Imbolc 2016: the Angel of Estes Park
Happy Imbolc, everyone. Or Candlemas, if you prefer.
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Hi, I'm Warren. Warren Christmas.
Festival of the dead: Samhain 2015
Hat full of words, words like the ember-lit belly of a Samhain sky
Read moreMirror mirror: Obama is the Democratic Reagan
We love symbolic victories in the culture wars. But what is Obama doing while we’re distracted? Selling us out, just like Ronnie did. I used to argue that Ronald Reagan was playing the religious right like a wore-out banjo. Sorta. The big social issue of the day, of course, was abortion, and Ronnie did a lot of talking about how
Read moreReligious Freedom Restoration Act: it’s Schroedinger’s Discrimination Law
Indiana Governor Mike Pence wants to “fix” the state’s controversial new law. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence aggressively defended Indiana’s religious freedom law Tuesday but said he wants a bill on his desk by week’s end “making it clear the law does not allow businesses the right to deny services to anyone.” “This law does not give anyone the right to discriminate,”
Read moreMuslims and Christians and fundamentalists and progressives: why our arguments are missing the point
We have this little Point/Counterpoint going today in posts from Josh Booth and Otherwise, and in a lot of respects they are reproducing a debate that has raged for a very long time. The problem with this argument, writ large, is that it fundamentally sidesteps a critical question – perhaps the question. We argue about whether religion X advocates Y or
Read moreMerry Christmas from S&R
The other day I wished everyone a Happy Solstice. Tonight, I wish my Christian friends a Merry Christmas. Even though I have left that particular religion behind me, I can’t help feeling the tug of my childhood, when friends and family, lights and food, the magic of the manger story and, of course, the HDAD-inducing anticipation of Santa’s impending visit
Read moreFuneral for a Dog
This is the full text of the farewell ritual performed on December 21, 2014 in memory of my dog, Ronan. _____ Elements of the North, of Earth, locus of Will, of patience, endurance, stability and tenacity – draw near and bear witness. Elements of the East, of Air, locus of Creativity, of wisdom, intellect, perception and inspiration – draw near
Read moreA strange moment in a New Age bookstore
Never mind religion. Know your customer, right? Something … odd … happened today. As I have noted here before, I am not a Christian. I’m either atheist or pagan, depending on your perspective, and this afternoon I was in full-on pagan mode, for reasons that will be elaborated on in the next couple of days. So I head to a
Read moreWhy Sam Smith is unelectable
S&R co-founder Mike Sheehan had a really funny comment on my “Dems need their own Tea Party” post. As in, I laughed until my sides hurt. Checkit: Well, what’s stopping you from running for office? If I’d had soda in my mouth I’d have spewed it all over your computer. He continues: Er wait, never mind… intelligence is a liability in
Read moreSummer Solstice 2014
22 is my lucky number. 22 years ago I wrote this poem, one of my best ever (or at least the one that a lot of people seemed to like). It’s a Solstice poem, and today is Solstice. So here you go. Happy Solstice.
Read moreEvangelical climate scientist seeks to convince Christians that global warming is real
Climate change isn’t inconsistent with the Bible, says Katharine Hayhoe In other words, we have reached a point in human history where educating the ignorant has failed and our survival depends now on pandering to them. Well. In that case, I guess I wish her luck.
Read moreCharles Keating, high priest of the Church of Jesus Christ Sociopath, is dead
Keating was an icon of the Old Testament morality that defines American culture. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people. The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real
Read moreHappy Imbolc from Scholars & Rogues
I’ve never quite understood the conventions surrounding the terms “midsummer” and “midwinter.” Each is used to describe the solstice – June 21st or so and December 21st or so – which are, as you know, the beginnings of summer and winter, not the middle. Today is Imbolc, which we popularly celebrate as Groundhog Day.(I’m not sure whether Punxatawney Phil saw
Read moreThe Sunday Assembly: a weird idea, but a compelling one
When thinking about why churches thrive, understand that religion is far from the most important factor. Did you see the recent story floating around on the growth of the “atheist megachurch,” the Sunday Assembly? I’m really interested in the concept. Churches have three main draws: religion, community and professional networking. The first of the three is probably the least important
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lullaby pit 