I don’t want to talk about guns, and gun control–not again. I can’t bear to have this conversation one more time, because we have been here before, and we know after all the hand-wringing, all the prayers, all the regrets, nothing is going to change. Congress will refuse to pass any stricter gun-control laws, any…… Continue reading Not not-talking about Gun Violence
Category: Social Issues
The “Wrong” Kind of Christian
Last week, one of my students brought to my attention a really interesting article from the Washington Post, titled “Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christians on their knees.” [Find it here: Tebow and Kaepernick]. It was written in light of the current practice of NFL players taking a knee during the…… Continue reading The “Wrong” Kind of Christian
We Need a Bigger Boat
A few days ago, I went searching on The New York Times website because I wanted to see what happened in the no-confidence vote that took place in South Africa against President Jacob Zuma. [He survived, by a National Assembly vote of 198 to 177]. In pulling up the “World” section, I stumbled across…… Continue reading We Need a Bigger Boat
3 Questions around Identity
Today has been another rich, full day in South Africa, and I absolutely must get to bed. So, instead of a full post, I thought I would just pose five of the questions that I have been wrestling with most today, in light of what we have seen and done. 1. We went to…… Continue reading 3 Questions around Identity
Lessons from Apartheid
Today was a rich, full day, with lots to learn and lots to process. We started the day at the Apartheid Museum, and three hours wasn’t enough to see it all. There was a great exhibit about Nelson Mandela–his life and history, and his role in ending apartheid; and then the museum itself had lots…… Continue reading Lessons from Apartheid
Opposing the Death Penalty
With all that is going on in the world–Syria, North Korea, health care, border wall–you can be forgiven for not having read that Arkansas just executed its fourth prisoner in eight days. This “frantic execution schedule” (in the words of The Washington Post) was sparked by the impending expiration of one of the drugs used…… Continue reading Opposing the Death Penalty
Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
This morning, I heard the story on NPR about a woman who has sought sanctuary in a Denver church in order to avoid deportation–here is the link: Colorado Church offers Sanctuary. In the story, the concept of religious freedom was mentioned, which the new administration has promised to uphold; but a spokesperson who opposes the…… Continue reading Sanctuary, Religious Freedom & the 8th Commandment
Allegiances, Kaepernick, and Taking a Knee
So, I love football–it’s hard to grow up in Denver & not love it; and after the Broncos’ Super Bowl win last season, I’m still in the post-victory glow. The season kicks off on Thursday–with a Bronco game (rematch of last year’s Super Bowl), and so I’m tuned back in to ESPN and other sports…… Continue reading Allegiances, Kaepernick, and Taking a Knee
Happy Lutheran 