Sarahbeth Caplin's Blog, page 3

What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?

With so many people talking about Israel and Gaza, perhaps it’s worth visiting what antisemitism actually is. That is, if we can all agree on how that is defined. In the same way that racism can be more complex than burning crosses and white hoods, antisemitism is more than Nazis and concentration camps. I would… Continue reading What is (and isn’t) antisemitism?

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Give me blood and guts

I used to have a crucifix necklace that I purchased at the Vatican during my semester abroad. Upon returning home, I made the mistake of wearing it to a meeting at Campus Crusade for Christ, my alma mater’s campus ministry. People chastised me:  “You don’t want to wear that, people will think you’re Catholic!” “Crucifixes… Continue reading Give me blood and guts

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The biggest surprise of motherhood so far

People sometimes ask me what I find most surprising about motherhood. My response isn’t quite what I expected: just how fun it is. “Fun” is really an understatement. It’s truly incredible to view the world through her eyes. Everything is new and fascinating: her feet, Josh’s mustache, my hair, different fabrics and surfaces. I can… Continue reading The biggest surprise of motherhood so far

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Post-election thoughts from the politically homeless

I’ve had many thoughts since the election results were finalized, but wanted to hold off for a day or so to let them marinate. I have a strict policy for myself not to post anything while dealing with heavy emotions: something I did not practice in 2016, much to my detriment.  Back then, I firmly… Continue reading Post-election thoughts from the politically homeless

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“If you’re voting for XYZ, swipe left”

Once upon a time, we went years without knowing our friends’ politics. We could attend their birthday parties and holiday dinners and never once bring up who we’re voting for. That era is long dead. I’ve wondered whether it’s better that way. What if, after years of playdates with your kids as you sip coffee… Continue reading “If you’re voting for XYZ, swipe left”

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Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity

Did you hear about the interview with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Trevor Noah podcast, in which he admits that if he had grown up in Gaza, he might have joined in Hamas’ massacre of Israelis on October 7th, 2023? Publicising his new book, The Message, on Trevor Noah’s podcast, US writer Ta-Nehisi Coates –… Continue reading Ta-Nehisi Coates and moral relativity

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An uncommon pariah in an unsafe world

There’s a line from my memoir that goes like this: “Christians are called to be pariahs, to go against the ways of this world. But I am a special kind of pariah.” It refers to the biblical mandate that Christians are to be “not of this world.” Gospel values are always going to make us… Continue reading An uncommon pariah in an unsafe world

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My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools

Growing up, I attended a public school system that regularly bent the rules as far as what was permitted under freedom of religion. Football coaches prayed with students before games. Teachers discussed matters of faith with students in the classroom. Faith-based groups visited my health class to discuss abstinence.  I didn’t know yet that Jesus… Continue reading My Jewish background and the Ten Commandments in schools

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Infertility and loss were hard. But so is parenthood.

After nine months of unending anxiety, Amelia Jane was born healthy on May 12th, 2024 – Mother’s Day, of all days, which feels so redemptive after a year of grief and loss. For all my Googling about everything that could possibly go wrong, my pregnancy was actually quite boring, medically speaking.  A brief summary of… Continue reading Infertility and loss were hard. But so is parenthood.

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The search for an “authentic self” is just making us miserable

I found this article from Quillette, “You Can’t Buy An Authentic Self” by Freya India, interesting at a personal level. It speaks about a generation that grew up with social media influence more intimately than mine did; specifically, a subset that is being told they can “become their authentic self” through artificial means like gender… Continue reading The search for an “authentic self” is just making us miserable

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