How to become an ordained minister over the internet. Marry your friends!

I have a confession to make. I’m an ordained minister. I’m not making this up. I was ordained about five years ago by the Universal Life Church. I got ordained because it was free and it only took a few minutes on-line. I also did it because it allowed me…

Continue ReadingHow to become an ordained minister over the internet. Marry your friends!

Toolmaking as the basis for religion

Those who have followed discussions concerning religious belief & non-belief know that it's never safe to say you've seen it all.  Surprising and worthwhile new positions come along at predictably unpredictable intervals. Biologist Lewis Wolpert has now entered the fray with a new book, Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast, reviewed…

Continue ReadingToolmaking as the basis for religion

The price of not believing in God in Oklahoma

For you gentle and tolerant Believers out there, this video is not necessarily aimed at you. I know that many inclusive Believers like you do, indeed, exist. For you gentle and tolerant Believers who keep wondering why non-believers in America keep claiming that they are facing rampant discrimination, this video…

Continue ReadingThe price of not believing in God in Oklahoma

Barack Obama on the role of religion in politics

Until tonight, I hadn't taken the time to fully research Barack Obama's position on the role of religion in politics.  His broad-minded and inclusive position is quite extraordinary.  Here is the video of Obama's "Call to Renewal Keynote Address" in Washington, DC on June 28th, 2006.   Here is a fairly accurate…

Continue ReadingBarack Obama on the role of religion in politics

Reagan and the Politics of Presence

After reading Erich’s post, I thought I’d put this up.  I wrote it–most of it–some time ago, for a different venue, but I’ve added to it since, and, well, along with Erich’s it might add more flavors to the stew of memory.  So.

I have friends who thought it was a great thing when Reagan became president, who now reject any such accusation, and refuse to believe it when I remind them that they said encouraging things about him when he took office.  One quote, during a ceremony broadcast on television, that I’ll never forget: “He just looks like a real president!”

Time passes, policy comes to the fore, and most of those people no longer recall these initial bouts of near-patriotic enthusiasm.  They have conveniently forgotten.

I didn’t like Reagan’s policies.  I’m sure I would have liked him.  Everybody who met him seems to say the same thing.  When Donna Brazille can say she thought he was a decent man, despite the complete polarization of their politics, you have to admit something was going on with Reagan which is all too often more telling about politics and history than the facts attached to a particular era.

Reagan was presidential.  He had Presence.

I listen now to the talk about putting his face on the ten dollar bill with some amusement.  Reagan already has at least one airport, a couple of highways, no doubt many streets, parks, a library named in his honor.  He may be the most honored president …

Share

Continue ReadingReagan and the Politics of Presence