Conservative Christian contortionism

Donald Trump is on a campaign to win over conservative Christians. This would be laughable except that Christian conservatives appear to be buying it. Even James Dobson testified that Trump, who recently stated he had nothing to confess to God because he didn’t do many bad things, is now a “baby Christian.” This particular sideshow […]

A little understanding, please

Printed in the Abilene Reporter News, Sunday, May 22, 2016 You very likely have shared a public bathroom with a person who identifies as transgender. It probably went like this. You did your business. The other person did theirs. You left. They left. We already share public facilities and nothing happens. I admit that I know […]

Being simplistic: a political and spiritual problem

This post was printed as an opinion column in the Abilene Reporter News, April 17, 2016 Now that the presidential candidates are no longer campaigning in the South and Southwest, they are touting their Christian credentials far less. Though there are many Christians in other parts of the country, the label is less salient as a […]

We’re taking back which country?

“We’re going to take our country back!” That has been a rallying cry for Republicans for the past several years. It underlies the Presidential race and was a prevalent theme of the Taylor County Republican forum a few weeks ago as candidates for county, state, and national offices introduced themselves to the eager crowd. At […]

It always gets cruel when you confuse innate with willful behavior

(This article was printed in the Abilene Reporter News, November 30, 2014.  It is a shortened revision of a speech I presented, also included in this website). When I was first learning to write, I obediently positioned my paper on my desk according to the teacher’s instructions. But when I wrote, unlike my classmates, I […]

Pray for Rain

“Pray for Rain.” The sign in the front yard expressed the wishes of lots of folks in this part of the country. We need rain. Living without cell phones, gasoline, or electricity would be tough, but these are optional. Water is not. In that same yard, however, the sprinkler system was pumping about 60 gallons […]

Differences now cause divisions, not discussion

Talking with a local pastor over coffee this past week, he lamented about a growing schism in his denomination in which large numbers of conservatives were leaving the denomination.  He didn’t go into detail, but I suspect that the issue behind the conflict was the inclusion and ordination of gays and lesbians. I commented to […]

Simplification is not the Solution

“The cause of the draught in the Southwest is a lack of rainfall.”  A friend read this newspaper quote to me as we sat together over coffee.  Now, I’m sure the that the climate expert being quoted had much more than that to say about draught, but the stand-alone sentence left us both speechless.  This […]

George Washington was a traitor

“George Washington was a traitor.”  The whole class was stunned.  How could a teacher of American history say such a thing?  After a long pause, he followed with, “He was considered a traitor by the British.” That moment did not occur during an era of political correctness, nor did it happen in some liberal northern […]

Balancing freedom and responsibility

Big sodas live on in New York City.  Mayor Blumberg’s attempt to ban large sugary drinks in the city was overturned by a state court.  For now.  The Mayor promises to appeal.  The interesting thing about all this has been the range of reactions.  Some shrug and say, “Makes sense.”  Others are infuriated. Big sugary […]