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The Front Pew

Interact with religion reporter Nancy McLaughlin.

July 30, 2009

No money, No home, No insurance, No problem

In the latest issue of Details (yes, Details), there's an interview with a man who lives in a cave and does not use or accept money or barter.

And is so happy with it he maintains a website about it using public library computers.

Daniel Suelo says he has been living without a cent to his name since 2000, dumpster diving to make use of the things the rest of us throw away and living on wild vegetation and things you and I would never touch.

On his site's FAQ he talks about why he finds this sort of life (informed by Christianity, his time in a Buddhist monestary in Thailand and among the Sadhus of India) incredibly spiritually fulfilling:

"Mixed with my kid instincts, I grew up in an Evangelical Christian home. I took my religion seriously. But I started wondering why professed Christians rarely follow the teachings of Jesus - namely the Sermon on the Mount, namely giving up possessions, living beyond Credit & Debt, freely giving & freely taking, giving, expecting nothing in return, forgiving all debts, owing nobody a thing, living beyond payback of either evil-for-evil or good-for-good, living and walking without guilt (debt), without grudge (debt), without judgment (credit & debt), living by Grace (Gratis, not by our own works but by the works of the true Nature flowing through us)."

I have no conventional religion left, but don't think I could live like this even if I did.

I do, however, wonder if trying it might not teach one a lot about himself.

What do you think?

 

July 29, 2009

A pilgrimage or preparation for a suicide plot
The wife of Daniel Boyd, accused of being a terrorist ringleader, said the many trips the family made abroad, especially to Jerusalem, were pilgrimages to give her sons an exposure to the Arabic language and a chance to experience the daily rhythms of life in predominantly Muslim communities. Read More

July 23, 2009

Youth on a Mission: Westover Church

The middle and high school groups from Westover Church went on missions trips in June. The print version comes Friday, but you can read it here now.

July 17, 2009

The next Mrs Weeks.
Some of you may remember Prophetess Christina Glenn from local cable access. Read More
What are your kids doing this summer?
Young missionaries from Jamestown United Methodist Church held daily vacation Bible school on the sidewalks of an inner-city neighborhood in Philadelphia Read More

July 13, 2009

Making it biblical
Religious leader in eulogizing Steve McNair over the weekend: "Drop your stone the next time you write about Steve McNair. Drop your stone the next time you text somebody. Drop your stone the next time you twitter. Drop your stone those of you in the barbershops, the beauty shops. Those of you walking the streets on the corner, drop your stone." Read More
What is justice, now?
UPDATED with a line I left out: When do we say "justice on Earth" will never be served, and we move on? Alleged Nazi camp guard John Demjanjuk was formally charged Monday with being an accessory to about 27,900 murders during World War II, according to CNN. In a case like this, should he be tried for each and every one, or do we accept one conviction that puts him behind bars the rest of his life as enough? Read More
Statement on Shiloh pastor's termination
Some of you wanted to know why the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro got involved with the termination of the Rev. F. Willis Johnson from Shiloh Baptist Church. The following statement was released Friday by the group, whose members (about a dozen) stood on the sidewalk in front of the church when it was read: Read More

July 10, 2009

Looking ahead to Saturday

Coming in Saturday's print version, but you a quick, free preview here:

Religion calendar for the Greensboro area.

Religion roundup for Rockingham County.

And check out staff writer Nancy McLaughlin's column, featuring items on Wadsworth Congregational Church in Sedalia and a challenge at a vacation Bible school in Randolph County.

July 9, 2009

Pulpit Forum to visit Shiloh on Friday

Greensboro’s alliance of ministers, the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro, plans to stand in the shadow of Shiloh Baptist Church at noon Friday and issue a statement concerning the recent termination of the Rev. F. Willis Johnson.

Johnson, pastor there for about two years, was suspended for 90 days in May, after an especially contentious past few months and a divided membership. Seven members acting as plaintiffs later sought a restraining order through the courts, as Johnson continued to preach and maintain his duties with the support of the deacon board. The church voted a few Sundays ago to terminate him.

While the ministerial alliance, which includes at least one former pastor of Shiloh who also left on contentious terms, has the right to make a statement, is it really any of their business to be pointing fingers at the church?

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