Category Archives: Politics

Shut up about Washington, will ya?

I've lived in the DC-area for nearly three years, and "inside the beltway" for 18 months.  If I were to believe everything that politicians would tell me – particularly the anti-incumbent challengers making life difficult for so many established elected leaders, both Republican and Democrat – I should be pretty sleazy by about now.  YouContinue reading “Shut up about Washington, will ya?”

National Day of Prayer declared unconstitutional

Yesterday the United States District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin declared that the National Day of Prayer is an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion.  Though I'm generally a big fan of keeping church and state separate, I'll reserve comment on the particulars of this case until I read the ruling (found here, asContinue reading “National Day of Prayer declared unconstitutional”

Church and State and Care for the Poor

Last week Catholic Charities in Washington DC announced that if the DC City Council passes its gay marriage bill – enacting, among other things, a requirement that all contractors doing business with the District government provide health benefits to same gender couples – it would have to withdraw from its contracts with the city, forContinue reading “Church and State and Care for the Poor”

“Judeo-Christian”?

I'm exploring the term "Judeo-Christian."  Any suggested reading for background and history of this term? In recent years I have found this term to be problematic.  What exactly is "Judeo-Christian?"  Who uses the term?  What does use of this term mean in the American context for a diverse nation based on laws and freedoms, notContinue reading ““Judeo-Christian”?”

Political, but not Partisan

When I returned to blogging a few months after my ordination I vowed to stay away from politics, rather wanting to focus this blog on church, theology, and other matters.  Yet in the past few days I have found myself consumed with the situation surrounding Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, both onContinue reading “Political, but not Partisan”