Category Archives: Religion

Baby Steps

I was surprised last night to learn that programming of value is available on the Fox Network.  I suppose I’ve allowed myself to identify Fox only with Fox News, which I find abysmally shallow, slanted, and deeply deceptive.  But there … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Religion, Self-discipline | 1 Comment

There, but for the grace of God, go I

“There, but for the grace of God, go I.” I’ve often wondered about the origin of that phrase. I finally looked it up. If the online presence of “Britannia: America’s Gateway to the British Isles Since 1996” is to be believed, … Continue reading

Posted in Language, Philosophy, Religion | 2 Comments

The Sotomayor Order

Perhaps I just don’t understand the full scope of the issue…or perhaps I understand it and am simply in disagreement with a lot of people with whom I’m normally in political lockstep.  In either case, I’ll go on record in … Continue reading

Posted in Essay, Government, Politics, Religion | 2 Comments

Sunday Assembly

If you’ve read my blog, or my Facebook comments, you know I’ve spoken well of “the church” with respect to “doing good,” and have lamented the lack of a church-like organization for non believers who desire the social benefits of … Continue reading

Posted in Religion, Secular morality | 5 Comments

Roots of Religion

A few months ago, I watched The Buddha on PBS for the third or fourth time.  Almost every time I see that it’s on, I watch it.  That’s not my usual practice with television; generally, I don’t watch it much … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 6 Comments

Christian Nation

A friend of mine who shares many of my attitudes about religion suggested to me recently that I read a book, a novel, she had just started reading.  She suggested I would find it interesting, but she warned me that … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Politics, Religion | Leave a comment

Ora Pro Nobis

One recent weekend, my wife and I went for a long, aimless drive north and west of Dallas. Our trip took us to Bowie, where we had lunch at the Armadillo Grill, and then along a nearly deserted back road … Continue reading

Posted in Religion | 2 Comments

Don’t Wait for God

We all learn and appreciate and applaud important messages we read and hear.  But do they change our lives?  Do we change our behaviors because a message really hits home with us?  For some, yes.  For others, no.  Something I … Continue reading

Posted in Love, Philosophy, Religion | 2 Comments

Night on the Town

Angry clouds, grey chalk and dried blood, churn mercilessly against the setting sun, inciting gentle souls toward a felonious night. Even the street lights are afraid, shuddering and blinking with each shrieking gust of wind and every snarling howl of … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Poetry, Religion | Leave a comment

Too Little Sleep

I wonder what it is that dashes expectations and wishes on the rocks?  Whatever crushes those crucial components of hope should be incinerated.  None of us need such oppression. But here we are.  My mood proves to me that, on … Continue reading

Posted in Dreams, Family, Politics, Religion, Wisdom | 1 Comment

The Appeal of a Buddhist Framework.

Some people consider Buddhism a religion.  I don’t.  I consider Buddism a perspective or a contextual reference, a  framework within which one can try to understand one’s relationship with the world in which one lives. I’ve struggled to understand why … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Religion | 2 Comments

More on Religion

I have an acquaintance who’s an Episcopalian.  I know this because he frequently comments about his faith on his Facebook page.  He makes no bones about his faith, but neither does he condemn people of other faiths or those who … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Religion, Secular morality | 2 Comments

The New Malthusian Imperative

If the world’s population is allowed to grow unchecked, there will come a time when the planet cannot sustain those who inhabit it.  Simple extrapolations of population growth, coupled with measured analyses of the rate of growth in food productivity, … Continue reading

Posted in Demographics, Economics, Essay, Philosophy, Religion | 4 Comments

The Game is Not Worth the Candle. Again.

If you are among the few who have read my comments in years past, you may recognize my assessment of the political choices that face us this November: the game is not worth the candle.  It hurts me deeply to … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Religion | 2 Comments

All Talk

I keep coming back to it:  I find religion in general and churches in particular repugnant in many ways, but I admire and appreciate the ability of churches to marshall the resources of their members to do good things.  You … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Religion | Leave a comment