What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents About: Christianity

There is a fine line between being witty and being a smart elek, and Matthew Paul Turner has made an art of carefully walking that line. His newest tightrope act, “What You Didn’t Learn from Your Parents About: Chrisitanity” is an enlightening, yet playful exploration of the world of the Christian sub-culture.

This is not uncharted territory for Turner, who authored, “The Christian Culture Survival Guide,” but it is new scenary in a familiar land. This examination could be veiwed controversial considering some of the targets at which Turner fires his flaming arrows of observation. No one is safe: Binney Hinn, the Baptists, Christian music, even your grandmother are put under the microscope.

One aspect of the book that can repel some readers and at the same time attract others is the format. This book reads as if it were written by someone with ADHD for someone with ADHD. There is the main narrative, of course, but this is often interrupted by side-bars, other stories, thoughts by the publishers and even charts.

If you, like myself, have difficulty focusing on one topic for an extended period of time, this hyperactivity may break up the monotony. Not that the book ever becomes monotonous; there isn’t any opportunity for it. The chapters are relatively short and easily read. The added information can be read after finishing the chapter or as you come to them.

Overall, the book is an intellectual, yet critical examination of the state of American Christianity: the good, the bad, and the really bad. According to Turner’s web site, there are three other books in the “What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents About…” series. The topics include sex, politics, and money: all of the things your parents taught you to never bring up in public. “What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents About: Christianity” is a great book for anyone who has ever scanned the landscape of American Christianity only to be left confused, cynical, or jaded.

Apple, Bono, Give me a break!

Ok let me be the first to say that I love Apple, and I love U2. Let me also say that I am really getting on board with social justice movements from all across the spectrum. It is admirable that Bono and Apple have teamed up to sell a specially produced iPod Nano: product red.





The promotion is to help raise consciousness and money to fight the increasing pandemic of AIDS in Africa. I get it, that is all very applaudable and worthy of admiration.

Here's what I don't get.
According to this article
it costs Apple about $90 dollars to produce each iPod Nano. When you calculate the cost of this new Bono endorsed product at a retail price of $199.00 you realize that Apple and Bono are making about $100 profit.

I say that because on their website, Apple proudly advertises the fact that 10 whole dollars from the sale of each iPod Nano: product red will go to help fight AIDS in Africa. TEN WHOLE DOLLARS!!!

Give me a break.

Guess Clothing just teamed up with Invisible Children, an organization that helps the children of war-torn Uganda. Guess has opted to give 100% of the proceeds of the clothing line to Invisible Children. This, my friends, is admirable.

Shame on you Bono, and shame on you Apple.

A Slow Descent

by Straylight Run

I'm tired.
Cynical and broken,
but wiser.
Heavy with a sense of resentment,
but i used to be so much different,
I used to have so much faith

when I started.
You knew that I always meant it.
I knew I could make a difference,
I struggled to be heard
and then finally,
one day people started listening.

and I knew it
but as soon as it began it was ruined.
A slow descent from unique to routine,
over and over,
"just do it again and this time with feeling".

The spotlight.
The focus on the friends and the feelings.
That made those stupid songs all worth singing.
And don't you say a word
unless you're pretty sure that you want it analyzed.

So we drove
for what seemed like days
over roads
and four lane highways.
We said all we had to say
and I realized in time
that it didn't mean anything.
Never,
not ever again.
Not like that.
It's only a matter of time.