Category Archives: Ecumenical & Interfaith

A Quaker In Conflict, Outer and Inner: Damned if He Speaks, Damned If He Doesn’t. Meanwhile, There’s Work To Do.

New York Times — December 31, 2023 Can He Condemn the Killings Without Causing More Pain? Chris George has lived in Israel and Gaza, where he was once held hostage. As his employees ask him to speak out on the latest war, he is torn. He had spent his entire career attending to the horrors … Continue reading A Quaker In Conflict, Outer and Inner: Damned if He Speaks, Damned If He Doesn’t. Meanwhile, There’s Work To Do. →

Early Abortion & The Priest With Two Stethoscopes

Kansas & Wyoming, 1958-1960 In those old days of the (pre-Vatican Two) Catholic Church, they used to say of people like me that we had “lost our faith.” In my case, it wasn’t quite true. That year, 1958, as I turned sixteen,I didn’t lose my faith. Instead, I discovered I just didn’t have any. I … Continue reading Early Abortion & The Priest With Two Stethoscopes →

Justice and “Justice?” in Prisoner/Hostage Swap: More Gaza Bible Study

[NOTE: It is a delicate matter to complain about the Israeli justice system. Was there any justice in the Hamas attacks? (Not a rhetorical question: I say NO.) Any “due process”? Right to an attorney, etc.? Of course not. And that’s not the only reason for being measured here. As the New York Times reported … Continue reading Justice and “Justice?” in Prisoner/Hostage Swap: More Gaza Bible Study →

More Melancholy Wisdom on Israeli-Hamas War Myths

[NOTE: I agree with just about all that Nick Kristof says here. But his roster of myths is incomplete. He overlooks a fourth “myth” that gets in the way of his humane insight and hope like the piles of rubble that mark this war on every front. More on that below.] New York Times: What … Continue reading More Melancholy Wisdom on Israeli-Hamas War Myths →

On Israel/Hamas: Many Conflicting “Truths”, Or Convictions

Friends, Kudos this week to the Christian Century (CC) magazine, for its statement on the Hamas/Israeli war. They were not quick to run to the pundit barricades; when Hamas attacked, despite their shock, they grabbed their knees and kept them from jerking. They thought and struggled about it; their struggle likely continues. And their considered … Continue reading On Israel/Hamas: Many Conflicting “Truths”, Or Convictions →