Posted on

Sanctifying bigotry: why the Episcopal Church is wrong to host Donald Trump’s inaugural prayer service

The Episcopal Church has been my spiritual home for seven years now. It breathed new life into my faith at a time when I wasn’t sure I wanted any more to do with church. Its liturgies, its willingness to engage the world, its ability to embrace orthodoxy without rigidity, its commitment to welcoming all people—these … Continue reading Sanctifying bigotry: why the Episcopal Church is wrong to host Donald Trump’s inaugural prayer service

Posted on

Donald Trump’s Muslim registry: If one group is marked, we are all marked

Remember a couple years ago, when #WeAreN went viral and the letter ن started popping up in profile pictures on Facebook and Twitter? That was because ISIS was going door to door in Mosul, Iraq, marking the homes of Christians with the Arabic letter ن (n) for “Nazarene.”  Christians in America adopted the letter as a sign of solidarity with persecuted … Continue reading Donald Trump’s Muslim registry: If one group is marked, we are all marked

Posted on

I told my daughter she can do anything. She didn’t believe me.

Tonight before bed, my 6-year-old daughter was telling me about a boys-vs-girls competition at school today, which the girls won. I responded by saying, “Yay, girls rule!” She cheerfully joined in at first, but then she stopped. Her expression grew more serious, and she said, “But not now, because Donald Trump rules.” I told her Donald Trump doesn’t … Continue reading I told my daughter she can do anything. She didn’t believe me.

Posted on

What I learned about male privilege the night I talked to my daughter about the election

I thought I was prepared the other night, when I talked to my first-grade daughter about this year’s presidential election. I was ready for her questions about Donald Trump—“the mean one,” as she describes him. At just six years old, she’s already discerned what has somehow eluded 40-45 percent of the American electorate: Donald Trump is a bully. … Continue reading What I learned about male privilege the night I talked to my daughter about the election

Posted on

5 Things You Need to Know About the Accusations Against World Vision’s Gaza Director

Last week, the Israeli security agency Shin Bet accused a World Vision staffer of funneling millions to Hamas. Mohammad El Halabi, who ran World Vision’s Gaza branch, was arrested back in June. I used to work at World Vision. For the past eight years, my wife and I have sponsored a child in Gaza. Which means … Continue reading 5 Things You Need to Know About the Accusations Against World Vision’s Gaza Director

Posted on

A question for those who won’t say #BlackLivesMatter

Two years ago, the Iraqi city of Mosul fell to ISIS. Christians living there became targets of persecution. ISIS would mark their homes and businesses with the Arabic letter ن (N, for “Nazarene”) and give them four options: leave, convert, pay a “protection” tax, or die. The world responded—Christians and Muslims together—by saying #WeAreN. People wrote the … Continue reading A question for those who won’t say #BlackLivesMatter

Posted on

What if ALL we did was tell our kids the story?

Years ago, during an ill-advised—and short—career in youth ministry, I found myself teaching a junior high Sunday school class. The denominationally approved curriculum didn’t exactly light a fire under my kids. (Not to worry: it wasn’t an Episcopal curriculum!) One day I realized none of them were able to say why they were Christian, despite having been baptized and … Continue reading What if ALL we did was tell our kids the story?

Posted on

You did this.

You did this. If you’ve spent these last eight years relentlessly demonizing the current occupant of the White House—questioning his religion (as if it should matter), doubting his citizenship, making thinly veiled racist jokes—you did this. And no, this isn’t about being a partisan shill. I disagree with President Obama on a great many things. If you … Continue reading You did this.

Posted on

ISIS, genocide, and the real test of who we love

If you’re a politician, condemning ISIS is about as risky Lois Griffin’s “9/11 was bad” campaign speech. Still, there is something remarkable about the resolution that passed Congress this week—one of the few things to pass Congress lately, much less with bipartisan support—and the declaration made by John Kerry, accusing ISIS of genocide. Both statements … Continue reading ISIS, genocide, and the real test of who we love