Q&A With Toni Reynolds
What is the difference between God’s will and my will? Sometimes I feel like I can’t discern the difference between the two.
Q&A with Rev. Mark Sandlin
I was brought up to understand that we meet God in church. What is it supposed to mean when people say that God is within me? I don't think I've found that to be true.
Q&A with Rev. Deshna Shine
There are also many scientific studies that show words have energy and can affect living beings being spoken to. Plants exposed to kind words grow more and are healthier than ones who experience silence or negative words.
Q&A with Brian McLaren
How do I not perceive my loving husband as ignorant? He’s so intelligent otherwise that I don’t understand how he can believe in the Bible as a literal history.
Q&A with Rev Irene Monroe
If Jesus did not die on a cross to cover our sin, then what was the purpose of him dying? What was the purpose of his life? Was it to show us how to simply be "good people?"
My oldest child has recently come out as transgender. Not surprisingly, many Christian friends are now pointing to the bible saying that she is a sinner and that God 'condemns' her. Does the Bible and God really say that?
The news and social media are full of the wonderful contributions of people of color, gays and trans. Why do you think so many individuals still hold prejudiced views about people who are different from them?
What is it about the Temple Mount? It seems to always be the flashpoint of conflict in Jerusalem.
I am a "seeker." I know what that means, but when people ask, "What is a seeker?" I can never find an accurate or concise way to explain it.
I wonder if fiddling around on the periphery on the issues of gay and lesbian rights can ever yield what the Church lacks: a compelling vision which, if received and fulfilled, would improve humanity as a whole. Christianity has no unique truth and its claims, like those of all various religions, is that it must rest upon a "Thus saith the Lord.”
How can we stop the hate and bring the far right & left together to find the middle we can walk together and work for the USA’s survival?
What is the grace referred to in the 5th point of Progressive Christianity, which says that Progressive Christians "Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning with an open mind and open heart, than in absolutes or dogma.
I personally think that the most challenging times are the moments that birth the strongest aspects of a faith tradition. Despite not being able to gather in person there are many ways to stay grounded in Christian principles and find ways of connecting during this era of social distancing.
I used the n-word, repeating what one of my black friends said. I was told I was wrong for using it. My black friends use it a lot and around us all. Why was I wrong for using it?
Can’t say I disagree on your article: A White Man Makes the Case for Reparations, but it raises at least one question. When God’s people chased inhabitants out of the ‘Promised Land’ I don’t recall any discussion of reparations for the displaced people. Perhaps that is our rationale (excuse) for claiming reparations as a non-issue.
“I stopped going to church because it just seems to be the same thing all the time. Same sermons, same actions, same results. I'm not sure we were actually changing anything. We helped the poor, but they always came back still needing help. Why don't churches do more to change things?”
As an active UCC member, I was looking forward to reading Dr. Dorhauer’s response. I came away disappointed, however. Though I agree that certainly there are sociological reasons for it (as alluded to at the end), I believe black-on-black crime is a legitimate problem.
I was really inspired by Rep. Alexia Ocasio-Cortez’s response to the insults of Rep. Ted Yoho, but I was equally disappointed by Yoho’s pseudo-apology. What makes a good apology?
One thing I fail to see addressed anywhere is the mayhem of blacks upon blacks in cities such as Chicago. Do black lives matter only when death is caused by a law enforcement officer?
People say “rest in peace” after someone has died. But, do people really get to rest after death?
Jesus asked a lot of questions. Ask questions like, was Jesus a Christian? If you read through the Bible thoroughly and the Gospels a few times, what do you notice really mattered to Jesus? How did he live his life? What was his view of money? His relationship to power and privilege?
I'm a politically blue kind of guy living in a very red state. My religious convictions tell me that I have to try to work at getting laws that treat everyone with love. I've always tried, but the last few years it's been crazy hard and I'm wearing out. Any suggestions?
Do you, like me, have great sympathy for the third servant in the parable of the talents? What do you think that this parable is meant to say to 21st century humans?
I believe what Spong was referring to was the idea that the most profound way we can be in relationship with God (the Divine, Great Mystery, Nameless One) is to love one another and to love deeply.
After reading near death experience reports, and the all-encompassing love that seems to accompany folks in a near death experience, I am wondering why we need a savior.
One of the most healing and humble exchanges between two people is an apology. Saying, “I’m sorry!” can restore feelings of safety, dignity, and respect.
Perhaps you can resonate with the idea that we are, at our core, in our truest selves, spiritual beings which transcend physicality and 3-dimensional reality. Like me, maybe you can find comfort in the idea that when our time of being inside this physical reality is over, we return to Spirit, and to our truest and most brilliant selves.