Religion Dispatches
I’m a preacher and I can say with near certainty that 99% of the sermons preached yesterday morning didn’t get close to the level of truth-telling that’s needed. Nor will the compulsory “thoughts and prayers” pronouncements, nor the words spoken at memorial services over the next days and weeks.
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Bible scholar Michael Coogan’s new book examines the dangers associated with the biblical concept of chosenness, which has its fingerprints on everything from the genocidal treatment of indigenous peoples to the idea that women, when thought by believers to have been created as mere vessels for reproduction, may be treated in the manner of brood cattle.
Read MoreThe ‘trustees of the First Church of American Religion’ express concern over the approach of Times columnist David Brooks: You place religious practice and affiliation in the category of palliative resources for those being crushed by the new ruthless economy, whereas the religion usually referred to as prophetic—a form of religion we still regard as indispensable—sees faith as much more than a kind of backstop for those who suffer.
Read MoreBut by now it is painfully clear that far too many white Protestants are willing to throw both law and reason overboard for the sake of preserving straight white male supremacy.
Read MoreSure, religious households give more money away than unaffiliated households. But do they ever question why poverty and hunger and homelessness continue to soar in this supposedly “rich” country?
Read MoreFar too many of our self-anointed progressive saviors speak as though Trump’s overthrow will make everything good again. A bargain-priced plastic surgeon might want to convince us that removing a large carbuncle will render our face entirely beautiful, but can that kind of pitch really be trusted?
Read MoreThere was no “ethical dilemma” here for the networks. As Princeton’s Eddie Glaude said on MSNBC, the ethical imperative here was to deny giving critical aid and support to a congenital liar and manipulator.
Read MoreThe white nationalism of the Tea Party and Trump represents an “authentic” expression of the main spiritual current in American history, which is about subjugation and supremacy and greed.
Read MoreAt this moment being “correct” on the history and theology—and feeling guilty about Christianity’s role in supporting Jew hatred—will not suffice.
Read MoreThe wide-ranging poll includes disparate views on candidates facing harassment accusations, gag rules, contraception, and more.
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