The 2nd Trump administration wasted no time taking aim at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in government agencies and the private sector. Three separate executive orders have spelled out executive branch initiatives attempting to establish color-blind, merit-based systems in government and to punish companies that discriminate against anyone, even in the name of “equity.”…
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Happy Holidays?
I received an email from my bookkeeper a couple of days before Christmas. Her salutation was “Happy Hanukkah.” I’m not Jewish and don’t celebrate Hanukkah. Should I be offended that someone would wish me a happy holiday that I don’t celebrate myself? Should a devout Christian be offended when the store clerk says, “Happy Holidays”…
Continue ReadingThe Trump Bible Effect?
In 1517 Martin Luther published his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany, criticizing what he considered to be corrupt practices of the Roman Catholic Church. This event would cause ripple effects in Western Civilization that are still being felt today. From the middle of the 16th century through World War I, the European royal lineages were…
Continue ReadingSome thoughts on Anti-Semitism and Islamaphobia
The Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 began another war between Israel and representatives of the Islamic world. This conflict goes all the way back to the 7th century when Muhammed began to attract followers in Mecca and Medina in what is today western Saudi Arabia. What makes this conflict a little different is…
Continue ReadingWhy I am not an Atheist
Some of my favorite contemporary philosophers are self-proclaimed atheists. These include Peter Boghossian and James Lindsey. Their individual and combined work in dissecting modern American culture, illiberalism and anti-racism has been both welcome and refreshing. I’m a big fan of Boghossian’s Beyond Woke podcast and his Youtube videos. Peter Boghossian taught philosophy at Portland State…
Continue ReadingWhat is the Biggest Threat to Democracy?
Donald Trump was back in the news this week. Well, what week is he not in the news? All the media outlets know that he’s such a polarizing figure he always leads to ratings. CNN hosted a town hall featuring Trump that ignited his base as well as his enemies. The tweets were flying from…
Continue ReadingThe United Methodist Church Schism
I am not a methodist. I don’t have a dog in the current fight going on within what has been one of the larger protestant denominations in the U.S. since its formation in 1968. At that time it boasted 42,000 churches and 11 million members. By 2020 its numbers were down to over 30,000 churches…
Continue ReadingReligious Hysteria in the 21st Century? (Part 2)
I have recently re-read both Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari and God: A Human History by Reza Aslan. Each provides a fantastic overview of how religion and spirituality were an important part of human existence from the very beginning. Some of the earliest known human artwork includes abstract images that…
Continue ReadingReligion in the 21st Century (Part 1)
In recent months I’ve read abbreviated histories of the Assyrian Empire, the Viking Age, the Persian Empire, pre-Colonial Africa, the Aztecs, the Mayans and the Anglo Saxons. This recent re-immersion into history has lead me to some thoughts about the role of religion in the past and the future. For much of human history, in…
Continue ReadingRepublicans’ Achilles Heel
Most prognosticators are predicting a red wave during the upcoming mid-term elections. Reality is setting in with many Americans that Democratic policies that sounded good during the 2020 election, particularly in the environment of Trump fatigue, aren’t as great and equitable as they sounded. Here are a few examples of policies that are driving voters…
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