Wider View
Liquid Times - 11/7/2008 7:00:00 AM
In his book Liquid Times sociologist Zygmunt Bauman presents a very interesting picture of the age in which we live. He writes of the perilous place western civilization, indeed the whole world, finds itself in.
Loving People Who Aren't Us - 10/24/2008 7:00:00 AM
When we encounter the "other"—someone who is different, who challenges us or seems to threaten us—we can have a multitude of responses.Withdrawing is one option, and fighting is another; it seems that a much less common response is to engage with that person.
Caving in or building bridges? - 10/17/2008
In last week’s presidential debate, the two candidates were asked about their views on Iran. In the past Sen. McCain has hinted of possible military action, while Sen. Obama has stated a willingness to talk directly with Iran. But as the election nears, both candidates seem determined to prove how tough their administration would be on Iran.
Prime Time Elections - 10/3/2008
The two most northern nations of North America are facing general elections this fall. The United States will choose to anoint either President Obama or President McCain in early November. In Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an election for October 14 (circumventing the law his Conservative Party introduced in 2006 to hold elections every four years).
Resisting Calls for Assimilation - 9/26/2008 7:00:00 AM
Talk of assimilation also quite often invokes the common argument that early European immigrants assimilated quickly while more recent immigrants hold onto their cultural ties. To this point I have to say that, if the first European immigrants to this country had truly assimilated, we’d all be living very much like the indigenous cultures the pilgrims encountered. It is also worth pointing out that, in many early Mennonite immigrant communities, German was the primary language spoken for generations. It was only after the two World Wars that the switch to English was made.
Never Again ... to Anyone - 9/12/2008
It has now been seven years since the unforgettable morning of Sept. 11, 2001. My memories of that morning are of clear skies mixed with great confusion—unsubstantiated rumors of bombs going off in different parts of Washington, DC, while smoke from the Pentagon unmistakably appeared outside my window.
For God's Sake - 9/5/2008
It’s harder to live your convictions in the trenches than to nod your head at the confessions in the pews. Traditionally the expanse between our theological statements and our practice of the Faith widens over years inevitably creating a hunger for reformation, revival, or renewal – pick your revitalizing label.
Lost in the Flood - 8/29/2008
One moment, silence. The next, a flurry of gunfire. A large GMC Yukon SUV brakes to a halt as the driver, Duane Hough, slumps over the steering wheel, dead. Two passengers, Johnny Jeter and Anthony Mincey, try to quickly exit the vehicle and run for cover. They don’t get very far before bullets rip through their bodies.
RSS Subscription