Brian D Mclaren

There is a fundamental question facing Christian sects in America, an ideological distinction that cleaves the many churches into two different camps: is it better to fit the church and Christianity to the world, or is it better to mold the world to the faith?

It's not hard to fall out with the most conservative elements of any religious community. One of the ways conservative authority figures multiply their power is by keeping moderate elements afraid of becoming the objects of conservative ire.

There is no question that Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others have been violent in God's name. The question is whether we believe violence is inherent to the character of God.