video content note: Drunken Bible Study, Christmas Edition The Cost of Unbelief via the Economist Oh What Fun - Christmas with Chinese Characteristics via the Economist I think the video dovetails nicely with the afore mentioned Not-So-Virgin Birth of the Christmas Story and Slut Shaming, Sex-Negative Message in the Virgin Birth Story (via http://valerietarico.com/)
Tag: Jesus
The Slut Shaming, Sex-Negative Message in the Virgin Birth—It’s Worth a Family Conversation
I had Sunday School teachers who insisted that Christian Science takes the “inspired” word of the Bible, and that the stories were “allegorical.” The virgin birth story (inspired allegory or not) always made me a bit uncomfortable. See also, http://valerietarico.com/2014/12/09/the-not-so-virgin-birth-of-the-christmas-story/ on how Jesus’ birth became more virginal and miraculous.
The birth story of baby Jesus celebrates the promise of new life, but for girls it also sends a harmful message. How can we acknowledge this without spoiling the rest?
Most Americans, even many who are not very religious, look forward to Christmas as a time to celebrate warmth, friendship, generosity and good cheer. Familiar festivities weave together stories and traditions from many cultures, which makes it easy to find something for everyone. But maybe it’s time to look a little closer at the Christmas story itself.
The birth story of the baby Jesus is heartwarming and iconic—the promise of new life and new hope in a time of darkness. It has inspired centuries of maternal art and is the best loved of all Bible stories. It also has a darker subtext, especially for someone like me—the mother of two daughters.
In the story, an angel appears to a virgin…
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what their itching ears want to hear – new wine-old bottles, Mary Baker Eddy & Luke 5:36-39
Back in May, when I wrote about Ms. Eddy and alcohol, I came across a parable that was largely overlooked by my Sunday School teachers, it comes from Luke 5:36-39 and it talks about wine. "And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if … Continue reading what their itching ears want to hear – new wine-old bottles, Mary Baker Eddy & Luke 5:36-39
Christian Science & the Apostles’ Creed
This is part of a series of posts exploring the questions of Is Christian Science Christian? Not Christian? A Cult? All posts will be tagged Christian or Cult? I've heard (and read) quite a few critiques of Christian Science "not really being Christian" (see links below - 1) but I never really bothered with it … Continue reading Christian Science & the Apostles’ Creed
what I’ve been reading – thought provoking blog posts
I think my Sunday School teachers should be grateful that the internet wasn't as prevalent when I was in their classes... Or maybe I should be grateful, I suspect I would have had a LOT more conversations w/the Sunday School Superintendent. Not a fan of Jesus at Godless in Dixie Fascinating Womanhood: Pandora's Box at … Continue reading what I’ve been reading – thought provoking blog posts
Fate vs. Freewill: Did Jesus have a Choice?
The fate vs. freewill discussion always fascinated me, it was one of the few discussions I enjoyed in my high school English class, and I was quite curious how it applied to Biblical lore: Adam and Eve had a choice to disobey God - I always found that poorly planned on God's part, but that … Continue reading Fate vs. Freewill: Did Jesus have a Choice?
fear & heresy
Growing up as a Christian Scientist meant living in fear: fear of mental malpractice, fear the government would take away our religious exemptions, fear we wouldn't be able to adequately demonstrate healing and need (or be "forced by the state") to get treatment from the medical industrial complex. Having left Christian Science, many of us … Continue reading fear & heresy
kind-ism 