The Pope Resigns: A New Opportunity for the Christian World is Born

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on February, 28 2013

The world in general and members of the Roman Catholic Church in particular were shocked at the recent announcement that Pope Benedict XVI was resigning the papal office at …

The Boil Has Been Lanced. A New Consciousness Has Arrived

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on November, 22 2012

The votes have been cast, counted and the results have been made known.  Radio and television stations are no longer relentlessly broadcasting anti-Obama and anti-Romney ads.  The emotions of …

The Race is On: The Theological and Human Issues in the 2012 Election

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on September, 13 2012

The nominating conventions for both parties are visible now only through the rearview window. The banners have been taken down, the balloons have fallen, the local bars are back …

The Vatican vs. the Nuns

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on May, 3 2012

Perhaps it takes a political campaign to reveal the fault lines in both our nation and in institutional religion.  At least that is what appears to be happening in …

The Health Care Debate: Is It Possible to Reach Conclusions That Are Satisfactory?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on April, 5 2012

The argument before the Supreme Court as to whether the Federal government can mandate health insurance for all citizens represents a fascinating dance around shifting realities.  It is an …

“Think Different – Accept Uncertainty” Part VII: The Corruption of Human Life According to the Bible

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on March, 22 2012

In the beginning all was good, said the oldest biblical story of creation (Gen. 2:4b-3:24).  That goodness was symbolized by the portrait of life in …

The Contraception Debate: Is Misogyny on the Rise?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on March, 8 2012

Here is some of the evidence.

In Virginia, the State Legislature was poised to pass and Republican Governor Bob McDonnell to sign a bill requiring a vaginally-invasive medical procedure …

The Roman Catholic Bishops: Are They Killing Their Church?

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on February, 23 2012

I never thought I would live long enough to see birth control become a major political issue.  Nor did I think I would ever hear the desire to provide …

An Open Letter to a Political Leader Newt Gingrich and to a Religious Leader Pat Robertson

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on December, 29 2011

A note to my readers:  This column ran first in the fall of 2010 or about 15 months ago in this exact form.  It was not regarded as controversial.  The …

Troy Davis and the Debate over Capital Punishment

Column by Bishop John Shelby Spong on September, 29 2011

Wednesday, September 21, was a consciousness-raising day in the United States.  It is always a conscious-raising occasion when a high profile public execution is about to take place.  The people …