In a recent lesson, my Sunday School teacher mentioned doubt. Do any of us struggle with doubt–and are willing to admit it in church? I admitted it, although I doubt it is a shock for anyone. I have been open in my questions and doubts. The author Anne Lamott has written, the opposite of faith is not doubt, the opposite of faith is certainty. Faith has to be something that we can not be certain about–there would be no need for faith. I was reminded… Continue reading →
I have friends with a wide range of opinions on religion, politics, life in general. Sometimes, more often than I should, I feel the need to explain my point of view. There are times where I just want them to see merit to other ways of thinking. Today on facebook, a friend listed five things that she wants to go away forever. One is sin–ok, I can see that. Another one is the liberal media. I quickly thought out a well educated response–posted it and… Continue reading →
French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke out strongly today to lawmakers about banning Muslim women from wearing burqas or niqab in France. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/22/sarkozy-burqas-are-not-we_n_218920.html I agree with the President’s sentiments that the burqa is demeaning and degrading to women. However, I don’t know that such a grand public denouncement and forceful legislative action are the most effective means for addressing this issue. I know many Muslim women wear a headscarf as a choice and feel empowered by it. (I doubt that attitudes toward the burqa are as liberating.) I… Continue reading →
I have benefitted from many of the books mentioned by Lainie. In my recent years, I have been particularly inspired by Marcus Borg and his incredible gift for expressing spiritual truths. Three memoir writers already mentioned, Lauren Winner, Anne Lamott, and Frank Schaeffer are also wonderful, enlightened writers with fascinating stories to tell. In college, I was introduced to a lot of popular hot-at-the-moment books, mostly Max Lucado and Bible studies. I even worked at a Christian bookstore, the kind that are actually more like… Continue reading →
I was raised in a conservative Southern Baptist church. My mother had been brought up in this tradition and I had no reason to think that either my parents thought anything different than what I was taught at church. My mom’s faith was strong until the day she died. She had cancer and accepted her illness remarkably. She often said that God knew from the moment she was born when she would die. This was her life, and honestly, she used her illness to make… Continue reading →
I like to say that I tend to read things almost above my comprehension. I find Marcus Borg amazing. I just started the book on Paul. The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions was eye opening to me. My favorite books are often autobiography or coming of age stories. Anne Lamont is great. She is open about struggles and doesn’t portray herself as one who has it all figured out. It is refreshing to read a book on religious themes that isn’t full of all the answers.
Stay tuned for new blog http://putmeinabox.com Three young Christian women struggle to redefine their faith. Topics: God, feminism, family, fundamentalism, and more…. Social Bookmarking