Is imposition of the death penalty a political/partisan matter or a religious/moral matter? Why is the death penalty largely being carried out in the South? Should Tennessee abolish the death penalty? The death penalty is more accepted in the South because Americans’ political positions are intertwined with their religious convictions. There are far more people with [...]

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? The two meta-themes of the Jewish and Christian scriptures are rebellion and redemption. Nearly everything in life, including how we wear our clothes, can be understood in light of those two themes. Thursday night we celebrated a Seder [...]

Earle Fisher will note in a guest column this Saturday, “One of the most prevalent and plausible critiques of the faith community is that when it comes to matters of sexual abuse and domestic violence, the church practices ‘sacred silence.’ ” Do you agree? What can we do to provide a safe place for dialogue regarding [...]

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? The mayors have made a good start and all Memphis faith communities should strongly consider joining this effort. Marvin Olasky’s landmark 1992 book, The Tragedy [...]

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 [...]

A wise man once said we can judge a tree by its fruit. President Obama declares himself a friend of religious people, but the actions of his administration show him to be a supporter of a different faith — one that claims to be no faith at all. The central tenet of this secret faith [...]

Should religious groups be allowed to rent and use public schools for worship services? Why or why not? I’d like to think that the NYC Education Department’s decision to ban religious services on school property arose from a misunderstanding of the so-called separation of church and state. A less charitable interpretation: they’re trying to scrub any [...]

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? New or expanded medical (or psychiatric) conditions are often more about money than proper diagnosis and treatment. For example, the attribute long known as “shyness” has been medicalized into [...]

Should our suburbs form their own school systems? How might this help or hurt the community at large? The Donlon kids have a collective 43 years in the Memphis City Schools. We’ve been at some of the highest performers (Grahamwood Elementary, White Station High) as well as one that’s never met its “yearly annual progress” and [...]

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? If the United States were a medical patient, we’d report that her condition was “serious.” Thankfully, that’s a step up from “critical,” but [...]

Does God care who wins football games? And what do you think of Tim Tebow and his public displays of devotion? Abraham Lincoln noted in his Second Inaugural Address that Union and Confederate soldiers “Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.” I’m persuaded that [...]

If an entire community could make a New Year’s Resolution, what should ours be for 2012? Our collective New Year’s Resolution should be to create an excellent county-wide public school system. Nothing would do more permanent good for Memphis and Shelby County. Each of us can make meaningful resolutions toward that end: Our county neighbors can [...]

In 50 words or less send a holiday greeting to the Memphis community. What is your holiday wish your fellow Memphis area residents? In the words of the Prophet Isaiah (and Linus VanPelt): 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he [...]

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? I try to get my guard up high [...]

As a member of the community of faith in the Memphis area, what are you thankful for and why – in 50 words or less? I’m thankful for Gibson’s Doughnuts, The Brooks Museum, Jerry’s Sno-cones, The Zoo, Brother Juniper’s College Inn, Madison Tobacco Shop, The Memphis Leadership Foundation, Pho Saigon, Autozone Park, Pete and Sam’s, the [...]

Should the federal government be providing breakfast, lunch and supper for school children in poor families? Should the faith community be doing more? Six years ago we enrolled our younger children at William H. Brewster Elementary, a Memphis City School two blocks from our Binghampton home. Brewster is a Title 1 school, meaning it receives additional [...]

Which translation of the Bible do you use and why? Why King James? Why not King James? How do you decide which translation/version of the Bible or other holy scriptures to use? I remember being offered and taking a small Gideon New Testament from a man outside my elementary school when I was probably nine or [...]

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? Biblical economics [...]

A couple days ago, my son, Jack, a senior at White Station High School, was involved in a Facebook exchange with several students. They were debating the county’s decision to contract with Christ Community Health Services for Title X family planning services. The arguments went on for hours and eventually included more than 250 comments. [...]