Susan K. Smith

Shootings will promote more bigotry

I hear people say all the time that Islam is a religion of violence. Really? Is their history of violence any more so than the history of violence in Christianity?

By Susan K. Smith | November 6, 2009; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (29)

Avoiding end-of-life chaos

Death will come. We ought to be ready for it, in as many ways as we can.

By Susan K. Smith | November 3, 2009; 01:58 PM ET | Comments (0)

But faith cannot compel good behavior. In fact, believers have made a science out of sidestepping the supposed "will of God" to do what they want, and then have said that their behavior was justified and condoned by God.

By Susan K. Smith | October 29, 2009; 04:31 PM ET | Comments (5)

A crime should be a crime, but...

Making these types of crimes part of the hate-crime law at least signals to the LGBT community that there is some sensitivity to the danger they are in, as well as the overall discrimination they face.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2009; 11:48 AM ET | Comments (0)

Vatican's move a dishonest distraction

Too often, organized religion sets itself up as a sort of god on earth, pushing people away from the real God as it jams oppressive doctrine and rules down the throats and into the spirits of people seeking to know who God is.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2009; 11:24 AM ET | Comments (11)

Getting Vaccine a Moral Responsibility

When does the well-being of the society take precedence over individual rights? Why is it more important for one to declare his or her "rights" than for that individual to want to help halt the spread of a disease which is, apparently, threatening to become a pandemic?

By Susan K. Smith | October 14, 2009; 04:55 AM ET | Comments (14)

Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

I was surprised by the news that President Barack Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize, because I didn't know he was in contention. But I am not surprised that world has taken notice of his efforts to breach the...

By Susan K. Smith | October 9, 2009; 08:09 AM ET | Comments (3)

No Moral Obligation in Afghanistan

I wish we could leave Afghanistan. I wish we could find a way to deal with the Taliban and al-Qaeda without this war. Militarily, though, I think we have no choice. Morally, we have no voice.

By Susan K. Smith | October 7, 2009; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (3)

God's Will and Nuclear Arms

This issue of nuclear weapons, though, is about so much more than power. It is, in fact, a pro-life and a religious issue. The detonation of a single nuclear weapon would devastate an entire populace. Surely, people who believe in God believe in the sanctity of life.

By Susan K. Smith | September 29, 2009; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (4)

No Exemptions, Please

Religious dogma, if it is worth its salt, can withstand people of differing views.

By Susan K. Smith | September 23, 2009; 12:50 PM ET | Comments (2)

Racism and the Religious Right

The underlying element in all that we are seeing and hearing is racism. People saying that they "want their country back," the accusations of President Obama trying to make the United States a socialist country, and the comparisons of the president to Hitler and other hated figures is racism at its finest.

By Susan K. Smith | September 9, 2009; 04:28 PM ET | Comments (1)

Whose "Faith" is Right?

The problem is that every single religion thinks it is "the" right religion. Every single religion claims that it has the monopoly on truth, and all religions interpret holy texts as they choose.

By Susan K. Smith | September 2, 2009; 01:03 PM ET | Comments (15)

Compassion, Politics and Senator Kennedy

With the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, I am reminded that a precious few can carry both: a passion for politics shaped by a belief in justice and guided by deep compassion.

By Susan K. Smith | August 26, 2009; 04:26 AM ET | Comments (7)

The Real Motivation: Mercy or Money?

Even when mercy should be shown, it is not the usual way of governmental action. So, when Scotland's MacAskill kept talking about mercy, I kept wondering what was really up.

By Susan K. Smith | August 24, 2009; 04:37 PM ET | Comments (5)

God Expects Us to Take Care of Each Other

Study of the scriptures shows God always admonishing the "haves" to take care of the "have-nots."

By Susan K. Smith | August 19, 2009; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (5)

It's Not God's Problem

Is God so narrow-minded, and God's scope so limited, that God would only want to use straight, white men to do his or her work?

By Susan K. Smith | August 5, 2009; 04:05 PM ET | Comments (16)

Marriage a Civil Right, not Sacred Rite

When people get serious about God and an honest relationship with this God we talk about, we might be able to have an honest discussion about marriage being a truly sacred experience.

By Susan K. Smith | July 30, 2009; 03:59 PM ET | Comments (17)

Compassion, Christians and Health Care

Isn't health care a pro-life issue?

By Susan K. Smith | July 21, 2009; 05:22 PM ET | Comments (1)

Biblically Sanctioned Oppression Not God's Will

The misguided and self-serving theology of men has caused women to suffer immensely as they have wanted to do the "will of God," which was really the will of men.

By Susan K. Smith | July 21, 2009; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (3)

Liberty and Justice FOR ALL

There is nothing wrong with allowing Muslims to observe a couple of their holidays. They are American citizens; they are here because of the promised rights and freedoms.

By Susan K. Smith | July 8, 2009; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (3)

A Jackson Eulogy that Mattered

Up until Rev. Sharpton's words, there was nothing really said that directly addressed the Jackson family, including and especially his children.

By Susan K. Smith | July 8, 2009; 10:18 AM ET | Comments (6)

A Convenient Love

I would suspect that Gov. Sanford and all of us who have "fallen" will be forever grateful that the theology of forgiveness provides some balm, some comfort, when we feel the most alone.

By Susan K. Smith | July 1, 2009; 03:04 PM ET | Comments (2)

Madoff's Greed, and Ours

As Madoff and Michael showed us, we seem to want more of everything, except God.

By Susan K. Smith | June 29, 2009; 02:44 PM ET | Comments (1)

Sarkozy Out of Line

Sarkozy is out of line. He has imposed the will of government on a religion.

By Susan K. Smith | June 24, 2009; 03:15 PM ET | Comments (6)

Theocracy or Democracy? Iranians Should Decide

President Obama is doing what he must do - and that is, voice his concern about what is going on but be steadfast about not meddling in the affairs of Iran.

By Susan K. Smith | June 18, 2009; 10:43 AM ET | Comments (4)

The Stupidity of Hatred

This shooting seems to have been done by an OLD man filled with hatred. I would imagine he felt like he had nothing to lose.

By Susan K. Smith | June 10, 2009; 03:58 PM ET | Comments (9)

Equal Rights for All

Gay people who have been together, who have been committed and monogamous and steady and faithful to each other, ought to be have legal rights.

By Susan K. Smith | June 10, 2009; 03:16 PM ET | Comments (6)

Obama's Peacemaking

Obama's speech at Cairo University was nothing short of courageous, ambitious and honest. Surely, someone in the Muslim world was touched as never before.

By Susan K. Smith | June 4, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (5)

Abortion, Christianity and Life

Anti-abortion activists who condone murder are the biggest group of hypocrites I have seen in a long time.

By Susan K. Smith | June 2, 2009; 07:11 AM ET | Comments (9)

Save the Child First

I am glad Daniel Hauser is back home and will get the chemotherapy he needs to stay alive. And I am sure God is OK with it. I would rather risk going against the tenets of my faith and going to hell than let my child die.

By Susan K. Smith | May 27, 2009; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (5)

The President, a University, and Lessons Lost

I'm glad Notre Dame didn't rescind its invitation to the President, and I'm glad that the university gave the President an honorary degree. I think it showed that the University of Notre Dame lived up to what a university is supposed to be: support different points of view in order to inspire dialogue and therefore inspire growth.

By Susan K. Smith | May 19, 2009; 03:11 PM ET | Comments (8)

What Does God Require?

Clergy celibacy should be a choice, not a requirement.

By Susan K. Smith | May 13, 2009; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (5)

Do We Pray as a Nation?

A national day of prayer ideally would help us be a nation of which God would be proud and pleased.

By Susan K. Smith | May 6, 2009; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (2)

The Grumpy Dog's Lesson About Mother's Day

Nobody likes a grumpy dog. And nobody likes a Christian who is a Christian in name only. I thought about that this week when I was going to the curb to retrieve my garbage can. There is a little dog...

By Susan K. Smith | May 5, 2009; 01:59 PM ET | Comments (1)

Torture is Wrong. Period.

How can a person be against abortion and for torture?

By Susan K. Smith | April 29, 2009; 09:07 AM ET | Comments (7)

Religion Stay Home!

Religion has proven to be the breeding ground for people who want to control other people, in the name of God. When religion steps into the role of government, a.k.a. control, it loses its claim of goodness and morality.

By Susan K. Smith | April 21, 2009; 04:14 PM ET | Comments (10)

The President and the Christian Ethic

My interpretation of Jesus' commands to forgive people, no matter what, must be so strong because of Mary Lee, my mother. She was a strong woman, a woman who believed in God. I say it that way because she never...

By Susan K. Smith | April 21, 2009; 02:26 PM ET | Comments (2)

But He's Gay!

Sooner or later we are going to have to stop saying we are Christians ...and be Christians. If I understand what Jesus taught, there is no person who is unworthy of God's love. No matter who one might be...

By Susan K. Smith | April 15, 2009; 04:42 PM ET | Comments (1)

One World, Under God

This war has never been about religion. It so happens that Iraq is a predominantly Muslim nation, and America is predominantly Christian, but the war has been about oil and power, not religion

By Susan K. Smith | April 14, 2009; 08:06 PM ET | Comments (11)

The Power of Apology

Benedict's courage to apologize on behalf of the church, in spite of the criticism he knew he would get, shows he understands that false pride really does come before the fall.

By Susan K. Smith | April 7, 2009; 02:27 PM ET | Comments (0)

Religion, Cults and Reason

God would never sanction letting a baby starve to death - not for any reason!

By Susan K. Smith | March 31, 2009; 02:47 PM ET | Comments (6)

Like God, Satan is Everywhere

If we look at the current financial crisis, we can see that the spirit of greed, fed to us by Satan, lured us to overspend. It lured banks, insurance companies, churches and individuals to spend money it did not have.

By Susan K. Smith | March 25, 2009; 10:01 AM ET | Comments (10)

Religion Often Too Exclusive

Religion does a good job of turning people off and away from God.

By Susan K. Smith | March 18, 2009; 01:21 PM ET | Comments (6)

Life Abundant

I am glad President Obama, as a person of faith, lifted the ban on stem cell research. I believe that God wants people to have the best quality of life they possibly can.

By Susan K. Smith | March 10, 2009; 12:12 AM ET | Comments (7)

My Brother's Keeper? What About Us?

There is a crisis in this land, and it's not all about Wall Street. Main Street is on life support.

By Susan K. Smith | March 3, 2009; 12:00 AM ET | Comments (8)

Government Funding Of, By and For ALL

If the government issues money to any faith-based institution, the government should have the right to demand that there be no discrimination in hiring, and if an institution or organization has a problem with that, that same institution should not seek government funding.

By Susan K. Smith | February 13, 2009; 12:55 AM ET | Comments (3)

Inauguration Prayerful, Not Religious

I did not hear religious rhetoric, but I saw and felt what I think true religion produces: community, cooperation and commitment.

By Susan K. Smith | January 21, 2009; 06:25 AM ET | Comments (4)

A Hopeful Soul

On Inauguration Day, I could hear that message of hope and determination again. If we can make these kinds of strides against racism, there is nothing that we cannot do.

By Susan K. Smith | January 20, 2009; 05:28 PM ET | Comments (0)

Warren Reaches Out in Bad Form

Pastor Warren reaches out to African American community with a form letter.

By Susan K. Smith | January 19, 2009; 09:27 PM ET | Comments (3)

God Help Us If Obama Doesn't Invoke God's Name

Some have argued that to say "so help me God" in the inauguration would be equal to disrespecting those in this country who do not believe in God. Well, by the same argument, to not say that phrase would disrespect those who do believe in God.

By Susan K. Smith | January 16, 2009; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (28)

What About God?

I see God as loving and inclusive. I see God as valuing all people. I see God weeping as he looks at children who claim God as the head of their lives plowing into Gaza with little regard for the innocent people who are being killed.

By Susan K. Smith | January 9, 2009; 11:35 AM ET | Comments (14)

Religious People Ought to Know Better

I was watching a news report the other day about some protesting going on in the United States over the situation in Gaza. I was not surprised; there is much anger about the civilians being massacred and that anger is...

By Susan K. Smith | January 9, 2009; 09:46 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama, Warren and America

Obama is the President-elect, and since he desires to distance himself from incendiary types, I think he should "uninvite" Pastor Warren to do the invocation. Too many people know that, at the hands of Warren, they would be excluded from the presence of God.

By Susan K. Smith | December 30, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (34)

Yes, If You Believe in a Loving, Inclusive God

The drama and pathos that has erupted over gay marriage is not because the Bible endorses heterosexual relationships as the norm. It has erupted because there has been a veil of "nastiness" attendant to sexuality, whether straight or gay.

By Susan K. Smith | December 9, 2008; 01:56 PM ET | Comments (38)

Even (and Especially) the President Needs God

Mr. Obama will need a palpable God. He will need music that transcends the noise of a bothered and confused world. He will need the silence of a sacred space in order to connect with the God who will get him through his presidency, unrealistic expectations notwithstanding.

By Susan K. Smith | December 1, 2008; 08:12 AM ET | Comments (8)

Render Unto Caesar

When politicians start making moral or religious proclamations, the roles are muddied.

By Susan K. Smith | November 23, 2008; 01:35 PM ET | Comments (24)

No Need to Repent for Choice

If a person is pro-life, ought not that person, or that institution (i.e., "the church) be in support of life on all levels? Isn't is murder as well when we ignore children once they are born, support policies that deny them health care, food and clothing, and shut our eyes to the conditions that lead too many children from the cradle to the prisons?

By Susan K. Smith | November 17, 2008; 05:17 PM ET | Comments (2)

My Faith in America's Promise

Even as I write this, I am weeping, because this was a victory of Biblical proportions. Barack Obama was and is tired of divisiveness; God was and is tired of divisiveness. God brought this nation to this day, "for such a time as this." This is a new America which honors the God who created us all, the God who loves all of us, no matter who we are.

By Susan K. Smith | November 11, 2008; 09:04 AM ET | Comments (33)

Choice, Life and Compassion

There is not much compassion, in my opinion, in any religion that I have studied. There is the potential for compassion, but the actual practice is almost absent, at least on a large scale.

By Susan K. Smith | November 11, 2008; 08:59 AM ET | Comments (6)

Yes, If a Candidate Cares Less For "The Least"

If I KNEW for certain that either or both candidates didn't care about "the least of these," that would be the reason I would not be able to vote for him. That would be against my religion.

By Susan K. Smith | November 2, 2008; 06:57 AM ET | Comments (30)

Religion has Duped Women

Religion has kept us bound, frightened, uptight, abused and unhappy. Religion for the most part has not empowered us at all, but instead kept us under a yoke that only gets heavier and heavier.

By Susan K. Smith | October 21, 2008; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (21)

Racism and Rage: A Bad Mix

Nobody wants to say that THE ISSUE underneath the rage is racism. What happens is Obama wins? What happens if he doesn't?

By Susan K. Smith | October 16, 2008; 12:33 AM ET | Comments (14)

Victory at Any Cost? God Help Us

McCain, Obama, Biden and Palin -- wake up! The people of America are in deep distress; they are crying out in desperation. Quite frankly, we don't have time for such insensitive foolishness. If you cannot win on the issues, the economy being THE BIGGEST issue, then you simply do not deserve to win.

By Susan K. Smith | October 8, 2008; 01:24 PM ET | Comments (10)

Do They Love God Enough to Love All Others?

So, I really don't care about Palin's and Biden's religious beliefs. I do care, though, about what they think about what is the best way to help "the least of these" in this country and in this world.

By Susan K. Smith | October 5, 2008; 05:09 AM ET | Comments (9)

The Government Should Leave Women Alone

If Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin had a plan to help the babies once they were born, a plan that virtually eliminated the suffering too many babies go through once they are here, then I might not be as adamant as I am about Roe V. Wade not being overturned

By Susan K. Smith | September 29, 2008; 04:47 AM ET | Comments (58)

What's Wrong with Black Liberation Theology?

Black Liberation theology has succeeded in freeing us from the grip of the negative opinions of those who do not know us.

By Susan K. Smith | September 25, 2008; 03:52 AM ET | Comments (11)

Loving God or Money

Usury, which is the overcharging of people, is Biblically condemned! "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy," it says in the Book of Exodus, " charge him no interest."

By Susan K. Smith | September 17, 2008; 12:44 AM ET | Comments (25)

Women, Can We Hold Up a Minute?

Just because someone looks like us does not mean that she is good for us.

By Susan K. Smith | September 10, 2008; 12:13 PM ET | Comments (3)

Palin's God

People who think they are being directed by God to do something are scary; their commitment and conviction is admirable, but what they do, or what they endorse, in the name of God is ... scary.

By Susan K. Smith | September 9, 2008; 06:46 AM ET | Comments (43)

When We Act Too "Holy"

People ought to quit acting like being a Christian makes them exempt from human foibles. People, pastors and preachers ought to stop lifting up the fragility of humanity as examples of the depravity of some people - not them - and concentrate on preaching and teaching the love Jesus taught that we ought to have for all people.

By Susan K. Smith | September 3, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (1)

Bible Says What We Tend to Believe

Unfortunately, the church, for the most part, has a way to go in catching up to the state when it comes to treating and trusting women as capable leaders.

By Susan K. Smith | September 3, 2008; 11:13 AM ET | Comments (5)

Righteous History

Susan K. Smith | At the moment Barack Obama was officially nominated, black people remembered, rejoiced and wept.

By Susan K. Smith | August 28, 2008; 09:09 AM ET | Comments (68)

God In, Religion Out

Obama and McCain ought to follow suit and leave religion out of this campaign, but for goodness' sake, and for the sake of this nation and world, lean on,learn of, and use ... God.

By Susan K. Smith | August 27, 2008; 08:38 AM ET | Comments (15)

Hush! Don't Say a Word!

Why did Michelle Obama have to be so careful not to talk about race?

By Susan K. Smith | August 26, 2008; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (1)

Forgiveness, Women and Infidelity

What I'm concerned about is Elizabeth Edwards, and in fact all women who deal with unfaithful husbands.

By Susan K. Smith | August 25, 2008; 08:31 AM ET | Comments (16)

Faith or Belief in What?

McCain lifted up General Petraeus as one person he would listen to intently were he president, while Obama lifted up his wife and grandmother. That's nice and all, but good Americans are not interested in what your wife and grandmother would say. This thing is about America, not your family

By Susan K. Smith | August 19, 2008; 09:19 AM ET | Comments (20)

What is Life?

When it is all said and done, does it matter what a United States president believes when it comes to abortion, stem cell research and same sex marriage?

By Susan K. Smith | August 18, 2008; 06:32 PM ET | Comments (1)

Pulpit Politics

Are you pimping the American religious community? Is your quest for the presidency so intense that you will do anything, even muddy the so-called separation between church and state?

By Susan K. Smith | August 15, 2008; 08:37 AM ET | Comments (76)

Isaac Hayes an Example of Christianity's Lack?

Christians criticize the Muslims, but Muslims have been able to empower scores of young African American men. Why doesn't Christianity have that same record?

By Susan K. Smith | August 12, 2008; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (2)

God's Usefulness Recognized in Bad Times

When things are going well, people are less likely to be found on their knees or at church.

By Susan K. Smith | August 7, 2008; 07:08 AM ET | Comments (16)

Racial Reconciliation Begins with an Apology

Slavery was wrong. Racial discrimination in education, housing, and economics was wrong. The compliance of the United States government in discriminatory practices was wrong, and an apology is long overdue.

By Susan K. Smith | August 1, 2008; 11:43 AM ET | Comments (92)

Is God Crying?

Apparently, God wanted the variety of people, of religions and traditions. Apparently God is all right with that. The diversity makes the world richer and more interesting.

By Susan K. Smith | August 1, 2008; 08:50 AM ET | Comments (20)

God Cannot Be Forced

Nobody - not even a commanding officer - can make someone believe in something he or she does not believe in. One's spirituality is a personal matter, too personal, oftentimes, to even talk about.

By Susan K. Smith | July 23, 2008; 07:43 AM ET | Comments (25)

Spirituality is All in How You Think

I do not believe anymore that human life, as we see it, is all there is. I respect the power of the spirit world and I respect the cyclical nature of life. Bodies die but spirits linger.

By Susan K. Smith | July 15, 2008; 04:42 PM ET | Comments (32)

The Problem with Rituals

I don't think God gave a hoot that Sally Quinn, a non-Catholic, took communion at Tim Russert's funeral. God didn't make denominations. People did, and continue to do, if the truth be told. And the truth derived by humans is too often not inclusive and welcoming, but exclusive and divisive.

By Susan K. Smith | July 10, 2008; 07:54 AM ET | Comments (32)

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