Let me start by saying that I really wasn’t expecting a tennis match with Pastor Dan any more than he was expecting one with me, though I suppose my using the title of his panel at Netroots Nation made it likely. Anyway, here’s his post responding to my [...]
Last week, my post got picked up by Pastor Dan over at Streetprophets. Great! However, both Pastor Dan and one commenter on Faithfully Liberal had an interesting reaction to my post: blame the media.
In the case of Pastor Dan: “Because the Beltway Villagers have decided in their wisdom [...]
The religious left is easy to ignore, for reasons that are hard to fathom. While a protest by Fred Phelps is instantly recognized as having something to do with religion, probably because he’s so well associated with homophobia, how many people know that one of the plaintiffs in the recent [...]
I’m headed to Austin for Netroots Nation in a couple of weeks, and have been looking through the agenda trying to figure out what, if any, sessions I’d like to attend. Since I’m going as an exhibitor, I don’t really feel the need to go to any, though there is [...]
California is abuzz with discussions and debates about the impact of gay marriage. And let me say right off, whether your for it or against it, you can’t dismiss the economic benefits this is bringing to the state — at least for the short term.
There are a number of angles [...]
Yeah, I was pretty much fishing for a provocative headline.
I’m neither a Muslim nor a woman, so I really can’t comment on the importance of hijab or, perhaps more importantly, khimar. What I can say is that the practice of wearing some form of modesty dress is important to many [...]
For reference, I’m using Mariner Books paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0-618-68000-9). Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to this version of the book.
After nearly seventeen posts on Dawkins’ The God Delusion over nearly five months covering several of the themes of Dawkins’ book, I think it’s time to wrap things [...]
I am reading Jim Webb’s A Time to Fight (Broadway, 2008). In the book, in which he opines on many of the issues of the day – but, most especially on foreign policy and military ones, he speaks of the Neo-Conservative idea of a “MacArthur Regency” in Iraq. He writes:
Those [...]
Recently at work I was chatting with my boss and a co-worker about traveling. My boss didn’t realize that my co-worker had been to Egypt even though she has mentioned it on numerous occasions in front of her! This led into a discussion about where in the world we’d like [...]
For reference, I’m using Mariner Books paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0-618-68000-9). Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to this version of the book.
The theme of morality is one where Dawkins makes some good points. Unfortunately, I think that he ends up rather farther from his goal that he would like.
First, I [...]
Originally posted at my blog — Ponderings on a Faith Journey – knowing that many who visit this site are younger adults, or like me work with younger adults in one capacity or another, I thought I would share my review of an important resource. The authors are members [...]
This is just great! On her talk show Ellen Degeneres confronts McCain on his views towards gay marriage and it is awesome! If more celebrities could do this it might really help gain some press on the conservative agenda, which could help lead to victory in November!!
Go Ellen!!
Previously posted at Ponderings on a Faith Journey
John McCain’s attempts to connect with a religious group he once called them agents of religious intolerance, but in 2008 he has sought to rebuild the bridges he once seemed to burn. Besides courting Jerry Falwell, he went after other right wing [...]
For reference, I’m using Mariner Books paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0-618-68000-9). Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to this version of the book.
Dawkins would like us to believe that there is some general ethical consensus that most people today hold, and that changes over time:
How, then, do we decide what is [...]
What is appeasement? I checked Wikipedia, which defines appeasement this way:
Literally: calming, reconciling, acquiring peace by way of concessions or gifts (the verb ‘to pay’ also goes back to the Latin ‘pax’ = peace). Most commonly, appeasement is used for the policy of accepting the imposed conditions of [...]
This one seems even far more extreme than Pastor John Hagee. Once again Senator McCain courted Pastor Rod Parsley’s endorsement and seeks a political alliance with him. With words like this coming out of his mouth I am not entirely sure why. One of Andrew Sullivan’s readers wrote in [...]
Its one thing to say that you support the troops and its an entirely different thing to actually do it. In the last few years during these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan we have seen Republicans do anything but actually support the veterans after their return. One of the greatest [...]
In the conclusion of our discussion Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky wrap up with a few random questions. How can government fix major problems? What is her greatest achievement? Let me know what you think…
[...]In our next segment we discuss the 2008 elections and its potential impacts on the progressive agenda. There is a serious push towards Democrats and another potential wave election in November. Early on… it bodes well for Democrats.
[...]
We are over half way towards our goal of raising $750 for the Wheeling Township Democratic organization. We have just a few days left and I am truly appreciative of how far we have come. I know that we can finish strong and reach our [...]
Our interview with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky continues with us discussing poverty, the G8 and the housing crisis.
[...]Let me begin by saying that I’ve endorsed a candidate for President – on my blog. I have not, nor do I intend to, endorse anyone for any office from the pulpit or in a way that would explicitly or implicitly suggest that my church supports a candidate or that [...]
For those who didn’t see days 1, 2, and 3 (I have been skipping day…sorry for the randomness), these posts are to help us remember that the world is not all bad. News and media outlets, and this blog is no exception, often focus on what is wrong with the [...]
As someone who works for a living on campaigns I know first hand of the value of volunteers and the hours that they put in on behalf of the candidate. They are the gears that make a campaign move forward. The more you have the faster your campaign is going [...]
As the middle class continues to shrink the gap between the haves and have nots is getting worse and worse. Elizabeth Warren is an outspoken critic of our nation’s dependency on a credit economy and how it is essentially killing the middle class. She teaches contract law at Harvard Law [...]
Just five dollars. That’s all I want you to give. Our goal is $750… your five dollars will go a long way to the goals of the Wheeling Township Democrats. It will help give voters in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago an actual choice [...]
After watching the video below of John Hagee’s ideal Christian and thus supposed Christian nation, I am glad I am not one. I don’t mean to come off as spiteful towards it but we to realize that yes as people of faith it is our duty to be loving (which [...]
Yesterday I had the privilege to sit down and speak with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Over the next several days I will reveal the different topics we discussed. Today we start with the beginning of the interview in which we cover faith and politics.
I was thinking about two recent occurrences, the economic stimulus package and the proposed (and now widely laughed at) gas tax holiday. I won’t recap either, because hopefully you know about both…
The gas tax holiday has been labeled pandering - a program that does more harm than good, and is [...]
to reach our goal of $750 for the Wheeling Township Democratic organization. The support thus far means a lot and with your help we can raise $750 to help the organization pay for a months worth of rent, supplies and to pay their bills. [...]
When the movie Stoploss came out I went and saw it in the theater to see a dramatization of U.S. soldiers being brought back into military action even after their time of duty is done and over with. The sad thing is that for the most part, its not [...]
Its a simple question. And we asked Mike Huckabee two more questions but his leadership PAC didn’t give us an unequivocal answer:
My dad does not fill like it is appropriate to sign a pledge since he is not a candidate but he is against torture. Sorry [...]
Before the end of the day comes a Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. I just got back home from a nice early dinner with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law and my niece. Great to spend some quality time with them.
Last week Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, a country which boarders Thailand on the northwest. Currently, the Burmese government is not allowing any international aid into the country. So, while governments and other non-governmental organizations would like and have been putting together aid, the Burmese government will not allow the aid [...]
I hadn?t heard of Anna Baltzer until I was approached by a group in Lompoc, CA (Lompoc Coalition for Peace and Justice) that is bringing her to town to speak on the Palestinian situation. Being that I not only pastor a Lompoc church, but also write a column in [...]
In another email to his supporters former Governor Mike Huckabee exclaims that it is time to grow.
Almost two weeks ago we announced the launch of Huck PAC. The initial response has been overwhelming. Now is the time for us to grow. Huck PAC can and will be a formidable weapon [...]
Besides writing here on Faithfully Liberal I spend my time working on local campaigns. Thats my day job, one that I love passionately but it probably would not be possible without Patrick Botterman. I am just one of dozens of young people he helped guide into their first paying gig [...]
Yesterday former Governor Huckabee sent out this email to his PAC email list:
When I decided to run for President, I asked all of you for your help. Boy, did you respond. Thousands of you signed up to be Rangers. You made hundreds of thousands of phone calls, sent tens of [...]
For reference, Im using Mariner Books paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0-618-68000-9). Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to this version of the book.
Dawkins discussion of the Bible and morality is somewhat… weak. This post, therefore, is one that I hope to keep short. What Dawkins wishes to show here, I think, [...]
After having a massacre of a brutal regime during the monk’s uprising, Burma or known as Mayamar has been devastated by a cyclone. At least 22,000 are known to be dead and more than 40,000 are missing. The catastrophe is overwhelming. Please pray for recovery and aid for the people [...]
There is a passage in Ecclesiastes that goes like this:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For it the fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, [...]
The first amendment of the United States Constitution reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to [...]
Looks like the media is finally understanding that Senator Barack Obama is going to be the nominee. Only took them three months after Super Tuesday and about two months after he won 11 straight contests. But we still await Indiana’s results. Regardless, Obama will be the nominee, it just matters [...]
Small steps but its significant to making the hunger crisis a priority to the richest countries as they meet this summer.
Also want to apologize for the irregularity the past few days. Things will be back to normal tomorrow.
That’s what I am asking myself. Today is another day in which is supposedly comes all down to one state. It was Ohio, may be Texas, then Pennsylvania and now Indiana. All states that project Senator Clinton to win. Figures that the media focuses on that and dismisses the fact [...]
With regards to the proposed gas-tax holiday, this is Clinton’s sentiment:
Im not going to put my lot in with economists
Yeah, its clear that she’s not listening to economists - because what are they saying is that suspending the 18 cent tax over the summer is not only ineffective, it [...]
This week for class I presented briefly on an article title Extraordinary Alliances in Crisis Situations: Women against Hindu Nationalism in India by Paola Bacchetta. This article excited me because it shows a really great example of how something good and productive can come from a negative event.
Bacchetta writes about [...]
Our campaign of religious bloggers against torture is gaining steam. Pastor Dan was invited to discuss it on Religion Dispatches today provides a great context to why this issue and why now.
First we have an administration that actively sought a way to torture prisoners:
Now, they [...]
Five years ago today President Bush declared major combat operations over with in Iraq. The war was over and Americans were reassured that it was indeed over with. I mean do you remember this? Five years ago, 20% of my life ago?
And later that night President Bush said:
We had [...]
As John McCain and Hillary Clinton tout their non-solution solution to high gas prices by placing a holiday on the federal gas tax we really need to delve into why gas prices are so high in order to find real solutions to lowering them.
First, oil companies continue to [...]
Last week I asked a few faith leaders their thoughts on former Governor Mike Huckabees newfound leadership in the Christian right and how it correlates to torture. After hearing back from Faith in Public Lifes executive director Rev. Jennifer Butler and UCC President Rev. John Thomas essentially saying that [...]
One of the issues that has kept coming up in the Wright-Obama saga has to do with Barack Obama’s decision to not only join Trinity UCC, but stay there for some 16 -20 years. Didn’t he hear all the “off the wall” stuff Jeremiah Wright was saying? Some candidates suggested [...]
Ok file this in just the most absurd category. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia tried to define torture as not being a punishment. (major hat tip to Beth at Faith in Public Life).
“I don’t like torture,” Scalia says. “Although defining it is going to be a nice trick. [...]
At my home church, we have an interesting tradition. Rather than have the semi-standard fifteen to twenty minute sermon heard at many white protestant churches, our pastors try to stick to five to ten minute pieces. The reason for these short sermonettes is that the rest of the usual sermon [...]
Christian ministers are to preach the good news and word of the Bible. Lets think about some of the Bible’s core messages and stories: Jesus going against the political authorities, Jesus overturning economic practices (flipping the money tables), Jesus saying rich people will have a hard time getting into heaven [...]
I originally wrote this for Street Prophets but wanted to share it here as well.
While we await a response from Mike Huckabee and Huck PAC in regards to Pastor Dans two simple questions (I should state here that I have been in contact with someone and will [...]
I’ve cut back to once a week, but because of the continuing conversation about the relationship of Jeremiah Wright I thought I’d post a piece I wrote earlier for my own blog — Ponderings on a Faith Journey. Since I posted that I’ve read responses to [...]
Today we had some tough talk coming from the DNC Chairman Howard Dean. He pretty much laid down the truth in two respects. First, he said that if the Democrats go divided into the commission they are handing the presidency to McCain. And second, he said that once the [...]
Tom Perriello is currently running for Congress in Virginia’s fifth congressional district against an incumbent Republican named Virgil Goode. A tough district in which George Bush received nearly 56% of the vote in 2004. But Tom’s resume is impressive with a lifelong commitment to public [...]
Well we skipped yesterday, but we’re back today giving thanks and focusing on the good things in life.
What can we be thankful for today you may be wondering?… Hybrid cars, and the fact that more people are buying them. Hybrid car registration rose 38 percent in 2007 and hybrid [...]
“In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didnt speak up because I wasnt a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didnt speak up because I wasnt a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didnt speak up because I wasnt [...]
As the worlds food prices continue to rise from inflation and high gas prices, the worlds most vulnerable are at considerable risk. Just last week the UNs World Food Program said that it will need to cut its food supplies to Darfur by half.
The people of Darfur depend upon this [...]
Eboo Patel recently granted an interview to Progressive and Religious. If you remember we interviewed him last year as well and reviewed his fantastic book Acts of Faith. You can listen to the interview here or read the transcript. The most enduring thing about Eboo [...]
Via Faith in Public Life, here are some stories concerning faith and politics from the past week.
Reflections on the Compassion Forum
Sunday night’s Compassion Forum at Messiah College was in many ways a breakthrough event. It significantly elevated the level of public conversation about important moral issues and [...]
In light of focusing on some more positive things going on in the world, I thought I would highlight Women & Girls Collective Action Network (CAN). This organization is based in Chicago and works to provide an environment where women and girls can build community as well as become leaders. [...]
Day 2 of giving thanks and remembering that the world isn’t all bad…we appreciate everyone who commented yesterday, although I guess my post didn’t get all commentors in the spirit of thanks…but it can be tough to try to focus on the good.
When personal, local, national, and global crisis occurs, [...]
In the 70s it was Pol Pot and the Killing Fields in Cambodia. The 80s witnessed the massive killings of Kurds in Iraq. In the 90s it was Rwanda and Kosovo. Today its Darfur in a little known region of Sudan that is the focal point of the worlds worst [...]
My former seminary President and professor of my public theology class (thats how this blog started) Rev. Susan Thistlethwaite was recently quoted in a Chris Hedges column and poses an interesting thought about progressives. (Via Street Prophets)
The other side has religion, and we need some, said the Rev. [...]
As I was looking at the blog today (as well as other blogs and news-sites), it seems that everywhere you look there’s bad news. On this site, we have particularly been trying to draw attention to the torture issue…while that’s important, it surely gets depressing.
We need to keep in [...]
As things continue to get worse word comes that even Sams Club (owned by Wal-Mart) is beginning to limit the amount of rice that customers can purchased better known as rationing its product.
The two biggest U.S. warehouse retail chains are limiting how much rice customers can buy because [...]
As you have undoubtedly noticed we have been putting pressure (here, here and here) on former Governor Mike Huckabee to come out strongly against torture with two simple questions for him. We still await an answer but I want to emphasis how important it is for [...]
For reference, Im using Mariner Books paperback edition (ISBN-13: 978-0-618-68000-9). Unless otherwise noted, page numbers refer to this version of the book.
There is a certain habit, in modern discussions about morality to treat morality as a set of rules to which an individual does or does not conform. In terms [...]
Like I said yesterday, the times are not looking good. Food and gas prices are rising way too fast and its not just happening in the United States. It’s going on worldwide and women and children are being drastically affected. The One Campaign sent out an email request for [...]
Next time you are snacking on a shrimp cocktail or dining on some creamy shrimp alfredo, take a moment and ask yourself this question - “where does this shrimp come from?”
That has become an important question, because according to a recent report the shrimp we eat may be coming at [...]
If we want our government to respond to us and not the special interests, we need to change the way they operate. Thats the bottom line.
Lawrence Lessig is pushing just that to Change Congress with four simple ideas for candidates and elected officials.
I will accept contributions from individuals only, [...]
With a proper name in place: NEVER: Religious Bloggers Against Torture
Its time to know exactly what we are fighting against. We have all seen the graphic pictures from Abu Gharib; torture that was supposedly conducted by a few bad apples. But the revelation that President Bush knew and [...]
Im not one for fear-mongering. I take seriously that biblical phrase about perfect love casting out fear. Im an optimist by nature, and dont go in much for raising the specter of dangers that are either remote or relating to things that are challenging but manageable. At the same time, [...]
President Bush stated yesterday that the U.S. economy is not in a recession, a further sign that he is drastically out of touch with the problems facing everyday Americans.
Food price inflation began to take off in 2007, with price spikes not seen since 1980.
Food prices have [...]
Have you heard, today is the Pennsylvania primary? Yes, here we are with yet another “Super Tuesday” like primary…another “must win” for the underdog Clinton, and another opportunity for Obama to show that he can compete in the larger states. I’m really into politics, as should be obvious since I [...]
Warning - graphic video of waterboarding torture technique.
stuff of life by Amnesty International
Join Amnesty International in their effort to combat terror with justice.
h/t Andrew
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty (yes the same city that fictional company Dunder Mifflin resides) has some words of wisdom regarding cities and the need to properly invest in them for the two presidential candidates. He is a Clinton supporter but his thoughts on cities is worth thinking about. The [...]
In Mr. Huckabees latest blog post to his Huck PAC website he says they are just getting started in making a difference to help elect Republicans in November with a push for contributions from supporters. But it reveals something more profound than just that. While I have been unable [...]
Adam Green from MoveOn liveblogged Senator John McCain’s appearance on This Week with George Stephanopolous. After George’s embarrassing performance last week during the Democratic debate he was given a chance to try to pin down the Republican nominee. After Senator Obama was so vehemently condemned by the right [...]
I recently received an email from John McCains campaign saying that he is pushing the idea of a break from the federal gas tax from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
The effect of this “gas tax holiday” will be an immediate economic stimulus - taking a few dollars off the [...]
