During his sophomore year at Brown University, Kevin Roose transferred to Liberty University in order to gain first-hand experience of Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." In order to fully immerse himself in the experience, he freely chose to conform to the forty-six-page code of conduct called "The Liberty Way." Find out what he learned. »more
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During his sophomore year at Brown University, Kevin Roose transferred to Liberty University in order to gain first-hand experience of Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." In order to fully immerse himself in the experience, he freely chose to conform to the forty-six-page code of conduct called "The Liberty Way." Find out what he learned. »more
Although she abandoned her faith as an adult and declared herself an atheist, novelist Anne Rice's defenses were broken down as she researched history for her novels, laying the ground for her return to faith. She realized that she didn't need to have all the answers to come to God - she simply needed to trust that God had the answers. »more
It is not Eckhart Tolle's desire for an authentic spirituality that I find troubling. Rather, it is the way his system inhibits true human flourishing. The human person cannot flourish when humanity, personality, and all that this encompasses - thinking, acting, feeling, etc. - are brushed aside as irrelevant, and even worse, a deceptive pathological delusion! »more
Professor Richard Dawkins teaches that religion is “the root of all evil.” Christopher Hitchens believes religion is deadly, poisoning everything it touches. Sam Harris argues that commitment to religion at any level – from fundamentalist to liberal expressions – is
dangerous to society. Are these men right? Or is there more to the story? »more
In the past few years there has been a rising tide of books advocating the demise of religion and the triumph of secularism. Apparently, this evaluation strikes a chord with a large portion of the American public. However, religion cannot be explained away as a primitive illusion, a social construct, or psychological wish-fulfillment. »more
In his follow-up to On Bullsh*t, philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt argues that our belief in an objective, external reality connects us to the reality of other personalities. If we lose this, we are left with only our own subjectivity. We are left alone. So, ultimately, our belief in truths and in the truth connects us to a much larger world. »more
Like the faithful that he despises, Sam Harris is certain of that which he cannot “prove” – the complete and utter absence of God - but with unrelenting zeal and absolute commitment (the kind that can only be described as “religious”), Harris defends the undefendable and damns all those who disagree.
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In order to escape disillusionment, we must completely reject the illusions we maintain about the church. Our love for the church – just like our love for people – must arise from a commitment that transcends consequences. If we only love the church when it is at its best, we do not love the church that really exists – we love an illusion. »more
Religion is a human attempt to worship and serve God in the context of community. By default, this involves some level of organization and a mutual center (in this case, creeds, rituals, traditions, liturgy, and so on). But the fact that it is a human construct does not detract from its being empowered by God’s Spirit as a channel of God’s grace. »more
The heart yearns for more than the mind is willing to accept. Thus, to limit belief to only that which is intellectually apprehensible is to reduce God to the limits of one's own psyche. It is to create an idol the size of one's ego. A God that can be completely understood is no God at all, but merely the projection of one's own wishes. »more
In The Messiah of Morris Avenue, Tony Hendra retells the Christ story in a modern setting. This time around, the "religious professionals" that oppose Jesus are Christians rather than Jews. Clearly, Jesus - whether the first-century or twenty-first century version - is not safe in the religious dystopia created by contemporary Evangelicals. »more
God's law is meant to guide expressions of love and compassion. Since love and mercy know no boundaries, often rules fail to completely define what must be done. Even more, sometimes rules get in the way of divine expressions of love and compassion. Religion is not meant to limit love and compassion. »more
Jesus is a compelling, mysterious, and provocative figure. It makes sense that Dan Brown would feature Jesus in a novel about puzzles, mysteries, and profound secrets. We should not fault him for this. In fact, we should take a step back and ask ourselves if our presentations of Jesus are equally provocative - or simply, dull. »more
"The Church is full of hypocrites!" For many, this accusation is one of the greatest obstacles to belief. This concern is valid - Jesus shared it! Jesus warned, "Beware of the leaven of hypocrisy." This warning was not given to the Pharisees but to his disciples. It is a danger for the most religious and respectable. »more
Religion can be liberating; it can also be oppressive. Religion can bring health and wholeness; it can also be toxic and destructive. True religion creates compassionate, loving, life-filled people. Toxic religion creates petty, demanding, legalistic people. Is your religion true, or toxic? »more
As physical beings, we encounter the divine through physical reality. Though the greatest mystics are able to encounter the transcendent in all of reality, few of us are great mystics. Therefore, we need physical aids to remind us of the inherent sanctity of life and the pervasive presence of God. The question: What exactly constitutes sacred space? »more
Powerful feelings are aroused by beauty - feelings of pleasure, delight, wonder, and longing. These feelings possess a great capacity to transform us. We must recover the beauty of holiness or our religion will become nothing more than dry and dusty truth encrusted with overly-demanding morals. »more
Harvard graduate and son of a Methodist minister, James Ault, spent three years with Reverend Frank Valenti and his congregation at Shawmut River church, in order to understand fundamentalism from the inside. Find out what he discovered. »more
A little tongue-in-cheek fun set to the tune of Sesame Street. »more
