Wisdom. We desperately need to see the wisdom of unity and pulling together as a metropolitan area. This even includes north Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. As Memphis goes, so does the surrounding area. Beating up on each locale only makes us all losers. One of the primary reasons the United States has the world’s highest [...]

We definitely have a values crisis. The ironic thing is that many people’s selfish and individualistic stance is based on the atheistic philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and Ayn Rand. On the other hand, what is condemned as godless socialism is actually the economy of the 1st Century Christian Church as detailed in the book of [...]

If you were addressing the nation on Wednesday, Nov. 7, the DAY AFTER the election, what would you say? What advice would you offer to your fellow Americans about the next four years? As Americans we need to be respectful of our leadership, even if we have a different point of view. No president should have [...]

How do you define dying well? Dying well is a very important and comprehensive topic. Everyone should consider it at some time. I got a first hand understanding when my sister’s grandson drowned one day after finishing high school in 1999. As I talked with her about this tragedy, she said to me, “I am grateful [...]

What are your views on the fact that Protestants are no longer the majority religion in the U.S.? My initial response is that this is proof that the United States is becoming more diverse. I see this as an opportunity to grow and expand beyond a parochial understanding of humanity and to see the infinitude of [...]

Memphis is the second most generous city in the country, according to a new survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. According to the publication: “Religion plays a major role in how much money Americans give to charity. The parts of the country that tend to be more religious are also more generous.” Why is this true? [...]

What should Memphis City Council do? Are sexual orientation and gender identity an employment issue, a civil rights issue or a faith issue? Unlike many of my colleagues, I am unable to issue a blanket statement and say that we should not discriminate. The truth is everyone does it every day. We discriminate as to who [...]

Are you concerned about new voter ID laws? Are we doing enough to prevent fraud and other problems? How can we make voting as accessible as possible while still safeguarding the democratic process? This is a topic that I have very strong negative feelings toward. I see no merit in these ID requirements at all. If [...]

The tragic mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin, coming just a few days after the tragic mass shooting at the theater in Colorado, continues a deeply disturbing American trend. Since 1976, the U.S. has averaged 20 mass shootings a year – including 30 in 2003. Why is America such a violent place? Why are [...]

What accounts for our such low and declining confidence in ‘the church or organized religion’? I am concerned by the unfavorable view that many people have of organized religion. Some of this may be attributable to well publicized scandals involving celebrity religious personalities, such as Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, Henry Lyons, and Eddie Long.…[Read more]

Who/what is an American? What does America mean to you and your faith? Many times we Americans are tempted to complain about the government, taxes, and whatever else we find distasteful to our palate. Many of us are prone to blame our peculiar economic plight on the government. Certainly I would be the first to defend [...]

Noted scientist and best-selling novelist Alan Lightman, a Memphis native, asks what are the boundaries between science and religion, the two greatest forces that have shaped human civilization. What are the different kinds of knowledge in science and in religion? And how do we come by those different kinds of knowledge? Members of the Faith in [...]

Lack of good jobs in Memphis is more than an economic problem, says Dr. Chris Scruggs of Advent Presbyterian Church. “It’s also a spiritual problem. If we do not create an environment in which people can find good jobs, we deprive our children of the opportunity to use their unique God-given talents, gifts and abilities. We [...]

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?…[Read more]

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? I am not convinced this is the best approach to use in confronting homelessness. I have had experience before in a similiar program through [...]

Should our suburbs form their own school systems? How might this help or hurt the community at large? The forming of separate school systems is analogous to the South seceding from the Union upon the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency. Without facts, South Carolina withdrew. Likewise, without facts, many suburbanites are posturing to drop [...]

If an entire community could make a New Year’s Resolution, what should ours be for 2012? I would love to see the Memphis metropolitan area become determined to be more loving and caring in 20212. I would love to see this community to put away divisive speech and hateful practices. It would be beautiful to see [...]

In 50 words or less send a holiday greeting to the Memphis community. What is your holiday wish your fellow Memphis area residents? I wish this Christmas season would prompt us to think about the man of peace whose birth is the reason for the season. Therefore, rather than celebrating through dissipation, I would love to [...]

As a member of the community of faith in the Memphis area, what are you thankful for and why – in 50 words or less? The city of Memphis has been a wonderful home for me the last thirty-nine years. I have gotten a beautiful wife, wonderful in-laws, hordes of good friends, and inspiring church affiliations [...]