Christians - Want Change? Want Respect? Try John Shelby Spong.

[Dem Agog]

If you're a Christian and you want a sane view of your religion, try reading some of John Shelby Spong's books. He's a Bishop in New Jersey who actually has quite an interesting view of Christianity, and the only view that in my opinion, is remotely sane.

If you want to sign up for a mailing list, essays and what not, http://www.johnshelbyspong.com

Otherwise I'd recommend starting with these books:

Why Christianity Must Change or Die: A Bishop Speaks to Believers In Exile
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060675365/qid=1099841158/sr=8-3/ref=pd_csp_3/103-6365130-4414204?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism : A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060675187/qid=1099841158/sr=8-2/ref=pd_csp_2/103-6365130-4414204?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

A New Christianity for a New World : Why Traditional Faith is Dying & How a New Faith is Being Born
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060670630/qid=1099841158/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-6365130-4414204?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

If Christians want to be taken seriously as anything other than a group of wacko fundamentalists, then the sane voice of the religion needs to get louder than the insane voices that you're currently let speak for you all.

[wryter2000]

1. We love Bishop Spong

Been reading him for years. Now, that's Christianity!

Thanks for the link. We're signing up.

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. also

www.sojo.net (Sojourner's website)

[Malva Zebrina]

3. I read all three of those books and I am an atheist

nevertheless I am interested in taking a look at religion from an anthropological view.

I enjoyed reading those books and think the innovative Spong, a thinker, curious and unafraid and far to the left, very interesting and easy to read. I think he was relieved of his post becasue of his leftist and unpopular views but I hear he does a lot of lecturing around the country and the seats are always sold out. Some Christians, even those not from the extremist right, will not like what he has to say on some things.

[Nomad559]

4. I love John Shelby Spong

But many Christians hate him, why Is that?
Because he speaks the truth about Christianity.

:evilgrin:

Here are a couple of videos I recorded from Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect show.

Truth

Heretic