Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 27

“You can’t sit with us,” Jewish edition

For a magazine whose demographic is liberal Jewish women, I was rather surprised by the responses to the article “Please Stop Asking Me ‘Are You Even Jewish’?” that was recently shared on Lilith’s Facebook page. The author, Alyssa Weinstein, was raised by interfaith parents: an Episcopalian mother, and a reformed Jewish father. Though Weinstein’s mother … Continue reading “You can’t sit with us,” Jewish edition

Your suicide story doesn’t rule them all

Related post: ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ isn’t really about suicide The following contains spoilers about the book/Netflix series Weeks after I finished the series, I still can’t let Thirteen Reasons Why go. I’m still seeing Facebook posts from people who are a bit late to the party, asking if it’s worth watching. Still reading the same … Continue reading Your suicide story doesn’t rule them all

Are millennials leaving church? I don’t know, but here’s why I did

To be honest, I’m a little annoyed by all these alarmist-sounding “Why are millennials leaving the church in droves?!” kinds of articles. Okay, not all of them are quite so alarmist. More like…concerned. There are sources that want to understand, like this one here, and Christian groups that just want a new demographic to make … Continue reading Are millennials leaving church? I don’t know, but here’s why I did

My first podcast

Last week I had the opportunity and privilege to appear on The Daily Author podcast, with host Richard Keller of Wooden Pants Publishing. I answered questions about the indie publishing process (a term I prefer over “self publishing,” because no one truly publishes anything by themselves!) and about my two memoirs, Confessions of a Prodigal … Continue reading My first podcast

Response to Glennon Doyle Melton’s same-sex marriage reveals evangelical hypocrisy

This is the easiest way to become a pariah in American Christendom: Become a famous Christian mommy blogger Get divorced Get remarried — to a woman Such is the story of Glennon Doyle Melton, whose recent marriage to soccer star Abby Wambach rocked her career like a president found guilty of conspiring with Russia. A … Continue reading Response to Glennon Doyle Melton’s same-sex marriage reveals evangelical hypocrisy

How Christians vote: Stick it to Hillary, or WWJD?

Someone recently shared this article from the Washington Post on Facebook, with the additional commentary: “This is why (so-called) progressive Christians shouldn’t scratch their heads wondering how so many Christians voted for the Donald. They did so, possibly and for some definitely, because the enemy of their enemy seemed a friend. I neither voted for … Continue reading How Christians vote: Stick it to Hillary, or WWJD?

Brio Magazine still culturally tone-deaf about dating

See also: Brio, a Christian magazine for teen girls, is back (and as harmful as ever) Just a few months ago, Focus on the Family revealed that Brio, their magazine for teen girls, would be back in circulation. For those who grew up reading it in the 1990s and early 2000s, news of its revival … Continue reading Brio Magazine still culturally tone-deaf about dating

You have no sense of adventure, you have anxiety instead

This piece originally appeared on Lilith.org. It’s not who I am, it’s just a sickness. These are the words you want to protest to your five roommates in Florence, Italy, when they bring up the idea for a weekend getaway to Paris. Who says no to Paris? Evidently, you do—when “travel expenses” mean hitchhiking and … Continue reading You have no sense of adventure, you have anxiety instead

‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ isn’t really about suicide

In case the title isn’t obvious, this post contains spoilers. I stayed up until 3am last night finishing Thirteen Reasons Why on Netflix. Knowing how different the show was from the book, I was prepared to be annoyed by it (which I was, more than once). Knowing what psychologists and counselors were saying about its … Continue reading ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ isn’t really about suicide

Once you’re woke, you can’t go back to sleep

This is an open letter of sorts for everyone wondering why I’ve changed; “everyone” including my friends from various churches, bible studies, and small groups. You don’t “get” me anymore. You think I’ve “backslidden.” I get it. Not too long ago, I’d have thought the exact same thing. But I must digress. In many ways, … Continue reading Once you’re woke, you can’t go back to sleep