Category Archives: Society

Black man playing with a magnifying glass

The Idol of Empire

In his State of the Union address, which is now being used in a campaign commercial, President Bush said, “It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known.” Who

Boy with partially covered face

Troubles in Baghdad

“I’m able to reach you today from Internet café in Baghdad. I don’t have a lot of time. I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay. Everyone in my family is okay. I will write more soon.” That was a quick e-mail note

Girlfriends

The LGBT ‘Threat’ to Straight Marriage

Something is stirring, a sea-change is abroad in the land. It is a very exciting time to be an LGBT activist, and also a frightening time. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the sodomy laws in the 13 remaining states that had them and

Dove flying in Lisbon, Portugal

Protesting Oppression Within and Without

“God ordained war! War is God’s way of punishing the wicked!” The woman with the loudspeaker shouted angry slurs at us as we attempted to hold an interfaith prayer vigil at Y-12, the nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Although there were about 120

Couple holding hands in front of a rainbow flag

Peace Through Pride

Peace through Pride. This is the theme for our Pride Festival and Parade in Oklahoma City this year. I have heard that many people are not excited about this theme and I saw an article in the paper the other day where a person asked,

Dove flying in Lisbon, Portugal

Peace: Dreaming an Impossible Dream?

This idea of peace has been close to my heart for a long time now. Recently, while teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University, I decided to begin practicing a holiday that I hope will be widely practiced one day. I finally contacted a variety of politicians

Woman and dog on lake shore

The Gift of Free Will

Peter said, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy over money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted

Woman and dog on lake shore

A Warm Place in the Sun

I recently read Brent Coleman’s book Wounded in the Name of God, in which he dedicates the book to his dog Pepper. I find it so amazing how these creatures of God can bring so much comfort and stability to our lives, and how we

Soldiers boarding airplane

Love in a War Zone: A Journey of Peace to Iraq

Editor’s Note: Kara Speltz, 65, spent three days in Baghdad witnessing and documenting how the U.S. bombing of Iraq was affecting the country and its residents. The Iraqi government expelled her and other members of her group from the Christian Peacemakers Team for taking unauthorized