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...

/ January 6, 2020

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...

/ May 16, 2016

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...

/ April 15, 2015

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....

/ April 2, 2015

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...

/ February 13, 2015

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...

/ September 11, 2014

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...

/ January 21, 2014