Monthly Archives: January 2009

Thoughts on Why Human Sexuality is Sacred

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

Contemporary debates about human sexuality and reproduction—abortion, in vitro fertilization, birth control, gay rights, etc.—tend to be highly charged with emotion.  While it is often easy to carry on a dispassionate debate about even such life or death issues as war and … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

On a Certain Irony in the Case for Gay Rights

Posted on January 26, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

When it comes to the debate on human sexuality, typically it is traditionalists who are painted as enemies of freedom.  After all, they are the ones who insist that extra-marital sex is wrong and should be discouraged.  However, the central … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Shifting Legos and the Sands of Time

Posted on January 22, 2009 by Amy Spiegel

I must confess that when I woke up on January 20 to the usual sounds of shifting legos and pounding feet (Don’t let them fool you, there is no such thing as the pitter-pattering of little feet unless you own … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations, Family | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Snapshots

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Amy Spiegel

Brief comments on film by Amy. Some old, some new.  Domestic films and foreign too. John Adams—Any movie that I can get Jim to watch with me is a good movie (with the grim exception of Tropic Thunder—Ugh). Any six-hour … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

The Real Offense in Christianity

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

In my previous post—January 8—I discussed some aspects of Christianity which might explain why people might find it so offensive—it’s supposed dangerousness, blatant irrationality, and the exasperating nature of some Christian people.  None of these factors really explain the anger and hostility … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Voice Mail, Answering Machines, and Life “After the Beep”

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Amy Spiegel

This past week I called a friend on her cell phone and, finding her “unavailable,” I was passed on to her voice mail. The automated message proceeded to explain the process by which I could leave a message. (I believe that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What’s So Offensive About Christianity?

Posted on January 8, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

This past holiday season saw more stories of communities using “holiday trees” instead of Christmas trees and retailers insisting that their employees not say “Merry Christmas” to customers, out of a concern not to offend people.  Some folks are disturbed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Kiddie Film, Aesthetics, and Over-priced Popcorn

Posted on January 5, 2009 by Amy Spiegel

For many years now, I have known of the inadequacies of the system by which movies are rated. Standing in the aisles of many a Blockbuster, I have asked myself the following questions: “Just what does ‘some mild language and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Happy New Year (Whatever that Means)

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

When I exchanged “Happy New Year” greetings with someone yesterday, I found myself thinking “What a relief that I can use a holiday salutation which is not potentially offensive because it implicitly endorses my religion—Christianity.  Unlike “Merry Christmas,” a phrase containing … Continue reading →

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