The Hourglass vs. The Rectangles

The Hourglass vs. The Rectangles

When it comes to comparing religions, both historically and currently, I’m in the relatively unique position of having spent time in or around both Protestant and Catholic seminaries. And as a result—and as part of writing The Empty Confessional, which will be out...
Why the Church Keeps Screwing Up

Why the Church Keeps Screwing Up

Back in 2003 I submitted an article about the Church’s problems with pedophilia to Newsweek. They liked it and said it would run in three weeks. They sent a photographer out to my house, where we spent three hours getting just the right ‘thoughtful’ pose for a serious...
What Defines a Cult?

What Defines a Cult?

Try this exercise:  A new religion has come to your town. The rules governing its leaders include: You can’t marry (though you’ll be expected to counsel your faithful on the topic).No sex, even with yourself.Homosexuality is a sin.Women are second-class citizens,...
The Holocaust: Antisemitism Perfected

The Holocaust: Antisemitism Perfected

In teaching the Holocaust, one question I encounter is a stumper: Why has antisemitism lasted so long? The earliest slurs against Jews dates back to the 3rd century BCE and graffiti on the walls of cities such as Alexandria. The New Testament authors certainly fueled...