As you are probably aware, the “Freedom from Religion” group, an organization that is committed to taking all religion out of public viewing, has recently written letters to the Presidents of Clemson and USC, among others, asking that the University…
Religion and irreligion: Friends or foes?
Atheists, agnostics, and other people who profess no religious faith have often been criticized, ostracized, ridiculed, discriminated against, and belittled. Especially in recent years such people have begun to fight back. Some of that fight has been rather hostile towards…
Joining Muslim and Christian hearts and hands
“Tell me,” she asked, “what is the essence of your religion?” “Loving God and loving one another, “ I replied. “And we demonstrate our love for God and neighbor by working to assure dignity, equality, freedom and justice for all,”…
Iran: 1953, 1979, and Now
Iran is much in the news these days, mainly because of the conflicting views about the “Iran deal,” which is highly touted by the Obama administration and highly trashed by most Republicans-and some Democrats such as Senator Schumer.
Learning to pray from our Muslim sisters
“Do you think its is difficult to pray five times a day,” Jilda asked? “Yes. I think it is difficult,” was my answer. “It is not difficult,” she responded. “I love God. It is not hard.” Each visit with Jilda…
In politics, when the God-question turns weird
In my blog post Trumping Faith I asked the question, “How important is it that elected government leaders not only affirm a faith background, but have one that is deeply meaningful and vibrant?” Today I want to ask, “How can…
What’s in a name? Religious nones and the American religious landscape
Over the last several years the term religious “Nones” has become a major topic of discussion and analysis by those who pay attention to religious trends.
A new day for Cuba
“We don’t have to be imprisoned by the past.” Those were words spoken by President Obama last month when he announced that the U.S. and Cuba are reopening embassies in each other’s countries after more than a half a century…
Muslims, a cemetery & Baptist principles
A proposed cemetery in Texas may be causing old-time Baptists to roll in their graves. Muslims want to develop a cemetery in Farmersville, a still-rural village in eastern Collin County, about 35 miles northeast of downtown Dallas. Some locals-Baptists among…