Bil Aulenbach As a kid, I didn’t like the dark. At night, when I was in bed and wanted to get up, I couldn’t move. Why? Because a monster lived under my bed, and he was going to bite my foot off. When I turned on the light, the monster hid. I had the same problem with … Read more
(This is the fifth in my series of Bil’s ideas about ten misconceptions in Christianity today. This post suggests that the institutional church thinks prayer in a traditional sense works. It doesn’t!) The institutional church spends a great deal of time discussing prayer and praying. Here’s my take: Most prayer doesn’t make any sense to … Read more
I believe one of the greatest attributes of our democracy has been our ability to allow people facing all kinds of problems in their home country to pack their bags and come to the United States of America seeking amnesty. It’s terribly disappointing to see that aspect of our previous democracy disappear, but I’m optimistic … Read more
They always travel in groups, men only. One hardly ever sees their faces, only their eyes, unless they’re wearing sunglasses. Their heads are covered with skullcaps or baseball caps, and they wear casual clothing. They are heavily armed with guns and other weapons. They move quickly in gangs, pushing people to the ground, manhandling children, … Read more
I was listening to a friend preach a powerful sermon in which he told the story of a conservative woman who no longer felt welcome in her UCC church. My friend sympathized with her concerns. I had another reaction: “Can a conservative person be a follower of Jesus, a first-century radical nonviolent revolutionary who shook … Read more
(This is the fourth in my series of Bil’s ideas about ten misconceptions in Christianity today. This post suggests that the institutional church thinks the trinity makes sense. It doesn’t!) As a child preparing for confirmation, I learned about the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. I knew the Father was God, … Read more
I was raised in the 1930s in a “Puritanical Morality.” Sunday was church day; we attended morning and evening. Everything other than church was closed or forbidden, and we didn’t have television. People prayed before each meal. Kissing was barely allowed on screen or in public. Everyone was fully dressed. Wearing a skirt above the … Read more
It depends. Unloading in church during prayers or the sermon would be a total disaster, really bad. However, when tripping while running alone, a burst of lalochezia might be helpful and therapeutic. I was a PK (preacher’s kid), which can carry stigmas. My biggest stigma was being fat (they called me “Crisco Kid”). To avoid … Read more
(I refuse to capitalize or use bold print when referring to these impostors.) The phrase christian nationalism (cn) is not a new phenomenon that began with DT. He simply endorsed it, and it endorsed him. Unfortunately, cn is not just an American concept. It has an international history. An astute historian could probably trace it … Read more
(This is the third in my series of Bil’s ideas about ten misconceptions in Christianity today. This post suggests that the institutional church thinks the Bible is inerrant. It’s not!) Over and over, I hear the claim, “God wrote the Bible!” I always have to ask “Which god? The Old Testament (OT) one, the New … Read more