The Reverend Who Broke Our Hearts

Photo by: 愚木混株 Cdd20 from Pixabay I think back to the day the Rev spoke at my church about how as a man he could never understand the pain unwed pregnant girls and women went through. “How dare I be so arrogant to even try?” he said. He said his job was only to listen, learn and to support girls […]

Religious Schools That Ban and Expel Kids Aren’t Christ-Like.

Image credit Full post on Medium. I’m genuinely confused why Master’s Academy won’t answer my email, message and tags on Facebook. Here’s their policy as posted on Orlando Sentinel reporter Annie Martin’s Twitter account years ago: Since the school still has the policy, it clearly stands by it. Why not defend itself to little ole […]

People used to traditional churches sometimes think Unitarian Universalism is a cult

No, It’s Not a Cult

Originally published in Human Parts Nine times out of ten when people ask me about my Unitarian Universalist church I get a strange look. What they’re dying to know is are we some sort of cult. Nope, a bona fide religion. No devil worship or blood sacrifices. No groupthink. But Laura, no Bible? no doctrine? […]

Broken trust

Broken crosses: Two local religious leaders who broke my heart

The reverend asked us to call him Bryan, but some people called him “Rev.” He was a regular visiting minister at my lay led Unitarian Universalist church. Wildly popular, burly Santa-type, warm and calming. When Bryan spoke, I made a point of getting my lazy-butt to church.   Clergy always made me a little uncomfortable. […]

It’s time the anti-poverty Pope blesses birth control.

It’s not easy to criticize the coolest Pope, ever. Pope Francis smiles for selfies, Tweets, says yes! to the Big Bang and evolution, waves from his popemobile and against tradition, washes (oh the horror!) the feet of women on Holy Thursday. I’m not Catholic but when this Pope speaks, I listen. I don’t expect to agree […]

This Pope is dope

dope  adj. cool, nice, awesome   Title too flip for the highest Catholic? Just wait, some hip-hopper will pen a positive rap about Pope Francis.  He’s street. He’s of the people, all people. At least in tone, because when I stop swooning and take a look, his policies on church law haven’t changed. The Pope hasn’t reversed a […]