GET THIS CARTOON

The CruciFiction:

I will have to confess
that I was a mess
when I was a child,
not so meek and mild.

When my age was in days
I cried nights away.
And when I was little
I bit my mom’s nipple.

I thought bad thoughts
and I’d whimper a lot.
Oh, I had smelly poo,
and smelly pee too.

Jealous of sister,
I neglected to kiss her.
And our cat Gail,
I pulled her long tail.

I projectiled my dinner,
which makes me a sinner.
You can probably tell
that I’m going to Hell.

GET THIS PRINT!

Not just members are leaving the church!

It is estimated that in the USA alone approximately 2,000 pastors leave the ministry PER MONTH! Apparently that’s just a fraction of those who wish they could but can’t for whatever reasons. The statistics are eye-opening!

I am one of those pastors who left. I’m glad I did. My life is now better for it.

It was a long struggle until I did leave though. I’m totally empathetic towards those who struggle to stay or leave.

*** PROMOTION: I created a workshop (which includes a private and confidential Facebook group as well as a safe space to ask me anything) to help pastors with the transition out of the ministry, including right down to the detail of helping them redo their resume! Check it out!

GET THIS PRINT!

Originally, this cartoon had Jesus saying, “And Falwell is reversing all mine!” Even though I believe that’s true, I think this one is more applicable these days, and I find it very concerning.

*** PROMOTION: Are you feeling lonely after leaving the church? I know I did. But I don’t any more. Two years after I left the ministry and the church, I launched The Lasting Supper, an online community for people deconstructing their believes and their relationship to Christianity and the church. Even though it is an online community and not a face-to-face one, it really does fill a void for many of us. We really do care for one another and endeavor to show mutual respect in all our discussions.

Check us out!

GET THIS T-SHIRT!

So this morning when I told my wife the meaning of the title of this shirt, she admitted she hadn’t realized that it was a play on words.

“Science and Wonders” is supposed to conjure up “Signs and Wonders”. hahahaha.

Also, I think that it would be in the Spirit of Christ to appreciate science, believe in climate change, and care for the planet. Don’t you?

A few people who did get the joke asked if I could add the words to the t-shirt because they felt it added to the value of the shirt. So I did.

It is available in unisex/men’s tees, women’s v-necks, and men’s tanks and women’s tank tops. Even phone cases! OR buy the ORIGINAL DRAWING or FINE ART PRINTS.

GET THIS PRINT

OWN THIS DRAWING or PRINT or TEE!

The CruciFiction:

Here’s Jesus and science in the same picture!
Now some from both sides will give me a lecture:
“He and it don’t belong together!
For they are divided forever and ever!”

But that’s like saying the Buddha and meat
cannot be found on the very same street.
Or that God and pigs cannot get along.
And we all know that’s just terribly wrong.

So I just proved them wrong right here
by putting them both in the very same picture.
Religion and science don’t have to be foes.
They each can research what the other one knows.

GET THIS PRINT

The CruciFiction:

The COR Program (Cities of Refuge) was established a few years after the Overthrow to meet the unfortunate reality of the LGBTQ people, nicknamed “Strains” because they are a burden to the State and on Society. Each State is required to designate one city as a refuge for Strains. If no city volunteers then one is assigned this role. If the city does not maintain a population of at least 50,000 Strains then it is eliminated. Many citizens do their best to make this happen, which is why the population requirement is so low.

The concept is based on the Old Testament Cities of Refuge where certain centers were designated a shelter for those who had committed manslaughter because blood vengeance was legal. Murderers could flee to those cities and find protection from revenge. Since Strains are considered not only abnormal but deviant they are deemed enemies of order and therefore quasi-criminal. But, since there is considerable underground opposition to this view of Strains and for the benefit of its reputation in the world, the State invented this alternative of isolation.

If a gay person ventures outside of the walls of one of these cities it is most certainly fatal and probably suicidal. He would be left for dead wherever he was attacked and nothing would be done about it except the body would disappear overnight for disposal since Strains are not mentioned in any of the law books or courts or statutes or anything at all. Legally, they do not exist and therefore have zero rights outside of a COR.

If you are a Strain then it is up to you to flee if you can once you turn 18 to one of these rumored cities in order to save yourself because outside of those walls no law prevents your persecution or death.

The more conservative of the population resent the existence of these cities and take exception to the excuse that it is a necessary evil. But beware if you wander outside the city! The most dangerous place in all the world is just outside those walls… for those who venture out and for those who attempt approach for asylum.

The more liberal of the population are proud of this measure and consider it compassionate and gracious for the State to provide pockets of refuge in a dark and dangerous world for those people. They consider Strains fortunate to have such a program devised for their protection.

But to those living in the cities this is nothing new, for they’d always been the victims of the whimsy of those who hold power and have a voice in both the Church and the State. They are used to the constant insinuation that they are lucky to be alive.

GET THIS PRINT

I realized after drawing this cartoon that it could apply to how people read the Bible.

Some read it and believe the Bible is against them. And therefore against others.

Some read it and believe the Bible is for them. And therefore for others.

Barth, for almost his whole career as a theologian, emphasized what he called God’s NO! to humanity. But towards the end of his life he wished he had emphasized more God’s YES! to humanity.

This is what I mean.

GET THIS PRINT!

GET THIS PRINT & OTHER ART

It’s okay to be a lamb. But not only.

It’s okay to be a lion. But not only.

The mixture of humility with courage is a powerful force in the world.

Be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove comes to mind when I look at this cartoon.