John G. Stackhouse Jr.'s Blog, page 18

Scaring kids—about the right things

“Attention, everyone. Code red. Code red. The school is now in lockdown. The school is now in lockdown. Students, follow the directions of your teachers.” All over the United States, schools, colleges, and universities are instituting and practicing procedures to … Continued

Is Christianity Anti-Semitic?

The recent synagogue shooting in Poway, California, has focused attention on an abiding question regarding Christians and Jews: Is Christianity inherently anti-Semitic? According to The Washington Post, John Earnest, the young man allegedly responsible for the death of one Jewish worshiper … Continued

In the Light of the Sri Lankan Suffering

What’s the real story of the Sri Lankan bombings? Is it that Christians are being persecuted around the world in great numbers? That’s certainly true. More Christians have died as representatives of our faith in the last hundred years than … Continued

What I Actually Told “The Walrus” about John Allen Chau

Canada’s aspiring magazine of ideas, The Walrus, recently printed a bowdlerized version of a letter I sent to them. To clip letters is their prerogative, of course, but I thought some readers might like to read (all of) what I … Continued

Easter: Who Needs It?

The world’s great religions offer what millions of people want: a sensible, straightforward path to life. That’s why those religions are the victors in the Darwinian struggle of religion versus religion, worldview versus worldview, philosophy versus philosophy. The basic logic of … Continued

What in Hell Is Going on?

The Walrus, a magazine not renowned for a sustained interest in Christian thought, in its April number commendably features a review article of a book about, of all things, hell: Marq de Villiers, Hell and Damnation: A Sinner’s Guide to Eternal Torment … Continued

Rest in Peace, David Martin (1929-2019)

I’ve only just heard that my latter-day mentor in the sociology of religion, David Martin, passed away last month. I confess that I suspected something was wrong: David was remarkably prompt in replying to emails from even pipsqueaks such as … Continued

Reasonable Accommodation Is a Two-Way Street

There’s a lot to dislike in the Quebecois government’s recent bill that would outlaw the wearing of religious symbols by public servants—presumably including everyone from police officers to teachers to hospital clerks. But the government isn’t entirely wrong in its concern about … Continued

Franklin Graham Starts “Super-Group”

CHARLOTTE, NC (Associated Press) — Franklin Graham, son of famous Christian preacher Billy Graham, announced today he was forming a “super-group” with Jerry Falwell, Jr., and Franky Schaeffer.  “We will play exclusively Christian music, of course,” Graham said at a … Continued

The Perils of Public Prayer

According to The Washington Post, “State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz was on the ninth ‘Jesus’ of her opening prayer in the Pennsylvania statehouse when other lawmakers started to look uncomfortable.” No wonder. In less than two minutes, Borowicz managed to set off … Continued