Spiritual Perspectives

Books

Out of Weakness: Healing the Wounds that Drive Us to War, see especially the third part, "The Spiritual Challenge," in the Prologue; also Chapter 5, "The Strength of Weakness," Chapter 9, "The Search for a World Beyond Scarcity," Chapter 13, "The Transcendence of Boundary," and Chapter 18, "Embracing Mystery."

Fool's Gold: The Fate of Values in a World of Goods, see Chapter 4, Guiding Voices, Chapter 5, "The Wages of Sin," and the "Finale: The Real Thing."

Op-Ed Articles

"Why Didn't We Hear More of His Voice?" published, Baltimore Sun, and San Francisco Chronicle, 12/96. Text of piece

Commentary, in the wake of the death of Cardinal Bernardin, on who it is that the American media culture pays attention to. Godly people are not high on the list of those given air time.

"Not More of the Same," publishing history uncertain, written spring, 1992.

During the presidential primary season of 1992, a discussion of that "vision thing": none of our political leaders seems to have any vision of a desirable future that goes beyond, simply, "more." But our religious traditions have taught us that "more" worldly goods is not the chief good of life, and America seems to lack any shared vision of some greater good to strive for.

Radio Shows

"Prayer in the Schools and the Golden Rule," broadcast, Monitor Radio, 1995. Text of piece

If religious conservatives applied the Golden Rule to the question of school prayer, they would retreat from their effort to have the schools institute the religious observances they are now calling for.

"Indian Giver," broadcast, All Things Considered (NPR), 1985.

A reflection on the spirit of acquisitiveness that characterizes much of our culture, and how it runs contrary to some of the essential character of life.

"God Said It," began broadcast call-in conversation on WSVA Radio, July, 1994. Text of piece

Expressing my discomfort with the kind of conversation I can have with people whose attitude is captured by the bumpersticker that reads, "God said it, I believe it, and that settles it."

See also: "The Big Picture Doesn't Fit on our Screens," under "Public Discourse"