Faith
Learning About Jesus in Chemistry Class
I am a slow learner. I graduated from college when I was 46 years old. Education was not a value of my family system; education was seen as job training. This seems to be a predominant ideal in America. And to reinforce the idea – it is nice to have a job that one enjoys. […]
7May2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
The Problem With Liberals 1965 – 2010
After the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 the liberals of both parties felt emboldened. They were ready to challenge the fertile ground of poverty, aging, war, college education, and woman’s rights. These were and are noble issues. By some definitions the liberal movement of that era was quite successful. But there were some […]
26Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Problem With Liberals 1965 – 2010 | Continued
Good Children Vs Insurrectionists
My husband and I were discussing our children the other day and how they behave or not during church. Our 18-month-old prefers to wander the pews rather than sit quietly on my lap, and when the nursery is closed, it can be quite difficult to “make her behave.” First of all, let me comment on […]
26Apr2010 | Dawn | Comments Off on Good Children Vs Insurrectionists | Continued
Intellectual VS Emotional Struggle With Death Penalty
I am not a great intellectual liberal – just an average intellect liberal. I try to understand issues at practical and ethical perspectives. For instance, it is unethical to bomb cities – but I agree that Harry Truman was right to use the A-Bomb for extremely practical reasons – he avoided the imminent invasion of […]
23Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Sense Of Inadequacy Follows Us All The Days Of Our Lives
Any self concept, any value, any perspective, learned in youth – through osmosis – follows us all the days of our lives. We often have a sense of right and wrong, which we sometimes call this our conscience, based on prejudiced childhood learning.
21Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Sense Of Inadequacy Follows Us All The Days Of Our Lives | Continued
The Federal Government is BIG Because Locals Are Not Responsible
The big toot in the news today (and for the past forty year) has been anti-Big Government. Ronald Reagan swept the electorate on his charge that ‘Government is the problem.’ We have to ask why. Why has our Federal Government grown to such a behemoth? The answer is really quite simple – it is because […]
19Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Federal Government is BIG Because Locals Are Not Responsible | Continued
Catholic Priest Jokes
By covering the horrendous crimes against children by Priests – the Roman Catholic Church has invited a legitimate comparison to slimy lawyers. If you are stranded on a desert island with Adolph Hitler, Atilla the Hun, and a Catholic Priest, and you have a gun with only two bullets, what do you do? Shoot the […]
17Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 6 comments | Continued
Can Texting be Addictive?
We have only to look at some recent celebrity headlines to imagine Texting Addiction. With denial protecting the psyche celebrities are falling victim to the addiction of texting. Tiger Woods has done the public a service by admitting his addiction and receiving specific treatment for his malady. Evidence now shows that texting addiction leads to […]
5Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Can Texting be Addictive? | Continued
The Church, Social Justice, And Hiding A Scandal
Does the Christian faith promote ‘social justice?’ The Pope of the Roman Catholic Church (is there another Pope?) verbally promotes social justice. Liberation Theology found it’s roots in the Catholic Church. Glen Beck made an issue out of the term ‘social justice’ when he suggested that it means socialism, communism, Nazism, Obamaism, and Liberalism. Beck […]
3Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Church, Social Justice, And Hiding A Scandal | Continued
Racists and Birthers Are Not Just Dim-Witted Rednecks
In 1776 immigration was unchecked in the American colonies. The people living here decided to form their own government and bypass the King’s tax man. Those folks wrote some rules that defined our form of Government and who was eligible to hold office. The President had to be a natural born citizen – meaning that […]
1Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Racists and Birthers Are Not Just Dim-Witted Rednecks | Continued
U. S. Government Has Higher Ethical Standards Than Catholic Church
One time in the history of our country a President had to resign. He was caught covering up for some dim-witted burglars working on his election team. Just imagine that the President had been covering for hundreds of staffers who were molesting young boys. The United States Government has higher ethical standards than the Catholic […]
29Mar2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on U. S. Government Has Higher Ethical Standards Than Catholic Church | Continued
Forgiving The Priest
Is it possible? When a Priest is charged with being the father of his parish, of being the spiritual leader of the congregation, when the Priest has charge over our children, and then violates every tenant of his charge – that Priest must suffer some consequences. But does that mean eternal damnation? Does that mean […]
26Mar2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Children of War – The 20th Century Bleeds into the 21st.
The sins punished for generations are War, Poverty, Hunger, Ignorance, Physical Illness, and a general disregard of others by society. These sins compound daily – the accruing interest to be paid by succeeding generations.
12Mar2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Children of War – The 20th Century Bleeds into the 21st. | Continued
Brainwashing Tiger Woods – Failures of Addiction Therapy
Future psychologists will look back on this era of addiction treatment in much the same manner that they presently look back on 19th century mental asylums. The real sadness is that progressives in the present mental health community already recognize the deplorably foolish tactics of many addiction treatment centers.
20Feb2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 6 comments | Continued
Spiritual Responsibility
To think that any particular faith, such as Christian or Muslim, is more favorable to God than another is an astoundingly arrogant notion – and it is irresponsible.
10Feb2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Spiritual Responsibility | Continued
The Army of God, Scott Roeder, and the Right Side of History
Scott Roeder shot and killed late term abortion Doctor George Tiller May, 31, 2009. No one disputes this fact. Roeder proudly admitted to the shooting while on trial for murder in Kansas. Roeder was convicted of murder by a jury of his peers. Peers, in this case, means twelve people who lived in the county […]
4Feb2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
2012 Mayan Prediction – Respecting Logic
Marilyn vos Savant is some sort of genius who sells her logic to Parade Magazine. People write with questions, Marilyn answers. The question on January 31, 2010, concerned the Mayan prediction of the end of the world in the year 2012. The question: Can you add some logic to calm the hysteria? The flaw in […]
3Feb2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
The Sick, Pathetic, Right Wing Leadership and the disaster in Haiti
Pat Robertson has been a leader of the right wing ‘conservatives’ for many many years. He has even run for President. I live in Punkin Center, Missouri – so I know a few right wing nut cases. When Robertson ran for President one of the local wackos said, “Wait till they find out he went […]
14Jan2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
“the shifting sands of charity… the firm bedrock of law”
Winston Churchill was a young man of twenty two when he gave his first political speech. He referenced the Government’s Workmen’s Compensation Bill before the Parliament in England. “He said the bill, ‘removed the question from the shifting sands of charity and placed it on the firm bedrock of law‘.” (Churchill: A Life, by Gilbert, […]
10Dec2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on “the shifting sands of charity… the firm bedrock of law” | Continued
Comments on a Life of Chaos
Did you ever know anyone who just seemed to live their life in constant chaos? Most likely. Chaos can become a part of our cultural understanding of the world around us. People raised in chaos often live chaotic lives. Some attempt a life of moderation – but under duress often resort to extreme chaos or […]
28Aug2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Comments on a Life of Chaos | Continued
12 Steps – A Program of Recovery
To continue this dialogue on 12 step programs – it seems only natural to describe the 12 steps. Distortions abound. Some clarity about this process might be useful to students of health care, people in the Ministry, medical professionals, and especially to those suffering from a hopeless state of mind and body. From page 59 […]
27Aug2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 5 comments | Continued
The Zodiac Predicts Modern Holidays
Astrology – the predictor of the Christ. The three wise men followed their star charts to find the young King of men in his manger. Who, we ask, can argue with the validity of astrology. Even today, some 2,000 years later – the Zodiac accounts for, and often predicts, the activities of American holidays. I […]
9Jun2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Zodiac Predicts Modern Holidays | Continued
Of Fear, Faith, and Foreign Affairs
Fear and faith do not live in the same home. The word ‘faith’ conjures images of peace of mind, hope for the future, for the fellowship of man. Faith speaks to the lion lying with the lamb – and the lamb can sleep with both eyes closed. Fear exists in a troubled mind, a troubled […]
5Jun2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Christian Sponsored Terrorism
The Associated Press has composed a list of recent abortion-related violence. As an aside, we find their headline rather ironic – because it suggests the violence is a result of abortion. But more important than the headline are the facts of fundamentalist Christian violence (we prefer to call this behavior Christian Terrorism). We have written […]
1Jun2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Mormon Scientologists for Jehovah on the 7th Day
Help me out here. In literature we distinguish fantasy from Science Fiction. The distinguishing variable – is it plausible. Do the premises set forth in the story violate basic principles of physics? Like a two ton dragon flying with a ten foot wing span – probably fantasy. A space ship flying across the galaxies in […]
29May2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 21 comments | Continued
Top Ten Positive Emotions
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson has done some extraordinary work on positive emotions. Having a positive attitude has so may anecdotal arguments that we are frankly sad when we hear another. If I hear one more person tell me to ‘have an attitude of gratitude’ I think I will just spit. Thank God for Dr. Fredrickson – […]
19May2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Top Ten Positive Emotions | Continued
American Soldiers as Christian Evangelicals – Hunt for Jesus
No one would deny a soldier the right to faith – even if we wanted to. Is there anything wrong with having military chaplains? Not at all. I have a copy of a Navy Hymnal from 1941 – and it seems to me that each solider is better off, is even a better soldier, if […]
4May2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
The Stormy Marriage of Jesus
Arranged marriages are common in some cultures. And why not? We adults know what is best for our children. We tell ourselves we are only being responsible when arranging their life. The practice is highlighted in books and movies. Perhaps the best known, or perhaps most entertaining, is “Fiddler on the Roof.” After all, traditions […]
18Apr2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 4 comments | Continued
Picking on Catholicism
During my quest of becoming a better disciple of Christ, I thought it only fair to try and understand some other beliefs. I understand that the bible can be left open to interpretation to whom ever reads it. And to some degree must be evaluated to different times. But evaluation should not lead to amendments. […]
28Mar2009 | Cole James | 7 comments | Continued
Pondering Faith
I have always considered myself a Christian. Once I even thought I had a vocation. So I attempted to start online classes through a Christian University. I made it through one class which was the study of the Old Testament. What I found out, was it requires a lot of work. Anyone who has read […]
14Mar2009 | Cole James | Comments Off on Pondering Faith | Continued
A United Methodist Perspective
I am a United Methodist. My wife and I joined a United Methodist church in Sugar Land, Texas before moving to Nashville, TN, and when we moved to Iowa, we transferred our membership to a church that was just down the street from our house. We went through the ceremony for becoming a member of […]
16Feb2009 | bryan | 2 comments | Continued
Homeless Community
This writer has worked and volunteered at the same social service agencies dedicated to cleaning up the river banks, to rescuing the downtrodden, to saving the helpless, threading the eye of the needle as a gateway to Heaven. We will walk through the Pearly Gates and God will thump us on the forehead with his middle finger, look at us in disgust, and then invite us in to the ultimate shelter from damnation. We will be seated in the middle row, the homeless will have front row seats.
9Feb2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Detainee Hypocrisy of Politicians
Sam Brownback (an appropriate name for this man) is busy covering his tracks. He is a Republican Senator from the great state of Kansas. Senator Brownback ran for President and brought the morque of the Republican candidates down about 20 points. (Morque is the scale of combined morals and IQ). Senator Brownback is in a big toot about potentially having the detainees at GITMO being moved to the Federal Prison at Leavenworth, Kansas.
23Jan2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Detainee Hypocrisy of Politicians | Continued
Amazing Grace – Dr. Wintley Phipps
Dr. Wintley Phipps can make an atheist believe. There is no way to listen to this man sing without feeling something divine. We are truly living in a blessed time – a time when this talent can be readily shared across the globe.
23Jan2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Amazing Grace – Dr. Wintley Phipps | Continued
Do What You Do On Purpose
‘I have talked and written at length in articles for this magazine about the lifestyle choices that my wife and I have made for our family, but I feel it would be appropriate to spend some time on why we make those choices. Having a purpose in your decision is as important as the decision […]
10Dec2008 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued
The Worst Church Marquees and Why They Are So Wrong
This has been a burr in my saddle for years. Longer than that, I guess. Before I made the switch to regular church attendance, the oh-so-clever church marquees were a beacon of tacky religion that always made me wonder why people would gather in a place like that. Now, they are just embarrassing and they […]
7Dec2008 | bryan | 4 comments | Continued
The Christian Message and Economic Prosperity…
We have mentioned Dave Ramsey and Joel Osteen on this magazine, and I thought it might be a good idea to spend some time on the difference between a minister and a motivational speaker. I think that the line can get pretty blurry. In order to do the subject justice, we have to mention the […]
6Dec2008 | bryan | 3 comments | Continued
A Gay Jesus and Catholic Art
“Corpus Christi” is a play written by an Irish Catholic named Terrence McNally, first performed on Broadway in 1998 and revived for two weeks in October. It is a controversial interpretation of the life and work of Jesus Christ, so it can be considered a part of the crazy-quilt reality of living as a Catholic […]
4Dec2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on A Gay Jesus and Catholic Art | Continued
The Meaning of Jihad in Islam
By Ali Gomaa Within Islam the term jihad refers to a large category of meanings. Today, however, there are attempts to isolate this term to only one form of jihad to the exclusion of all others. This includes a conception of jihad that at best refers only to armed struggle, and at worst to a […]
24Nov2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Meaning of Jihad in Islam | Continued
Obama’s Fascinating Interview with Cathleen Falsani
Tuesday November 11, 2008 The most detailed and fascinating explication of Barack Obama’s faith came in a 2004 interview he gave Chicago Sun Times columnist Cathleen Falsani when he was running for U.S. Senate in Illinois. The column she wrote about the interview has been quoted and misquoted many times over, but she’d never before […]
12Nov2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama’s Fascinating Interview with Cathleen Falsani | Continued
What Benedict Hasn’t Said About the Holocaust
James Carroll Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to a synagogue in New York this week will evoke his visit to the oldest synagogue in Germany nearly three years ago. On that occasion, addressing leaders of Cologne’s Jewish community, Pope Benedict properly addressed the question of the Shoah. He deplored Hitler’s campaign to eliminate the Jewish people, […]
11Nov2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on What Benedict Hasn’t Said About the Holocaust | Continued
Catholic Socialism
I was driving home when I heard on my car radio a minister say that “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was a Looney-tune idea. I don’t make a habit of speaking back to the radio, but I couldn’t help but scream, “It’s in the Bible!” Acts 2: 44-45 […]
8Nov2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Catholic Socialism | Continued
How Obama Did It: The Ground Game
The God Vote Jacques Berlinerblau Jacques Berlinerblau is associate Professor and Director of the Program for Jewish Civilization at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He’s also editor of faith2008.org. Many years ago he received a doctorate in ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature from New York University. Soon after, […]
5Nov2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on How Obama Did It: The Ground Game | Continued
Which Came First? Religion or Depression
There’s a cartoon with a chicken and an egg in bed together. The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a very satisfied expression on his face, and the egg is restless and disgruntled. The caption above the egg says, “Well, I guess that answers the question.” That’s how I think of the relationship between depression […]
30Oct2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Which Came First? Religion or Depression | Continued
Healing Before Empowering
Christianity is good for both men and women, even when it does not empower us. Americans often carry the illusion that empowering a person is always a good thing, but a moment of reflection clears up that optimistic fantasy. Bad people should not be empowered and good people already are. Jesus Christ provides a way […]
28Oct2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Healing Before Empowering | Continued
Thoughts On Original Sin
Some Jungian analysts suggest that original sin relates to family of origin.The idea is in order to be ‘saved’ from the original sin one must escape the dysfunction of one’s family of origin. Original ‘sin,’ as defined by theologians, takes many different forms. We are born with the sin of Adam, for instance. Or we […]
25Oct2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Spiritual Hope
Barack Obama has reignited the word hope. He even wrote a book about hope. His book is pretty convincing on the concept of hope, but sometimes hope is used so freely it looses it’s luster. I am not endorsing Obama, as most of our readers may know, but believe he has a good grasp of […]
21Oct2008 | Cole James | 3 comments | Continued
Fear and Faith, Vote Obama – Go To Hell
Polar opposites. Fear and Faith. These concepts do not live together, they are never under the same roof. When the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons and the Catholics and the Baptists come knocking at my door I am not afraid. But they are. Fear is always obvious in their message. The tactics employed by the […]
20Oct2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Divine Intervention and Painful Faith
We once did an internship as a hospital chaplain. We were assigned to an acute rehab unit. Most of the patients were recovering from a stroke or hip surgery or a like condition – they were medically stable but unable to return home. A twelve year old boy was hit by a car and injured […]
19Oct2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Divine Intervention and Painful Faith | Continued
Stealing Jesus – The 2008 Elections
Quoting from the book Stealing Jesus” by Bruce Bawer: “The simple word religion lends dignity to prejudice, muffles opposition and obliges the media to tread carefully. Not only politicians but journalists, too, are less likely to criticize frankly the attitudes of individuals or groups when they identify themselves as Christian and attribute their attitudes to […]
16Oct2008 | bryan | Comments Off on Stealing Jesus – The 2008 Elections | Continued