As we begin our religious observances this week, I hope that we will keep in mind the Maureens and Megans among us: dear to God even in death, but so deserving of a life of here on earth.
As we begin our religious observances this week, I hope that we will keep in mind the Maureens and Megans among us: dear to God even in death, but so deserving of a life of here on earth.
Soon, millions of Christians will gather to celebrate Easter. For many of them, the literal resurrection of Jesus is necessary for any of it to have validity. But is this necessary?
In this, episode seven of The Smith Family Chronicles, we discover what might have occasioned that unhappy progression in the life of one man.
I was saved early by Jesus. I didn't know it was him then, and I am not entirely sure it is him now. Certainty about Jesus has never been our bond. Instead, warmth and trust come to mind.
It's obvious that his solution wouldn't be war. He might even apply the Golden Rule by treating Muslims with common humanity, tolerance, and understanding.
There is a long history to the idea that the United States is a Christian nation. The idea has come and gone with the prevailing politics.
Here are the essentials in creating the broadest scope of what I would consider "Christian." These are intentionally vague and screaming for nuance.
Time and distance may make it hard for me to remember why I believed what I did once. Why did my early ideas make sense then but now seem so foreign?
Terry Jones' latest antic, and the resulting deaths of innocent people in Afghanistan, leaves me feeling angry and disgusted. When will we begin taking responsibility for our own extremists?
What's the best strategy for dealing with a Christian extremist who spews hatred at every turn? How about when the person in question has a national platform?
During a recent radio show appearance, a conservative pastor told the audience that gays and lesbians are unfit for marriage because "it takes discipline."
Thousands of Americans are hanging in the balance -- from federal employees who won't get paid to people across the country who will lose their jobs as we plunge back into recession.
Last night's episode caused me to jump up aghast when I saw Matt Elrod, having regained entry to the game after masterfully winning six challenges in a row, throw it all away with an incredible blunder.
Christ had to make difficult decisions about how he would spend his limited time on earth. His example has a lot to teach us.
Terry Jones should remove the dove from his church name and replace it with a more accurate symbol of what it stands for. A holy hand grenade, perhaps?
Turning the other cheek does not condone the wrong of the other, but it affords us an opportunity in our responses to break cycles of violence by not sowing more violence.
It was only in 1546 that the Roman Catholic Church declared that a marriage was only valid if performed by a priest. The idea that marriage was a "sacrament" had more to do with the politics of the day than it did with theology.
Yes, Easter is an important celebration in the life of the church, but I would posit that God might be more pleased if we approached this Easter time in our worship life a little differently.
Trust is vital to any relationship, but when it comes to funding African American-led urban ministries, it can mean the difference between success and failure.
In this, the sixth episode of the series, we meet Paul, the son of conservative evangelical Bob Smith.
Until we weep over these sins and publicly own our complicity in the destruction of God's creation, we are surely doomed to remain blind.