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I didn’t make you punch me
I didn’t provoke your violence by advocating tolerance. I DIDN’T MAKE YOU PUNCH ME We both said things. We can agree on that. I want to say We both said things we regret but I’m not sure you do. I feel the regret, at least. Not only for what I said but the rage ripping…
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The Prosperity Gospel can’t protect Joel Osteen from Harvey
When shallow Christianity drowns in a mighty flood, the prosperity gospel is no life preserver. Joel Osteen had a terrible week. But that’s only because his devotion to the prosperity gospel put him there. It wasn’t God. I suppose this really is a kind of “reap what you sow” kind of moment. It was the…
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What We Always Leave Out Of Our Conversations About Free Speech
Free Speech. We all love it. None of us claim we want to restrict it. So what are we really fighting about when we fight about free speech? What isn’t there. I’ve started feeling like something’s missing. In our lives and conversations. Years ago, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert said it was civility. That we…
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11 Things I Will No Longer Tolerate
Wrestling with what we’re willing to tolerate is healthy. And necessary. Tolerance has come up a lot lately. We test the limits of what we’re willing to tolerate and what it means to be tolerant. It’s the sort of idea that comes and goes with the rise and fall of tragedies and terror. And I…
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Nazis Prove the Problem with Bothsidesism
Bothsidesism undermines truth and civil discourse. We need to take a moment to acknowledge the strangest reality of our lifetimes. White supremacists somehow went through a successful rebranding effort like they’re Reebok or Wal-Mart. And we watched it happen in real time. White supremacists and honest to goodness Nazis cast themselves as a new kind…
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I shouldn’t have to remind you that Jesus doesn’t support nuclear war.
What’s with some Christians suddenly endorsing nuclear war? The idea pisses me off. But it doesn’t surprise me. It seems like an inevitable, given our present state. Not that war is inevitable (though I fear it may be). But that some Christians are always making it harder on the rest of us. And at the…
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Why we misunderstand the real problem with corruption
The original standard for corruption isn’t proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did it. It’s based entirely on opportunity. We’ve all been told to walk a mile in another person’s shoes. The reason, of course is that we can be selfish jerks and need to think about other people. No question. But…
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Compromise May Be the Answer, But Not To This Question
Compromise is an essential part of relating with other people. But what happens when it’s missing? And how effective are our demands for it? Compromise is one of the most essential skills for people to learn. To grow up, we need to work toward agreement with sacrifice and mutual concern. Even to get the things…