I think the state should ONLY be in the business of civil unions. No marriages, gay . . . or straight. Leave it all the church, or whatever substitutes for the church people want.

I think marriage is sacred - a spiritual union. Of course the western human history is that marriage was as much a property and legal arrangement, which is why the state is involved. But that's not what is truly important.

Much of the argument of including gays in marriage is based on the legal protections that go along with marriage, things that affect property, visiting rights at hospitals, etc. Only someone really hateful would deny those rights, and civil unions also have the virtue of providing a mechanism for other circumstances that are hard for a one-size-fits-all legal system to take into account - two sisters living together, for instance. They need legal protections too, even though they aren't married, aren't in that category at all.

I've always wondered why one person's marriage would threaten another.   more »

Today's scripture is deceptively simple. Love one another. Jesus says we are loved and are to love others as we are loved.

Right here is the essence of Christianity. This is the fulfillment of the Law, as Jesus says. If we get this, we can go home.

Alas we give lip service to love, but abide in a different spirit.

This is today's message: Abide first in God's love! -- we are first loved . . . and for love Be willing to sacrifice -- as Jesus gave his life . . . and remember This is a commandment, so work at it!   more »

Amanda struggles with acceptance and writes about it beautifully.  How well I know the agony of this struggle.

I grew up taught that I could grow up and change the world. How many times have I heard that story about the starfishes getting thrown back into the sea?   more »

Since a little past christmasi have been reading a
book by Derrek Jenson called  "The Culture of Make
Beleive". Recently read this  ...
"Our culture has made us all slaves to an idea . . . And slavery to an idea is far more dangerous than slavery to a human because we do not even know we are slaves  ...   more »

What are values we share, as citizens and humans?

I am convinced that finding the places we agree is wiser and more productive than focusing on divisive distinctions. I believe that we can lift up common values and   more »

A Statement of faith is commonly a list of beliefs, presented so we can determine if we agree. But humans have a long history of getting it wrong and then fighting about it. I want to present this as a snapshot of what now informs my choices and outlook. I hope that we can give more energy to learning and living in the spirit than in making dividing lines.

My faith is part explanation, part inspiration, part experience, and part trust.   more »