Faith, Current Events, Politics
Veritéetfeu
For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About ...

Until recently, I’ve opted not to speak on the Israel-Palestine conflict in any public capacity: not on any of my platforms, not on social media, not at social gatherings, and especially not at work!

While the conflict predates my existence, it’s been an especially contentious topic since October 7, 2023 - the day Hamas led a coordinated, surprise attack against Israel. As others rushed to social media and traditional media spaces to voice their take on the matter, I decided to remain silent - not because I had nothing to say, but because I doubted my ability to engage the topic competently and graciously. I also feared the backlash and “cancellation” that would surely come to me for expressing deep concerns for, as well as sharp criticisms of, parties on both sides.

Nevertheless, a recent conversation with a coworker gave me a new perspective on the topic, and it finally emboldened me to publicly speak on the matter as much as the Lord would allow. 

For I 'Resolved to Know Nothing' About Israel-Palestine
Faith, Current Events
Veritéetfeu
Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?

With more than 50 years of faithful preaching of the Scriptures and zero public scandals, Pastor Begg had certainly earned my unofficial designation as a “solid” celebrity pastor. However, his recent handling of a cultural matter countered a Biblical worldview, and this was not at all consistent with the reputation that has long preceded him. 

Which begs the question that many have raised in recent weeks: What are we, as Believers, now to do with Alistair Begg?

Should Christians "Beg Off” Alistair Begg?
Faith, Pop Culture
Veritéetfeu
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian ...

Since publishing the original SITMAC series in 2018, I’ve received several requests to write another installment. Admittedly, I didn’t believe one would be necessary because, as my logic went, by exposing the up and coming protégés of the old guard (see Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, etc), it should be easy to sniff out other false and extremely problematic preachers and pastors by association. Those birds all seemed to flock together, so writing about yet another member of their coop felt redundant. 

What I didn’t consider at the time, however, was the role social media was beginning to play in platforming charlatans who don’t necessarily have ties to the old guard. I also didn’t consider how, thanks to social media, false teachers and problematic brothers (and sisters) no longer need a pulpit or a local church to sow error and confusion before a mass of God’s people.

Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023
Faith, Current Events, Celebrity Conversion
Veritéetfeu
Kat Von D Got Baptized, But…

Prior to episode 902 of the Relatable Podcast with Allie Beth Stuckey, I had extremely little knowledge of Kat Von D.

I’ve certainly heard her name in passing as I’ve consumed pop culture news over the years. In recent weeks, for example, I’d seen various headlines reporting on her recent baptism into Christianity. So, indeed, I’ve definitely heard of her. 

Yet, I’m embarrassed to admit that I was so unfamiliar with her claims to fame and professional résumé that I initially confused her with the burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese. In my defense, both women do have “Von” in their names; they’re both undeniably gorgeous, fair-skinned brunettes who often rock a bold, red lip; and they are both closely associated with Marilyn Manson. 

Kat Von D Got Baptized, But…
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Relationships
Veritéetfeu
S4E1: Married Single Mothers?

In the premiere episode of Season 4 of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu tackles "married single motherhood", a parenting phenomenon where married mothers take on the sole responsibility to care for their children. But is this practically beneficial for the mother, the father or their children? More importantly, is it Biblical?

S4E1: Married Single Mothers?
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Christianity: The White Man's Religion...or Nah?

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Christianity: The White Man's Religion...or Nah?

Author and White Privilege Conference speaker, Paul Kivel recently argued that everything negative in American society can be traced back to Christianity – racism being chief among them.  I found it challenging to understand how he could rightly blame Christianity, in and of itself, for racism other than to characterize it as “the white man’s religion” and to bash the King James Bible as racist propaganda.  So, I sought to determine if Kivel's claims had any legitimacy.

Is Christianity the white man’s religion? And does it, through the Bible, support racism and the inhumane treatment of Blacks and other people of color? Here are my thoughts. 

 

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Questions from My Gay Friends: Part 2- What About Gay Christians?

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Questions from My Gay Friends: Part 2- What About Gay Christians?

As homosexuality and same-sex marriage are embraced in the mainstream, the question is decreasingly whether either is wrong. Instead, there is growing concern over when Christians will finally, en masse, get with the times and open the Church’s doors to same-sex wedding ceremonies and gay pastors.

In a previous post ,“Questions from my Gay Friends: Do You Eat Shellfish”, I attempted to answer one of the most most prevalent, albeit scornful, questions posed by those seeking to challenge the Christian belief that homosexuality is a sin. Thus, as a Christian AND a loud, proud shellfish connoisseur, I felt it my duty - nay, my OBLIGATION - to address that question with the utmost urgency!

I honestly enjoyed writing that piece and believe, by the grace of God, I was able to offer a thoughtful answer to one of the most infamous trump cards used in the "Homosexuality vs Christianity" debate.

But I'm also aware that some questions truly do come from a sincere place, and I believe those inquiries deserve to be directly addressed. There are LGBT-identifying Christian men and women who may feel overlooked as each side attempts to trump the other with its ideologies. I’ve decided to dedicate this post to them.

 

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I Love Le'Andria Johnson. BUT...

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I Love Le'Andria Johnson. BUT...

The much-anticipated Oxygen series, Preachers of Atlanta aired last night and judging from the Twittersphere, it was quite a roller coaster ride.  Unfortunately, I’ve not yet had the opportunity to watch it, which is ironic because I did so much cheerleading for Pastor Canton Jones, whom I interviewed in preparation for the series premiere.

But I did watch this video last night. I stumbled upon it as I was conducting research on Pastor Le’Andria Johnson. Le’Andria, of all of the Pastors from the cast, seemed to be the subject of most people’s ire. I couldn’t help but be intrigued. 

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

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EXCLUSIVE: Canton Jones talks faith, family and following his calling to become a 'Preacher of Atlanta'

A few weeks ago, I was minding someone else’s business on Facebook when I stumbled upon the trailer for Oxygen’s new series, Preachers of Atlanta.  I was immediately intrigued because I watched Preachers of LA (seasons 1 AND 2) and, for the most part, I actually enjoyed the show. But, if I’m honest, some aspects of it left me a little rattled. While the rattling didn't shake my faith, I did wonder if it did more harm than good to those who might not already be believers.  If nothing else, the comments section in the blogosphere and the sentiments expressed by major faith figures like Kirk Franklin and T.D. Jakes proved that at least some in the Christian community frankly weren’t feeling 'the Preachers'.   

But my jaw dropped as one of my long-time favorite Christian hip-hop artists, Canton Jones, appeared in the trailer for Atlanta's edition. For a moment I asked Jesus to take the wheel, be a fence and hold my mule! “No! Not Canton,” I screamed internally.  “Noooo JEEBUSSSSS!” (*Cue dramatic faint*)

 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 2 (God, Jesus + Heaven)

As I noted in Part I of this series, I chose to engage this discussion after discerning the exercise would help offer atheists a better understanding of people of Faith. I certainly received more clarity on what atheism is and isn't. Yet, I noticed that as our conversation transitioned from debating science to my imparting more spiritual truths, my atheist friends seemed to back off. By the time we began speaking not only about the existence of God, but about Jesus Christ and the concept of eternity, I was down to only about two attentive "opponents", whom I gathered were actually more interested in what I was sharing than a desire to prove it wrong.  

Here are the remaining top questions posed by my atheist friends. 

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Questions from my Atheist Friends: Part 1 (God, Science + Hell)

Recently, I somehow found myself in the midst of a theological debate with some "umpteen" atheists, most of whom I gathered were intellectuals.  They seemed to enjoy whittling God down to merely an “imaginary friend” and more than a few of them called me everything but a child of God (pun intended).

Perhaps I should have just ignored them. Perhaps I shouldn’t have even given them the satisfaction of a response.

But as mature as I’d like to think I am, I’m still a teeeeeeeeeeennnny weeeeeeennny bit PETTY! (I’m working on that.)

Since I was rather intrigued by the exchange, I collected some of their best questions and statements...and I've decided to expound on my responses in a two part series for your ease of reading. This part covers questions about God, Science and Hell. Part II (not yet published) will cover questions about God, Jesus Christ and Heaven.  

God certainly helped me wade my way through this experience, so please feel free to shelve some of this theological goodness. Who knows? Maybe one day you, too, will find yourself in the midst of a random Twitter battle with umpteen non-believers. Enjoy!

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Ayesha Curry: The Accidental Threat to THOTs Everywhere

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Ayesha Curry: The Accidental Threat to THOTs Everywhere

Tried as I might to find the intelligence and validity in the arguments of those who took issue with her words, I’ve now settled in my heart that the points they raised aren’t worthy of any further cerebral activity.

Nope!  Not one more precious brain cell will be used to intellectualize an argument that is so clearly rooted in tom-foolery!

In my opinion, their issue with her has nothing to do with feminism or women’s rights and very much to do with the fact that Ayesha’s sentiments are a threat to what I call the “THOT life”.

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"Protected Sex" Doesn't Make Sense...There, I Said It

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"Protected Sex" Doesn't Make Sense...There, I Said It

If I'm honest, the concept of "protected" sex doesn't make any real sense. (Wait! Hear me out!)

I think practicing "protected" or "safe" sex is very smart...I just don't find it to be very wise. First, to have "protected" sex, you're implying that you 1) don't know and/or 2) don't trust the person you're with.  Second, when we say “protected” and “safe” sex, we don't mean "birth control"...we mean sexual activity wherein one guards him/herself against unknown health complications, life-long diseases and terminal illnesses.

To Haters, With Love: Why #IStandWithParis + #BlackLivesMatter Are the Same Thing

To Haters, With Love: Why #IStandWithParis + #BlackLivesMatter Are the Same Thing

I stand with Paris 100%...it's my most beloved international city! Those close to me know that I am a lifelong francophile - a lover of all things french, but Paris has my heart.  My bedroom decor is Parisian-themed. I’ve traveled to, dined and shopped in Paris all alone but, in my awe of such a gorgeous city with amazingly friendly people, I was never lonely...

Again, I LOVE PARIS!!! But here is my issue with the “Twitter Twits”, as I’ve coined them, who DARE compare the terrorism Paris has experience to the racism experienced in the US (and in Africa and other parts of the world, for that matter): WHY ARE YOU ONLY #prayingforparis? 

That's SO Raven's RIGHT!: My View on Her Views

That's SO Raven's RIGHT!: My View on Her Views

Today was the first time I watched The View since Raven Symoné joined the cast. As I looked on, waiting for her to say something crazy, I got to thinking: The show is called THE VIEW, as in the Point of View of its various hosts. It's not called "Popular Opinion of the Day". It's not called "Politically Correct Chats". It's not called "Socially Acceptable Perspectives". So, as much as Raven Symoné's opinions irk the nerves of the entire world, she is merely offering HER VIEW of social/cultural affairs. She's just doing her job.