Understanding the narcissism epidemic is important because its long-term consequences are destructive to society. American culture's focus on self-admiration has caused a flight from reality to the land of grandiose fantasy. We need a new cultural belief: if you love yourself too much, you won't have enough love left for anyone else. »more
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Understanding the narcissism epidemic is important because its long-term consequences are destructive to society. American culture's focus on self-admiration has caused a flight from reality to the land of grandiose fantasy. We need a new cultural belief: if you love yourself too much, you won't have enough love left for anyone else. »more
Too many people make it sound like transforming the culture is simple. They fail to recognize how deeply we are transformed by culture and how difficult it actually is to change culture, much less the world. In contrast to our common naïve posturing, Crouch asks us to seriously consider, "What would it mean to 'change the world,' after all?"
»more
We live in a nation obsessed with celebrities. When the activities of Brad and Angelina, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton receive more attention than serious news items, we can rest assured that we have swallowed the pill of our new addiction. We are, in the words of Jake Halpern, "fame junkies." What's behind our fascination with fame? »more
According to Baggini, the meaning of life is not "discovered" but "created." Since "God is dead," we are responsible to create meaning for ourselves. However, after an entire book committed to the methodologies of rationalism to speak of life’s meaning, he must abandon his rationalism in order to provide a satisfying answer to the meaning of life. »more
Be skeptical of the ordinary, embrace the improbable, and realize that there is likely no overall meaning or significance to anything. This may be all the human intellect can provide, but it does not satisfy the human heart. We are left feeling a little bit like the turkey fattened for slaughter, wondering if anything we experience matters beyond the moment. »more
According to psychiatrist Gerald May, all of us are addicts. Created to freely and fully love God and others, our addictions are a powerful force that work against our freedom, by enslaving our will through idolatrous attachments. Enslaved by chains of our own making, we are our own worst enemies. »more
Though few people say they are completely or perfectly happy, most people say they are more happy than unhappy, and most people think they will be even happier in the future than they presently are. Since this is the case, happiness is not simply the product of wealth or good fortune. »more
Why is any Christian - especially a pastor - reading a book titled On Bullsh*t? That is a fair question. The short answer is this: As a Christian I am concerned about truth, honesty, and authenticity. Unlike lying, which admits the existence of these virtues and seeks to undermine them through deception, bullsh*t has absolutely no interest in truth, honesty, or authenticity. [Warning: If you are overly sensitive to the use of foul language, this article is not for you.] »more
Believe it or not, the Golden Age is not in the past but in the present. We are living in it! If this is the case (and all the statistics point in this direction), why then do most Americans feel that things are steadily getting worse rather than better? »more
We should probably be
more concerned for the rampant consumerism of Christmas
than we are for Santa. »more
Life is filled with stories of hard-working people caught in the downward spiral of jobs that offer little emotional or financial reward »more
The media, politicians, marketers, and (sadly) preachers often play on our fears that have no firm basis in reality... »more
Why the modern fascination with aliens? »more
