Tag: Ethics

9-11, Aggression, America, Citizenship, Conflict, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, fear, Manners, Politics, Selfishness, Story, violence, war

Greenland, Respect and Treading on Snakes

Gary Furr

My World War II vets in my former pastorate are all gone. They would spit venom at the idea of being aggressors. America defends the little guys, they believed. They beat Hitler and Japan to say, “Stop it. Leave the world alone.” And they came home and raised families, earned a living and served their communities. This is what I am sure they would say: “Leave Greenland alone. You don’t treat friends like a hostile takeover.” They would have said, “No. Leave them alone. Finish the ballroom. Get inflation under control. Fix the highways and take care of the poor … Continue reading Greenland, Respect and Treading on Snakes

America, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, criminal justice, Culture, Ethics, fear, First Amendment, Story1 Comment

The Bill of Rights is More Than Two

Gary Furr

Since we all claim to know what the first and second amendments of the Bill of Rights mean (although I have severe doubts about that), let’s reconsider and reacquaint ourselves with amendments 3-8.  Amendment III No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon … Continue reading The Bill of Rights is More Than Two

9-11, America, Anger, Bible, Christian Nationalism, Christianity, Citizenship, Culture, death, fear, Grief, Politics, Story, Tragedy2 Comments

Reaping the Whirlwind

Gary Furr

Waiting out the firestorm while America goes for its kerosene cans and lighters. Some random thoughts: It is striking to see the overwhelming need to comment about a senseless murder. We’ve all become content providers and there are no consumers left to think about each others’ thoughts. The one thing about tragic and unexpected loss is that the more you say to the sufferer the worse you make it. The less you say, the wiser you appear. If you are silent, you are kept from stupidity. If you post your opinions about it your foolishness can live eternally. Much is … Continue reading Reaping the Whirlwind

Books, change, Christianity, Citizenship, Culture, Ethics, humanity, Institutions, Modern Life, Politics, REVIEWS--Books, Movies, Music, social media, Story, Technology, Theology

AI, Social Media and the Future of Us

Gary Furr

Chris Hayes, The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became theWorld’s Most Endangered Resource. Penguin Random House, 2025 and Nicholas Carr, Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart, W. W. Norton & Company, 2024. The latest issue of Christian Ethics Today has come out. I wrote an extensive twin review in the issue about these two excellent books that are well worth your time. A couple of short quotes from the review. Chris Hayes is the well known host of MSNBCs All In. From Hayes’ book: Nicholas Carr has written another book that profoundly shaped my understanding of the current technological … Continue reading AI, Social Media and the Future of Us

Citizenship, Economics, Ethics, Family, Marriage, Parenting, Politics, Poverty, Selfishness, Story, Taxes3 Comments

Mama, Is That Tacky?

Gary Furr

A long time ago, I was a preacher at the First Baptist Church in Blakely, Georgia. It was a small town with many good things, but if we wanted to really go “uptown” we’d go to Dothan, Alabama, across the Chattahoochee River, all the way in the Central Time zone. And our girls especially loved going to the Wiregrass Commons Mall. One Saturday we were there shopping and came to the food court. Lo and behold, a wedding was going on. A bride and groom, groomsmen wearing tuxes and bridesmaids in pretty dresses. In the food court of the Wiregrass … Continue reading Mama, Is That Tacky?