Category: Religion

  • Disparaged by the Republican Party?

    Disparaged by the Republican Party?

    LGBTQ+ Diversity

    There Is Hope

    For those that may seem disparaged by the “Christian” White Nationalists and the Republican Party, please find a little solace in the song by Elton John and Rina Sawayama.

    Lyrics:
    Where do I belong?
    Tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine
    I’m all ears, take your time, we got all night
    Show me the rivers crossed, the mountains scaled
    Show me who made you walk all the way here

    Settle down, put your bags down
    (Ooh) You’re alright now

    We don’t need to be related to relate
    We don’t need to share genes or a surname
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family
    So what if we don’t look the same?
    We been going through the same thing
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family

    Hand me a pen and I’ll rewrite the pain
    When you’re ready, we’ll turn the page together
    Open a bottle, it’s time we celebrate
    Who you were, who you are
    We’re one and the same, yeah, yeah

    We don’t need to be related to relate
    We don’t need to share genes or a surname
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family
    So what if we don’t look the same?
    We been going through the same thing
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family

    I, I chose you
    You chose me
    I chose
    (Chosen family)
    I chose you
    You chose me
    We’re alright now

    We don’t need to be related to relate
    We don’t need to share genes or a surname
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family
    So what if we don’t look the same?
    We been going through the same thing
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family

    We don’t need to be related to relate
    We don’t need to share genes or a surname
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family
    So what if we don’t look the same?
    We been going through the same thing
    You are
    You are
    My chosen
    Chosen family

  • AMC Theater Chain to Show Movie Provoking Anger and Violence in Jesus’s Name

    AMC Theater Chain to Show Movie Provoking Anger and Violence in Jesus’s Name

    Theater Chairs
    Pixabay.com

    AMC Theater Chain Scheduled to Promote Hate and Violence

    “Insurrectionist pastor Greg Locke — a frequent speaker and even host of Michael Flynn’s anti-democracy ReAwaken America megachurch tour — is releasing a movie he claims will help people cast out the “demons” that supposedly cause homosexuality, feminism, and Catholicism.

    It’s a hateful, bigoted premise on its face. Yet multiple mainstream movie theater chains plan to promote “Come Out In Jesus Name,” helping Locke spread his twisted brand of faith.

    Locke has made a name for himself through his over-the-top demonstrations of aggression and bigotry –– praying with the Proud Boys, going to Washington for January 6, burning books, throwing mask-wearing worshipers out of church, preaching that Christians can’t be Democrats, and accusing women in his congregation of witchcraft.

    Now, Locke wants to take his warped version of Christianity mainstream — and unfortunately, several big corporations are lining up to help him do so. On March 13, well-known movie theater chains including AMC, Cinemark, Regal and more will deliver Locke’s deadly message to theater-goers across the country, even broadcasting a live “deliverance” session with Locke after the film.” 1

    Let Your Voice Be Heard

  • Christian Nationalists Hate this Book

    Christian Nationalists Hate this Book

    If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk
    Available from Amazon.com

    If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk: Finding a Faith That Makes Us Better Humans

    Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible. – Imagine for a moment what the world might look like if we as people of faith, morality, and conscience actually aspired to this mantra.

    What if we were fully burdened to create a world that was more loving and equitable than when we arrived?

    What if we invited one another to share in wide-open, fearless, spiritual communities truly marked by compassion and interdependence?

    What if we daily challenged ourselves to live a faith that simply made us better humans?

    John Pavlovitz explores how we can embody this kinder kind of spirituality where we humbly examine our belief system to understand how it might compel us to act in less-than-loving ways toward others.

    This simple phrase, “Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible,” could help us practice what we preach by creating a world where:

    • spiritual community provides a sense of belonging where all people are received as we are;
    • the most important question we ask of a religious belief is not Is it true? but rather, is it helpful?
    • it is morally impossible to pledge complete allegiance to both Jesus and America simultaneously;
    • the way we treat others is the most tangible and meaningful expression of our belief system.

    In If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk, John Pavlovitz examines the bedrock ideas of our religion: the existence of hell, the utility of prayer, the way we treat LGBTQ people, the value of anger, and other doctrines to help all of us take a good, honest look at how the beliefs we hold can shape our relationships with God and our fellow humans—and to make sure that love has the last, loudest word.

  • Boebert Preaching Hate and Death

    Boebert Preaching Hate and Death

    Evil Preaching
    PIxaby.com

    “On Sunday, Boebert was invited to preach at Storehouse Dallas church in Texas. During her sermon, the election-denying, QAnon-touting, Christian-nationalist politician appeared to actually pray for Joe Biden’s death: “We pray for our presidents. You know, [the Bible] says, ‘Let his days be few and another take his office.’”

    These words are especially chilling following January 6, the assault on Paul Pelosi, and other acts of political violence. A misguided supporter could easily take them as a divine blessing to attack the president.

    Boebert claims she meant impeachment, but that’s an obvious ruse. Psalm 109 doesn’t just say “May his days be few” — it goes on to say, as Boebert surely knows, “May his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow!”

    Jesus includes everyone and teaches love and peace, not death and political violence. Let’s call for Boebert’s resignation, and show that a nationwide Christian movement is sick and tired of right-wing politicians abusing prayer for power.” 2

    Republican Congresswomen Incites Violence and Death

  • Learning about God’s love from hooking up by Brian G. Murphy

    Learning about God’s love from hooking up by Brian G. Murphy

    Devine
    Pixaby

    For too many of us, sex was something to be avoided or ashamed of (despite living in a culture telling us how much we should be having and how awesome it should be).