It was a familiar drive. Taking the exit from the freeway, I followed a heavily traveled street along the river for a few miles. I’d frequently pass barges carrying ore or other materials for the mills. I’d cross a small bridge and make a right turn over the rail road… Read More »Immigrant Roots Today
It’s a course I usually don’t teach. But an instructor was needed. While it’s outside of my program (graduate psychology), I agreed to be available for this undergraduate course because of the topic: ethics. As the course began, I explored the differences between ethics, morality and law. People understand law,… Read More »The Way We Live – and Views that Divide
It happened in Europe after World War I. The continent was in shambles. The Western world faced depression. The people remembered: in France, Italy, Germany, and England, the troops all went to war with the blessing of clergy and the nationalistic belief: God is on our side! But in the… Read More »What Would It Be Like?
It’s a question in a variety of settings, from a variety of different people. I was surprised to read that a poll within the United States recently asked the very same question. The results were surprising to me. The question: is Christianity compatible with capitalism? The Public Religion Research Institute… Read More »Capitalism & Christianity
It was a curious comment. While I didn’t disagree with it, I was struck by it because it seemed out of context from anything else. The emailed comment simply said: “Finished reading a booklet … on Christianity and Islam. Very basic and does not get into a lot of issues… Read More »The Children of Abraham and the Government
We sat on the deck and enjoyed the cool air of the evening. As we sipped red wine, steaks and veggies were taken from the grill and served with a crisp salad. We laughed and told stories about the events of the last few weeks. One week after moving into… Read More »Light Bulbs and The Choices We Make
While shopping in the local grocery store, I heard a father explain to his young daughter, “We don’t buy those eggs. We buy this kind.” “What’s the difference?” the little girl asked. Her father patiently explained, “These eggs are from chickens that weren’t raised in cages. They could move around… Read More »Where’s the Humanity?
It’s something new: a new relationship, a new job, a new home, a new city, a new child, a new start, a new beginning. When we start something new, there’s excitment and anticipation. Family and friends congratulate us. They are happy for us. How wonderful! When we are in the… Read More »New Beginnings
