Postchristianity

30 Years Ago We Celebrated the Berlin Wall Coming Down. Today We Tolerate a Culture that Wants to Put One Up

I keep my piece of the Berlin Wall on my nightstand.

My partner was born on a British military base near Berlin and was there when the wall came down; she was just over 2 years old. She remembers being on her dad’s shoulders, striking the wall with a hammer. Her family honoured me by giving me the humble piece I have today.

I keep it close as a reminder that division, in the name of ideology, is overcome by enlightened minds and their conviction that united, we’re better off.

30 years ago we celebrated the wall coming down, today it is stunning that we tolerate a culture that thinks building new walls is the solution.

Image result for ronald reagan berlin wall — *The irony here that Ronny, a republican, is lauded for breaking down the wall is just so brutal…*

I stand with the Kurds. I stand for Peace.

When arriving in a new country whilst traveling alone, the most vulnerable moment is always between the airport and the hostel: you have all your gear, you don’t know the transportation system, and you don’t know the language. On the bus ride to Istanbul, Turkey from the airport, I was comforted to find another English speaker, a local, sitting next to me.

I struck up a conversation on the state of Turkey and Islam. He had some colourful things to say about the Salafis, among other topics pertinent to the Middle East… it wasn’t long before I found out my new friend is Kurdish.

Kavanaugh is Newly Accused of Sexual Misconduct and Lying to Congress. But Who Cares?

He cried, pouted, and literally had a tantrum before the United States Senate. Then they gave him supreme power over hundreds of millions of lives. For the rest of his life.

New Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Published in a NY times essay, new details have renewed calls for Kavanaugh’s impeachment. But who cares about that? He allegedly stuck his penis in the face of someone who doesn’t remember it happening. Who cares?

Kavanaugh is unfit for his judgeship for reasons that have nothing to do with his alleged sexual misconduct, him getting blacked out drunk, or even him lying under oath. Like the one who nominated him, he should be impeached for his incompetence.

Any Adults in the Room?

Brett Kavanaugh, while on trial for membership in the highest, most powerful court on Earth: acted like a child.

Any adult in the room, in the face of such serious allegations, should have said: “Take as much time as you need, investigate this fully. I am fully innocent so I am confident the investigation will prove the same.” Sat back, and let justice do its thing.

But that is not, in fact, what he did. Instead, he cried, pouted, and literally had a tantrum before the United States Senate. Then they gave him supreme power over hundreds of millions of lives. For the rest of his life.

When was the last time you cried at a job interview and got the job? Yes. That happened. And it’s just a footnote in the dumpster fire of American politics in 2019.

Judges Need to be Stable

His performance was precisely the antithesis of how a judge should behave.

Kai’s bday blog: The ramblings of an asian man at the end of his 30s

Greetings friend, thanks for having a read.

Hitting the midpoint of my life has led me to reflect on what it all means and what’s valuable for the next chapter. I hope you can relate with my bouts with ambition, ego, idealism and mediocrity.

I suppose I’m giving my insecurity about aging an uppercut to the scrotum by laying it all out on the internet, so here we go!

Over the past 20 years of being a ‘grown up’, I’ve encountered my share of trials and tribulations that have helped me to realise what I find meaningful (and what I should focus on) for the remainder of my life.

*Baby Kai way more hair than 40-year-old Kai*

Do something. Give a damn. [A Call to Action and a Concrete Way to Fight Gun Violence]

White nationalist terrorism is on the rise, what side of history will you be on? Will you stand up and fight, or will sit down and make it someone else’s problem?

Christians Against Christian Nationalism

A new campaign by interfaith Christian leaders, signed by thousands, condemns the unholy marriage between Christianity and Nationalism. Will mainstream Christians join the call?

Hasn’t it always seemed outrageously hypocritical that a faith built on ‘loving thy neighbour’ loudly marginalises specific groups of our community? That a religion built on the image of a man who preached inclusivity, love and forgiveness seems so ready to ignore the plight of neighbours seeking refuge?

Being told to “Go Back to Where You Came From” is more than just racism

Somewhere in the early 90s, a preteen version of me sits with my big brother at a pizza restaurant in our hometown of Fremont, California. The place is empty, and as we enjoy a slice, a man in his 20s or 30s approaches our table and asks for change.

Young and meek, I looked to my brother, hoping he would take the lead.

“No, we don’t have any,” my brother replied. Intimidated by the situation, I didn’t look up.

As the man stalked out of the restaurant, he yelled, “Why don’t you go back to your own country!”

Post Mueller Report: The Question We NEED to Ask (that no one is asking)

I don’t like writing about Trump. He’s not the problem. Although I’m criticizing him, just me talking about him strokes his ego and indirectly earns him a win. But, post Mueller Report, there is something so deeply alarming about his behavior that we as Americans MUST ask…

What if the Notre Dame Fire Could Help Millions of Needy People?

Thinking about donating to the restoration of the Notre Dame? Don’t.

My feed has been blowing up with pictures of my friends at the Cathedral Notre Dame. I join yall and the world community in expressing resounding unanimous grief at that wonderful church burning on Monday Apr 15, 2019.

Dear Christian Americans: Christchurch was our fault. Here are 7 reasons why

I recently overheard a conversation at my church that made me uneasy. Two women were scoffing at the work of activists leaving water in the desert for immigrants, and the phrase, “Pshhh can you believe it?” was uttered. Surprised, I chose not to speak up. But that decision to do so has stuck with me in the weeks since.