Whether it is Susan Angle's "Second Ammendment remedies" or the Sarah PAC's targeting of Democrats with the crosshairs of a gun's scope, or the Democrats' use of target images for their political strategy in 2004, violent rhetoric in political discourse only contributes to an environment where shootings like the one today in Arizona can takeContinue reading “Violent Rhetoric – and Graphics – in Political Discourse”
Category Archives: Politics
Is Jesus a liberal Democrat? Really?
"Jesus is a liberal Democrat." So says Steven Colbert, the wise-cracking comedian who gives a regular dose of God to a generation that is largely absent from the pews, mostly by revealing the hypocrisy of Christian conservatives. In last evening's show, he takes aim at his favorite target, Bill O'Reilly. The Colbert Report Mon –Continue reading “Is Jesus a liberal Democrat? Really?”
Colbert v. Stewart, and brief thoughts on clergy authenticity
There's lots of love out there right now in the religious world – well, in the Comedy Central-watching religious left world, anyway – for Stephen Colbert. Several outlets have picked up on a Religious News Service (RNS) piece, Behind Colbert's right-wing funnyman, a quiet faith, and it is making its rounds among my friends andContinue reading “Colbert v. Stewart, and brief thoughts on clergy authenticity”
Knick-Knack Jesus OK in VA
I just read Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's opinion regarding the constitutionality of religious displays on public ground during the holidays, including displays of Jesus (pdf document of opinion; Washington Post blogpost on the matter). The sad thing is this: displays of Jesus are allowed on public ground so long as such displays are "notContinue reading “Knick-Knack Jesus OK in VA”
Trying to Make Sense of Israel and Gaza and a Lutheran Bishop
Today I had the privilege of attending a briefing at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC for leaders in the faith community regarding Israel's interception of six boats bound for Gaza with humanitarian supplies, an incident that turned deadly on one of the vessels. A high level officer at the embassy gave a statementContinue reading “Trying to Make Sense of Israel and Gaza and a Lutheran Bishop”
The Lutheran Zephyr 