by John Ellis Yesterday morning, I read about a nurse in Ocala, Fl, who died from COVID-19 after contracting it at work. Only 56 years old, her name is Venezia Monroe. She leaves behind a grieving family and circle of friends who praise her dedication to her job. Tragically, Venezia’s story is not an isolated … Continue reading Donald Trump Disgracefully Throws Healthcare Workers Under the Bus
Category: Current Events
With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
by John Ellis “There remains a fundamental tension in Christianity. Flourishing is good, nevertheless seeking it is not our ultimate goal.” Charles Taylor[1] Voting can be a sticky wicket for Christians. Rarely, at least on the national stage, are we presented with options that align comfortably with a conscience informed by the Holy Spirit, God’s … Continue reading With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
A Concise (short) and Cogent Reason for Not Voting for Donald Trump
by John Ellis A little over a month ago, a good friend posed a scenario to me: “If a family member or friend asks why you won’t be voting for Trump, how will you succinctly answer them?” Oddly enough, I had begun thinking about that very scenario a few weeks before our conversation and had … Continue reading A Concise (short) and Cogent Reason for Not Voting for Donald Trump
A Plea for Sanity About Wearing a Mask
by John Ellis Yesterday, three things happened that have driven me to type out, once again, an article about wearing face masks. 1. Governor DeSantis lifted basically all coronavirus restrictions in Florida where I live. Included in his executive action, Gov. DeSantis hamstrung local face mask ordinances. Less concerned with the reopening of Florida, I'm … Continue reading A Plea for Sanity About Wearing a Mask
#BelieveWomen Versus the Presumption of Innocence
(I originally wrote this article during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings but a friend of mine recently asked me about it. While #BelieveWomen is no longer dominating the news cycle, the topic is no less important. I've rewritten parts of it.) You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept … Continue reading #BelieveWomen Versus the Presumption of Innocence
Hydroxychloroquine, Gish Gallops, and Ignoring Thesis Statements
by John Ellis I understand that online comment sections often devolve into a form of the Gish gallop, but my cognitive acceptance doesn’t necessarily require my existential acceptance. In fact, my irritation over this phenomenon is one of the variables that drove me from Facebook and will likely drive me from Twitter once this pandemic … Continue reading Hydroxychloroquine, Gish Gallops, and Ignoring Thesis Statements
Christians Should Reject the Latest Pro-Hydroxychloroquine Video
by John Ellis Many of the responses to COVID-19 reveal a confluence of fear driven irrationality, the desire for control, political partisanship outweighing critical thinking, and a worship of personal autonomy. The result is an embrace of conspiracy theories among professing Christians that is as embarrassing as it is stupefying. I’ve attempted to unpack parts … Continue reading Christians Should Reject the Latest Pro-Hydroxychloroquine Video
Coronavirus Vaccine: An Encouraging Update
by John Ellis In late February, and especially into early March, I began following epidemiologists, virologists, and other infectious disease experts on Twitter. Knowing your own limitations is important, and I am quite aware that I do not have the training nor expertise to have a valid opinion about COVID-19. A solution, of course, is … Continue reading Coronavirus Vaccine: An Encouraging Update
Rethinking Mount Rushmore During the National Debate Over Monuments
by John Ellis When I was a kid, my family had a book promoting the national parks. I don’t remember the exact year it was published (I would’ve looked it up, even as a kid), but based on the photos and words that I can still see and read in my mind, the book was … Continue reading Rethinking Mount Rushmore During the National Debate Over Monuments
Systemic Racism Is Exhausting, But Not for Me
by John Ellis With the very first sentence of her powerful book I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness Austin Channing Brown confesses, “White people can be exhausting.” No doubt, the responses from many white people to that short sentence only serve to underscore Brown’s admission. I must admit, I’m not … Continue reading Systemic Racism Is Exhausting, But Not for Me
