It is unfortunate that the phrase “born again” has come to be associated with a particular kind of Christianity generally known for its belief in biblical inerrancy, its literal interpretation of scripture, its condemnation of our LGBT sisters and brothers, and its entrenchment in right wing politics. Read more
There is perhaps no more abused passage in the Bible for condemning gays and lesbians than the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. We’ve discussed other major anti-gay clobber passages on this blog multiple times, including the ambiguous Romans 1 with its mysterious interlocutor, and the equally perplexing 1 Corinthians 6:9 with its invented terms for sexuality. But fundamentalists return time and again to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, routinely dismissing the conclusions of informed critical analysis and instead presenting... Read more
Since its launching in June 2013 I’ve been editor of this blog, choosing, editing, and finding an image for each piece published here, interfacing with the folks at Patheos, etc. It’s work in which I’ve taken a great deal of pleasure. Running this blog, which has been viewed over 1,340,000 times, has allowed me to recapture some of the cooperative team spirit I so relished during the years I worked as a magazine editor. Finding and respectfully presenting new writing talent is one of... Read more
The Duggars belong to the nearly 8-million strong Independent Fundamental Baptists denomination, the most toxic Christianity there is. Read more
Sometimes we feel like we are alone ... like Horton Hears a Who: We are here! We are Here!! WE ARE HERE!!! Read more
God is when and where we recognize that we all belong, that we are all connected. Read more
Today (May 4) through May 8 is National PTA’s Teacher Appreciation Week. “Shoe polish,” he said. “Listen to the words. Consonants and vowels feel and sound a certain way when you say them. ‘Shoe polish.’ Don’t you just love that sound?” Mr. Rogers was my high school English teacher. He loved words and the artistic work of putting words together to make sentences. Mr. Rogers was also enamored of novelists who wove sentences together into tales in which memorable protagonists... Read more
While Southern Baptists believe that scripture is “truth without any mixture of error” it is obvious that Southern Baptists do not read the Bible without any mixture of error. Southern Baptists, along with everyone else, read the Bible as fallible, error-prone human beings who are about as likely to get things wrong as right. Read more
Are you as weary as I am in hearing all these well-to-do, materially prosperous and secure American Christians whining about being religiously persecuted because they cannot act on their exclusive theology in the marketplace and deny services to our LGBT sisters and brothers? Read more
Yesterday's ideas can, and should, grow into better tomorrows. Read more
Unfundamentalist Christians
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