Generally Helpful Since Birth
I started “The Church State Guy” because I wanted a forum to talk about ways in which I see religion basically doing bad PR for itself. The relationship between religious institutions and society are complex and have long, thorny roots. Because of that, it takes a special skill to navigate the line between things like religious public advocacy and proselytism (for example). How can people of faith voice their concerns regarding issues of life and death without seeking to legislate morality, or suggesting that only those of faith are moral. These are issues that are regularly covered in the news. Some of the most prominent religion blogs out there now discuss these issues at length. HuffPo’s Religion Blog, Religion News Service, and Patheos each have a certain perspective and discuss these kinds of issues as well. The unique perspective I attempt to bring is in discussing the historic roots of these issues, being a person of faith with a theological education, and interacting with my very diverse family and friends who provoke a lot of discussion all by themselves.
In the midst of researching my master’s thesis, I stumbled on this poem from 1914. Patriotism is supposed to be noble, but nationalism and Statism have dragged it through the mud. This poem helped me remember what true Patriotism is all about.
This is me in a nutshell today. I’ve got too much going on personally, and yet the world’s falling apart all around us. Not really, but it feels like it (insert First World Problems meme here). Still… information is king, unless you don’t trust any of the information you have access to, then you’re… Read more Being Informed and Sane is Increasingly Challenging
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGjV0tFs7Xg This is why Main Stream Media sucks. This is a PRIME example of partisan hackery. MSNBC taking a swing at their twin, their conservative opposite, Bill O’Reilly because he made a point about the death of Jesus that doesn’t fit squarely into America’s Civil Religion. Watch the clip and come back. ….waiting… OK, this… Read more CULTURE WARS SUCK: Actually, yes, Jesus Did Die Because of Taxes
The Obama Seder Evidently, President Obama has been celebrating an annual Seder with some of his staff ever since his 2008 campaign. This is a virtual potpourri of Religion-State issues. Reciting the Emancipation Proclamation at a Seder! Saying “Next year at the White House!” instead of Jerusalem! This is such a huge conflagration of religion… Read more The Obama Seder is Political, but that’s ok
Starbucks is Violating the Separation of Corporation and State Should we let Starbucks, or Google, or Chick Fil’A, or Papa John’s regulate our morality? How can society get so inflamed over religious institutions talking about morality in the public sphere, but applaud when CEO’s and mega-corporations grand stand on social issues? If you boycotted Chick… Read more Starbucks is Violating the Separation of Corporation and State
Taxes Go to Rebuild Houses of Worship Yesterday, Wednesday February 13, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 592, which will amend a previous bill to enable houses of worship to apply for federal reparations aid from FEMA. Here’s a couple things to keep in mind first: The bill it is amending already allows federal monies to… Read more Taxes Go to Rebuild Houses of Worship
Staying An Ash Wednesday Execution Wesley Allen Mercer is scheduled to die today by lethal injection in the state of Louisiana. Mercer beat his 6-year old son to death back in 1992 and has been on death row ever since his conviction. Considering Louisiana’s capital punishment laws It is no surprise that he is scheduled… Read more Staying An Ash Wednesday Execution
A handful of Arizona legislators would like to enforce a “loyalty oath” on graduating High School students. The Bill (HB 2467) says this: “Before a pupil is allowed to graduate from a public high school in this state, the principal or head teacher of the school shall verify in writing that the pupil has recited… Read more “May God Help You Be an American!”
Congressional Chaplains Attend Anti-Obama Breakfast before Inaguration As the Presidential Inaguration is quickly approaching, Congresspersons are preparing an event called “The Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast”. On the surface it seems like a well-intentioned, toothless form of civil religion. But a closer look at the schedule and featured speakers shows that it’s slated full of Obama… Read more Congressional Chaplains Attend Anti-Obama Breakfast before Inaguration
Church Politics Just as Ugly as State Politics An excellent piece that navigates how church politics are influenced by the public sphere over dogma and polity. Heady stuff, but it hits the sweet spot of the cross-over between Church/State. Enjoy!