The beliefs of the majority in a given culture aren’t always right and sometimes are even disastrously wrong. The intent of this blog is largely to scrutinize cultural notions, see where things are problematic or incorrect, and to provide different and hopefully better ways of looking at the issues. Much of this is naturally going to be counter-cultural—if notions widely held by a given culture are not true, then stating the truth means stating notions that will be unpopular. I suppose it’s good that I have never wanted to be popular.
Some of what I want to discuss regarding various social issues will be non-religious. But I am a Christian, so most of my responses will be from a Christian worldview. It is my hope that this blog will attract those of various worldviews—the religious and the non-religious. With each group and each person there will be points of agreement and disagreement, since the fault lines are often between political or other ideologies and not necessarily between religion and non-religion.
In many respects the hour is late for addressing several of the issues that I hope to address and adding my voice to the mix seems rather pointless. However, having toyed with the idea for this blog for the last several years, a few things have prompted me to again pursue this endeavour. First, was seeing the way in which many Christians responded to government restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the fairly recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. Third, studies showing the proliferation of pornography in churches. And, finally, recognizing a dearth of high personal ethics both inside and outside the Church, which underlies many church scandals and societal issues. I would rather know that I said something about these things; that I tried to bring clarification and suggest a better way forward. These issues matter greatly to me as I hold a high view of human rights and justice, particularly when it comes to freedoms of belief, religion, conscience, and expression.
I realize that I likely have nothing new to offer—no original thoughts on these matters—as everything stems from previous learning and reading. But perhaps I will say something in a different way that will help someone see things differently or give substance to beliefs and ideas already held. I aim to do this with integrity and strive for accuracy in stating what I think others are saying and in what I believe to be true. Any plagiarism or misrepresentation that may occur is unintentional. I welcome correction and will work as quickly as possible to correct any errors.
I do not know everything about the issues I will be discussing; far from it. This is also a way for me to learn about them, think more deeply about them, and better formulate and articulate my positions. Teaching others is a very good way to learn and remember subject matter, as many know. I want to address the issues in a civil and rational manner—unlike much of what I have seen from Christians on social media—and help others to do the same. I care deeply about how Christians portray Christ and Christianity to the rest of the world.