My easily excited cousin, also a pastor’s son, would climb on the outdoor wall of the church and sing improvisational reggae in a Jamaican accent to the passerby, while dancing a little jig, repeating “Come to our church and be baptized! Be baptized in the name of the Lord!” Strangers would stare, but we would duck and hide,
The Comfortable Curtain of Christianity: Reflections on the Maturation of Faith Read More »
EXCERPT: When Mack Wolford, one of the most famous Pentecostal serpent handlers in Appalachia, is laid to rest Saturday at his West Virginia church, a week after succumbing to a snake bite, his friends may very well show up with
Death of Snake Handling Preacher Shines Light on Lethal Appalachian Tradition (CNN) Read More »
CASE NOTE: 10-17720 Plans Inc. v. Sacramento City Unified School District SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MAY 17, 2012 – [dc]T[/dc]he Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing a case this morning on the issue of whether the Sacramento Unified School
Ninth Circuit to Determine Whether “Spiritualist” Charter Schools Get Tax Dollars Read More »
On December 6, 2007, candidate Mitt Romney gave this speech at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas in order to reach evangelicals who were concerned about how Romney’s Mormon religion might affect his presidency.
EDITOR’S NOTE: [dc]I[/dc] live in this town of Calhoun, GA. For the two years that I have resided here, I have noticed several curious differences between this small southern town and the cities where I lived in California, Washington State, and
Editor’s Southern Hometown Repeals Blue Law Prohibiting Alcohol Sale on Sunday Read More »
By Martin Surridge – While the state of some feet and certain odors might not be too pleasant, some are downright ugly; the ritual itself is incredibly beautiful. I am reminded of both Christ washing our sins away and the spiritual importance of serving the elderly and helping others. It makes me sad when I see how many people skip out on this opportunity because of feelings of embarrassment. I won’t argue that the process isn’t uncomfortable; however, there is incredible value in such discomfort. Following the words of Christ—turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, rejecting the ways of the world—are not supposed to be easy instructions.
Smelling an Old Man’s Feet: Reflections on Footwashing, the Ordinance of Humility Read More »
EXCERPT: Airline travelers who feel they’ve been harassed at airport check-ins by screeners now have a speedier outlet on which to complain right at their fingertips. The Sikh Coalition, a civil rights advocacy group, on Monday released a mobile application
Sikh Group Develops App to Report Airport Profiling (CNN) Read More »
By Jason Hines – I would like to say that Franklin Graham’s appearance on “Morning Joe” was unique in this political season. On Tuesday, Graham was asked whether he thought President Obama was a Christian. Graham said he has to
Dangerous Redefinition: Candidates Recast Role of Religion in American Life Read More »
EXCERPT: Is Rick Santorum suffering for his faith? One of his advisers suggested to the Washington Examiner‘s Byron York that he is, and that Mitt Romney is getting absolution. “Why is Mormonism off limits?” York quotes the adviser as asking. “We’re
Santorum’s Martyr Complex (SLATE) Read More »
I think we have to start at the most basic point – what do we mean when we say “Christian nation?” Part of what makes the notion of a Christian nation unworkable is that I don’t think Christians in America (or anywhere else for that matter) could ever agree on what a Christian nation should be. If Christians can’t agree on what it is, how could the ever actualize it? In some of the comments on left on the Facebook page, some have noted that a Christian nation is impossible because of Christ’s statement that his kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:35-37) While this argument has merit, I mention it only to make the point that it would be hard to actualize a Christian nation if you had a contingent of Christians saying that having a nation is against the very premise of Christianity. In order to address the idea of what a Christian nation is, we have to define both what a nation is and what it means to be Christian.
Op-Ed: What is a Christian Nation? Read More »
