuerus Project, or even The Haman Coalition, when it comes to the spiritual gifts and ministries of women. Read more
"We support biblical families," Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy says of his fast-food corporation. So let's take a look at some of those biblical families. Today's entry: Lot's family in Sodom. Read more
A Missouri pastor reminds us of the bold stance that white segregationists took a generation ago to defend biblical authority. Read more
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