Thirteen percent of American citizens do not believe Barack Obama when he says he is a Christian. I’m hardly an apologist for the political status quo, but it seems like you might not have to look too hard to find thirteen percent of American citizens who wouldn’t believe Barack Obama if he said the Earth [...]
Posts under ‘Society’
Guest Writer: Charlie Becker Hornes “I Might Be ‘Fat’ Today, But God Knows I’m Happy”
Charlie Becker Hornes, M.Div. ’10 writes in response to the comments posted to the YouTube video about Glenn Beck. I have taken some pretty good punches this week on YouTube directly and indirectly regarding our Union’s response to Glenn Beck video: • “I think that first chick missed the part about gluttony maybe? Kinda hypocritical.” [...]
Guest Writer: Shannon Kearns “Open Letter to Serene Jones”
Guest writer Shannon Kearns, M.Div. ’09, responds to President Serene Jones’ recent open letter to Glenn Beck Dear President Jones: I write with sadness over your response to Mr. Glenn Beck. I understand that you were trying to counter his hateful speech with humor, however by taking such a tone you made his words something [...]
Glenn Beck Gives Union Extended Advertisement
There are those on the political right that make rational, consistent arguments; Glenn Beck is not one of them. If there is anything consistent about him, it is that he consistently preys on the worst fears of humanity – a consistency that certainly cannot be applauded. This last week he took aim at Union’s own [...]
Soccer and the Sacred
Peter’s been on a roll here @ WaC while I’ve been down in Atlanta this summer trying my hand at ministry. I did, however, find some time for some theological and ethical reflection for the the beginning of the World Cup. The good people at ReligionDispatches.org allowed me to share. Check out the article: Soccer [...]
Catholic church in trouble. In Boston. Again.
The Boston archdiocese of the Roman Catholic church has gotten itself into trouble again. The current troubles revolve around children, the church and sexuality. Unlike previous years, however, this imbroglio is not about clergy sexual abuse. Boston’s ABC affiliate carries this story about Michael Pakaluk’s column of June 4. The column argues against allowing the [...]
Excommunicated for saving a life
When she took her vows years ago, I doubt Sister Margaret McBride ever thought that she would have to make a choice between remaining in the Roman Catholic Church and saving someone’s life. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. I share reporters Dan Harris and Claudia Morales in their incredulity over how quickly this happened. As [...]
Investing Justly?
A recent NY Times article on the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility raises some interesting questions to face as people of faith. Shouldn’t our religious consciences extend to our investment portfolios? ICCR executive director Laura Berry believes so and also expresses a belief in the benevolence of the market: “I actually believe that God, whatever [...]
Looting in the Name of God
This Tuesday Goldman Sachs executives will go before the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. A string of indicting emails have been revealed by the S.E.C. and the Subcommittee charging that Goldman fraudulently intended to mislead investors on risks (bets) related to mortgage-backed securities. The S.E.C. is charging that Goldman created and marketed securities that were [...]
Bemoaning The Loss of Exclusivity
Today the Supreme Court will hear a case that will determine whether colleges and universities can deny official status and subsidies to student groups that bar homosexuals and other groups from membership. At the heart of this case… you guessed it, a Christian organization that denies membership to LGBTQ persons and “those who advocate or [...]