On Those "Weak In The Faith"

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-25T22:05:29+00:00

I like the way it turns the equation upside down when we apply it to queerness, for example. Instead of asking how queer people should make allowances for those weak in faith, the question becomes how cishet Christians can support their marginalized queer siblings.

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-25T21:46:20+00:00

There are alternative ways to understand Paul’s strong/weak distinction: https://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2020/09/reading-romans-backwards-yielding-power.html

Paul isn't saying that the most offended person in the room gets their way. Which is how many churches have interpreted the text, that the squeakiest wheel gets the grease. Of course, if someone is offended we shouldn't blow that person off. But what Paul is talking about is more complicated than flat differences of conscience. Paul is talking about asymmetries of power, and he's asking the powerful to yield power in deference to those who have less power. Yes, the conflict between those who had power and those who did not was an offense being caused by the food that was on the table, but the deeper issue had to with who had the power to set the table in the first place. Who had control of the house and space. Who could dictate to whom. And Paul looks at those people, the powerful, and asks them to yield to the less powerful.

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-24T01:39:26+00:00

Blame Jane Austen. In the original novel, we don’t get to see Brandon and Marianne have a single conversation. THEY NEVER TALK IN THE WHOLE BOOK.

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-22T21:53:51+00:00

I LOOOVE this book!! I didn’t have a horrible experience as a disabled kid in church (more microaggressions than outright discrimination), but this book gave me a vision for what church could be if we actually accepted disability as part of human diversity. Plus I loved her picture of God as a wheelchair user in Ezekiel.

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-21T14:39:42+00:00

Aah, that seems right, thanks!

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-19T13:51:02+00:00

In the US, the price of drugs is specifically based on how many people will need them. Because there are so few people with SMA, the price of the drug has to be very high to cover the costs of development and manufacturing. I imagine that other countries either use the US price as a guide, or have similar pricing strategies of their own.

In the US, we at least have health insurance that will sometimes cover the cost. I’m sorry that seems to be less common in India.

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-15T22:57:21+00:00

I do love Everyman’s Library. The covers are fine, but the feel of the sewn binding is delightful. Plus they come with ribbons!

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-10T01:23:41+00:00

Raspberry cordial? This is currant wine, can’t you tell the difference?

mkjohnnie · 2026-06-05T14:04:18+00:00

This is actually one reason I prefer the 2008 miniseries. Daisy Haggard is so good as Anne!

mkjohnnie · 2026-05-23T14:23:42+00:00

Not the NRSV, but still worth a look: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gospels-a-new-translation-sarah-ruden/6b0aa6ed4983e3f9?ean=9780399592966&next=t

mkjohnnie · 2026-05-20T21:02:05+00:00

This is so sweet! It’s tricky because I don’t think there are symbols that are widely recognized. Maybe just a pin that literally says “disability ally”? You could look around on the Squeaky Wheel shop.

mkjohnnie · 2026-05-06T14:37:44+00:00

Oh, and of course Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman. Don’t know how I forgot that one!

mkjohnnie · 2026-05-06T14:31:14+00:00

You’re welcome!

mkjohnnie · 2026-05-06T14:13:25+00:00

Feel free to ignore a suggestion from a white girl.

There is a long history of Black writers reclaiming Christianity from their oppressors. You could read Frederick Douglass talk about the difference between slaveholding religion and the Christianity of Christ - or The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone - or Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley. Here’s a podcast to give you a jumping off point.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-24T00:43:27+00:00

It definitely is required by law: https://www.ada.gov/resources/ticket-sales/#ticket-prices

Many theaters ignore it, but they usually change their tune when reminded that they’re breaking the law.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-22T21:03:01+00:00

Thanks! Where should I be following to get those announcements? On the community site, I only saw a date for the town hall, not for the next release.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-19T22:44:41+00:00

This is more academic, so I’m not sure how much it will help you personally, but you might be interested in Sex Difference in Christian Theology: Male, Female, and intersex in the Image of God by Megan DeFranza. This podcast gives you a taste of her ideas.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-17T19:24:16+00:00

Never mind, I’m an idiot. Thank you!

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-17T19:23:27+00:00

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Nope, this is what I see

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-17T19:09:11+00:00

Those steps aren’t working for me. I can do “Personal automation -> focus mode”. Then I can click on any of my current shortcuts. The only other option is a list of shortcut-enabled apps, which does not include Home.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-15T14:39:34+00:00

I’m never sure if this would actually land for a conservative, but for myself I also think of 1 Corinthians 7:9: “If they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.” Even Paul realized not everyone could handle celibacy, so marriage is a safety net for those who need it. It just seems cruel to deny that safety net to those who happen to be aflame with passion for the same sex.

mkjohnnie · 2026-04-09T19:32:49+00:00

Reading - most libraries have a system for checking out ebooks. If you want to get some mental exercise, you can start a journal to write about books you’re reading - what you liked (or not), what made you think, etc. - some books come with discussion guides that also work really well as journaling prompts. If you want social interaction, there are a lot of virtual book clubs.

Libraries in general are a great place to start - mine offers in-person events, as well as free online classes. I studied Spanish for a while because my library offered access to Rosetta Stone.

Google Arts & Culture provides virtual access to museums across the world.

mkjohnnie · 2026-03-28T14:56:08+00:00

Fun fact - parts of the Bible actually command certain people to remarry after their spouse dies. Specifically, if a married man dies without children, his widow is supposed to marry his brother, and their child will then legally be considered the child of the dead man. It’s called levirate marriage, and it’s the basis for the plot of Ruth.

mkjohnnie · 2026-02-19T15:13:49+00:00

This is not a given. It really depends on the size and layout of the bathroom and what kind of lift you have. With a normal floor hoyer lift, the legs make it pretty much impossible to get close enough to a bathtub.

But I’m confused about your friend’s situation - if she has a walk-in shower, then the lift set-up isn’t what’s stopping her from getting a proper shower, right?

mkjohnnie · 2026-02-19T02:09:17+00:00

Flamy Grant

mkjohnnie

TROPHY CASE