Human suffering is not primarily a metaphysical problem. It is also that, and such metaphysical conundrums are immensely important in many ways. But these philosophical and theological dilemmas are always secondary. Hunger, for example, is not a metaphysical problem. The meaning of hunger is not to be found in theodicy or philosophy or mysticism. The meaning of hunger is to be fed. 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: Leviticus 25:44-46. Read more
"He has led the nation back from the brink of depression. Ohio in particular has benefited from his bold decision to revive the domestic auto industry. Because of his determination to fulfill a decades-old dream of Democrats, 30 million more Americans will soon have health insurance. ... He ended the war in Iraq and refocused the battle to disrupt al-Qaida and its terrorist allies." Read more
I'vebeen trying to compile a list of LGBTQ Christian blogs. As with the Bonfire, this started for the benefit of my own RSS feed subscriptions. But I also want to share this list because there are some terrific voices, writers, artists and thinkers here who deserve to be heard whether or not the tribal gatekeepers deign to permit them a "seat at the table." And because by sharing this list, I hope that others can alert me to still other blogs and voices that I'm unaware of and missing out on. 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: Deuteronomy 22:28-29. Read more
Name a disease and there's a charitable research foundation committed to finding a cure, and for just about every such foundation there's a corresponding 5k race or walkathon, lemonade stand, bake sale, golf tournament, banquet, concert, gala or festival to raise funds. But for the biggest killer of them all, there's nothing. Read more
"The re-election of Barack Obama is a matter of great urgency. Not only are we in broad agreement with his policy directions; we also see in him what is absent in Mitt Romney — a first-rate political temperament and a deep sense of fairness and integrity." Read more
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
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