Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 28
April 19, 2017
Brio, a Conservative Christian Magazine for Teen Girls, Is Back (And As Harmful As Ever)
If you were a Christian teen growing up in the ’90s and early 2000s, then you might have had a subscription to Focus on the Family’s Brio Magazine, best described as a godly version of Seventeen. Instead of quizzes like “How to Tell if he Likes You,” you’d find content like “How to Become a … Continue reading Brio, a Conservative Christian Magazine for Teen Girls, Is Back (And As Harmful As Ever)
April 15, 2017
What does it mean to have a ‘biblical worldview’?
This post originally appeared on Friendly Atheist. If you have any exposure to Christianity, then no doubt you’ve heard the expression “biblical worldview.” On the surface, the phrase is self-explanatory: interpreting every aspect of life through the context of the Bible. Unfortunately, there are almost as many definitions of “biblical worldview” as there are Christians, … Continue reading What does it mean to have a ‘biblical worldview’?
April 11, 2017
Thoughts and responses to Amy-Jill Levine’s “Holy Week and the Hatred of Jews”
As a Jew who converted to Christianity, I learned to appreciate Christmas. Easter, on the other hand, has always been difficult. There is no other day of the year when one-foot-in-both-worlds syndrome hits me harder, but I’ve never been able to articulate why. Thankfully, there’s Amy-Jill Levine, who wrote an enlightened piece for Religion and … Continue reading Thoughts and responses to Amy-Jill Levine’s “Holy Week and the Hatred of Jews”
April 8, 2017
Selections from the ‘Colorado State Monologues’
This year I was once again privileged to take part in the Colorado State Monologues, a rendition of The Vagina Monologues (but more inclusive). The show consists of mostly original monologues and skits by CSU students about issues of feminism and intersectionality. Below are my two pieces: Text: “I’m not like other guys,” you tell … Continue reading Selections from the ‘Colorado State Monologues’
April 4, 2017
Why I don’t hate Tomi Lahren
I’ve been meaning to write about Tomi Lahren for a while. I’ve been reading about her recent firing from The Blaze after “coming out” as pro-choice, the same way that traffic slows down so drivers can gawk at an accident at the side of the road. The smug, childish part of me praises karma (something … Continue reading Why I don’t hate Tomi Lahren
March 28, 2017
The depressing side of Josh and Anna Duggar’s baby announcement
This piece originally appeared on Friendly Atheist. Josh Duggar, the disgraced reality TV star of 19 Kids and Counting, is expecting a fifth child with his wife, Anna. The couple made the announcement on their family website: For nearly the last two years, we have quietly worked to save our marriage, focus on our children, … Continue reading The depressing side of Josh and Anna Duggar’s baby announcement
March 21, 2017
Gentiles explain things to me
This post was recently shared in a Facebook group I’m part of: “No ‘Christian Seders,’ Please!” Having grown up Jewish before discovering Christianity in college, this piece did a great job explaining all the reasons I feel squicky about this trend in churches. I always thought that the best way to “observe” Passover as a … Continue reading Gentiles explain things to me
March 12, 2017
It’s not easy, deconstructing
A few weeks ago I was at the car dealership after receiving a recall notice for my airbags. While waiting to collect my vehicle, I sat in the waiting area reading How Jesus Saves the World From Us by Morgan Guyton. The employee I’d talked to on the phone asked what I was reading, and … Continue reading It’s not easy, deconstructing
March 8, 2017
Am I that intolerant liberal that conservatives warned you about?
At the risk of humble-bragging, I think one of my better character traits is my ability to be impartial: to keep judgments to myself in an attempt to understand why people hold beliefs and values that I strongly disagree with. That being said, everyone has their “hot button topics” that make impartiality next to impossible. … Continue reading Am I that intolerant liberal that conservatives warned you about?
March 7, 2017
On assumptions of gender identity
I didn’t seriously consider my opinions on gender identity until joining a campus feminist group that includes transwomen. Now that I’m taking a Women’s Studies class, in which I had to write a paper about a day of wearing “gender goggles,” it’s something I find myself thinking about more regularly. I just started working at … Continue reading On assumptions of gender identity
