Corny Dog Hero

October 13, 2015.Reading time 11 minutes.

I scarfed my traditional Fletcher’s Corny Dog at the State Fair yesterday. In fact, I had two. They were delicious, of course. But every year when I eat my Fletcher’s Corny Dog, my thoughts are taken away from the State Fair of Texas, to a most unlikely scene. Every year as I scarf my dog, […]

We Found Those Young People Your Church Has Been Looking For

September 20, 2015.Reading time 3 minutes.

Hey! Good news! We found those young people your church keeps saying they are looking for. You know, the next generation that we keep hoping will come in our doors and save us? Well, we saw a whole bunch of them today! Here they are: Here’s another view of more of them: Our church members […]

They Buried The Lead

September 18, 2015.Reading time 12 minutes.

In journalism school, we were taught to not “bury the lead.” Whatever the most important fact of a story is, don’t stick it way down in the middle. Put it right at the start, so everybody can read it clearly. Heather Hahn is out with a story on an updated survey on United Methodist views […]

The Other 2,099 Christian Clerks

September 9, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

As newly minted media martyr, Kim Davis, enjoys what is no doubt the last of her fifteen minutes, I’ve heard many on the Religious Right repeat the following call to action: “We (read: “Christians”) need to support a Christian’s right to practice their faith.” As a Christian Minister myself, I am a pretty big supporter […]

No. It’s Not the Same.

September 8, 2015.Reading time 8 minutes.

I’ve not commented publicly on the Kim Davis issue thus far. Primarily because it’s clear to me Davis is now, at best, simply courting publicity and being used by the Christian Right to further the “Meme” of so-called widespread “American Christian persecution.” She seems to enjoy this spotlight, as a poster-child for this false flag. […]

The Jot and Tittle of Ginny Mikita’s Situation

September 5, 2015.Reading time 13 minutes.

This week, the United Methodist world has been up in arms at the treatment of Ginny Mikita. Mikita, a lay woman from a church in Michigan, has been summarily removed from church membership by her annual conference authorities, because she obtained an online ordination for the purpose of presiding at the same sex wedding of […]

The Power of Belief. The Power of Fear.

July 10, 2015.Reading time 9 minutes.

Oh, Texas. For the love of Sam Houston’s ghost… The news out today is that the Jade Helm conspiracy is alive and well. And, worse, 44 percent of us Texans believe the US Army is likely to impose martial law on Texas. If you’re behind on the story, click here for the latest. Or watch […]

When Anyone Is More Free, Everybody Wins

July 4, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

It’s been years since I felt quite this patriotic on the 4th of July. It’s been years since the arc of American history has bent quite so dramatically toward justice. All week, I’ve had the old Jesus Jones song running through my brain: Last Sunday in church, we recognized George and Jack as the first […]

Dear American Christians (Part Two)

July 1, 2015.Reading time 9 minutes.

Dear American Christians, I wrote you earlier this year about much the same thing I will say today. And, in truth, I’m not really speaking to all American Christians. Just those who believe they are being persecuted for their faith. Primarily, White Evangelical Protestants. A poll in 2014 show that you, White Evangelical Protestants, believe […]

What Is Scapegoating?

July 1, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

The scapegoat is an ancient religious ritual that has been brought forward into modern times by our media culture. The scapegoat was a ritual animal that was either sacrificed, or driven from the community, bearing the sins of the entire community. The following is taken from Myth Encyclopedia: Myths and Legends of the World “The […]