Christians are not widely lauded for their willingness to listen or for being open to dialogue. My hope is that this can be a place where people of all view-points can come, listen, and dialogue.
With different cultures and world-views come various traditions. This week, families across the United States will join one another around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving.
As my family joins together there will be the singing of worship songs/hymns, a recitation of what we are each thankful for, and a blessing. To round out the celebration there will be turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, rolls, corn, beans, cranberry salad, and maybe even a healthy dose of football.
Our celebration will be a mix of family, cultural, and religious traditions.
As you gather together: 1) How will you celebrate? 2) What traditions combine to make your Thanksgiving celebration uniquely yours?
Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching... The Christmas shopping season is about to be in full swing, as well.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the angst over store employees saying "Merry Christmas" and/or "Happy Holidays" is in full swing as well. In recent weeks, I've begun to receive emails from Christians that contain lists of stores that we should not support since they are instructing their employees to say "Happy Holidays".
I have also read some recent editorial pieces in local newspapers that suggest it is wrong and intolerant for stores to allow their employees to say "Merry Christmas".
Personally, I don't really care one way or another. I won't be boycotting any stores just because they refrain from wishing shoppers a "Merry Christmas," nor will I be writing a letter to my editor explaining how I think the loss of this phrase signals the end of America as we know it. In other words, I'm not offended about this shift.
Many, on either side of the debate, however, seem to be rather incensed- feeling like this is an issue of ultimate importance.
My questions to you are: Where do you stand? Is it intolerant to wish someone "Merry Christmas"? Does it really signal the end of all that America has stood for, simply because someone will wish you a "Happy Holidays"?
The other day, as I was perusing the internet, I came across this draft of a chapter from an upcoming book. The chapter is about a girl named Lily and her journey of faith, doubt, and an eventual break from the Christian faith. I would encourage you to read the chapter and post your thoughts.
I live in a rural community in the north-east. The closest movie theatre is 20 minutes away. By-and-large the people of this area are known for their conservative values. President-elect Obama, although winning both the popular and electoral college votes in our state, lost the popular vote (by a landslide) in our county.
I bring this up, only to provide some context for the comments that I am about to make. Although I'm a Christian, and a pastor at that, I think that is important for people to make informed decisions about things. On election day, I encouraged the members of my congregation to make informed decisions about who to vote for. I suggested that we should look at all of the issues, and not just whether someone was pro-life or pro-choice. Moreover, we endeavored to provide voter's guides that came from non-partisan sources.
When it comes to literature, magazines, and movies- I have encouraged people to explore things for themselves, rather than simply relying on what "Focus on the Family," or other reviewers have had to say.
To that end, when I saw the trailer for Bill Mahr's movie, I REALLY wanted to see it. I've been waiting around (for well over a month) for this movie to come to a theatre near where I live. However, it does not appear that the movie plans on coming my way.
It's a shame really. I would really like to encourage our church people to go see it. Unfortunately, it looks like I will have to wait until the film hits DVD.
Until then, I was wondering what your thoughts and impressions about the film were? Would you recommend it? and, Why?
"Why are we here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come." ~from Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
As I sit down this morning to write this post, I think back over the years of my life. I think back to two questions that have tortured me; two questions that I have desperately sought the answers to. The first: Who am I? The second: Why am I here?
Admittedly, my search for answers has led me down many paths and to many a bookshelf. I've read books on evolutionary theory, creationism, intelligent design. I've turned to authors such as: Beckett, Sartre, Heidegger, Neitzche, and Kierkegaard.
My journey, and search, was not an emotional one. I'm not an overly emotional human being. In fact, I find empathy and sympathy to be incredibly difficult. Emotional arguments do not appeal to me. Neither do arguments that have no supporting facts. Somewhere along the course of that journey, I began to find answers to my questions. I began to understand who I was, and (at least to some degree) why I am here.
My questions for you are: 1) Have you undertaken a similar journey? 2) What persons/authors/philosophies did you encounter along the way? and, 3) Have you found satisfactory answers to those questions of identity and purpose?
Thanks to everyone who got involved in our last discussion! It was quite interesting and, I think, helpful in clarifying a number of things.
Today, in part to those discussion as well as some emails that I have received, I would like to ask: Who or what is a Christian? What are some non-negotiable beliefs that Christians have? What are some beliefs that are negotiable? What are some non-negotiable beliefs that Christians have, which you think should be negotiable?
Atheism, according to the dictionary, [1] is "the theory or belief that God does not exist."
Recently I have been involved in some discussions with people regarding atheism. On one side of the discussion are Christians and other religious people. By and large they posit the aforementioned definition of atheism. On the other side of the discussion, however, are some atheists. By and large they view their atheism as a lack of belief, rather than a belief.
Admittedly, I am speaking in generalities and have failed to provide a fully nuanced discussion about the subtleties of the discussion.
Regardless, I would like to hear your thoughts. As a Christian or religious person how would you define atheism? As an atheist how would you define atheism?
[1] Brian Westley aptly pointed out that not every dictionary provides this particular definition. However, many that I consulted provided this definition or something akin to it; which is why I have used it as a starting point for our discussion. If you think this definition is incorrect, I would be interested to hear your thoughts or see what dictionary (and definition) you would suggest that I use.
I've been traveling a lot lately. That means spending a great deal of time in airports, planes, and restaurants. Being in these public places gives one the opportunity to engage in conversation with people that one would otherwise never have the privilege of talking to.
During the course of my travels, I've met a lot of people who have read (or are reading) The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. In the wake of those conversations, I went out and purchased a copy. Admittedly, I have not yet read the book, but I have heard a lot about it; and before I dig in, I would like to know what you think.
Have you read the book? What did you think of what Dawkins had to say?
The presidential election is less than a month away. Excitement seems to be in the air. Who will win? That is yet to be seen.
The question, however, is... What criteria will you use to make your decision?
It has been said that the litmus test for a candidate for conservatives are the issues of abortion and homosexuality.
It has been said that the litmus test for liberals is the environment.
Are these stereotypes true? If you are a conservative what issues matter to you? If you are a liberal what issues are close to your heart? If you fall somewhere in between, what issues will you be looking at?
(While matters of issue and policy are important and open for discussion, please do not endorse a candidate or plug an agenda. Please confine your comments to what issues are important for you and why they are important. If you endorse a candidate, your post will be removed.)
I spent 45 minutes this week talking to students at an area college campus.
One of the talking points was:
What has the church most often got wrong?
Some of the respondents suggested that the church has been too judgmental. Others have said that the church has become too political. A few went so far as to suggest that the church has never made a mistake.
What do you think? What has the church MOST OFTEN got wrong? Where has she most often gone astray?
I spent 45 minutes this week talking to students at an area college campus.
One of the talking points was:
What comes to mind when hearing the word "church".
Responses were wide and varied. Some expressed that when they heard the word "church" they immediately thought of "pompous" and/or "hypocritical people," who are lousy when it comes to loving others. Others indicated that they thought of a building or religious meeting place. Still others indicated that they immediately thought of "good, caring people" or "the place where I was on Sunday."
My questions are: 1) What is the "church"? How would you define and/or describe "church"? 2) What immediately comes to mind, for you, when you hear the word "church"?
The purpose of this website is to engage people of all different backgrounds in an ongoing discussion. Many people have been hurt by the Church or by a Christian. Yet, for whatever reason, Christians are reticent to acknowledge such hurt and pain.
In order for that to change, the Church needs to hear the stories of those that have been trampled on, beat up, and hurt by Christians.
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