racism | Doubting Believer

by revruss June 11, 2018

The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

If you are not participating in (or even heard about) The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, you need to find a way to get involved. As Christians, we are called to serve those who are in need, to reach out to those on the margins of society and to welcome the stranger. And we often do a pretty good job of addressing the immediate needs of the ...

by revruss May 30, 2018

Unsolicited Opinions

Racism is for Lazy Haters

To paraphrase the late, great humorist Sam Levenson: Disliking entire groups of people because of their skin color or religion is ridiculous when there are so many perfectly legitimate reasons to dislike people on an individual basis. I've come to believe that racism is for lazy people who love to hate. Take Roseanne Barr's career-ending tweet. Her rant against Valerie Jarrett attacked the former Obama aid's looks (and that alone is ...

by revruss December 18, 2017

Uncategorized

Waking Up White Book Study

I'm leading a study on the book "Waking up White" beginning in January. We'll meet once a week via Zoom, so you can sign up from anywhere. It's free. I'm leading the one that meets on Tuesday nights, but there's also a Sunday evening and Thursday noon option. Come on. Read the book. Wrestle with the hard stuff with other folks who are willing to do the same. Sign up HERE

Unsolicited Opinions

10 Reasons a “whites only” America would be a terrible place to live

This idea of a whites only country is not only offensive and ridiculous, it would be a logistical nightmare. I mean, how white do you have to be? Is there a shade-o-rometer? Is there a DNA test you have to take? What if it's summer, and you're just really tan...or orange? See? Sure, there are far more than 10 reasons why a whites-only country would be a drab and dreary palce, ...

Faith Practices , Unsolicited Opinions

Being Angry without Being Hateful

There is a lot to be angry* about right now, but to allow that anger to transform us into hateful creatures is to defeat ourselves instead of the ones who are causing our anger. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Ephesians 4:26 (The Message translation) Anger isn't a bad thing. ...

Unsolicited Opinions

A little grace for we cis-gendered, straight, white people…please

I know. It's just like a cis-gendered, straight white person to ask for some leeway, some wiggle room, some forgiveness...as if we don't already have enough advantages. But as the landscape of gender identity and sexuality is becoming more and more fluid, some of us--even those with the best of intentions (I know, I know, road to hell and all)--are having trouble keeping up with how to be helpful allies and ...