I have several friends who no longer call themselves “Christian.” It’s not that they’ve lost their faith or given up on God or something like that. Instead, they don’t want to be associated with the narrow-minded, judgmental folks who present themselves as the “true Christians” of today. (You know the… Read More »The Christianity of Jesus
“The Bible says it; I believe it; that settles it!” That sounds like something from a bumper sticker. It’s a claim I find to be shocking whenever an Evangelical or Fundamentalist Christian makes. it. The statement reflects a belief that the Bible is the Word of God: words spoken by… Read More »The Bible: The Word of God? No.
I am seriously disheartened by the form of Christianity that is most prominent in the United States today. Conservative Evangelical Christianity dominates the public sphere. Evangelical leaders make statements which demonstrate their support the politics of the privileged minority while using their media platforms to raise more money for their… Read More »A Christian Minister Dishearten by Contorted American Christianity
Sometimes, I ‘m trolled on the Internet. In case you’re not familiar with the term, “Internet troll,” it’s slang for someone who attempts to create discord online with arguments or inflammatory posts for no other purpose than to be disagreeable. While I occasionally am trolled, I have one gentleman who’s… Read More »My Internet Troll
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to participate in a training for Cognitive Based Compassion Meditation. Based on the classic Tibetan writings that are the basis for mind-training (lojong), Geshe Lobsang Tenzin of Atlanta’s Drepung Loseling Monastery developed this protocol in conjunction with researchers at Emory University. As I… Read More »The Contemplative Path: Communion with the Beloved
Christian Rhineland mystic, Meister Eckhart, asked in a Christmas sermon, “What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God 1400 years ago if I don’t give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture?” Recalling Eckhart’s words, I have… Read More »The Mythology of Holy Week for Today
In an earlier piece, I explored a basic process for meditation for those who are starting a meditation practice. Continuing on this theme, I’d like to explore some of the differences related to meditation between Christian and Buddhist approaches. Of course, each great religious tradition maintains a tradition of meditation.… Read More »Christian and Buddhist Understandings of Meditation
We got on the road early – well, at least early for us on a weekend morning. The plan was to drive north out of Atlanta toward North Carolina into the Chattahoochee National Forest. The goals for the day were pretty simple: see some autumn colors, take a few pictures… Read More »Faith: A Developmental Process
