r. Joan’s lectures on The Public Intellectual open up a new awareness that illuminates a blind spot that can develop for progressive thinkers. Traditional liberals have typically focused on critical thinking about biblical exploration and constructive theology. The unintended consequence of such an academic focus has been to overlook the reformative power of what can happen when this debate is held not behind closed doors, but in the public square.

‘Seeds of Peace’ is set to the carol-tune O little town of Bethlehem. It’s sung by a Children’s choir in London.

CELESTIAL SLEEP blends the exquisite musical artistry of Ashana and Thomas Barquee with alchemy crystal singing bowls, sound healing, and gentle guided meditation to create a revolutionary sleep solution.

Do all the good you can by all the means you can
In all the ways you can in all the places you can
At all the times you can to all the people you can
As long as ever you can (John Wesley)

Enjoy 2 hymns from Ecologisers: In Peace and Love and To Bless The Earth

Ann and Debo discuss insights from Father Richard Rohr’s lecture on faith and self-awareness, aptly titled “The Human Spirit.” Join Ann and Debo for commentary on clips form Rohr on rejecting dualism, the narcissism of certainty, and faith as an act of making peace with life’s mysteries.

This week I speak with Sir Lloyd Geering, New Zealand theologian and pioneering Christian post-theist. In 1967, Geering was charged with heresy by the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He successfully withstood this challenge and has continued writing and speaking about religion and holy texts as a human constructions and words like “God” and “faith” as referents of human self-understanding and growth. He is the author of many books and articles, a few of which can be found in the links below.

“The secret of attraction is to love yourself. Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others. They are open to gestures of love. They think about love, and express their love in every action. They know that love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe.”

Shortly after Reza Aslan and Hasan Minhaj’s, “An Open Letter to American Muslims,” was first published on RD this past Tuesday, it became clear that it had launched a critical discussion across the United States.

Beyond the rain the sun,

Beyond the tears the fun,

Within the silence the One.

For me and for the many who no longer hold those stories as sacred, the cost is simply too high. The potential for posthumous reward or damnation has too often drained life of its beauty, wealth, diversity, and joy and the norms of civil society that are reinforced are often not in the best interests of humanity or, at least, significant swaths of it. So we need a way forward.

May the fire in us nurture the Earth and not consume its life.

May the fire in us consume our greed and save this sacred Earth.

Holy is my birth and sacred is my mother.

Shalom, Shalom, Shalom, Shalom.

Give me warmth in my loving,
Strength through forgiving,
Peace in my being,
Today and all my life.

Leader: Creator God to you we pray; –
All: Help us hear your children’s cry.
Leader: Most joyful God to you we pray; ‑
All: Help us share your children’s joy.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

We give thanks for the plants,
Give thanks for the creatures
Whose flesh supplies this meal.