Archive for May, 2007
« Previous EntriesBednets, Malaria and Poverty
Thursday, May 31st, 2007The critique of Nothing but Nets falls short of
considering the whole picture.
The critique of Nothing But Nets, the grassroots organization providing bed nets and training to African mothers to prevent malaria falls short for several reasons. First, all the materials for Nothing But Nets that I’ve had something to do with does, in [...]
Media Matters: Skewed Representation of Religion in Major News Media
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007A new study by Media Matters demonstrates that
religious conservatives get much more media exposure than mainline
moderates.
Is True Religion Possible with Religious Ignorance?
Monday, May 28th, 2007Are Americans the most religiously ignorant
people in the Western world?
Susan Jacoby’s review of Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero makes a point that’s not surprising but is certainly depressing. Only a third of people surveyed could identify who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Less than half know Genesis is the first book of [...]
The Great Depression and World War II: American Memory
Sunday, May 27th, 2007The Library of Congress exhibition of color
transparencies of the Depression and WW II era is fascinating and
beautiful.
Little Girl with Chicken
Boys in School
For reasons that are a mystery to me, I am fascinated by the history of the U.S. during the Great Depression and the era that includes WW II. Perhaps it’s because it’s a [...]
Is the Christian Right Fading?
Sunday, May 27th, 2007In the aftermath of Jerry Falwell’s passing
narrow focus groups may be fading.
With the death of Rev. Jerry Falwell, there is no single leader to claim the mantle for the evangelical right, according to an article by Alan Cooperman in the Washington Post.
The cultural movement that gave rise to high profile leaders such as Falwell is [...]
Archbishop Tutu on Anglicans Extraordinary Obsession with Gays
Saturday, May 26th, 2007Archbishop Desmond Tutu says African Anglicans
are obsessed with gay issues and are “fiddling while Rome burns.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu says African Anglicans are obsessed with gay issues and they are not confronting the pressing issues the church should be concerned about–HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwe’s plight under President Mugabe, and the crisis in Darfur. Speaking to the BBC, [...]
An Upright, Charitable and Discreet Conversation
Thursday, May 24th, 2007The United Methodist Church is engaged in a
conversation that follows the prayer of its founder, John Wesley
may all our actions be… spirited with zeal, and all our zeal… regulated with prudence, and our prudence…void of all guile, and joined with perfect integrity of heart…
–John Wesley
The United Methodist Church is engaged in a conversation that reflects [...]
Turf Wars and Winning-at-all-costs:Chrysler and Falwell
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007I hear that people are tired of the
win-at-all-cost behavior and turf wars.
Someone said to me recently, “Don’t you get tired of turf battles?” I must admit I do. Another conversation pointed out that the public discourse today has devolved to a win-at-all-cost strategy. The speaker said the idea of discourse itself is [...]
Should Religious Groups Use Earmarks for Pet Projects?
Sunday, May 13th, 2007Should religious groups lobby for federal grants
for pet projects?
Earmarks are individual federal grants that bypass the normal appropriations and competitive-bidding procedures.–The New YorkTimes
Should religious groups lobby for federal grants for pet projects using earmarks? The question is raised in a front page article in the Sunday New York Times.
The article points out that many [...]
Motorcycle Commuting
Saturday, May 12th, 2007With gas prices increasing, I’m seeing more
motorcycles commuting.
I watched a motorcyclist weave from the inside lane to the outside lane of a four-lane highway in rush hour traffic pulsating between 70 mph and near dead stop. I said a small prayer and remembered the aphorism, “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. [...]
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