Doxology: A short hymn of praise to God.

Paradox: A statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true

I am interested in intersections of the unlikely. I am amazed by surprising and yet workable opportunities for enlightenment when seemingly opposing things come together. I seem to be drawn to the topics of theology, religion, politics, and popular culture. I am also interested in civil rights, building sustainable community, environmental friendliness and responsibility, art, film, literature, music, food, wine, theater, libraries and research, and history. Oh, yes, and comedy and laughter.

What I write about here are things that are in the news and in my life every day. I like to think globally and act locally, as the old adage goes. Of particular interest to me is the possibility of using web resources to help articulate and give shape to a utopian vision for the future. Yes, I remain an optimist. As jaded as I am, I am desperately clinging to utopian values.

I believe that the practice of recognizing the divine in everyone makes the world a better place. I struggle with spiritual practice, or as my friends put it, I’m a God-wrestler. Having once rejected my Christian upbringing, I realize as an adult that Christianity is what speaks to my soul. It is through Christian tradition that the Divine is most accessible to me because, as problematic as it is, it is familiar. It is part of who I am. I have reclaimed my spiritual foundation from the people who have hijacked it in the most profane and unloving ways. As Gandhi said:

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

I write a lot about religion and politics, the things you’re not supposed to talk about in polite company or at Thanksgiving. But I might write about what I had for dinner last night.

Here are some things about me that might help readers to understand what inspires me to write.

• I have a life-long attraction/repulsion to spiritual practice
• I was raised Lutheran, identified for many years as Quaker, and now identify as a small c catholic (meaning universal, all-inclusive) progressive, social-gospel follower of Jesus
• I have a life-long attraction/repulsion to popular culture
• I have a life-long attraction/repulsion to political activism
• I am queer
• I am deeply ambivalent and yet committed to building community
• I am trusting to the point of being naive, yet I manage to remain very cynical and jaded
• I wish that I weren’t so self absorbed and could be a better friend
• I believe that deep down all people are good
• I am extremely opinionated and yet open minded
• I love learning things about people that surprise the heck out of me
• I am committed to a strong sense of ethics and responsibility, and I wish that more people were, too
• I believe in eating a healthy diet, and don’t always do it