Once again the New Year begins with hundreds of dead blackbirds on the ground in Beebe, Ark. Just like last year, “Bible prophecy scholars” have weighed in, reminding us of the prominent role that Beebe, Ark., plays in the biblical book of Hosea. But I’m reminded, instead, of Ani DiFranco’s “Independence Day“: and there was an exodus of birds from the trees but they didn’t know, that we were only pretending and the people all looked up, and looked pleased... Read more
Usually there’s pie. But this is not pie. This is Guinness beef stew. What happened was that I thought, for a bit of variety, maybe we could go with shepherd’s pie. The shepherd’s pie looked pretty good. But then the same thing happened that happens every time I’m thinking that the shepherd’s pie looks pretty good. I always wind up going with the Guinness beef stew instead, because it looks even better. Anyway, consider this a conflict-avoidance open thread. Read more
Here’s Amanda Marcotte on “Why the Iowa Caucus Is About Abortion“: If the Iowa caucus was regarded in the light it deserves — as a reflection of what Christian right extremists are thinking right now, instead of as a predictor of larger trends — it could be incredibly useful. It would be nice, for instance, if the nation at large was aware of how Christian conservatives are voting not because of reality or even realistic-sounding misinformation, but because they believe... Read more
Do you want a big rock or a small rock? You have to pick one or the other. A huge, heavy, substantial, unbreakable hunk of granite? Or a tiny, buoyant, crumbly piece of pumice? Which one do you want? I’m assuming you know what the rock is for. The question would be silly — utterly stupid and pointless — unless we all already agreed on what the rock is for. No point in asking about the proper size or weight... Read more
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force; part 1. Two things must be said at the outset. 1. Left Behind II: Tribulation Force is a bad movie. 2. This movie is far better than the book. Both of those truths are demonstrated in the opening scenes of this film video. Director Bill Corcoran begins by slowly panning over a bulletin board covered in fliers pleading for information about missing people. Corcoran oddly emphasizes the text of these posters, rather than the faces... Read more
Josh Langhoff of Burnside Writers Collective picks the CCM Album of the Year for 2011: The Book of Mormon: I don’t want to oversell the spiritual import of a show that’s essentially one hilarious provocation after another. On the other hand, maybe that’s a clue to where more [contemporary Christian music] should aim. Little of the year’s CCM provoked anyone. … * * * * * * * * * Tony Jones reads Michael Mooney’s puff-piece on Southern Baptist mega-pastor... Read more
J.R. Daniel Kirk: “Christmas Contagion“ If an unclean object comes into contact with a clean object, the clean becomes unclean. Uncleanness is more powerful than the cleanness an object might carry around. Priests are holy and eminently clean. But they can’t go into the same room with a dead person: the unclean dead defiles the living clean. Jesus messed all this up. Jesus came and touched the unclean, declaring to them, “You are cleansed.” zunguzungu, “Grieving Mohamed Bouazizi“ Someone like... Read more
The Indianapolis Star reports, “New state bill could make it illegal to sing national anthem ‘inappropriately‘”: [State] Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, has introduced a bill that would set specific “performance standards” for singing and playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at any event sponsored by public schools and state universities. The law also would cover private schools receiving state or local scholarship funds, including vouchers. Performers would have to sign a contract agreeing to follow the guidelines. Musicians — whether amateur or... Read more
At Religion Dispatches, Peter Larrman offers a good run-down of the “Top 2011 Religion Stories That Weren’t.” I want to draw your attention especially to No. 6: 6. Upside-Down Ideas about Religious Liberty The dramatic new push for religious liberty exemptions for faith-connected providers of taxpayer-supported health services underscores the radical way in which understandings of religious liberty have changed in recent years. It’s not that the push for exemptions hasn’t made the news; it’s that no one is writing... Read more
Isaiah 55:1-5 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I... Read more
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