Susan K. Smith

Hearings? For what reason?

Manufactured paranoia will not make us safer, Rep. King.

By Susan K. Smith | March 7, 2011; 11:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

Medical ethics vs. religious politics

My prayer is that more women use contraceptives so that they are not faced with the terrible moment of considering having an abortion.

By Susan K. Smith | March 3, 2011; 06:43 PM ET | Comments (2)

Political Islam an unfortunate hot potato

In the end, exploitation-leaning and fear-filled politicians will paint a picture that will scare the socks off way too many people, and for what? To make sure certain people hold onto power.

By Susan K. Smith | February 22, 2011; 11:45 AM ET | Comments (4)

Fear loses to faith and determination

People were born to be free and were meant to be treated as humans with dignity, not as objects to be ignored, used and scorned.

By Susan K. Smith | February 11, 2011; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (1)

My prayer for our presidents

It amazes me how Christians are suspicious of every religion that is not their own.

By Susan K. Smith | February 10, 2011; 08:52 PM ET | Comments (15)

What was gripping about the president's words was how clearly his concern for "the least of these" peppered his every sentence. He said that he prays regularly, that it keeps him humble and focused on those who struggle.

By Susan K. Smith | February 3, 2011; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (0)

Religion should be kept out of politics

It seems to be a bad idea for any religious group, Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, to inspire and control political life.

By Susan K. Smith | February 1, 2011; 04:09 PM ET | Comments (3)

Having the right vs. the right thing to do

How can a church have been so quick to have excommunicated a nun for allowing her hospital to do a procedure which destroyed a fetus yet ultimately saved a woman's life, yet have been so slow, or even interested in, getting rid of priests who molested innocent children for years?

By Susan K. Smith | January 25, 2011; 05:39 AM ET | Comments (13)

Death be not proud

This is a time for healing and a time to address the bleeding spirits of the American people, and our president knew that.

By Susan K. Smith | January 12, 2011; 09:36 PM ET | Comments (3)

Words can hurt

The words that have come to characterize the American political culture have been hateful and divisive. Congresswoman Giffords herself did an interview in which she said that some of the political vitriol needed to be toned down.

By Susan K. Smith | January 11, 2011; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (6)

Religious newsmakers disappointing

Religious leaders who made the news did not do all that much to lead or inspire people to get closer to God. At the end of the day, it felt like religious newsmakers were religious noise makers, more interested in protecting themselves than leading people to God.

By Susan K. Smith | December 30, 2010; 03:19 AM ET | Comments (35)

Christmas from the mouth of a small boy

My gift this year is remembering the cold, dreary November night and the voice of a little boy, my son, who reminded me that the birth of this child Jesus was supposed to be the light that people internalized in order to change the world.

By Susan K. Smith | December 23, 2010; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (4)

Tax cuts for wealthy unjust

Extending the tax cuts to the most wealthy may not be immoral, but it is definitely out of line with the Christian commandment to "love thy neighbor as thyself," and to be concerned with "the least of these."

By Susan K. Smith | December 15, 2010; 04:32 PM ET | Comments (10)

Marriage shift may alter the concept of marriage forever

I am not sure that marriage is becoming obsolete, but I do feel that marriage has been a football in this country

By Susan K. Smith | December 7, 2010; 03:27 PM ET | Comments (9)

Exceptional in good and bad ways

America is exceptional; its democracy has been a model for the world; its Constitution is, simply put, brilliant. America is also exceptional in that it incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world, and that its economy was and is built on the backs of poor people, specifically slaves.

By Susan K. Smith | November 29, 2010; 09:29 PM ET | Comments (2)

Cowardice and hypocrisy surround DADT

Why shouldn't men and women, who love this country so much that they are willing to fight for it, even though much of this country treats them so poorly? If there is a place where religion enters the debate, it is right here.

By Susan K. Smith | November 17, 2010; 09:06 AM ET | Comments (23)

Be you, Mr. President

You, Mr. President, tell the truth, and be free. Because at the end of the day, just like many Republicans refused to reach out to you when you reached to them, the people who are against you will be against you. There is not a lot you can do about it.

By Susan K. Smith | November 9, 2010; 09:43 AM ET | Comments (4)

Voting not religious but results shape moral values

Voting, at least from where I sit, does seem to be a moral obligation. As an African American, I am a part of a group for whom voting was denied for far too long; way too many people suffered and died so that that right would be extended to us as American citizens.

By Susan K. Smith | November 3, 2010; 02:41 PM ET | Comments (2)

Break between faith and reason not that great

There is no contradiction between faith and reason; rather, there is a fine, yet strong connection, a connection which has allowed God's work to be enhanced and improved upon.

By Susan K. Smith | October 27, 2010; 09:05 AM ET | Comments (4)

God used for political purposes

Talking about religion riles the souls of people, and politicians know it

By Susan K. Smith | October 19, 2010; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (1)

The flunking of religion

Religion, I am afraid, is a failure in being the representative of the God who made and loves us all.

By Susan K. Smith | October 12, 2010; 01:47 PM ET | Comments (2)

God, politics and Ms. O'Donnell

I am afraid that we humans create gods of our choosing, gods that validate our whims and wishes, gods that too often favor the "haves" at the expense of the "have-nots."

By Susan K. Smith | October 5, 2010; 12:51 PM ET | Comments (11)

Lack of religious knowledge prevents true diversity

Lack of knowledge who the other keeps us bound by fear and ignorance, which are the fuel for hatred.

By Susan K. Smith | September 29, 2010; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (0)

Tea Party anger not new

The values voters will not stand up for "the least of these," whom they deem to be a drain on the American economy, and the Tea Party will certainly not lift a banner to help them.

By Susan K. Smith | September 22, 2010; 03:32 PM ET | Comments (5)

Religion not hurting or helping conflict in Middle East

Religious and political leaders are too frequently controlled by ideology posing as religion.

By Susan K. Smith | September 13, 2010; 04:54 PM ET | Comments (6)

Human condition makes healing impossible

It is ugly and it is dangerous, given the capability of enemies to not only "hate" each other but annihilate each other, but it is part of the human condition.

By Susan K. Smith | September 8, 2010; 01:30 AM ET | Comments (7)

Thank God for liberation theology

As an African American woman, I rejoice that there is liberation theology. History shows us that the oppressors have done much harm to many people, making sure that they've been kept in their place so that the oppressors could not only maintain their power but gain more, at the expense of "the least of these."

By Susan K. Smith | August 30, 2010; 01:51 PM ET | Comments (7)

Silent clergy no new thing

While I still prickle a bit at the thought of a mosque going up so near Ground Zero, I wish that the rabid, anti-Muslim rhetoric and activity would stop.

By Susan K. Smith | August 25, 2010; 07:01 AM ET | Comments (4)

Muslims are protected Americans

I think President Obama showed courage in stating the premises of the Constitution he swore to uphold.

By Susan K. Smith | August 17, 2010; 03:53 PM ET | Comments (2)

Journey to put God front and center

The aim of my spiritual journey is to get God front and center, and then to live my life with God in that position, not on the periphery and not hidden somewhere.

By Susan K. Smith | August 10, 2010; 01:37 PM ET | Comments (6)

Reject religion, get closer to Christ

I have not left Christianity but I am grossly disappointed in this religion which is supposed to exemplify love. One can probably get closer to God, actually, if one rejects the kind of religion we pass off as Christianity. Yes ...I am saying that one can be spiritual and not be religious.

By Susan K. Smith | August 2, 2010; 06:30 PM ET | Comments (18)

Mosque at Ground Zero a troubling thought

To see a mosque at that particular site feels like an "in your face" gesture. I am surprised at my own reaction. Christianity forces us to look at ourselves and see why we need grace. I need grace, big time, on this one.

By Susan K. Smith | July 21, 2010; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (10)

God deserves better than terror

The power of relaxing the blanket description of "terrorist" and not using it to apply to all Muslims is that it recognizes that there are good and bad apples in all sectors of society and in all religions.

By Susan K. Smith | July 13, 2010; 06:47 PM ET | Comments (6)

God did not make denominations; people did

God did not make denominations, nor did Jesus or Allah nor Moses or Abraham. People did.

By Susan K. Smith | July 8, 2010; 02:37 PM ET | Comments (1)

Get out of Afghanistan

Is it for the freedom of Afghan people? What kind of freedom would that be? As far I can understand, the Afghan people do not want an Americanized nation. They want to be who they are. They want their culture, their way of life, their way of doing things

By Susan K. Smith | July 1, 2010; 01:51 AM ET | Comments (1)

The Lord God made us all

Animals feel. They have the right to be treated with respect; they respect humans who respect them. The souls of animals seem to have the capacity to get to places in human souls that not even other humans can reach.

By Susan K. Smith | June 16, 2010; 04:19 PM ET | Comments (5)

Church

Religion tends to keep people captive. True church sets people free to serve.

By Susan K. Smith | May 28, 2010; 10:01 AM ET | Comments (0)

Abortion absolutes don't work

How is it that a fetus is more important than the woman who is giving it birth, who might be a mother of other children, or who does not want to die for the sake of honoring church doctrine?

By Susan K. Smith | May 20, 2010; 02:33 AM ET | Comments (5)

Protestants, not to worry

Protestants made decisions for us all; the Jewish and Roman Catholic justices will do the same and the country will be all right, or maybe even better and stronger.

By Susan K. Smith | May 10, 2010; 05:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

Dorothy Height, history and our story

Dr. Height exemplified that spirit of crazy faith, faith that said she would do God's work because she had to.

By Susan K. Smith | April 29, 2010; 11:21 AM ET | Comments (3)

Graham out of line with theology of Jesus

Q: Did the Pentagon do the right thing by disinviting evangelist Franklin Graham from a National Day of Prayer event next week? Should government officials decide who can or cannot speak at such an event? Should the government proclaim a...

By Susan K. Smith | April 27, 2010; 04:32 PM ET | Comments (3)

Sex not a bad thing

I wish religions would stop treating sex as bad. I wish religion would teach that sex is from God, and that to have desire for sex is not bad, but that we have to use that desire in a way that pleases God.

By Susan K. Smith | April 22, 2010; 09:07 AM ET | Comments (3)

Social justice mandated by God

Beck has an ideology which he is superimposing on the theology found in the scriptures. But we all shape God to fit our own ideas.

By Susan K. Smith | April 14, 2010; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (4)

Press not being unfair to pope

The press is not being unfair to the pope, nor to the Catholic Church. The pope and all the clergy who have done in secret that which is now being brought to light are being unfair to the Catholic Church they say they love and the people they have maligned.

By Susan K. Smith | April 6, 2010; 08:26 PM ET | Comments (4)

Pope should be held accountable

Pope Benedict XVI may not need to resign in light of the current scandal swirling around the Roman Catholic church, but he sure needs to show leadership. The entire situation is painful to learn about, but what is most troubling...

By Susan K. Smith | March 31, 2010; 08:52 AM ET | Comments (1)

When ideology trumps theology

Threats and acts of violence in response to health-care reform show how little we really care about our faith.

By Susan K. Smith | March 25, 2010; 09:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

God, politics and health care reform

In spite of this being a "God-fearing" nation, concerned and sometimes consumed by "moral" behavior in an immoral society, too many have failed to identify that putting profit ahead of people might be good capitalism, but it's not good religion.

By Susan K. Smith | March 23, 2010; 10:08 PM ET | Comments (0)

Heaven, defined

Heaven is God in us, God over us and around us. God in us brings peace "in spite of," hope in spite of horribly hard times. God in us is heaven, giving us the peace that passes understanding. Heaven is the gift of God's presence in us.

By Susan K. Smith | March 22, 2010; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

God, yes; organized religion, no

Of course there are pastors who lose faith in the church. Organized religion has pushed my idea and ideal of God to the side and replaced it with human desires and interests. Organized religion has denigrated my idea and ideal of God.

By Susan K. Smith | March 18, 2010; 09:43 AM ET | Comments (5)

Give the public money back

The decision by Catholic Charities to close its adoption and foster care services so that they do not have to service gay couples is their right as a religious organization, guided by their beliefs. But they cannot be "private" and "public" at the same time.

By Susan K. Smith | March 8, 2010; 09:00 PM ET | Comments (3)

Too many 'i's' in proselytizing

God is Love; that is what we are all taught. Proselytizing does not transmit a feeling of love; it creates an atmosphere of tension based on religious competition.

By Susan K. Smith | March 2, 2010; 08:47 PM ET | Comments (3)

God looking down on health-care summit

How can we as a God-fearing nation be all right with so many people not having health care insurance? Or not being able to afford adequate health care?

By Susan K. Smith | February 25, 2010; 08:55 AM ET | Comments (6)

Please, no religion in foreign policy formation

I can think of nothing more potentially damaging than allowing religion to be a part of shaping foreign policy. We are already strained and divided by political ideology, so much so that precious little work on behalf of the people is getting done.

By Susan K. Smith | February 24, 2010; 04:36 PM ET | Comments (1)

Repeal don't ask, don't tell

Gay people have been in the military a long time, fighting for this country that they loved. Gay people have struggled to prove their worth to humans who will not receive their worth, dying in the line of duty, suffering if they didn't die, once they've returned home.

By Susan K. Smith | February 9, 2010; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (5)

Let all who have the money advertise

There are slew of social problems which, if presented as engagingly as different beers, might make America a different place. Thing is, organizations which deal with people problems historically do not have enough money to do that.

By Susan K. Smith | February 2, 2010; 01:15 PM ET | Comments (2)

Wrestling with disaster, suicide and God

More than two weeks have passed since the horrible earthquake struck and demolished impoverished Haiti. But my mind has been on another tragedy closer to home: A vibrant, intelligent, beautiful 24-year-old graduate student who was a member of my congregation committed suicide.

By Susan K. Smith | January 29, 2010; 12:08 PM ET | Comments (6)

King's dream began with a woman preacher

Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' legacy can be traced to Prathia Hall, who inspired King's later rhetoric.

By Susan K. Smith | January 18, 2010; 07:38 AM ET | Comments (3)

Robertson's ignorance of Haiti, and ours

The hemisphere's first black republic chose freedom over bondage. Now it's the world's turn to choose Haiti.

By Susan K. Smith | January 14, 2010; 04:29 PM ET | Comments (6)

Hume out of line

Maybe one day I will understand why evangelicals insist upon whining so much. The world is not against evangelicals. People just do not like to be judged, as so many evangelicals do, as being "less than" those who believe a certain way.

By Susan K. Smith | January 12, 2010; 04:44 PM ET | Comments (4)

Blasphemy a crime against God, not government

Blasphemy is an offense against God, not against a person or a government.

By Susan K. Smith | January 5, 2010; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (10)

The church was too silent in 2009

If The Church would speak up against the way humans mistreat each other, this world might be a better place.

By Susan K. Smith | December 31, 2009; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (2)

No just war

This war, this debacle in Afghanistan is not about God. It's about oil and money and power. There is no justice in perpetuating the spirit of war. Period.

By Susan K. Smith | December 21, 2009; 04:04 PM ET | Comments (2)

The questionable legacy of a prosperity preacher

I never listened to Oral Roberts intentionally; I heard snippets of his sermons from time to time, but I was always bothered by what I thought was manipulative Christianity, which involves this using God, or manipulating the Word of God, for selfish gain.

By Susan K. Smith | December 15, 2009; 06:04 PM ET | Comments (10)

Man who put God on TV

I appreciated Roberts bold stand for God. His was not a milquetoast faith. It was strong and exciting and contagious and appealing. It made people want to know this God, to get close to this God, and to serve this God.

By Susan K. Smith | December 15, 2009; 04:45 PM ET | Comments (1)

Health care and God

Here's where I get confused about the place and role of God when it comes to making public policy. Understand, I am not talking about the role of religion in making policy. So far in my reading, I have not...

By Susan K. Smith | December 10, 2009; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (2)

E pluribus unum

In the White House, there ought to be plenty there to remind the world that this is in fact a pluralistic society. "E pluribus unum" it says somewhere, stating in essence that our differences make us a strong "one," but I think the strength of that "one" comes only if we respect the differences which make us many.

By Susan K. Smith | December 8, 2009; 11:01 AM ET | Comments (3)

God of us all?

The vote by the Swiss will only exacerbate tensions between Christians and Muslims. It will feed the paranoia of Muslims which grows from being marginalized and it will further demonize a religion which is a good religion, a sound religion and a strong religion.

By Susan K. Smith | December 1, 2009; 11:17 AM ET | Comments (2)

Humanists, leave us alone

Just like atheists don't want God pushed down their throats, neither do those of us who believe in God want atheism pushed down ours.

By Susan K. Smith | November 23, 2009; 04:25 PM ET | Comments (10)

Church out of line

This stance by the bishops feels like blackmail, a strategy that is devoid of compassion for women and for the poor.

By Susan K. Smith | November 17, 2009; 08:21 PM ET | Comments (0)

A soldier's religion ought not matter

That being said, I don't think religion ought to be a factor in whether or not one is in the military. On the battlefield, I doubt it makes anyone much difference if his or her battle buddy is a pro-life Catholic or a Bible-thumping Evangelical. I think, on the battlefield, differences dissipate because everyone is working for a common good, and nobody wants anybody to be felled by the enemy.

By Susan K. Smith | November 11, 2009; 11:18 AM ET | Comments (4)

Shootings will promote more bigotry

I hear people say all the time that Islam is a religion of violence. Really? Is their history of violence any more so than the history of violence in Christianity?

By Susan K. Smith | November 6, 2009; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (150)

Avoiding end-of-life chaos

Death will come. We ought to be ready for it, in as many ways as we can.

By Susan K. Smith | November 3, 2009; 01:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

God's goodness, and absence

But faith cannot compel good behavior. In fact, believers have made a science out of sidestepping the supposed "will of God" to do what they want, and then have said that their behavior was justified and condoned by God.

By Susan K. Smith | October 29, 2009; 04:31 PM ET | Comments (5)

A crime should be a crime, but...

Making these types of crimes part of the hate-crime law at least signals to the LGBT community that there is some sensitivity to the danger they are in, as well as the overall discrimination they face.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2009; 11:48 AM ET | Comments (0)

Vatican's move a dishonest distraction

Too often, organized religion sets itself up as a sort of god on earth, pushing people away from the real God as it jams oppressive doctrine and rules down the throats and into the spirits of people seeking to know who God is.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2009; 11:24 AM ET | Comments (11)

Getting Vaccine a Moral Responsibility

When does the well-being of the society take precedence over individual rights? Why is it more important for one to declare his or her "rights" than for that individual to want to help halt the spread of a disease which is, apparently, threatening to become a pandemic?

By Susan K. Smith | October 14, 2009; 04:55 AM ET | Comments (14)

Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

I was surprised by the news that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, because I didn't know he was in contention. But I am not surprised that world has taken notice of his efforts to breach the...

By Susan K. Smith | October 9, 2009; 08:09 AM ET | Comments (3)

No Moral Obligation in Afghanistan

I wish we could leave Afghanistan. I wish we could find a way to deal with the Taliban and al-Qaeda without this war. Militarily, though, I think we have no choice. Morally, we have no voice.

By Susan K. Smith | October 7, 2009; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (3)

God's Will and Nuclear Arms

This issue of nuclear weapons, though, is about so much more than power. It is, in fact, a pro-life and a religious issue. The detonation of a single nuclear weapon would devastate an entire populace. Surely, people who believe in God believe in the sanctity of life.

By Susan K. Smith | September 29, 2009; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (4)

No Exemptions, Please

Religious dogma, if it is worth its salt, can withstand people of differing views.

By Susan K. Smith | September 23, 2009; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (2)

Racism and the Religious Right

The underlying element in all that we are seeing and hearing is racism. People saying that they "want their country back," the accusations of President Obama trying to make the United States a socialist country, and the comparisons of the president to Hitler and other hated figures is racism at its finest.

By Susan K. Smith | September 9, 2009; 04:28 PM ET | Comments (1)

Whose "Faith" is Right?

The problem is that every single religion thinks it is "the" right religion. Every single religion claims that it has the monopoly on truth, and all religions interpret holy texts as they choose.

By Susan K. Smith | September 2, 2009; 01:03 PM ET | Comments (15)

Compassion, Politics and Senator Kennedy

With the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, I am reminded that a precious few can carry both: a passion for politics shaped by a belief in justice and guided by deep compassion.

By Susan K. Smith | August 26, 2009; 04:26 AM ET | Comments (7)

The Real Motivation: Mercy or Money?

Even when mercy should be shown, it is not the usual way of governmental action. So, when Scotland's MacAskill kept talking about mercy, I kept wondering what was really up.

By Susan K. Smith | August 24, 2009; 04:37 PM ET | Comments (5)

God Expects Us to Take Care of Each Other

Study of the scriptures shows God always admonishing the "haves" to take care of the "have-nots."

By Susan K. Smith | August 19, 2009; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (5)

It's Not God's Problem

Is God so narrow-minded, and God's scope so limited, that God would only want to use straight, white men to do his or her work?

By Susan K. Smith | August 5, 2009; 04:05 PM ET | Comments (16)

Marriage a Civil Right, not Sacred Rite

When people get serious about God and an honest relationship with this God we talk about, we might be able to have an honest discussion about marriage being a truly sacred experience.

By Susan K. Smith | July 30, 2009; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (17)

Compassion, Christians and Health Care

Isn't health care a pro-life issue?

By Susan K. Smith | July 21, 2009; 05:22 PM ET | Comments (1)

Biblically Sanctioned Oppression Not God's Will

The misguided and self-serving theology of men has caused women to suffer immensely as they have wanted to do the "will of God," which was really the will of men.

By Susan K. Smith | July 21, 2009; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (3)

Liberty and Justice FOR ALL

There is nothing wrong with allowing Muslims to observe a couple of their holidays. They are American citizens; they are here because of the promised rights and freedoms.

By Susan K. Smith | July 8, 2009; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (3)

A Jackson Eulogy that Mattered

Up until Rev. Sharpton's words, there was nothing really said that directly addressed the Jackson family, including and especially his children.

By Susan K. Smith | July 8, 2009; 10:18 AM ET | Comments (6)

A Convenient Love

I would suspect that Gov. Sanford and all of us who have "fallen" will be forever grateful that the theology of forgiveness provides some balm, some comfort, when we feel the most alone.

By Susan K. Smith | July 1, 2009; 03:04 PM ET | Comments (2)

Madoff's Greed, and Ours

As Madoff and Michael showed us, we seem to want more of everything, except God.

By Susan K. Smith | June 29, 2009; 02:44 PM ET | Comments (1)

Sarkozy Out of Line

Sarkozy is out of line. He has imposed the will of government on a religion.

By Susan K. Smith | June 24, 2009; 03:15 PM ET | Comments (6)

Theocracy or Democracy? Iranians Should Decide

President Obama is doing what he must do - and that is, voice his concern about what is going on but be steadfast about not meddling in the affairs of Iran.

By Susan K. Smith | June 18, 2009; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (4)

The Stupidity of Hatred

This shooting seems to have been done by an OLD man filled with hatred. I would imagine he felt like he had nothing to lose.

By Susan K. Smith | June 10, 2009; 03:58 PM ET | Comments (9)

Equal Rights for All

Gay people who have been together, who have been committed and monogamous and steady and faithful to each other, ought to be have legal rights.

By Susan K. Smith | June 10, 2009; 03:16 PM ET | Comments (6)

Obama's Peacemaking

Obama's speech at Cairo University was nothing short of courageous, ambitious and honest. Surely, someone in the Muslim world was touched as never before.

By Susan K. Smith | June 4, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (5)

Abortion, Christianity and Life

Anti-abortion activists who condone murder are the biggest group of hypocrites I have seen in a long time.

By Susan K. Smith | June 2, 2009; 07:11 AM ET | Comments (9)

Save the Child First

I am glad Daniel Hauser is back home and will get the chemotherapy he needs to stay alive. And I am sure God is OK with it. I would rather risk going against the tenets of my faith and going to hell than let my child die.

By Susan K. Smith | May 27, 2009; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (5)

The President, a University, and Lessons Lost

I'm glad Notre Dame didn't rescind its invitation to the President, and I'm glad that the university gave the President an honorary degree. I think it showed that the University of Notre Dame lived up to what a university is supposed to be: support different points of view in order to inspire dialogue and therefore inspire growth.

By Susan K. Smith | May 19, 2009; 03:11 PM ET | Comments (8)

What Does God Require?

Clergy celibacy should be a choice, not a requirement.

By Susan K. Smith | May 13, 2009; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (5)

Do We Pray as a Nation?

A national day of prayer ideally would help us be a nation of which God would be proud and pleased.

By Susan K. Smith | May 6, 2009; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (2)

The Grumpy Dog's Lesson About Mother's Day

Nobody likes a grumpy dog. And nobody likes a Christian who is a Christian in name only. I thought about that this week when I was going to the curb to retrieve my garbage can. There is a little dog...

By Susan K. Smith | May 5, 2009; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (1)

Torture is Wrong. Period.

How can a person be against abortion and for torture?

By Susan K. Smith | April 29, 2009; 09:07 AM ET | Comments (7)

Religion Stay Home!

Religion has proven to be the breeding ground for people who want to control other people, in the name of God. When religion steps into the role of government, a.k.a. control, it loses its claim of goodness and morality.

By Susan K. Smith | April 21, 2009; 04:14 PM ET | Comments (10)

The President and the Christian Ethic

My interpretation of Jesus' commands to forgive people, no matter what, must be so strong because of Mary Lee, my mother. She was a strong woman, a woman who believed in God. I say it that way because she never...

By Susan K. Smith | April 21, 2009; 02:26 PM ET | Comments (2)

But He's Gay!

Sooner or later we are going to have to stop saying we are Christians ...and be Christians. If I understand what Jesus taught, there is no person who is unworthy of God's love. No matter who one might be...

By Susan K. Smith | April 15, 2009; 04:42 PM ET | Comments (1)

One World, Under God

This war has never been about religion. It so happens that Iraq is a predominantly Muslim nation, and America is predominantly Christian, but the war has been about oil and power, not religion

By Susan K. Smith | April 14, 2009; 08:06 PM ET | Comments (11)

The Power of Apology

Benedict's courage to apologize on behalf of the church, in spite of the criticism he knew he would get, shows he understands that false pride really does come before the fall.

By Susan K. Smith | April 7, 2009; 02:27 PM ET | Comments (0)

Religion, Cults and Reason

God would never sanction letting a baby starve to death - not for any reason!

By Susan K. Smith | March 31, 2009; 02:47 PM ET | Comments (6)

Like God, Satan is Everywhere

If we look at the current financial crisis, we can see that the spirit of greed, fed to us by Satan, lured us to overspend. It lured banks, insurance companies, churches and individuals to spend money it did not have.

By Susan K. Smith | March 25, 2009; 10:01 AM ET | Comments (10)

Religion Often Too Exclusive

Religion does a good job of turning people off and away from God.

By Susan K. Smith | March 18, 2009; 01:21 PM ET | Comments (6)

Life Abundant

I am glad President Obama, as a person of faith, lifted the ban on stem cell research. I believe that God wants people to have the best quality of life they possibly can.

By Susan K. Smith | March 10, 2009; 12:12 AM ET | Comments (7)

My Brother's Keeper? What About Us?

There is a crisis in this land, and it's not all about Wall Street. Main Street is on life support.

By Susan K. Smith | March 3, 2009; 12:00 AM ET | Comments (8)

Government Funding Of, By and For ALL

If the government issues money to any faith-based institution, the government should have the right to demand that there be no discrimination in hiring, and if an institution or organization has a problem with that, that same institution should not seek government funding.

By Susan K. Smith | February 13, 2009; 12:55 AM ET | Comments (3)

Inauguration Prayerful, Not Religious

I did not hear religious rhetoric, but I saw and felt what I think true religion produces: community, cooperation and commitment.

By Susan K. Smith | January 21, 2009; 06:25 AM ET | Comments (4)

A Hopeful Soul

On Inauguration Day, I could hear that message of hope and determination again. If we can make these kinds of strides against racism, there is nothing that we cannot do.

By Susan K. Smith | January 20, 2009; 05:28 PM ET | Comments (0)

Warren Reaches Out in Bad Form

Pastor Warren reaches out to African American community with a form letter.

By Susan K. Smith | January 19, 2009; 09:27 PM ET | Comments (3)

God Help Us If Obama Doesn't Invoke God's Name

Some have argued that to say "so help me God" in the inauguration would be equal to disrespecting those in this country who do not believe in God. Well, by the same argument, to not say that phrase would disrespect those who do believe in God.

By Susan K. Smith | January 16, 2009; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (28)

What About God?

I see God as loving and inclusive. I see God as valuing all people. I see God weeping as he looks at children who claim God as the head of their lives plowing into Gaza with little regard for the innocent people who are being killed.

By Susan K. Smith | January 9, 2009; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (14)

Religious People Ought to Know Better

I was watching a news report the other day about some protesting going on in the United States over the situation in Gaza. I was not surprised; there is much anger about the civilians being massacred and that anger is...

By Susan K. Smith | January 9, 2009; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama, Warren and America

Obama is the President-elect, and since he desires to distance himself from incendiary types, I think he should "uninvite" Pastor Warren to do the invocation. Too many people know that, at the hands of Warren, they would be excluded from the presence of God.

By Susan K. Smith | December 30, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (34)

Yes, If You Believe in a Loving, Inclusive God

The drama and pathos that has erupted over gay marriage is not because the Bible endorses heterosexual relationships as the norm. It has erupted because there has been a veil of "nastiness" attendant to sexuality, whether straight or gay.

By Susan K. Smith | December 9, 2008; 01:56 PM ET | Comments (38)

Even (and Especially) the President Needs God

Mr. Obama will need a palpable God. He will need music that transcends the noise of a bothered and confused world. He will need the silence of a sacred space in order to connect with the God who will get him through his presidency, unrealistic expectations notwithstanding.

By Susan K. Smith | December 1, 2008; 08:12 AM ET | Comments (8)

Render Unto Caesar

When politicians start making moral or religious proclamations, the roles are muddied.

By Susan K. Smith | November 23, 2008; 01:35 PM ET | Comments (24)

No Need to Repent for Choice

If a person is pro-life, ought not that person, or that institution (i.e., "the church) be in support of life on all levels? Isn't is murder as well when we ignore children once they are born, support policies that deny them health care, food and clothing, and shut our eyes to the conditions that lead too many children from the cradle to the prisons?

By Susan K. Smith | November 17, 2008; 05:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

My Faith in America's Promise

Even as I write this, I am weeping, because this was a victory of Biblical proportions. Barack Obama was and is tired of divisiveness; God was and is tired of divisiveness. God brought this nation to this day, "for such a time as this." This is a new America which honors the God who created us all, the God who loves all of us, no matter who we are.

By Susan K. Smith | November 11, 2008; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (33)

Choice, Life and Compassion

There is not much compassion, in my opinion, in any religion that I have studied. There is the potential for compassion, but the actual practice is almost absent, at least on a large scale.

By Susan K. Smith | November 11, 2008; 08:59 AM ET | Comments (6)

Yes, If a Candidate Cares Less For "The Least"

If I KNEW for certain that either or both candidates didn't care about "the least of these," that would be the reason I would not be able to vote for him. That would be against my religion.

By Susan K. Smith | November 2, 2008; 06:57 AM ET | Comments (30)

Religion has Duped Women

Religion has kept us bound, frightened, uptight, abused and unhappy. Religion for the most part has not empowered us at all, but instead kept us under a yoke that only gets heavier and heavier.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2008; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (21)

Racism and Rage: A Bad Mix

Nobody wants to say that THE ISSUE underneath the rage is racism. What happens is Obama wins? What happens if he doesn't?

By Susan K. Smith | October 16, 2008; 12:33 AM ET | Comments (14)

Victory at Any Cost? God Help Us

McCain, Obama, Biden and Palin -- wake up! The people of America are in deep distress; they are crying out in desperation. Quite frankly, we don't have time for such insensitive foolishness. If you cannot win on the issues, the economy being THE BIGGEST issue, then you simply do not deserve to win.

By Susan K. Smith | October 8, 2008; 01:24 PM ET | Comments (10)

Do They Love God Enough to Love All Others?

So, I really don't care about Palin's and Biden's religious beliefs. I do care, though, about what they think about what is the best way to help "the least of these" in this country and in this world.

By Susan K. Smith | October 5, 2008; 05:09 AM ET | Comments (9)

The Government Should Leave Women Alone

If Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin had a plan to help the babies once they were born, a plan that virtually eliminated the suffering too many babies go through once they are here, then I might not be as adamant as I am about Roe V. Wade not being overturned

By Susan K. Smith | September 29, 2008; 04:47 AM ET | Comments (58)

What's Wrong with Black Liberation Theology?

Black Liberation theology has succeeded in freeing us from the grip of the negative opinions of those who do not know us.

By Susan K. Smith | September 25, 2008; 03:52 AM ET | Comments (11)

Loving God or Money

Usury, which is the overcharging of people, is Biblically condemned! "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy," it says in the Book of Exodus, " charge him no interest."

By Susan K. Smith | September 17, 2008; 12:44 AM ET | Comments (25)

Women, Can We Hold Up a Minute?

Just because someone looks like us does not mean that she is good for us.

By Susan K. Smith | September 10, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (3)

Palin's God

People who think they are being directed by God to do something are scary; their commitment and conviction is admirable, but what they do, or what they endorse, in the name of God is ... scary.

By Susan K. Smith | September 9, 2008; 06:46 AM ET | Comments (43)

When We Act Too "Holy"

People ought to quit acting like being a Christian makes them exempt from human foibles. People, pastors and preachers ought to stop lifting up the fragility of humanity as examples of the depravity of some people - not them - and concentrate on preaching and teaching the love Jesus taught that we ought to have for all people.

By Susan K. Smith | September 3, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (1)

Bible Says What We Tend to Believe

Unfortunately, the church, for the most part, has a way to go in catching up to the state when it comes to treating and trusting women as capable leaders.

By Susan K. Smith | September 3, 2008; 11:13 AM ET | Comments (5)

Righteous History

Susan K. Smith | At the moment Barack Obama was officially nominated, black people remembered, rejoiced and wept.

By Susan K. Smith | August 28, 2008; 09:09 AM ET | Comments (68)

God In, Religion Out

Obama and McCain ought to follow suit and leave religion out of this campaign, but for goodness' sake, and for the sake of this nation and world, lean on,learn of, and use ... God.

By Susan K. Smith | August 27, 2008; 08:38 AM ET | Comments (15)

Hush! Don't Say a Word!

Why did Michelle Obama have to be so careful not to talk about race?

By Susan K. Smith | August 26, 2008; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (1)

Forgiveness, Women and Infidelity

What I'm concerned about is Elizabeth Edwards, and in fact all women who deal with unfaithful husbands.

By Susan K. Smith | August 25, 2008; 08:31 AM ET | Comments (16)

Faith or Belief in What?

McCain lifted up General Petraeus as one person he would listen to intently were he president, while Obama lifted up his wife and grandmother. That's nice and all, but good Americans are not interested in what your wife and grandmother would say. This thing is about America, not your family

By Susan K. Smith | August 19, 2008; 09:19 AM ET | Comments (20)

What is Life?

When it is all said and done, does it matter what a United States president believes when it comes to abortion, stem cell research and same sex marriage?

By Susan K. Smith | August 18, 2008; 06:32 PM ET | Comments (1)

Pulpit Politics

Are you pimping the American religious community? Is your quest for the presidency so intense that you will do anything, even muddy the so-called separation between church and state?

By Susan K. Smith | August 15, 2008; 08:37 AM ET | Comments (76)

Isaac Hayes an Example of Christianity's Lack?

Christians criticize the Muslims, but Muslims have been able to empower scores of young African American men. Why doesn't Christianity have that same record?

By Susan K. Smith | August 12, 2008; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (2)

God's Usefulness Recognized in Bad Times

When things are going well, people are less likely to be found on their knees or at church.

By Susan K. Smith | August 7, 2008; 07:08 AM ET | Comments (16)

Racial Reconciliation Begins with an Apology

Slavery was wrong. Racial discrimination in education, housing, and economics was wrong. The compliance of the United States government in discriminatory practices was wrong, and an apology is long overdue.

By Susan K. Smith | August 1, 2008; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (92)

Is God Crying?

Apparently, God wanted the variety of people, of religions and traditions. Apparently God is all right with that. The diversity makes the world richer and more interesting.

By Susan K. Smith | August 1, 2008; 08:50 AM ET | Comments (20)

God Cannot Be Forced

Nobody - not even a commanding officer - can make someone believe in something he or she does not believe in. One's spirituality is a personal matter, too personal, oftentimes, to even talk about.

By Susan K. Smith | July 23, 2008; 07:43 AM ET | Comments (25)

Spirituality is All in How You Think

I do not believe anymore that human life, as we see it, is all there is. I respect the power of the spirit world and I respect the cyclical nature of life. Bodies die but spirits linger.

By Susan K. Smith | July 15, 2008; 04:42 PM ET | Comments (32)

The Problem with Rituals

I don't think God gave a hoot that Sally Quinn, a non-Catholic, took communion at Tim Russert's funeral. God didn't make denominations. People did, and continue to do, if the truth be told. And the truth derived by humans is too often not inclusive and welcoming, but exclusive and divisive.

By Susan K. Smith | July 10, 2008; 07:54 AM ET | Comments (32)

Posts By Category

Posts By Date

Archive: Susan K. Smith