David Simmons
@frdavid
Episcopal Priest, Presbyterian Pastor, Ecumenist, LGBTQIA+ Ally, Oblate of the Order of Julian of Norwich, Chief Election Inspector, Tolkien Nut, Percussionist and Gaming Dork.
Two Baptists — Sen. Warnock and Speaker Mike Johnson — spent 30 minutes arguing over Matthew 25 and left further apart than they started. Johnson says it's about individuals, not nations. But in a democracy, there's no impermeable wall or responsibility between the person and the state. ⚓
Re-watching “Gettysburg.” Struck by Chamberlain’s speech to some mutineers - “We are here for something new… we are an army set to set men free.. no man has to bow. No man born to royalty - here we judge you by what you do not by who your father was…. It’s the idea that we all have value.”
Here's an idea, since we follow a lord who was executed by the Roman State, maybe Christians shouldn't be staging mock executions to traumatize children. ⚓
The Southern Baptists voted to tighten their ban on women preaching. Here's the positive case for women in ordained ministry — running from the empty tomb to a quote from a theologian who defended the male priesthood. #Theology #WomenInMinistry #Christianity ⚓
The Pentagon quietly cut the military's recognized religions from 211 to 31 last week. 22 are Christian denominations. Judaism and Islam each got a single box; UUs, Neo-Pagans, and others got filed under "Other." Religious freedom isn't freedom if it only counts the religions in charge. ⚓
What made me an ally for queer people in the church? A conversation in college I never forgot. 🏳️🌈 🧵 ⚓
The new encyclical on AI and war quotes Gandalf, and honestly, it's a perfect fit. Using Tolkien to argue that small, faithful acts of resistance matter in the face of dehumanization is the most "even the smallest person can change the course of the future" energy a papal document has ever had. ⚓
There’s a story I heard from John Shelby Spong once. He was friends with the famous astronomer Carl Sagan. One time Sagan came bouncing up to Spong at a party and said, “You know, if Jesus left earth on Ascension Day and travelled at the speed of light, he’d still be in the Milky Way Galaxy!” ⚓️
When the entire book of #Exodus is apparently not enough to stop you..... ⚓
Are all religions really the same? Comparing Gandhi and Khomeini shows why that claim doesn't hold up. For Christians, Jesus is the standard — and that's not a barrier to interfaith dialogue, it's what makes it honest. ⚓
Can war ever be good from a Christian perspective? There is a difference between "Just" and "Good." #christianity #episcopalchurch #jesus #justwar ⚓
Is the #Pope being "Too Political" when he speaks out against wars? #Episcopal #Christianity #Politics ⚓
Here on Easter, our president is once again threatening to draw our military into war crimes by destroying civilian power and transportation infrastructure. ⚓️
“I gave you my peace, but you draw the sword in my name, and you have made a cross for your Savior.” #GoodFriday ⚓️
The SecDef is deeply unserious. The families of the members of our Armed Forces deserve better.
“It was not Hitler or Himmler who abducted me, beat me, and shot my family. It was the shoemaker, the milkman, the neighbor-who received a uniform and then believed they were the master race.” - Karl Stojka, Auschwitz survivor ⚓️
Challenging the President’s derogatory comments about people from Somalia with Bishop Matt Gunter’s powerful response, emphasizing human dignity, Christian values, and the importance of respecting all people regardless of origin or background. ⚓ #christianity #episcopal #jesus #POTUS #somali
“The Christian faith enables, or should enable, a man to stand back from society and its institutions and realize that they all stand under the inscrutable judgment of God..” Thomas Merton ⚓️
Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums drum section at the Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll in the proper spirit.
A sermon in response to multiple stories of local immigrants being detained while attending their court appointments and the statement of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. open.substack.com/pub/frdavido... ⚓
PSA: If you claim to be a "practicing Catholic" and you believe this, you really are not listening to the Gospel reading on Sunday mornings. Matthew 10:34-37, Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, Luke 14:26, Luke 9:59-62 ⚓️
So how well did JD Vance do with his answer to a question about his wife’s potential religious conversion? I examine his statements on free will and religious freedom. #episcopalchurch #christianity #interfaith #jdvance ⚓
JD Vance said last week that he hoped his wife Usha, who was raised Hindu, would be “somehow moved by church.” This has brought controversy pertaining to the history of how people “Become Christian,” which can span from personal discovery to forced conversion. ⚓️
