Category: Constitution

America, Christian Nationalism, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, First Amendment, Politics, Story

Universal, Inalienable, Non-negotiable

Gary Furr

I keep coming across so many wonderful and true quotations in my preparations for the class. I am teaching at Auburn for the Oshner Lifelong Learning Institute this fall on the First Amendment and Freedom of Religion. The U.S. Constitution is “the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man”—William Ewart Gladstone, the British Prime Minister, North American Review, Sept./Oct. 1878. Every week, my class and I recite the First Amendment out loud together, sensing together the power of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the founders, who had the courage and … Continue reading Universal, Inalienable, Non-negotiable

America, Citizenship, Conflict, Constitution, First Amendment, Story

America’s Best Idea

Gary Furr

In times of great fear and anxiety, principles are more important than ever. In my reading I came across this thoughtful quote. “Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote in her final opinion on church–state matters: ‘Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must answer a difficult question: Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?’” Randall Balmer, AMERICA’S BEST IDEA:SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE The history of the efforts to have a union of the two are uniformly a history of oppression, violence, and the ruin … Continue reading America’s Best Idea

9-11, America, Baptist life, Christian Nationalism, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, First Amendment, Harrassment, humanity, Immigration, Interfaith Dialogue, Justice, Modern Life, Politics, September 11, spirituality, Terrorism1 Comment

Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too

Gary Furr

Religious freedom is either a principle or a convenient fiction. I once taught American church history at Samford University, and I at least know something about religion and American history. And on the matter of religious liberty, I am a fiery Baptist. It is a principle, not a convenience. If you are a real Baptist, you fight for EVERYBODY’S freedom.  My friend Glenn Hinson once wrote, “For faith to be genuine, it must be free.” That means unsupported by government, and free from government power over our conscience and the practice of faith as long as we do not interfere … Continue reading Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too

America, Bible, Christianity, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics, Evangelicalism, Jesus, Leadership, Politics, spirituality, Story4 Comments

On Stupidity

Gary Furr

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and pastor, wrote shortly before his death at the hand of the Nazis,  “Upon closer observation, it becomes apparent that every strong upsurge of power in the public sphere, be it of a political or of a religious nature, infects a large part of humankind with stupidity. It would even seem that this is virtually a sociological-psychological law. The power of the one needs the stupidity of the other. The process at work here is not that particular human capacities, for instance, the intellect, suddenly atrophy or fail. Instead, it seems that under the overwhelming impact … Continue reading On Stupidity

Children, Christianity, Constitution, Death, fear, guns, mass murder, Parenting, Terrorism

The Valley of Hinnom

Gary Furr

In the book of 2 Kings 23:10 we read of a defiled valley in Jerusalem where child sacrifice had been practiced through burning. King Josiah, in his reforms, declared it a defiled place.  According to 2 Chronicles. 28:1-3, King Ahaz had offered incense there and offered his sons as a sacrifice.  It was considered accursed, a desecrated place.  So, too, King Manasseh, the wicked King who turned his back on the faith by permitting the horrific practices of other religions (although leading the nation to a prosperous economy) to be allowed, including child sacrifice. occultism, witchcraft and sorcery, channeling and … Continue reading The Valley of Hinnom