by Doug Pedersen

People are still looking for a takedown.

Are we really in a culture war?

I'm not sure, but I believe that the world will be ideal when prejudice, bigotry, chauvinism, corruption, and all vile behaviors no longer exist.

These things are ignorant.

But intolerance of ignorant people leads to more prejudice.

Grace, patience, growth, living examples, isolation, and more overcome it.

I'm not saying we need to allow ignorance into our personal space.

I'm saying that intolerance is spiritual ignorance.

Our Creator is in all. He is tolerant of all.

We can focus on hope and work morally forward on our disagreements.

I say: Say Farewell To Intolerance.

Hope is a way to have greater peace and tranquility.

Who doesn't want that?

(Image credit: Take My Hand by Greg Olsen)
mock Q&A by Doug Pedersen

“Christianity and its bible are a lie and entirely fiction.”

“People don’t trust your church anymore.”

“People don’t trust your bible.”

“People don’t like your God."

I read these phrases a few minutes ago while perusing an article on Medium. They are tame compared to other comments I’ve seen regarding religion and God. The fact is, many more phrases exactly like these exist in article copy, headlines, and within the reader responses on the platform—and all over social media. Check out the leading atheist writer when you're bored one day. Here are a few more examples:

If the Church Wants Credibility, It Should Start by Apologizing

We Need to Talk About Christian Deconstruction

The REAL Reasons People Are Leaving Your Church

There was a time when people never discussed religion openly or on purpose. It was taboo and thought to be among the three things you should never talk about: money, politics, and religion...

by Doug Pedersen

"I'm nice to people because when I get to Heaven, I want to have a lot of jewels on my crown."

Oh, really?

I was suspicious of the youth pastor that said this to me.

It seemed shallow and not the right goal for Heaven-life.

But here I am, suspicious of the person telling me about God.

I know more than one person that's wary of God.

I understand the apprehension.

How do you approach such an entity?

But that's what you must do.

Suspicion is spiritual weakness. It weakens faith.

I say: Work Out Your Suspicions.

Faith is the key and the cost to experiencing the Family of God.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

And what about jealousy?

Unlike envy, jealousy appears if we feel a threat to losing something that we already possess.

I'm not trying to lecture anyone. This is my reminder.

Nurys would've left me years ago to drown in my vodka soda had I not moved past jealous thinking.

I'm just saying.

Jealousy is described as fierce, murderous, and bitter.

Jealous people say things to undermine others.

It's spiritual demolition—destruction.

The spirit of good nature within does not respond to this attitude.

Neither does anyone else.

I say: Move Past Jealousy.

The spirit of good nature within each of us brings unity.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

Have you heard of Facebook envy?

It's a real thing. I had to look it up.

German researchers found that 1 in 3 people feel staggering levels of envy after surfing the site.

Do you buy that?

Envy over cat photos?

Perhaps. No offense to my coworkers.

All I know: Envy is a spiritual disease that separates us from our good nature and others.

It's said to "rot the bones."

Expressing personal lack via envy can also be intensely emotional. It has been for me, at least.

I would rather be loyal and faithful to my authentic self.

And live with loyalty towards my friends, neighbors, and community.

Appreciate them sincerely.

Encourage them.

I say: Put An End To Envy.

Genuine good feelings have many benefits with no downside.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

My kids still get angry over little things.

A few nights ago, Andrew farted while under Allena's blanket.

Andrew thought it was funny. Allena didn't. She really didn't!

They bickered about the fart like an old married couple until it escalated into anger—and a full-fledged fight.

We've all acted like little kids when we don't get our way.

But anger is a useless emotion that leads us to forget others and ignore alternatives.

It's a spiritual blindfold.

Mercy is the way. It brings greater connection and compassion.

Which helps us realize that a fart can be funny. Or that its intention may hurt someone's feelings.

I say: Avoid Anger.

Treating others as you would be treated is the premier technique for happy living.

Who doesn't want that?

by Doug Pedersen

I was afraid to take showers when I was a kid.

I believed that a werewolf would attack through the bathroom window—100%.

Thank God I faced that fear. My family thanks me, as well!

Fear pollutes the senses and clouds the mind. It's spiritual poison.

Fear will delay and possibly deter God's plan for your life.

Have faith instead.

Live and work more cheerfully. Endure hardships more patiently—persistently.

Meditate on God's Courage.

I say: Face Your Fears.

Courage leads to doing good for yourself and others.

Who doesn't want that?

By Doug Pedersen

"97% of people have an improper diet, don't exercise, or smoke,"

Nurys repeated this headline to me the other day.

Sounds feasible. I weighed 275-pounds before.

And I smoked for like a day—being dramatic for Nurys before we dated.

YEAH—not proud!

She laughed; she knew I couldn't smoke for real.

Most people know that lousy health can lead to chronic stress, illness, and disease.

But most people don't know that harmful health can lead to an incoherent self.

The self—as in the mental, physical, and spiritual elements of you.

An incoherent self is a detachment of the mind-body-spirit system.

It's not a good kind of detachment either. It's spiritual quarantine.

I say: Take Charge Of Your Self-Care.

Feeling good leads to doing good for yourself and others.

Who doesn't want that?

By Doug Pedersen

I'm not sure about God.

When people say this, they're really saying, "I'm not sure about the person who told me about God."

And why would they be sure?

Many of us have seen, heard of, or experienced religious contradictions. Scandals. Hypocrisy. Corruption. Power. Control. Guilt. When I was a child, our pastor cheated on his wife. It was hard to trust the church after that. Religious institutions, communities, and figures have not been perfect throughout the ages.

Bible stories can also make people unsure. I mentored a friend as he explored his faith. He struggled to believe stories in the Old Testament. Noah's ark. Jonah and the whale. Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt. He couldn't even read long enough to get to the part where Jesus rose from the dead. These biblical stories can be troublesome to a modern, science-dominated, practical thinker. They sound crazy!

When in doubt about God's truth, beauty, and goodness, I say this: Go directly with God. Do s...