David R. Bains
@drbains.bsky.social
Historian of religion in America and of Christian worship at Samford U. | Editor of magiccityreligion.org, an undergraduate-written site on religion in Birmingham, AL | Studies religion in D.C. | Blog at chasingchurches.org. | Displaced Virginian.
When I grew up, Protestant clergy could be styled “the Reverend James John” in formal address but in every day direct address and reference were called “Mr. John.”
Why can’t we just do that?
Why must it now be “Pastor John,” “the Reverend John,” or even “Father John”?
Why can’t we just do that?
Why must it now be “Pastor John,” “the Reverend John,” or even “Father John”?
July 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
When I grew up, Protestant clergy could be styled “the Reverend James John” in formal address but in every day direct address and reference were called “Mr. John.”
Why can’t we just do that?
Why must it now be “Pastor John,” “the Reverend John,” or even “Father John”?
Why can’t we just do that?
Why must it now be “Pastor John,” “the Reverend John,” or even “Father John”?
Reposted by David R. Bains
1977: why would the bartender in star wars even care if some robots with artificial intelligence came into his bar
2025: ohhh ok
2025: ohhh ok
July 9, 2025 at 2:12 AM
1977: why would the bartender in star wars even care if some robots with artificial intelligence came into his bar
2025: ohhh ok
2025: ohhh ok
Check out our new set of essays on worship in Birmingham, AL, by Samford University students magiccityreligion.org/2025/06/16/c...
Christian Worship in Birmingham, Alabama: Byzantine, Charismatic, and Much in between
By David R. Bains, founder and editor of Magic City Religion What does Christain worship look like in Birmingham, Alabama? In spring 2025, students in my Christian Worship: History and Theology cou…
magiccityreligion.org
July 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Check out our new set of essays on worship in Birmingham, AL, by Samford University students magiccityreligion.org/2025/06/16/c...
Reposted by David R. Bains
remember, the blitzkrieg is intended to make you feel like there is nothing you can do about it; that’s the only reason to go forward in this haphazard and sloppy manner all in the first week
and the choice of that strategy tells you they are afraid you *will* do something about it
and the choice of that strategy tells you they are afraid you *will* do something about it
January 23, 2025 at 5:01 AM
remember, the blitzkrieg is intended to make you feel like there is nothing you can do about it; that’s the only reason to go forward in this haphazard and sloppy manner all in the first week
and the choice of that strategy tells you they are afraid you *will* do something about it
and the choice of that strategy tells you they are afraid you *will* do something about it
I'm very grateful to these clergy: Baptist, Disciples, Roman Catholic for joining us at Samford University to discuss the eucharist this morning!
January 23, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I'm very grateful to these clergy: Baptist, Disciples, Roman Catholic for joining us at Samford University to discuss the eucharist this morning!
Very well written article on Bishop Budde and her sermon
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
The Bishop Who Pleaded With Trump: ‘Was Anyone Going to Say Anything?’ (Gift Article)
Bishop Budde locked eyes with President Trump and made a plea for mercy — and the war over spiritual authority in America was ignited anew.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Very well written article on Bishop Budde and her sermon
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/u...
Reposted by David R. Bains
You’ve certainly seen the controversy and cruelty over the last three minutes of this sermon.
But watch the entire thing. It is less than 15 minutes. You'll be inspired and strengthened for theological and spiritual resistance.
The First Sermon open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
But watch the entire thing. It is less than 15 minutes. You'll be inspired and strengthened for theological and spiritual resistance.
The First Sermon open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
The First Sermon
The parts you probably didn't hear
open.substack.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
You’ve certainly seen the controversy and cruelty over the last three minutes of this sermon.
But watch the entire thing. It is less than 15 minutes. You'll be inspired and strengthened for theological and spiritual resistance.
The First Sermon open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
But watch the entire thing. It is less than 15 minutes. You'll be inspired and strengthened for theological and spiritual resistance.
The First Sermon open.substack.com/pub/dianabut...
I'm looking foward to convening this discussion tomorrow. Thanks to our panelists for agreeing to participate!
January 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I'm looking foward to convening this discussion tomorrow. Thanks to our panelists for agreeing to participate!
Reposted by David R. Bains
Can you imagine the courage it took to preach this message directly to the president? This is what a follower of Jesus looks like. (Partial transcript below.)
1.21.25 Homily by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
YouTube video by Washington National Cathedral
youtu.be
January 21, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Can you imagine the courage it took to preach this message directly to the president? This is what a follower of Jesus looks like. (Partial transcript below.)
The rise of non-denominational Protestants has certainly changed the context in which I teach. But I find that most of them don't even know they are Protestants. They just think they are non-denominational Christians.
The #1 story in American religion is the rise of the nones.
The #2 story is the rise of the nons.
Non-denominational Protestants.
In 1972, they were 2% of all Americans.
3% of all Protestants.
In 2022, they were 14% of all Americans.
35% of all Protestants.
The #2 story is the rise of the nons.
Non-denominational Protestants.
In 1972, they were 2% of all Americans.
3% of all Protestants.
In 2022, they were 14% of all Americans.
35% of all Protestants.
January 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The rise of non-denominational Protestants has certainly changed the context in which I teach. But I find that most of them don't even know they are Protestants. They just think they are non-denominational Christians.
The official schedule has the Carter family boarding the plane for Georgia in 13 minutes, but President Biden just started his eulogy. Clearly the schedule underestimated the length of this funeral. #carter
January 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The official schedule has the Carter family boarding the plane for Georgia in 13 minutes, but President Biden just started his eulogy. Clearly the schedule underestimated the length of this funeral. #carter
jtfncr.mdw.army.mil
January 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
At President Bush's funeral four years ago, President Trump made news by remaining silent during the recitation of the Apostle's Creed. Carter's funeral today will not include it. #carter 1/x chasingchurches.org/2018/12/06/a...
The Apostles’ Creed Has a Big Day, Thanks to the Trumps’ Silence.
Besides giving Trump critics another opportunity to denounce him, the online discussion involved a number of interesting points about the creed.
chasingchurches.org
January 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
At President Bush's funeral four years ago, President Trump made news by remaining silent during the recitation of the Apostle's Creed. Carter's funeral today will not include it. #carter 1/x chasingchurches.org/2018/12/06/a...
The spaces and logistics are different. But do British state funerals, ever involve this long awkward silences?
Mind you awkward silences are appropriate at funerals.
#carter #statefuneral
Mind you awkward silences are appropriate at funerals.
#carter #statefuneral
January 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The spaces and logistics are different. But do British state funerals, ever involve this long awkward silences?
Mind you awkward silences are appropriate at funerals.
#carter #statefuneral
Mind you awkward silences are appropriate at funerals.
#carter #statefuneral
The role of the cathedral and First Baptist Church in President Carter's funeral. chasingchurches.org/2025/01/04/w...
Why President Carter’s Funeral is at Washington National Cathedral
In a brief essay posted last week I noted some of the reasons why Washington’s Episcopal cathedral had become the accustomed place for presidential funerals, even for those, like Jimmy Carter…
chasingchurches.org
January 4, 2025 at 9:23 PM
The role of the cathedral and First Baptist Church in President Carter's funeral. chasingchurches.org/2025/01/04/w...
Reposted by David R. Bains
I’ve always thought of Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover as twin spirits.
Two of the smartest men to become president; two of the most politically tone deaf, too.
And both were driven by their faith to give back to the public, though Hoover’s good work all came *before* entering politics.
Two of the smartest men to become president; two of the most politically tone deaf, too.
And both were driven by their faith to give back to the public, though Hoover’s good work all came *before* entering politics.
December 29, 2024 at 9:46 PM
I’ve always thought of Jimmy Carter and Herbert Hoover as twin spirits.
Two of the smartest men to become president; two of the most politically tone deaf, too.
And both were driven by their faith to give back to the public, though Hoover’s good work all came *before* entering politics.
Two of the smartest men to become president; two of the most politically tone deaf, too.
And both were driven by their faith to give back to the public, though Hoover’s good work all came *before* entering politics.
Reposted by David R. Bains
Jimmy Carter is a hero of the renewable energy revolution, and if we’d listened to him we could have gotten where we are now decades earlier.
December 29, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Jimmy Carter is a hero of the renewable energy revolution, and if we’d listened to him we could have gotten where we are now decades earlier.
Reposted by David R. Bains
Carter was the ironically the first president to make evangelical a political powerhouse and inadvertently launched the religious right.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Jimmy Carter, 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at 100, his son says
The tenacious Southerner was turned out of office after one term. But he had a brilliant post-presidential career as a champion of health, peace and democracy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 29, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Carter was the ironically the first president to make evangelical a political powerhouse and inadvertently launched the religious right.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Will there be a church funeral for President Carter in DC, and if there is will it be at First Baptist Church or Washington National Cathedral? #carter
December 29, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Will there be a church funeral for President Carter in DC, and if there is will it be at First Baptist Church or Washington National Cathedral? #carter
Reposted by David R. Bains
OpenAI doesn't report a single number for its climate impacts - not anywhere, in any way, shape or form.
It sounds kind of obvious but the fact that a company with such incredible electricity hunger isn't disclosing basic information about its energy consumption and associated emissions is v bad..
It sounds kind of obvious but the fact that a company with such incredible electricity hunger isn't disclosing basic information about its energy consumption and associated emissions is v bad..
December 28, 2024 at 7:58 AM
OpenAI doesn't report a single number for its climate impacts - not anywhere, in any way, shape or form.
It sounds kind of obvious but the fact that a company with such incredible electricity hunger isn't disclosing basic information about its energy consumption and associated emissions is v bad..
It sounds kind of obvious but the fact that a company with such incredible electricity hunger isn't disclosing basic information about its energy consumption and associated emissions is v bad..
A tour of one of the roads in my hometown with lots of churches: Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Lutherans (LCMS) built these (plus the site of one of the first Anglican parishes in the U.S.) chasingchurches.org/2024/12/21/k... #churches
Kecoughtan Road Churches (Hampton, Virginia). Part 1
From Downtown Hampton, Virginia, to the Newport News city line, US-60 follows Kecoughtan Road. (Pronounced Kick-uh-TAN.) Opened as the first hard-surface road between Hampton and Newport News in 19…
chasingchurches.org
December 28, 2024 at 12:17 PM
A tour of one of the roads in my hometown with lots of churches: Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventists, and Lutherans (LCMS) built these (plus the site of one of the first Anglican parishes in the U.S.) chasingchurches.org/2024/12/21/k... #churches