Well, they’re at it again.

Friday, we discussed a particular, unnamed church that’s now getting attention for its zeal in disciplining one of its 10,000 members.

Of course, you know this can’t be an isolated incident.

I have, right here, another church discipline contract, sent to me on the condition that the sender remain anonymous.  Apparently, sending your church discipline contract to bloggers is grounds for more church discipline.  (If you need a refresher on the contract that’s received all the attention, it’s here.)

Check it out after the break, and then let’s play a little game…

(more…)

When was the last time you got in trouble?

Most of us remember getting grounded or spanked or our car keys were taken away.  Everyone has one event when they really really got into trouble.

But have you ever been in trouble with your church?

A well known church and pastor that will remain nameless here are causing a stir because one of their members is in trouble.  And when they gave him the proverbial “spanking,” he quit the church.  And the church sent out a detailed letter to members giving instructions on how to ostracize the offender.  Yeah… You can catch up on all the details at Matthew Paul Turner’s excellent blog (including the letter sent to thousands of church members).

And virtually everyone’s reaction has been to excoriate the church.  How dare they try to “control” this guy?  What right do they have to discipline him?  What ever happened to “grace?”

Turns out, the church got it wrong.  Very wrong.  But so did all the bloggers who bristled at the church that would dare to discipline its members.

(more…)

I loved Legos when I was a kid.

If I had a pile of Legos in front of me now, I would play with them.

What is this? Lab Partner Lego girl? Is this offensive toy giving girls the false hope that they can be good at science?

Legos don’t usually make then news, but they did this week. Lego released a new line of toys for girls. And guess what! Despite all of Lego’s market research indicating demand for this product, some cranky women find the toys “offensive.” Apparently, girls can now suffer from low self esteem and poor body image from Legos.

To be honest, I don’t think the girl Legos are nearly offensively enough.

(more…)

Aloha, friends.

If you asked the average person, they could probably name no more than ten religions.  But the fact is that there are thousands of religions all over the world.

And I’m not the judgmental type.  I’m respectful of other cultures and beliefs that are different from my own…

Yes, there are people who worship this guy.

…But there are some crazy, flat out stupid religions out there.  Forget Scientology or Baha’i.  They are just barely scratching the depths of crazy.  And I know that I believe that a Jewish rabbi was born as the Son of God 2,000 years ago and rose from the dead after being executed on a cross, and that sounds kind of crazy on the surface, but these religions will make even Christian beliefs seem perfectly normal.

Are you ready?  Let’s take a little tour of a few of the crazy religions you could be joining.

(more…)

You know, sometimes we get so caught up with celebrity personalities, we forget to notice the little guy.

There they are, plugging away, fighting the good fight, and no one seems to pay attention.

Today, I want to correct that.  Because while there are the big guys like Rob and Mark and Pat kicking hornet’s nests, there are plenty of other guys who deserve their time in the sun.

I don’t usually single people out, but today, I want to celebrate Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church, an Independent Fundamental Baptist congregation that meets in a classroom-sized space in a strip mall.  Many of you have watched him on YouTube preach with godly ferocity about the importance of wearing pants or urinating while standing (for men) or the evils of painkillers during childbirth (for women).  If you don’t know this guy, then you are missing out.  His star is rising, with every appearance on local news and getting tased by hecklers.

I’ve compiled a “best of” list of some of Pastor Anderson’s most inspirational quotes, a tribute, a salute, if you will.

And maybe you can help me figure out just what it is with fundamentalist preachers.

(more…)

What’s the worst thing to accuse someone of?

Think carefully.  I’ll give you a hint.  It starts with the letter ‘R.’

Is “racist” the most serious accusation you can throw at someone?  What about “Republican?”

Keep thinking.  It’s even worse.  The worst thing a person can be encompasses all the evil of the entire human race, and sums it up all in one word.

If I were you, I wouldn’t want to be accused of being…

…religious.

God, no, not that!  I think some people would rather have dinner with a rapist than a religious person.  And with Jeff Bethke’s video about hating religion, making the rounds, I don’t think religious people are going to be winning any popularity contests any time soon.

(more…)