Introduction, Part 2 Rebels are cool. Intellectual rebels just happen to be cool in a very specific way. It’s not in a James Franco or Ryan Gosling way (winners of the little known Time Magazine “Coolest Person of the Year” award in 2010 and 2011, respectively) which feels more like the old “rebel without a cause” kind of cool but in a Lena Dunham way (winner of “Coolest Person” in 2012) which feels more like a pursuit of passion in... Read more

Introduction, Part 1 Geek. I hated that label in high school. Sure, I played Dungeons and Dragons. Yes, I was a bit obsessed with superheroes and all things science-fiction. Admittedly, watching Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” brought me a joy that really should not be attached to a television show. But “geek”? I was too cool for that. Wasn’t I? Geeks were dweebs. Nerds. Awkward. They were most certainly not me. Over the years, definitions and understandings of exactly what a geek,... Read more

Image credit: seamartini / 123RF Stock Photo by Mark Sandlin   Good and gracious God, There is a tension that comes with giving thanks. Even as we recognize and are grateful for the blessings in our lives, we are confronted with enjoying our abundance as we recognize the reality that there are those who have far too little. Even as we celebrate a holiday with roots which reach back to the beginnings of our nation, we are confronted with the... Read more

by Morgan Guyton Ever wonder how God turned into Darth Vader, Jesus became Luke Skywalker, and Christians came to look like storm-troopers? It’s the product of a particular way of understanding the cross that is the centerpiece of Christianity. I call it the Vader cross, a cross that makes Jesus bleed so that his Sith Lord Father can have a cathartic release for His anger. This Vader-ized cross was recently the subject of a controversial decision by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to... Read more

by Peggy Beatty This is about presence: Bodhicitta, the awakened mind, Is known in brief to have two aspects: First, aspiring, bodhicitta in intention; Then active bodhicitta, practical engagement. From bodhicitta in intention Great results arise for those still turning in the wheel of life; Yet merit does not rise from it in ceaseless streams As is the case with active bodhicitta. For when, with irreversible intent, The mind embraces bodhicitta, Willing to set free the endless multitude of beings,... Read more

You are what you believe. At the core of each of us is our belief system. It is around that belief system that a large part of our personal identity is formed. One of the real strengths of fundamentalism is that it provides a stable core belief system. To borrow from 80’s new wave and avant-garde band, Talking Heads, “Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was.” It is much easier to believe you understand who you are... Read more

by: Mark Sandlin Dear Terry Jones, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written but, let’s face it, you’ve been a very busy man with all the Qurans and the burning and the getting arrested. You probably wouldn’t have had time for my letter and that’s okay, I understand. I do hope, however, you’ll make a little time for this one. Why? Because I want to thank you. You probably don’t get much love from we progressive Christian minister... Read more

by Peggy Beatty For in the end, We will conserve only what we love, We will love only what we understand, We will understand only what we are taught. — Baba Dioum  I recently watched  video program by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr in which he outlined the 4 steps or stages of meditation. He did this as prequel to an exercise in which he instructed students to find an object they wished to commune with (outdoors is a good place to... Read more