Tag Archives: christianity

Do Unto Others

By Hank Zumach, January 19, 2014 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. It will not surprise the regular readers of these columns that I have serious theological disagreements with the major religions. It may surprise, even shock, readers that I … Continue reading

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Has This Debate Run Its Course?

By Mike Dishnow, November 24, 2013 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. A learned and respected community member opined to me that the continuing debate between the atheists and theists in the tribune is perplexing. The members of his mainstream … Continue reading

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Was There Really a Christmas Star?

By Ed Neumann, December 22, 2013 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. Although the Star of Bethlehem looks good on a Christmas card, what was this portentous luminary and how did it direct wise men to the little Judean hamlet? … Continue reading

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The Lives of Saviors Conform to a Hero Narrative

By Ed Neumann, October 27, 2013 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. People have always held deep convictions about “bigger-than-life-heroes,” saviors who would appear at their darkest hour and, wielding supernatural powers, right what is wrong. These beliefs are ubiquitous … Continue reading

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Gospel Lifts

By Ed Neumann, May 12, 2013 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. Are the gospels purely historical accounts, or were elements borrowed from pre-Christian myths and rituals? Those who’ve studied both ancient mythology and the bible often come away with … Continue reading

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What Is Meaning of “Christian”?

By Hank Zumach, February 17, 2013 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. We all have repeatedly heard and read the word “Christian.” It is used in common phrases such as “Christian nation,” “Christian values” and “Christian beliefs” to indicate some … Continue reading

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The Greatest Story Never Told

By Jeremy Fejfar, October 28, 2012 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” If you ask the average Christian for something Jesus is … Continue reading

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Variety of Belief One of Religion’s Major Downfalls

By Maria Runde, September 30, 2012 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. One of the many difficulties with the world’s religions is that each believes itself to be correct — and all the others to be wrong. Each religion holds … Continue reading

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How Business Can Be Bad for Religions

By Hank Zumach, September 2, 2012 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. It is an unfortunate and disturbing fact of U.S. politics that misinformation, half truths, deception and even outright lies have become a routine tactic when trying to influence … Continue reading

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Columnist ignored key elements of scandal

By Larry Imhoff, May 16, 2010 Tim Hutten’s column (Friday Tribune) addressed the Catholic Church’s latest scandal but missed several key points. He praised Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI for not accepting a bribe – a “cash-stuffed envelope.” I see no … Continue reading

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Try to clear this hurdle

By Thomas Neubauer, May 19, 2009 What can I say about Dolly Wolfe’s letter but that Fred Phelps wants his sign back. It has been a long standing position of mine that religion is for those who demand others follow … Continue reading

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Doesn’t sound so loving

By Helen Neubauer, May 19, 2009 As usual, I am sadly amused by the intolerance and hypocrisy that flows from the pens (or should I say keyboard) of some people who call themselves “Christians.” Perhaps Dolly Wolfe should reread what … Continue reading

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Cross issue is confused

By Jeremy Fejfar, March 21, 2008 The problem many people seem to be having with taking down the “Star Hill Cross” is the perceived object that’s under dispute. Many people are getting very upset because they see this as an … Continue reading

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The Myth of a Christian Nation

By Jeremy Fejfar, October 29, 2007 Recently the Tribune has run a couple of opinion letters that claim that the laws of United States of America were based on the Ten Commandments of the Bible. Let’s examine this claim. “Worship … Continue reading

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Ill winds blow on church-state issues

By Mike Dishnow, April 28, 2004 With upward of 500,000, some estimates place the number above 750,000 people, many from beyond our borders, marching on Washington to protect the reproductive and individual rights of women, it is time for pause … Continue reading

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Spiritual Journey Ends with Decision to Leave the Church

By Betty Hammond, August 5, 2012 My experience with religion began as a young child when my granny took me to a revival meeting. She was the preacher that night, and for the first time, I heard about sin, guilt, … Continue reading

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World Overflowing with Holy Hardware

By Ed Neumann, July 08, 2012 Beneath the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican lie the supposed remains of the prince of apostles himself, including much of his skull. Curiously, the clergy of the Cathedral of St. … Continue reading

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Search for Truth Leads to Rejection of Religion

By Joshua Everett, June 10, 2012 Published in the La Crosse Tribune. I am an ordained, fundamentalist evangelical Christian minister — and an atheist. It might seem counterintuitive to read such a sentence, but a surprising number of ministers are … Continue reading

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History Reveals Why Christmas Falls on Dec. 25

By Ed Neumann, December 18, 2011 People all over the world commemorate the birth of Christ on Dec. 25, but that was not the original date chosen for this observance. In fact, in the earliest centuries of our era, it … Continue reading

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Holy Smoke (and Mirrors)

By Ed Neumann, September 4, 2011 “Santo subito!” chanted the crowd that filled St. Peter’s Square following the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. “Sainthood immediately!” It wasn’t long before thousands of “medical miracles” were reported, claiming attribution … Continue reading

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It’s Time to Climb Out of the Darkness

By Hank Zumach, November 7, 2010 Wandering in a vast forest at night, I have only a faint light to guide me. A stranger appears and says to me: “My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to … Continue reading

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What One Freethinker Believes about Hell

By Marybeth Clark How do freethinkers “deal with the enigma of eternity,” asked Tim Haering in a recent letter to the editor (May 25 Tribune). My first response was akin to that of Mark Twain: “I do not fear death. … Continue reading

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Sun Gods Have a Surprising Amount in Common

By Ed Neumann, June 20, 2010 Over the ages, ancient star gazers did not merely observe the movements of celestial bodies in the heavens but personified them and told stories about their lives on earth. The sun, considered the “savior … Continue reading

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Friendship Thrives Despite Differences in Faith

Marybeth Clark and Kathy Swanson share at least one common experience of God. As young children, each asked God to intervene in their lives and neither received an apparent answer. Now in their 60s, the friends have found themselves on … Continue reading

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Separation of Church and State

10/26/2011- A debate between Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and Dr. Paul Helseth, Northwestern College Associate Professor of Christian Thought Separation of Church and State Part 1 (MP3) Separation of Church and State Part 2 (MP3)

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