I think Assange is a deeply flawed individual who manages to do some good.

Peter is correctamundo. My argument in a nutshell is: talk to me about “abortion reduction” when we’ve passed the ERA. Anything less is just another con job.

I’ll echo what Peterr said – I haven’t seen any such numbers. But I’m wary of engaging “consequentialist” arguments about abortion. Either it’s ethical or it ain’t. It’s not something that should be encouraged or discouraged for the greater good.

Meds for my daughter. I have no idea if that counts as breaking Sabbath or not.

Even less than the secularists. I think they all think that if they just ignore me, I’ll go away.

Friends, I have to run to the pharmacy before it closes (consumerism in action). But I enjoyed the chat, and if people want to leave more questions for me, I’ll be happy to answer them tonight!

Oh, and as a thank-you of sorts for putting up with me tonight, here’s some video of me getting smashed in the face with whipped cream pies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-CrbOWZSJI

I moved down to First Congregational, which had its own, uh, issues. But I was never bored in one of their worship services.

A great big collective yawn, I’m afraid. The religious left is just not a hot topic these days. Most of the secular/atheist folks I’ve talked to about it appreciate the effort, but don’t want to invest the time to understand the theology. That gives me a sad, but it’s the unfortunate reality.

The data shows that a sizeable chunk move to other churches. But an equally large group simply stops going to church altogether. At this point, 1-in-4 Americans are former Catholics. I want to say that of that, it’s about 50-50 converting vs. dropping out, but Peterr can correct me if I’m wrong.

The bishops absolutely screwed over Stupak. That was amazing, given that he is a Catholic, and worked hand-in-hand with them to push that “compromise.” Then they turn around and knife him in the back. Wow.

A parishioner of mine came to us from the Catholic church. He put it really well, I think: he didn’t mind that the bishops and clergy had conservative positions, even really intolerant ones (he could let it roll off his back). But, he said, did they have to lead that crap in the community? That was what really drove him away in the end.

As much as I love and appreciate the religious left leadership, they have a tendency to get lost in the weeds a bit. They need to start speaking up for principles, not this tiny little issue and that tiny little issue.

Frankly, they also need to start playing identity politics: any Senator who can’t find it in his or her heart to cut taxes for 98% of taxpayers so that the top 2% can keep pillaging the nation is opposed to Christian values, and we’ll remember that in the next election.

But also, as I say in the book, we need to ask a whole lot more questions. Why is it that we’re still in Afghanistan? Why does the latest round of financial reform seem to benefit Wall Street more than the average person? When are we going to get real help with mortgages? When are we going to get real growth in jobs? When is the income inequality slope going to even out? And so on and so forth, until nobody can stand the sight of us anymore.

I went to seminary at Candler. I still remember those windows – and the absolute flatness of the service.

I did a sermon series on Exodus this summer that raised some of those questions in a very neutral way. It was sort of, hmm, what does Exodus say about economics? How is our economy running these days? Hmmm….It worked like a charm.

Honestly, I have no idea why more pastors don’t preach on economics. It’s not like it’s not on people’s minds, and as it happens, the Bible has a lot to say on the subject.

Well, first I’ll have to write it. But it’s going to be on hope, and I’m hoping (cringe) that it’ll be an easier read than this one. I’ll keep you posted.

Lordy Lou, can we ever be dour. Wifty too, on the other end of the scale. We’re getting better, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

You wouldn’t have happened to be involved with Central Congregational in Atlanta, would you?

Buy the book! Buy the book! Buy my next book too!!

Generally, I don’t see the Catholic laity as interacting any differently than the rest of us. The bishops are of course the essence of the patriarchy when it comes to abortion, but they are quite progressive when it comes to the militarism, and can be when it comes to consumerism.

Yep, it does.

Oh, that’s not militarism, it’s just genocide. Seriously, with the exception of the Civil War, World War I was the first time that Americans experienced anything like a mass mobilization for the purpose of war. It was also the first time the nation was involved in a strategic war overseas, not one fought in immediate defense of the nation. Americans were very reluctant to enter into the war – it was only Wilson’s leadership that got us there.

That’s very true, and to that I offer a very succinct, not Christian, response of the four-letter variety. Which is to say, fuck that.

Seriously, the point of the book, such as it is, is that religious progressives are in my estimation called to “gadflies in the service of the Lord.” Meaning, we’re the ones who are called to point out the way things work doesn’t, really, and could be better. That may not earn us a place at the table with the rich and powerful, but what of it? Should we say the politic thing, or tell the truth?