In the curious world of American Christianity, where virtue-signaling often overshadows genuine virtue, we find a naming phenomenon that’s as telling as it is troubling: women are virtues, and men are just any Tom, Dick, or Harry. And let’s face it, in a world where virtue names are scarce for men, “Dick” might be the most fitting label for some. Women as Virtues: The Naming Tradition in Purity Culture Women are graced with names like Chastity, Faith, Hope, and Patience.... Read more
In an era dominated by political rants and self-centered social media, the foundational pillars of Christianity—compassion, love, and service—are being overshadowed. If you find yourself bewildered by this shift, consider the recent trend where American cities are criminalizing acts of charity. Feeding the homeless, an act aligned with Jesus’ teachings, is now subject to legal scrutiny. Charitable Acts or Criminal Endeavors? Cities, in a bureaucratic frenzy, are introducing and enforcing ordinances that hinder acts of charity. Houston, for instance, has... Read more
Join me again on Snarky Faith. Our guest is none other than Michael Camp, the author of “Breaking Bad Faith,” a book that’s as much a mental workout as it is a spiritual journey. Join us for our conversation – it’s a fun ride. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the turbulent waters of religious and social issues, with Camp serving as our fearless guide. His new book, “Breaking Bad Faith,” is not your typical Sunday school lesson. It’s... Read more
The SBC and Traditional Gender Roles Oh, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the stalwart bastion of male dominance and continued ineptitude in the religious world. It was the foundation of my spiritual youth. After all these years, they’re still holding firm to their belief that the pulpit is a strictly boys-only club. They’ve been steadfast in their belief that the pulpit is a male domain, a stance that seems to echo the gender norms of the 1950s, rather than reflecting... Read more
Welcome to the intriguing cosmos of ‘conspirituality’, a curious concoction of conservative Christianity and the outlandish world of conspiracy theories. Picture this absurdity: devout believers, caps adorned with MAGA emblems, nodding fervently to the latest QAnon revelation… being preached on Sunday from a pulpit. Conspirituality in Numbers: Unsettling Statistics According to the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), about a quarter of white evangelical Protestants in America have bought into the QAnon conspiracy theory. This theory spins a yarn about... Read more
The Rise of the ‘Spiritual War’ in Right-Wing Media Ah, the spiritual war. It’s the latest trend in right-wing media, where every perceived enemy is not just a political opponent but a literal demon. Yes, you heard it right. We’re not just dealing with differing opinions here; we’re talking about full-blown demonic entities. Apparently, the portals to hell have been flung wide open, and these demons are just pouring out like it’s Black Friday at Walmart. This is the Satanic... Read more
In the third season of The Righteous Gemstones, the character Uncle Baby Billy delivers a stirring rendition of “There’ll Come a Payday,” a gospel song that first made waves when Red Sovine performed it back in 1978. This song, with its unintentional comedic undertones, is an unwittingly prophetic critique of the prosperity gospel, perfectly showcasing the show’s talent for exposing the excesses and hypocrisies of contemporary Christendom. But let’s clear the air: Jesus never promised a payday. The Prosperity Gospel:... Read more
In the grand circus of modern life, we’re served an all-you-can-eat buffet of manipulation, deception, and, ironically enough, scams of a heavenly nature. Yes, the time-honored tradition of scamming has taken a celestial detour, cloaked in the guise of spirituality and wielding a narrative structure so riveting, you’d swear the script was divine inspiration itself. Pride, Prejudice, and Pandemics First up, the Dunning-Krueger Effect – not a post-rock band, but a cognitive bias where lesser mortals mistake ignorance for expertise.... Read more
Join me for another episode of “Snarky Faith” as we wade through the stormy intersection of faith and politics, exploring the emotional landscape marked by anxiety and depression. In these tumultuous times following the downfall of Roe v Wade and the erosion of LGBTQ rights, we’re on a mission to make sense of it all and find our footing. In this episode, I’ll share candid insights about these challenging times, refusing to gloss over the raw reality of our emotional... Read more
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Better Not Call Saul or Trump: A Cautionary Tale of Kings and Presidents
History has a way of repeating itself, and the parallels between ancient Israel’s King Saul and modern America’s President Trump are a testament to that. The Israelites and Their King In ancient Israel, the people were ruled by judges, but then, one day, they looked around and saw other nations with kings and thought, “We want one of those!” Samuel, the prophet, warned them, saying, “You don’t need a king; God’s got this.” But the people were stubborn, and they... Read more