Inappropriate Conversations

Continuing from last week, prayer may be the best example of establishing religion. From a Christian perspective, if your prayers "in no way establish a religion" then you are not praying. So, does a "pledge of allegiance" to God establish religion?  Never mind, Jesus explicitly warns against such public declarations in the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Different Drummer: Matthew

Anyone can believe as I do. Prophets told us that the words of faith are written in our hearts. If I summarize down to a list, it starts to look like cliche. Well, I do not approach this topic as an attempt at evangelism. I cannot "give you my faith." That is, in fact, one of my beliefs: any faith you find will come from your own heart. On the other hand, I can tell you about Permanent Things I've found in my heart. Different Drummer: Larry Crabb

A poetry reading sets the tone for the first of a two-part focus on religious beliefs. Negative part first: what I don't believe.  In some ways, the state of Christianity in America today is so shameful that you almost have to share your faith by distancing yourself from aberrant views that many people expect to hear from what I call "Politically Active Christianity" or PAC. Different Drummer: C.S. Lewis

Equality in marriage is a fairly new idea, and I wonder if our society takes for granted something that we've only begun to experience. In the past, a wife was legally regarded as a possession. At times, marriage has been viewed as a political tool or even an economic exchange, referring to the dowry concept.  The notion of Companionship Marriage is unique in granting marriage a value all its own, where the partnership is truly between spouses rather than governments or families.  In a seemingly unrelated matter, have a blessed Memorial Day, Americans! Different Drummer: Paul of Tarsus

Pentecost may be the most important celebration in the Christian calendar for me. It is also horribly under-regarded. Christianity recognizes Trinity: God interacting with creation in three primary and personal ways. One of those is through creation itself. Christ is another. What about the third?  When Christians talk about "God changing hearts and lives" they are referring to the Holy Spirit.  I've heard some people resist the notion that such a manifestation of deity could be called a person, but this is precisely how a relationship with God actually becomes personal. Different Drummer: The Holy Spirit

Few relationships are as complex as mother and child. Even from the first few days of life, a connection is evident that lasts a lifetime in the best circumstances. Family and friends have shared their grief in recent years at the death of mothers. It speaks volumes about what is missing when we feel so left behind. Different Drummer: Corrie ten Boom

Here is an old saying I agree with: It is wrong to make “best” the enemy of “better.”  I’m on board with the argument that there never was a real Christian response to the Sexual Revolution in 1960s and 1970s America.  The reason is certainly a reckless refusal to compromise, even to the extent of shutting down discussion. Different Drummer: David R. Mace