I went out last night for a drink with a singer friend of mine. We were talking about transcendent musical experiences, and that led us to talking about spirituality. It was an interesting conversation because he self-identifies as a Satanist and I as a Christian (extreme left-edge progressive though I may be). I was very interested to hear him ( Read more... )

I do not write very much about religion. To me, faith is not very much about belief. Still, someone has challenged me to "confess" what I do believe. So here goes...

( My Heretical Beliefs About God, Jesus, the Bible, Love, Grace, Justice, and Radical Inclusion )

I had an email from someone asking why I use the masculine pronoun when referring to God, and wanting to know why I use the name "The Holy One ( Read more... )

Talking about transcendent experiences has made me think about Patrick (not his real name). The experience I describe here took place 12 years ago tonight ( Read more... )

This is too funny...


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This is a great video. The first 25 seconds especially are worth it.


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I think I have managed to regain my composure and detach from all the political church hoopla. It is what it is. As a church professional, spiritual survival has always depended on my ability to recognize this truth, and detach. In any organized gathering of human beings, be it churches or charities or governments or corporations, such behavior ( Read more... )

"Change is not just something to be wished upon our enemies - but something God requires of US as well.

"The hard part is following Jesus' own command to LOVE our enemies. Not to like them, not to be paralyzed by their opposition, not to give in to their outrageous demands, but to love them nevertheless. To treat them with infinite respect, listen ( Read more... )

I've been reading an historical novel set in 1823 against the backdrop of the North-South rivalry that eventually led to the Civil War. Reading this during General Convention was highly instructive. The story is about a famous match race between two horses representing North and South. The war of words between Northerners and Southerners leading up ( Read more... )

I just started reading a very good book by Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity, which, following on his earlier works, could be subtitled "Seeing Christianity Again for the First Time ( Read more... )