billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 4hIt's not just the president and some other politicians who lie regularly. Dishonesty in our culture seems to be an epidemic: bit.ly/4ARA7YXbit.lyDishonesty is much more than a political problemA new book says we’re in an ‘honesty crisis’ 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 12hDespite so many people pledging allegiance to a faith tradition, dishonesty can be found throughout society. Why? Excellent question: bit.ly/4ARA7YXbit.lyDishonesty is much more than a political problemA new book says we’re in an ‘honesty crisis’ 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Do you even exist if you don't exist digitally? Thoughts about that, about Putin's altar boy and about Pete Hegseth on my blog: bit.ly/4AKJGJ9bit.lyWhy are we allowing the tech world to dehumanize us?It’s as if we only exist online 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Where can you find dehumanizing high-tech issues, Putin's altar boy and Pete Hegseth all together? On my Bill's 'Faith Matters' Blog this weekend. You'll be sorry if you miss it: bit.ly/4AKJGJ9bit.lyWhy are we allowing the tech world to dehumanize us?It’s as if we only exist online 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Lots on my Bill's 'Faith Matters' Blog this weekend: From digitalizing human beings to Putin's "altar boy" to Pete Hegseth. Oh, my: bit.ly/4AKJGJ9bit.lyWhy are we allowing the tech world to dehumanize us?It’s as if we only exist online 010
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Why have so many Christians over the centuries misused the Apostle Paul's writings in anti-Jewish ways? Excellent question. A new book helps us understand this outrage: bit.ly/3Vku1Qwbit.lyUsing biblical texts for antisemitic purposes is ‘Judeophobia’Scholars explain their deep research into misuse of the New Testament 010
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 30/09/2026My latest Flatland column has just published. It's about deep divisions within religions, and includes the latest Catholic excommunication: bit.ly/4z9B4u3bit.lyCatholic schism with local ties raises question about religious factionalismReligious splits are as old as Adam and Eve, but does it really have to be that way? 010
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 30/09/2026For centuries, New Testament texts by the Apostle Paul (and others) have been used to dismiss Judaism as a false and failed religion. A new book insists it's way past time to stop that bigotry: bit.ly/3Vku1Qwbit.lyUsing biblical texts for antisemitic purposes is ‘Judeophobia’Scholars explain their deep research into misuse of the New Testament 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Why are so many women leaving membership in churches? If you have to ask it means you haven't been paying attention: bit.ly/3VBMKXPbit.lyWomen leave church for many reasons, almost all troublingThe way some churches have treated women has been appalling 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Christian churches are experiencing an exodus of females. What's going on? Plenty: bit.ly/3VBMKXPbit.lyWomen leave church for many reasons, almost all troublingThe way some churches have treated women has been appalling 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026In recent decades, women have been leaving churches in droves. What's going on? A new book has some answers: billtammeus429970.substack.com/p/women-leav...billtammeus429970.substack.comWomen leave church for many reasons, almost all troublingThe way some churches have treated women has been appalling 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I recently told my friend Melinda Henneberger about how an Indigenous man named Steve Cadue in Lawrence, Kan., has been working hard to save Haskell Indian Nations University. Melinda now has written this terrific piece that I hope you'll share: www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...realclearpolitics.comReal ‘Heritage Americans’ at Haskell Indian Nations University Deserve Better | RealClearPoliticsDonald Trump wants to give the real heritage Americans a 90% budget cut next year. Of course, the presidents budget is only a wish list. But that... 001
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Among the many difficulties of translating the original languages of scripture into English is that you have much more than words to worry about: bit.ly/4iEQSjpbit.lyWhy is scripture so tricky to translate from original languages?Even white spaces create areas for disagreement 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Translating scripture into English from its original languages isn't for amateurs. Even professionals have trouble. Let's remember that: bit.ly/4iEQSjpbit.lyWhy is scripture so tricky to translate from original languages?Even white spaces create areas for disagreement 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 20/09/2026What should people of faith -- including clergy -- be doing about efforts to create reparations programs for Black Americans? Good question: bit.ly/3TzSkt8bit.lyHow can people of faith advance the cause of reparations?The outgoing mayor of Evanston, Ill., has some ideas about that 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 19/09/2026The idea of reparations for Black Americans is really about healing, and that can happen when the systems and structures that created the problem get changed. Clergy need to be part of this: bit.ly/3TzSkt8bit.lyHow can people of faith advance the cause of reparations?The outgoing mayor of Evanston, Ill., has some ideas about that 001
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 19/09/2026If the cause of reparations for Black Americans is to succeed, clergy need to be active participants: bit.ly/3TzSkt8bit.lyHow can people of faith advance the cause of reparations?The outgoing mayor of Evanston, Ill., has some ideas about that 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Yes, the 9/11 deaths still are on our minds, and that should be no surprise: billtammeus429970.substack.com/p/the-pain-o...billtammeus429970.substack.comThe agony of 9/11 deaths will never fully leaveMy nephew, murdered at age 31, would be 56 now 010
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Twenty-five years after 9/11, families who lost members, along with the whole nation, continue to suffer grief: billtammeus429970.substack.com/p/the-pain-o...billtammeus429970.substack.comThe agony of 9/11 deaths will never fully leaveMy nephew, murdered at age 31, would be 56 now 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 13/09/2026One of the primary things that the 9/11 terrorist attacks reminded us of is that rancid theology can destroy humanity. Let's remember that from now on: bit.ly/4h4RegObit.lyWe need to remember this about bad theology: It can be lethalAcross human history bogus ideas about the divine have been costly 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026As shocking as 9/11 seemed, it was based on diseased theology, and that has been hanging around human history almost from the beginning of time: bit.ly/4h4RegObit.lyWe need to remember this about bad theology: It can be lethalAcross human history bogus ideas about the divine have been costly 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 12/09/2026The weekend after a major 9/11 anniversary, there still are lessons to be learned about what can be lethal theology: bit.ly/4h4RegObit.lyWe need to remember this about bad theology: It can be lethalAcross human history bogus ideas about the divine have been costly 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Friends: Here's a gift link to the KC Star column I've written about what we've learned about terrorism 25 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks: www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...kansascity.com25 years after the 9/11 attacks, the US still doesn’t understand terrorism | OpinionBill Tammeus’ family lost Karleton Fyfe on that fateful day. Our government hasn’t done the serious, lasting work to prevent future violence. | Opinion 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026New York -- As I'm here to commemorate the deaths of almost 3,000 people (including my nephew) in the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago, we all have a chance to ponder our own endings: bit.ly/4gHtCQpbit.lyUsing the internet to take death more seriouslyA new book also can help you be more serious about life, too 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026As I'm here to commemorate the deaths of almost 3,000 people in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we all have a chance to ponder our own endings: bit.ly/4gHtCQpbit.lyUsing the internet to take death more seriouslyA new book also can help you be more serious about life, too 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026New York -- As the nation and world prepare to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we have a chance to think about our own deaths: bit.ly/4gHtCQpbit.lyUsing the internet to take death more seriouslyA new book also can help you be more serious about life, too 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026New York -- As the nation and world prepare to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a fictional story about an obituary writer may have wisdom for us: bit.ly/4x8JMXWbit.lyLearning about life from a writer of obituariesHere’s a novel (I rarely read them) I can recommend 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Paola, Kan. -- After a stay here last night at the Paola Inn and Suites because of the wedding of our oldest granddaughter, I found my nephew's name, Karleton D. B. Fyfe, on a list of passengers on American flight 11. Sigh. KDBF's name is on the left, 26 from the top. 001
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Lots in my blog this weekend: What obituaries can teach us; a post-9/11 look at Muslims in the U.S. and a thought about Adam Hamilton's Senate race: bit.ly/4x8JMXWbit.lyLearning about life from a writer of obituariesHere’s a novel (I rarely read them) I can recommend 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 05/09/2026I have written lots of obituaries in my journalism career, and almost each time I learned something useful or inspiring. This novel about an obit writer is both of those, also: bit.ly/4x8JMXWbit.lyLearning about life from a writer of obituariesHere’s a novel (I rarely read them) I can recommend 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Do you read obituaries? They can be beautiful, funny and strange. And can teach us a lot about life: bit.ly/4x8JMXWbit.lyLearning about life from a writer of obituariesHere’s a novel (I rarely read them) I can recommend 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Some of the worst religion stories we read about have to do with sexual abuse inside a faith tradition. And the Southern Baptist Convention stories about that subject are among most sickening: bit.ly/4x0vs3Cbit.lyThe long, often unsuccessful effort to stop sexual misconduct in Southern Baptist churchesA victim has been trying to change the church for 20-plus years 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Sexual abuse cases have become common in faith communities, and the Southern Baptist Convention seems to have led the way, sigh: bit.ly/4x0vs3Cbit.lyThe long, often unsuccessful effort to stop sexual misconduct in Southern Baptist churchesA victim has been trying to change the church for 20-plus years 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Astronomers have given us a new chance to imagine what a tiny spot we occupy in the cosmos. We should be grateful for that chance: bit.ly/4wSMpwLbit.lyIf the cosmos doesn't shock you, you're not paying enough attentionA new view of the universe is endlessly intriguing 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Astronomers have released a new map of the cosmos. Oh, my. See if you can find your teeny-tiny place in the world on it: bit.ly/4wSMpwLbit.lyIf the cosmos doesn't shock you, you're not paying enough attentionA new view of the universe is endlessly intriguing 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Time after time, astronomers show us what a tiny dot we humans occupy in a gigantic cosmos. Does that mean we're insignificant? Good question: bit.ly/4wSMpwLbit.lyIf the cosmos doesn't shock you, you're not paying enough attentionA new view of the universe is endlessly intriguing 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Lots on my blog today, including a review of a new book about how challenging and frustrating a pastor's life can be -- plus a link to my new 9/11 related column: billtammeus429970.substack.com/p/the-work-c...billtammeus429970.substack.comThe work clergy do sometimes brings sharp critiques and troubleA pastor's new book describes some highs but many lows 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Being a member of the clergy can be deeply satisfying, but the chances of pain and heartache also are high, as this new book proves: billtammeus429970.substack.com/p/the-work-c...billtammeus429970.substack.comThe work clergy do sometimes brings sharp critiques and troubleA pastor's new book describes some highs but many lows 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 26/08/2026My latest Flatland column, which describes the trauma my extended family has experienced since my nephew died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks almost 25 years ago, has posted here: bit.ly/45NVE6wbit.ly25 Years Later, Still Trying to Make Sense of 9/11Flatland columnist Bill Tammeus remembers his nephew, Karleton Fyfe, who was killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 23/08/2026So you think you know all about the character Job from the Bible? Better think again. And again. And learn something about yourself in the process: bit.ly/4wDTfq5bit.lyThe ancient book of Job continues to speak powerfully to us todayBut exactly what it says is still up for debate 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 22/08/2026I hope to see many of you at the Plaza branch of the KC Public Library this Tuesday evening. After we watch a 9/11 film called "Reclaiming Ground Zero," I will lead a question-and-answer session with film director Josh Sabey: kclibrary.org/events/911-r...kclibrary.org9/11: Reclaiming Ground ZeroThe new documentary, '9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero', tells the story of how Americans came together to determine the future of the World Trade Center site in New York City. 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 22/08/2026In the book of Job in the Hebrew Bible, did Job really end by repenting "in dust and ashes"? More likely he said he's fed up with a god who'd make a bet about him andJob feels sorry for humanity. There's more about all this in a new book: bit.ly/4wDTfq5bit.lyThe ancient book of Job continues to speak powerfully to us todayBut exactly what it says is still up for debate 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The ancient biblical story of Job still has much worth for us today, as a new book about it shows: bit.ly/4wDTfq5bit.lyThe ancient book of Job continues to speak powerfully to us todayBut exactly what it says is still up for debate 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 19/08/2026It's going to be pretty hard to turn the U.S. into a real Christian nation given how many Christians are biblically and theologically illiterate: bit.ly/4gmwCAnbit.lyMore good reasons the U.S. is not a Christian nationA major problem is theological ignorance 020
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 19/08/2026If the U.S. is a Christian nation, why are so many citizens here so ignorant about what Christianity teaches? Great question: bit.ly/4gmwCAnbit.lyMore good reasons the U.S. is not a Christian nationA major problem is theological ignorance 001
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 16/08/2026My daughter Kate has written this terrific piece in today's Kansas City Star about threats to Head Start. Don't miss it. You won't hit a paywall: www.kansascity.com/opinion/arti...kansascity.comTrump administration Head Start revamp would make KC kids’ lives harder | OpinionA teacher who saw the program working firsthand in Wyandotte County warns that classrooms with too many students are dangerous to our children’s education. | Opinion 021
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 16/08/2026What? You've never read David Bentley Hart? Oh, my. His theological (and baseball) words are wonders: bit.ly/4wvA7dAbit.lyThis Eastern Orthodox theologian opines about nearly everything that mattersIn addition to some merely quotidian things 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Theologian David Bentley Hart has been a gift to the church universal through his wise and carefully chosen words. Here's a new collection of them: bit.ly/4wvA7dAbit.lyThis Eastern Orthodox theologian opines about nearly everything that mattersIn addition to some merely quotidian things 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 15/08/2026This Christian Orthodox theologian is a marvel to read, not least because he knows his stuff and carefully chooses the right words, even about baseball: bit.ly/4wvA7dAbit.lyThis Eastern Orthodox theologian opines about nearly everything that mattersIn addition to some merely quotidian things 000
billtammeus.bsky.social @billtammeus.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Do you understand what Christianity means when it talks about heaven? It's pretty radical. Here's why: bit.ly/3UtcoNLbit.lyIs theology about heaven even harder to explain than hell?A Catholic lawyer says yes, indeed 000