In a world in which most religions begin with God the Father or some sort of male image of the divine, and are founded by male figures such as Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, do we undervalue Motherhood or the role of women in faith? Yes, we undervalue the feminine side. This has changed slowly over [...]

Why do we pray in public? When and where is public prayer inappropriate? Are there too many restrictions on public prayer? Too few? Praying in public is one of many human responses to God’s Grace. As with most all forms of faith ministry, it can be very inspiring, but is also subject to human mistakes. Somehow [...]

Tell us about The Teacher Who Changed My Life – and why.

Jane Emmons was there for us, Senior English teacher at Meridian High School. Her tears and voicing of love for us were unforgettable, just after we heard announced on the school intercom that President Kennedy had been assassinated.

Gov. Haslam is expected this week to sign a new law that would require public schools to allow science teachers to discuss purported weaknesses of theories such as Evolution and Global Warming in their classrooms. What should we do about teaching evolution? Is the theory of evolution a scientific controversy or a social/religious controversy? Should this [...]

It is often said that you “can’t legislate morality.” Are saggy pants a morality issue or something else? I agree that this is a moral issue, but wonder how it will be enforced. In a way, it reminds me of a distinction made at a recent meeting between “houselessness” and “homelessness”; just as a house alone [...]

Times are tough. Money is tight. Unemployment is high. Consumer debt is high. It’s hard to save and harder to give. Offer our readers some faith-based financial counsel. What do you tell people about spending and debt and consumerism? What do you tell them about saving and giving? What are some faith-based principles for dealing with [...]

What do you think of the mayors’ Faith-based Partnership to End Homelessness? Will your congregation participate? Will you encourage your congregation to do so? Is this a good approach? The best approach? Faith-based Partnership to End Homelessness (FPEH) is a good approach toward solving a portion of the problem. I will be urging St. Luke’s United [...]

In a recent interview, Rev. Franklin Graham questioned the Christian credentials of President Barack Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. He apologized Tuesday for questioning President Obama’s faith. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, members of the NAACP’s religious roundtable called on Graham and all Christian leaders to “refrain from using Christianity as a weapon of political [...]

What concerns you most about Memphis?

Disunity and lack of consensus on basic issues like education, jobs, race and public safety seem to me to be of greatest concern.

Regarding contraceptives and “local option” for agencies to refuse to distribute them, I think we need to remember we are virtually ALL taxpayers, and sometimes it is best to observe a law while working to try to change it. It would be interesting to see results on this question of an anonymous poll of women [...]

Should religious groups be allowed to rent and use public schools for worship services? Why or why not? Yes. As long as financial support for public schools continues to be inadequate, creative rentals should be part of a school’s income. Obviously, there should be guidelines, so as to avoid renting to counterproductive business enterprises. Well-screened, reputable [...]

Should grieving be considered a psychiatric disorder? How do you define grief? How do you counsel or minister to those who are grieving? Can/should grief be medicated? It is difficult for me to think of grief as a psychiatric disorder. It seems more accurate to view grief as a frequent, persistent cause of depression and other [...]

President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address one week on Jan. 24. If you could address the nation next week, how would you describe the Spiritual State of the Union? Unfortunately, I believe our nation is closer to moral and spiritual bankruptcy even than we are to financial catastrophe. In my discernment, the [...]

Does God care who wins football games? And what do you think of Tim Tebow and his public displays of devotion? God is totally neutral about such things, and it would be idolatrous to imagine otherwise. I think it can also be idolatrous either to glorify what Tebow does or to make an inordinately big deal [...]

If an entire community could make a New Year’s Resolution, what should ours be for 2012? RESOLVED: that we of the Greater Memphis Community shall make 2012 truly a Year of Reconciliation; in the Biblical spirit of true Shalom, we shall… …be reconciled with one another as true lovers of our neighbors as ourselves; …be reconciled [...]

Can you offer those who find the holidays depressing a word of solace, comfort, hope, even joy? Neighbors, I wish I could say to you that all our people of faith communities throughout the Mid-South care for you as much as we care for ourselves, that we care about your struggles as much as about buying [...]

What are your thoughts about Father Val’s donation as well as organ donation in general? Have you stated your intent to be an organ donor on the back of your driver’s license? Why or why not? Do you know anyone who has donated organs or received organ transplants? Father Val’s generous act is yet another in [...]

As a member of the community of faith in the Memphis area, what are you thankful for and why – in 50 words or less? Gratitude is due for living in Memphis among our people who are warmhearted and generous. In forty-one years here, my experience is of a city with plenty of problems but also [...]

Tell us a funny faith-related story. Make us laugh. In heaven, St. Peter informed each denomination God had mandated reconsideration of their logos. By and by, the Catholics decided to stick with the Crucifix. Presbyterians settled on a painting of John Calvin. Baptists chose a big flag with a lake on it for baptizing. Methodists were [...]

In recent weeks, the Occupy Wall Street protests have drawn attention to the issue of economic disparities in America. Those facts seem particularly significant here in the poorest big city in America. Do too few have too much money and power? What values are at issue here and how should we process these protests? Christ’s teachings [...]