The president of the United States is racist. Notwithstanding the justified outrage over the president’s latest romp in the white supremacist sandbox, this fact should come as no surprise — the president is racist. When the president tells four congresswomen, all U.S. citizens, they should “go back” to the “places from which they came,” we … Continue reading We need to retake America from our Racist-in-Chief
Month: July 2019
Living square with God
This piece was adapted from reflections delivered during Morning Prayer and Evening prayer, July 14 and July 16, respectively, in separate nursing home and prison ministries. How do we square our lives with God? This is one of the central questions of all theology. How should we live our lives so that we are "square" … Continue reading Living square with God
When sport is more than sport: The U.S. Women call us to a better society
I am not, by even the most liberal definition, a “sports guy.” So, please, do not take this as a sports column. But, sometimes the games played for our amusement mean something much more. Sometimes, sport calls us to examine the fiber of our society, and to take a principled stand for its betterment. … Continue reading When sport is more than sport: The U.S. Women call us to a better society
Churches tackling white privilege
The Oklahoma Conference of Churches is inviting churches across the state to join them in tackling the issue of white privilege, but there has been some resistance to the idea of opening that conversation. “Every time we start to publicize this event, we get a lot of pushback,” said the Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director … Continue reading Churches tackling white privilege
The cognitive dissonance of American Christians’ opposition to refugees
As American Christians, it seems we have a problem with cognitive dissonance. This question of the internal conflict between irreconcilable principles pops up around any number of issues, between the true and difficult teachings of the Gospel, and our comfortable, socially acceptable and yet Gospel-antithetical views on unbridled greed, exclusion, war-for-profit, poverty, treatment of … Continue reading The cognitive dissonance of American Christians’ opposition to refugees
Let go, and HOLD FAST
In the Navy, particularly in days gone by, tattoos hold special meaning. Sometimes that meaning, like my uncle's giant tiger head on his chest, is simply "I had too much to drink in the Philippines." Other times the tattoos have deep meaning about service, selflessness and duty. One of the oldest is the words "HOLD … Continue reading Let go, and HOLD FAST
Making the most of life in the shadow of time
"Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind." If you want to fully appreciate the truth of Nathaniel Hawthorne's quote, I recommend a few hours in your nearest nursing home. The shadow of time hangs heavy there, among those who live for the opportunity to share with someone -- anyone -- the glories, loves, … Continue reading Making the most of life in the shadow of time
From Okinawa to Vietnam and back: Retired sailor recalls career that spanned three wars
Writer's note: I enjoyed meeting this fellow Sailor and hearing his incredible story of service in three wars. But, what made the greatest impression on me was his befriending Japanese soldiers not long after the Battle of Okinawa and the end of the war. "They had a job to do, just like we did," McCray said. … Continue reading From Okinawa to Vietnam and back: Retired sailor recalls career that spanned three wars
We need the “empathicalism” of “Funny Face”
It may seem strange to conflate the whimsical 1957 Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire musical "Funny Face" with the atrocious treatment of children in concentration camps on our southern border. But, the children in those cages were on my mind (they usually are, of late) while my wife, Tammy, and I were watching Hepburn and … Continue reading We need the “empathicalism” of “Funny Face”
The morning after Independence, the fight continues
Americans woke on July 5, 1776, to a long fight for independence. We declared on July 4, 1776, that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights, and that government derives its powers from the consent of the governed. And, in our red-white-and-blue mythology, “we” won those ideals with the conclusion of the American … Continue reading The morning after Independence, the fight continues
James R. Neal 