Are we blank slates at birth shaped by family, faith community, culture, and environment? Are we born hopelessly sinful, totally depraved? Or fundamentally good? Do our genes predetermine who we are? The term Tabula rasa, or “blank slate theory,” derives from John Locke’s An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690). He argued that we are not born with innate ideas, but that knowledge comes through experience. We are born without knowledge. We acquire it through our environment,...

Religion can be helpful, fulfilling, and beautiful when it promotes kindness, compassion, and spiritual growth. Helpful religion encourages human flourishing, community, understanding, tolerance, and good works. Most faith communities are doing exactly that. People love and care for one another, offer practical help and support to their neighbors, take bold stands for justice, are life-affirming and hospitable. Throughout history, followers of Jesus nursed plague victims when everyone else...

A handsome lad with Exceptionally long beak Ruffled tufts of dark royal blue Starched white parson’s collar and chasuble Stole of browns and yellows He sits on a branch and waits He knows not to push the process A sudden dart, flutter, ascension, dive He that first ascended did also descend To the lower most parts of the murky lake Shot like Eros’ arrow… flash…gone Primordial god plunging into the dark Chaos of unconscious memories where Krakens of trauma lurk Up and up, he bursts forth...