There are many ways to feel connected to something larger than ourselves. Many of them do NOT involve religion, such as art or nature; brain stimulations or hallucinogenic drugs; community or service; devotion or ritual; knowledge or wisdom; and meditation or prayer.

Is it possible to resolve the metacrisis? I don’t know if it’s possible, but it’s necessary. There is no other way forward, and it requires big changes, starting with a major retooling of our bad theology.

We can weigh our beliefs against our evidence and experience. If some of our beliefs do NOT make sense, we can change our beliefs, much like we can paint over our art or write over our words.

Today, fewer people believe in virgin births and physical resurrections, which were common beliefs in many ancient religions. And many of us believe different things about the nature of God. So, if (or when) we find that our beliefs conflict with our reality, do we change our beliefs to conform to our reality? Changing our minds, when warranted, is a good thing. NOT a bad thing.

Our society is increasingly divisive, individualistic and insensitive. And in this environment, some people struggle to cultivate meaningful connections and substantial relationships, especially people who used to find connections and relationships in church.

In The Way, I described my rocky relationship with organized religion. Sometimes, people ask me, "Is there anything that you like about Christianity?"

Do you find that Christian church services are formulaic, irrelevant and unengaging? If many people find them so, then why would they go to church? 

Clergy face challenges in an era of division and secularization. Clergy burnout is real, and many former clergy are NOT coming back.

Humans may have developed consciousness recently. The clash of cultures and thoughts elevated the importance of language and metaphor. The physical gave way to the conceptual.

Do we harbor an innate sense of superiority? How can we treat people and other animals with compassion and wisdom if we harbor an innate sense of superiority?

It seems reasonable to me that “unselfish” behavior in animals or humans can be similarly and variously explained by some combination of altruism, protective instincts, and reciprocal behavior. Why would we assume that humans are different than other animals, that humans are inherently “good” or “bad,” or that altruistic behavior in humans or other animals is NOT natural?

Nations rise and fall, and religions rise and fall. Species evolve and face extinction. If human beings are still here in 2,000 years, will the religions of our day still exist?

Anyone who studies mythology will recognize that many aspects of the Christian story are common archetypes in other traditions.

Pope Leo XIV recently delivered an address expressing appreciation for the Eastern Catholic churches. I think that the Pope was talking about introspection, reflection and reparation.

This is a sermon that I delivered at a Christian worship service at Juliette Fowler Communities in Dallas, Texas.

Many observers conclude that self-actualization and self-transcendence are complementary.

A good friend is a well-known personality in the religious deconstruction space. He was asked to speak at a progressive Christian church about deconstructing religion while remaining in church. 

Why should we care who is a REAL Christian? For that matter, what is a REAL Christian, and why should we care if we are REAL Christians?

Many people who left the Church are NOT coming back.

For years, the Catholic Church has seen dramatic declines in Mass attendance. Many agree that the Catholic Church needs sweeping changes.