A reader recently emailed me, “If I had to choose between religious-right Christianity or atheism, I would have to choose atheism.” This reader hasn’t lost faith in Jesus. But he’s deeply troubled that American religion (at least a large segment of…
It’s hard for most Americans to find a progressive church
I hear from progressive Christians all the time who tell me they cannot find a congregation where they fit in and feel comfortable. As one reader said, “I believe we are created to be in relationship, and my spirit desires…
Letter to the Editor: Bad democracy and bad religion
On March 9, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee posted on X that “Muslims don’t belong in American Society.” I find that statement offensive on many levels. I’ll mention two. First, the statement is a violation of the United States…
Seven strategies for dealing with doubt
Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God himself. —…
Jesus Christ and Donald Trump are incompatible
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” — Joshua 24:15 Few things in life (or faith) are absolute, crystal clear, unambiguous and black-and-white. However, one absolute truth is that Donald Trump and Jesus Christ are incompatible. Numerous examples follow: Jesus…
The God I do believe in
This article is a follow-up to a previous post, “The God I Don’t Believe In.” I majored in religion at college. One semester I took a class called Christian Doctrine. I still remember the final exam. The professor wrote it on…
The God I don’t believe in
Years ago while serving as a parish pastor, I visited an inactive member of my new congregation. Although he used to attend regularly, he quit coming after his wife died. By the time I arrived at the church, he had…
Is it time to get a divorce from institutional religion?
Last summer I ate lunch with a long-term kindred spirit friend who, like me, is a retired minister. We spoke about our vocations in the church, both the good and the bad. We also expressed deep disappointments with organized religion,…
The early heretics
I vividly remember the first time someone accused me of being a heretic. It occurred in a dorm room during my sophomore year of college. A fellow ministerial student and I were engaged in a spirited debate about biblical inspiration….
Reading the heretics
As founder and author of Doubter’s Parish, I spend a good bit of time reading articles and books by “heretics.” Google defines a heretic as “a person who differs in opinion from established religious dogma.” That describes a lot of people,…
How would Jesus judge America?
Judgment is not my favorite subject. I’d rather speak about grace. However, I cannot deny that Jesus, at least in the memory of the Gospel writers, mentioned judgment on numerous occasions. Which has me wondering, if Jesus were to visit…
Five possible paths for 21st-century churches
It’s no secret that organized religion is in trouble. Over the past few decades, the American church has seen a freefall in membership, attendance and reputation. Current data suggest the steep decline has stabilized for now. But the long-term trajectory…