Tag: history
Why Do Some Christians Celebrate Christmas in January?
Most of the world’s Christians celebrate Christmas, the holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus, on December 25. But a fair number of believers hold the holiday two weeks later, on January 6 or 7. Why...
The misadventures of Sykes-Picot
There is nothing more likely to start disagreement among people or countries than an agreement. – E.B. White Your neighbors can’t even mow their lawns straight, and definitely not to the edge of their property—that’s...
They couldn’t save the photo album
There’s a large, old apartment building one town over. It’s the oldest place around. Old brick, old heating, old beautiful architecture. Lots of families live there, and it’s pretty diverse. Still, folks have gotten along...
Dayenu – It Would Have Been Enough
It’s Maundy (mandatum) Thursday, the day Jesus gave his mandate: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another....
The Crusades, Haters, and Skipping the Key Word
It’s amazing how some folks are more prepared to defend the Crusades than acknowledge that the President of the United States had a point. I’ve sat in years and years of history, political science, and...
I Looked at the Calendar and It’s September 11 Again
It may always be impossible for Americans in my generation to say today’s date – September 11 – and not think back to the tragedy, the metal and fire and blood, of the 2001 version. It’s...
MLK, Jesus, and Hijacking History
Did you know Martin Luther King Jr. was pro-choice? Did you know Jesus was in favor of the second amendment? Did you know Gandhi would have Occupied Wall Street? I didn’t either, but that’s what...