Social Justice
Five Reasons Why Parenting is the Best Strategy for Justice
Parents’ hearts are soft, driving them into action that has impact.
Read MoreChild Abuse in the Near-Sacrifice of Isaac
Photo credit: rzrxtion (pronounced resurrection) on Visualhunt / CC BY “The history of childhood is a nightmare from which we have only recently begun to awaken,” says psychoanalyst Lloyd DeMause, who has uncovered extensive research that reveal pre-20th century, every single parent child relationship would be prosecuted for abuse and neglect. Infanticide, abandonment, child battery,…
Read MoreThe Theology of my Toyota
“If theology can be used to oppress, murder, and brutalize women, black people, trans people, queer people, bisexual people, and people with disabilities; then why can’t theology be used to liberate us, dignify us, and renew us?” This is a quote from Broderick Greer at a keynote speech at the Gay Christian Network Conference this…
Read MorePop, Goes the Christian Bubble
Growing up in an evangelical missionary community, it was central to the formation of our Christian identity to integrate a keen sense of outreach. “People need the Lord ~~” we’d sing passionately in chapel, and dynamic speakers were brought in to compel us with a sense of urgency to go out and reach the world…
Read MoreFive Ways to Listen Well
The word listen contain the same letters as the word ‘silent.’ ~ Alfred Brendel I am a good listener. This is who I am and not just an narcissistic opinion but one that is confirmed by my closest friends. It may not be obvious to my readers, because through my words you only hear my…
Read MoreWhen Believers Do Not Believe
I have come to think people of faith are the most unbelieving bunch. In everyday parenting, there comes situations when I have to question my children on what they have done or not done, said or not said. If they sense that I have any trace of disbelief in their answer, their plea for me…
Read MoreArt & Justice
A few years ago, at the height of my faith deconstruction, I was being swallowed whole by cynicism. My soul was so raw, the naivete of my childhood faith ruthlessly stripped away as I was learning hard lessons in the world. I don’t even remember how I behaved outwardly at the time, friends tell me…
Read MoreTired of Justice
“Which chapter has been the hardest to write?” My friend Kate asks as I express anxiety at the overwhelming task I had writing a chapter on racism in my Unfundamentalist Parenting book. “All of them,” as I recall recently finishing my chapter on economic justice as it relates to children—how enormous the challenges we face in our…
Read More7 Reasons to Stop Seeking the Will of God
“Just pray about it.” This is the phrase we throw around in Christian culture when someone needs to make a decision. “I prayed about it and God said to…” What we say after we’ve made the decision. The idea is that one must carefully discern each step of life to stay on a divinely ordained…
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