The author reflects on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, criticizing the binary viewpoint of supporting either Israel or Hamas. They highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza following Israel’s military response to Hamas’ attacks, questioning Israel’s right to self-defense amidst significant civilian casualties. The piece emphasizes the historical context and responsibilities of both sides and critiques the implications of unqualified support for Israel.
Category: Politics
Black Deaths and Police in the News Again
I haven’t said anything until this point regarding several recent events. I personally prefer to remain silent until I believe I have something constructive to say, something helpful, something which may lead to positive change. I don’t necessarily believe anyone I know is doing the following, but I don’t want to speak merely to make
Kneeling and the Flag, Police and Race, Guns, etc. — Understanding What’s Behind the Controversies
Along the lines of my previous post, I share here my attempt to understand a certain perspective different from my own. In the U.S., we’ve had quite a series of serious, deep controversies ongoing over the past several years. What has been most concerning about this to me is how it’s not just that different
More Effectively Engaging Controversial Issues
Perhaps the thing I hate most about controversial issues is this: it seems that most people, when they say something about one, implicitly or explicitly express the view that their way of seeing it is so clear and obvious while the other side is incomprehensible. But it usually goes no farther than this. So long
If I Were Giving a Speech… (My Response to Recent Shootings)
We in the U.S. recently celebrated the independence of our country. We take pride in our freedoms and the belief that each person has a right to be treated justly. We desire for our nation to be a proponent of freedom and human rights around the world. We have recently witnessed the tragic loss of
The Ridiculousness of the Crucifixion (Part 2)
In my previous article, I stated that we correctly desire to see the end of injustice and evil. At the end I observed that God is doing something about this. However, he does so in a previously incomprehensible way. If you are on God’s side, Jesus’ crucifixion makes no earthly sense. (It makes perfect sense
Judging People: Good Guys Fight Bad Guys (Part 1)
As I mentioned in my previous post, we all recognize that there is evil and injustice in the world. We correctly recognize when a person does certain acts which are evil and injustice. We desire for these to be corrected and the injustice removed. I think it is human tendency to judge people and place
A Christian Nation
Christians’ beliefs understandably inform their views on politics. We passionately believe that if everyone were to be more Christ-like, our country would be a better place. We long for people to be treated equally, compassionately, and healed from their ailments. We long for peace, security, and freedom. We long for the end of injustice and
What the Controversy Over Indiana’s RFRA Was Really About
A couple of weeks ago, Indiana passed a law entitled the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” (RFRA). (Click here to read the entire text of this short bill.) In a short period between the legislature passing the bill and the governor signing it, the bill became the center of an unprecedented amount of controversy. Since I
A Brief History of Christianity in America
(Note: this is an abbreviated and therefore very simplified version of the history of the western church as I understand it. While I believe my general understanding to be correct, I am not an expert and may have inaccuracy in certain details.) To begin our understanding of Christianity in America, we must go all the