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2024-10-31T20:01:16-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Learning to Float in a Sea of Doubt

Last updated on: October 31, 2024 at 8:01 pm By Matthew Distefano

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The journey of faith can be, at its best, a grounding experience, but when faith itself crumbles, we’re left treading water in what feels like an endless sea of doubt, fear, and self-questioning. That’s the heart of the story Michelle Collins and I dive into in Learning to Float. In this book, we talk about what it really means to “deconstruct”—a term many use loosely without acknowledging its often devastating, exhausting, and emotionally taxing reality. Why Deconstruction Is Not Just... Read more

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2024-10-26T14:51:45-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Why Satire Fails in Today’s Absurd Reality

Last updated on: October 26, 2024 at 2:51 pm By Matthew Distefano

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Satire used to be a joy. I could sit down, spin out a story about a time-traveling anti-vaxxer or a pastor’s absurd “accidental” run-ins with risqué toys, and readers would laugh knowingly, finding solace in the sharp humor of an alternate reality that felt plausible—but never too real. Yet, as the last few years have taught us, sometimes reality outdoes our wildest imagination. For someone who used to thrive on absurd satire, I can hardly keep up. Consider this: I... Read more

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2024-10-28T20:38:16-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Tony Hinchcliffe’s Latest “Jokes”: Not Funny, Just Racist

Last updated on: October 28, 2024 at 8:38 pm By Matthew Distefano

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Another day, another so-called “comedian” trying to pass off blatant racism as “comedy.” Tony Hinchcliffe, who I could have sworn was just trolling MAGA for a new bit, has made headlines once more, not for his comedic genius (a term I’m using very loosely here), but for cringe-worthy remarks about Puerto Rico and—brace yourselves—Black people eating watermelon on Halloween. Really, Tony? This is the gold you thought we were all waiting for? The Definition of Comedy: What Happened? Comedy, by... Read more

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2024-10-28T09:11:23-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Christian Call to Reject Trump and Stand for True Decency

Last updated on: October 28, 2024 at 9:11 am By Matthew Distefano

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I didn’t plan to write this, but it’s one of those moments where you feel compelled by something deep inside—something telling you that this has to be said. It’s not comfortable, and it’s not easy. But for the sake of honesty, for the sake of the people I care about, and for the sake of the future, I need to put this on record. This is a message for friends, family, readers, and especially for those still considering a vote... Read more

Politics and Religion

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2024-10-25T09:06:42-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Frodo and Ellie: Scapegoats in Search of Peace & Redemption

Last updated on: October 25, 2024 at 9:06 am By Matthew Distefano

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At first glance, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us might seem worlds apart. Tolkien’s work is filled with elements of faerie and moments of joy, while The Last of Us is defined by horror and trauma. Yet, beneath the surface, both stories share a central theme of sacrificial burden through the characters of Frodo Baggins and Ellie Williams, both of whom are scapegoats tasked with saving their communities. Frodo’s journey begins at... Read more

Religious Art

2024-10-23T05:39:45-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The MAGA Cult: Reflections from “The God Squad” Pod

Last updated on: October 23, 2024 at 5:39 am By Matthew Distefano

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During a recent episode of The God Squad, we dove into a topic that has been on all our minds for a while: the cult-like nature of the MAGA movement. And, as the conversation unfolded, it became abundantly clear that I wasn’t the only one seeing the parallels. We’ve all seen how cults operate. They create an environment where critical thinking is not just discouraged, but outright punished. Anyone who questions the leader is excommunicated—cut off, shamed, and silenced. That’s... Read more

Politics and Religion

2024-10-23T06:49:35-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

For Those Wondering About What Happened To The Debate

Last updated on: October 23, 2024 at 6:49 am By Matthew Distefano

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Well, well, well. I was all set, pumped up, ready to engage in what I can only imagine would have been the debate of the century (at least in my own mind): “Does the Bible Condemn Practicing Homosexuality?” Yes, you heard that right. I, Matthew J. Distefano, a queer-affirming, divine-violence-denying, post-Christian Universalist (not sure if you’ve heard, but I wrote a book), was invited to debate some Christian who thought I needed to be enlightened about how the Bible condemns... Read more

Politics and Religion

2024-10-23T07:00:25-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Is “Practicing Homosexuality” a Sin?

Last updated on: October 23, 2024 at 7:00 am By Matthew Distefano

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Short answer: No. A somewhat longer answer: No, because it can’t. The question itself—”Does the Bible teach that practicing homosexuality is a sin?”—is laden with problems from the start. It’s not just the odd phrasing of “practicing homosexuality,” but the entire concept is steeped in misunderstandings about the Bible, sexuality, and the way ancient cultures approached relationships. To dive into this, we must first recognize that the Bible doesn’t “teach” anything in the way people often assume. What we have... Read more

Politics and Religion

2024-10-13T17:25:42-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Book Review: Honoring the Journey by Leslie Nease

Last updated on: October 13, 2024 at 5:25 pm By Matthew Distefano

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Leslie Nease’s Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian offers an intimate glimpse into a deeply personal and spiritual unraveling. As someone who has walked the path from fervent evangelical to a compassionate, questioning deconstructionist, Nease invites readers on a raw, vulnerable exploration of what it means to shed toxic beliefs in favor of a more expansive love. It’s a narrative that blends memoir, theology, and a deep dive into the emotional landscape of someone who grew up in... Read more

Religious Art

2024-10-17T14:42:33-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Donald Trump for President—Again? Really?

Last updated on: October 17, 2024 at 2:42 pm By Matthew Distefano

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Let’s be clear: Christians, especially those who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus, should have nothing to do with Donald Trump. I mean, I thought this was obvious, but apparently, some people need a little reminder. And by “some people,” I mean those who are still mesmerized by this walking embodiment of everything that’s antithetical to the message of Jesus. You see, the whole point of Christianity, as I understand it, is to align ourselves with the teachings of... Read more

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