Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Archive: February 15, 2009 - February 21, 2009
Sacred Texts
Those who want to control the Bible's message express primarily their own fear and insecurity.
By John Shelby Spong | February 21, 2009; 3:54 PM ET | Comments (0)
U.S. Reaching Out to the Muslim World
In his inaugural address, Obama promised the Muslim world that America would extend a hand; I hope what we have seen so far is just the beginning.
By Eboo Patel | February 20, 2009; 9:53 AM ET | Comments (27)
Scriptures: As Much a Part of Life as Breakfast
To rely on a third party to explain the power of the scriptures would be like learning to cook by watching a TV show and never turning on the stove: technically possible, but an unsatisfying experience.
By Michael Otterson | February 20, 2009; 7:58 AM ET | Comments (141)
Don't Go It Alone
When approaching a sacred text, there is a space between authoritative interpreters and our own isolated selves.
By Mathew N. Schmalz | February 20, 2009; 1:31 AM ET | Comments (9)
Sacred Reading and Sacred Sex
Of course, there is no such thing as truly reading alone. We are always accompanied by the readings, interpretations, cultural contexts and presumptions which shape that which we read.
By Brad Hirschfield | February 20, 2009; 12:37 AM ET | Comments (8)
Honesty, Not a Gay Pastor's Prayer, Tested in OK
It's not prayer, public or otherwise, that divides us. At least it doesn't have to. It's our inability to be honest with each other about what we really believe and how to make room for the beliefs of others.
By Brad Hirschfield | February 18, 2009; 5:39 PM ET | Comments (17)
Scripture for All to Read
It is unwise to ignore history, tradition and the teaching of the Church.
By Charles "Chuck" Colson | February 18, 2009; 2:40 PM ET | Comments (1)
Then They Came for the Bahá'ís
An attack on the Bahá'ís is an attack on all of us who champion the cause of religious pluralism and freedom.
By Eboo Patel | February 18, 2009; 1:17 PM ET | Comments (4)
Read Them on Our Own and in Community
It is imperative that we both read the Scriptures on our own and read them in community and with clergy.
By Jim Wallis | February 18, 2009; 8:37 AM ET | Comments (66)
Puzzles and Wonders
Yes, it is best to study with another person, for other minds serve as both goads and correctives. After all, the very first comment on human nature in the Bible is that it is not good to be alone (Gen. 2:18). However, it is far better to read or study alone than not to study at all.
By David Wolpe | February 18, 2009; 8:03 AM ET | Comments (25)
Be Suspicious of Religious Authorities Telling You What the Bible Says
Religious authorities are often NOT helpful in reading the Bible, especially for those whom the church hierarchy considers suspect: women, gay people, African Americans have all been in this category for far too long.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | February 18, 2009; 7:58 AM ET | Comments (65)
What Good Are Sacred Texts? Why Bother With Them?
Literacy is required for the laity to "read sacred texts alone."
By Willis E. Elliott | February 18, 2009; 1:33 AM ET | Comments (13)
A Murder in Buffalo Touches Us All
The Co-Founder and Program Director of Bridges TV, the largest provider of Muslim Programming on North American cable television, was murdered, allegedly by her husband Mo Hassan, who founded the station with Aasiya and served as its CEO.
By Brad Hirschfield | February 17, 2009; 6:26 PM ET | Comments (1)
Faith-Based Hiring, No Faith-Based Serving
The only justification for government grants to faith-based programs is public proof that the programs benefit the general public with secular values.
By Willis E. Elliott | February 17, 2009; 9:07 AM ET | Comments (11)
Don't Use My Tax Dollars to Discriminate
If your faith-based organization wants to discriminate because of its beliefs, there is a simple remedy. Don't take the federal grant money.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | February 17, 2009; 7:19 AM ET | Comments (8)
Yes. No. Probably.
The Obama administration should probably let faith-based programs that receive government grants discriminate against those they hire or serve: apparent discrimination might be understandable discernment that could eventually lead to dialogue.
By Mathew N. Schmalz | February 17, 2009; 5:36 AM ET | Comments (5)
Why Work For Something You Don't Believe In?
When religious organizations open their doors and staffs to people of other beliefs, there is an opportunity for growth and greater understanding of how our society can move forward in a more unified matter.
By Matt Maher | February 17, 2009; 12:19 AM ET | Comments (3)
Defeating Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda rises and falls not so much on the actions of its hard-core adherents, but on whether it can bring other Muslims into its fold.
By Eboo Patel | February 16, 2009; 9:15 AM ET | Comments (50)
