Category: Faith

Athenae, Faith1 Comment

Faith as an Endurance Test

Allison Hantschel

Kick asked me what the ashes were for. I had them on my forehead, as did my mother who was visiting. They’re somewhat obvious, if done right. “It’s something grownups do to prepare for Easter,” I said, and changed the subject. I’ve always hated this part of the liturgical calendar, the emphasis on death and guilt, the insistence on prioritizing misery, the endurance test that is Passion Sunday, in which we read the entirety of Jesus’s horrific death. LOOK AT IT, with the presumption that if you turn away, you’re not worthy of that sacrifice:   After tweeting out a call … Continue reading Faith as an Endurance Test

Athenae, Books, Economy, Faith1 Comment

It’s ALL About Money

Allison Hantschel

I look forward to this explanation of how church and “civic life” are entirely divorced from economics because everyone knows you don’t need money to buy, say, land to build your sanctuary on, or textbooks:  Why do so many people believe that the American dream is no longer within reach? Growing inequality, stubborn pockets of immobility, rising rates of deadly addiction, the increasing and troubling fact that where you start determines where you end up, heightening political strife—these are the disturbing realities threatening ordinary American lives today. The standard accounts pointed to economic problems among the working class, but the … Continue reading It’s ALL About Money

Athenae, Faith4 Comments

It’s Not About the Manger

Allison Hantschel

I read this over the weekend, as we were putting up our Christmas lights and Kick was asking easy-to-answer questions like, “What’s God?” and “WHEN was Jesus born exactly?” and other stuff Mom wasn’t real ready to talk about while shooing the cats off the weird evergreen bush we bought in 4 minutes because the tree lot was really really cold. I am sorry to spoil your preparations for Christmas before the Christmas lights have even gone up—though perhaps it is better to do this now than the week before Christmas, when everything has been carefully prepared. But Jesus wasn’t … Continue reading It’s Not About the Manger

Athenae, Faith

Our Ride’s Coming

Allison Hantschel

I was driving through southeastern Wisconsin, past Walker and Steil and Vukmir signs, past “we back the badge” signs in front of subdivided former farmland, when I read the news about yesterday’s shooting. On top of the pipe bombs. On top of “lock her up” and “CNN sucks” and the mindset that anyone who supports the GOP is somehow under siege. I’ve been saying this for a while, and people keep deliberately not getting it: Wrong. I won’t be deterred by Trump-inspired terrorism. We will do what’s right for our country. If Donald Trump wants to foment violence in response, … Continue reading Our Ride’s Coming

Comedy, Current Affairs, Diary, Doc, Faith, LOL, On Wisconsin, Uncategorized3 Comments

If Jesus had been born in Wisconsin…

docphd

On this hallowed Christmas Eve, everyone in my house is pretty much asleep or trying to pretend to be in hopes of getting out of work in preparation for the Wigilla celebration tonight. As my wife and I kind of muttered our way awake, we ended up on a riff about traditions and food and Wisconsin and suddenly, we were into “What if Jesus were born here?” I did my best to document the answers (and augment with a few additional thoughts), so enjoy regardless of your faith, creed or lack thereof: If Jesus had been born in Wisconsin: He … Continue reading If Jesus had been born in Wisconsin…

Big Damn Heroes, Current Affairs, Diary, Doc, Education, Faith, Kids Today, Of Interest, Uncategorized1 Comment

My Hill

docphd

The plane touched down at O’Hare early Sunday morning, jolting me awake. I looked around to see other passengers in varying states of awareness. I flipped my phone off airplane mode and noticed I had no messages. I checked my email quickly. Same thing. Everything was quiet. What a difference two years makes. The last time I touched down on the first leg of a trip back from a college media convention in this metropolis, my life had gone from bad to worse. I had just traded some labor for airfare and a room so I could head to Austin, … Continue reading My Hill

Athenae, Faith, Music1 Comment

I Swear to God We Need You Here

Allison Hantschel

Okay, I’m done with it, Internet. I’m done yelling at people for promoting their books or celebrating their anniversaries while the world burns. I’m done telling people to speak up against the regime, against supremacy, against powerlessness, and then shitting on how they do it. I’m done auditing the marches and critiquing the protests and I’m done judging us for taking a break. I am done. There is a pool of water in my basement and Kick’s on a sleep strike and writer’s block, turns out, is just what happens when you look at your deadlines and your calendar and … Continue reading I Swear to God We Need You Here

Current Affairs, Diary, Do Something, Doc, Faith, Uncategorized

Memento Mori

docphd

I was sitting in my basement early this week, sorting through the dozens of things I had to do when my wife came down to add one more: “Do you have anything you’re doing this weekend?” she asked. I tried not to flinch as I tried to answer in a vague way that would allow me somehow get out of whatever she was about to ask me to build, fix, move or buy while still not admitting I wanted a free weekend. “I’m not sure right now. Why?” “There’s that benefit at the park for Jacob…” Jacob is a 9-year-old … Continue reading Memento Mori

Current Affairs, Do Something, Doc, Faith, Sports, Uncategorized

One more wedge play for Jerry Kramer

docphd

He had been screamed at by a relentless tyrant in front of his peers. All it did was make his mistakes multiply in hot August sun that burned brightly above the training camp field. The NFL was not a place for the weak back then, and coaches were gods among men, the deities who controlled the future of these mortals. This man in particular, Vince Lombardi, had gained near mythic status as he used a domineering style to reshape the failing Green Bay Packers into a winning machine. The player had jumped off sides during one drill and missed a … Continue reading One more wedge play for Jerry Kramer

Big Damn Heroes, Current Affairs, Diary, Doc, Faith, Of Interest, Uncategorized2 Comments

A Golden Anniversary Explained

docphd

Fifty years ago tomorrow, two scared 20-somethings gathered with family and friends in a cathedral-esque church on the south side of Milwaukee to pledge their lives to one another. Her father thought the man wasn’t good enough for his daughter. His father thought the woman was far too strident and interested in a career to be a good wife. Nobody, least of all these two kids, knew if they’d make it, if they’d be OK. Still, there they were in front of a three story slab of pink and white marble with a giant crucifix, saying they would live together … Continue reading A Golden Anniversary Explained

Athenae, Faith, Religion, So Called Liberal Media1 Comment

Even For Politico This Is So Gross: Happy Easter!

Allison Hantschel

This isn’t how God works:  President Donald Trump has increasingly infused references to God into his prepared remarks — calling on God to bless all the world after launching strikes in Syria, asking God to bless the newest Supreme Court Justice, invoking the Lord to argue in favor of a war on opioids. That … isn’t finding religion. It’s finding a sales pitch. For, let us be clear, war, war and more war. “I’ve always felt the need to pray,” Trump said in that late-January interview. “The office is so powerful that you need God even more because your decisions … Continue reading Even For Politico This Is So Gross: Happy Easter!

Diary, Doc, Faith, Immoral Values, Religion, Uncategorized9 Comments

A fart in church

docphd

One of the best parts about writing for this blog is the diversity of thought and experience of the readership. That’s not me blowing smoke. It’s true. I have found that I learned a lot about my own position on this big blue rock from hearing of the positions of others here than I learned anywhere else. Agreement, disagreement, whatever. It comes down to people coming at an idea I have from a variety of angles. Never more is this true than in the field of religion, where not only do people come from various faiths, but various positions on … Continue reading A fart in church

Athenae, Bigotry, Faith, Religion4 Comments

A Place to Rest in Their Own Damn Country

Allison Hantschel

We are unkind, right now:  There are relatively few dedicated Muslim cemeteries around the country, so many Muslim communities use sections of other cemeteries to bury their dead. In Dudley, the proposal from the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester has been met with angry comments at local meetings. “You want a Muslim cemetery? Fine. Put it in your backyard, not mine,” Daniel Grazulis said during a zoning meeting in February, drawing a round of applause. Jason Talerman, a lawyer for the Islamic Society, said he believes the opposition is rooted in Islamophobia. “They like to say it under the guise … Continue reading A Place to Rest in Their Own Damn Country

Athenae, Faith5 Comments

Laborare est Orare

Allison Hantschel

Yes. Yes a thousand times. Every time something like this happens, I dread the platitudes, the “prayers up!” messages, the ways in which we’ve made faith into some kind of dodge that makes us good people. Like if we think and pray, that gets us out of something. Like that’s what we have to do. It’s insulting, and not just to people for whom prayer is talking to an imaginary, ridiculous friend. It’s insulting to people for whom prayer is a real act of faith. It’s insulting to people for whom prayer is critical, is active and purposeful and rooted … Continue reading Laborare est Orare

Athenae, Congress, Faith, Religion, Stupid Republican Tricks6 Comments

Everyone In Their Own Box: Pope Francis and U.S. Politics

Allison Hantschel

We should listen to our spiritual leaders, always, unless they’re advocating something that would take us out of power, in which case they should just talk nonsense like angels and blessings and “prayers up” and shit: Still, some of those who were listening took issue with his reference to issues Congress considers in its purview, such as climate change. Inhofe, a leading voice denying climate change exists, says that programs to control carbon emissions would hurt the poor with rising energy costs more than they would save the planet. And Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., warns that the pope might have … Continue reading Everyone In Their Own Box: Pope Francis and U.S. Politics

Athenae, Faith, Religion2 Comments

What We Are Afraid Of

Allison Hantschel

Hearing another’s voice will hurt you:  “While it might seem an odd juxtaposition to have the adhan chanted in the same tower from which bells toll daily (and twice on Sundays!), it is actually in keeping with the university’s commitment to fostering the spiritual development of all students,” Sapp wrote. “The chanting of the adhan communicates to the Muslim community that it is welcome here, that its worship matters, that these prayers enhance the community and that all are invited to stop on a Friday afternoon and pray.” By Thursday afternoon, the university had reversed itself. “Duke remains committed to fostering … Continue reading What We Are Afraid Of

Athenae, Faith, Religion2 Comments

Mike Huckabee and God Have Never Met

Allison Hantschel

Just once I wish these people constantly humping God’s leg would act like they have some passing familiarity with the Fellow’s greatest hits: “I know there’s a god, and I know this nation would not exist without him as the midwife of its birth,” Huckabee told the near-capacity crowd of conservative activists. “And I know that if this nation forgets god, god will have every right to forget us.” After sharing a joke about how god should “apologize” to Sodom and Gomorrah if he decides not to strike down America for its wickedness, Huckabee spoke of his “hope” that the … Continue reading Mike Huckabee and God Have Never Met

Athenae, Faith, Religion2 Comments

Mike Huckabee and God Have Never Met

Allison Hantschel

Just once I wish these people constantly humping God’s leg would act like they have some passing familiarity with the Fellow’s greatest hits: “I know there’s a god, and I know this nation would not exist without him as the midwife of its birth,” Huckabee told the near-capacity crowd of conservative activists. “And I know that if this nation forgets god, god will have every right to forget us.” After sharing a joke about how god should “apologize” to Sodom and Gomorrah if he decides not to strike down America for its wickedness, Huckabee spoke of his “hope” that the … Continue reading Mike Huckabee and God Have Never Met

Adrastos, Current Affairs, Diary, Do Something, Faith, Immoral Values, Law/Justice, Malakatude, Political Crack, Religion, So Called Liberal Media, Stupid Republican Tricks5 Comments

Malaka Of The Week: Operation Save America

Peter Adrastos Athas

  Even groups that come to protest here in Sin City feel compelled to post a picture of Bourbon Street. In this instance, it's Operation Rescue who are apparently out to save America. Their target is, of course, death/abortion mills. The only mills on Bourbon Street are Gin and T-Shirt mills. Operation Save America, or whatever the hell you want to call them, has, of course, not restricted its protests to so-called "death mills" and that is why it/they is/are malaka of the week. I was originally going to focus on the group's malakatudinous protests outside a doctor's home in … Continue reading Malaka Of The Week: Operation Save America

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

tommyfd

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

Athenae, Faith10 Comments

Someone Who Is Needy

Allison Hantschel

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy