Tag Archives: hatred

Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness

Posted on January 19, 2026 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week: Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

It’s Time to Wage Peace!

Posted on January 16, 2026 by mitchteemley

It’s Time to Wage Peace! Right now, my country and many others are in desperate need of peacemakers, people who can bridge the gaps that others cannot bridge. Peacemaking is the opposite of weakness, it is strength in its purest … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

The New Death Penalty

Posted on June 17, 2024 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week The death penalty is dying. Even in many American states where it’s still legal, it’s no longer actually practiced. Why? Because too many innocent people have been wrongly executed. And yet… Character assassination is more popular … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Us vs. Them

Posted on May 30, 2024 by mitchteemley

I am perpetually disturbed by the rise of patriotic nationalism worldwide. Powered by the false logic of protecting “our own,” each successive wave crashes down with increasing vehemence on any convenient scapegoat that can be blamed. A popular rallying cry … Continue reading →

Posted in Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Scapegoatism

Posted on August 1, 2022 by mitchteemley

Thought for the Week Scapegoats were the animals the ancient Hebrews laid their hands on in order to cast away their sins. It was a symbolic act, meaning, “I’m ashamed of the evil in myself and I publicly disown it.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Cure for Racism?

Posted on January 24, 2019 by mitchteemley

Four days ago, following a heavy snow, two kids from our neighborhood spotted the snow shovels in our garage. One of them already had a shovel, the other didn’t, so he asked if he could borrow ours in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 72 Comments

The New Death Penalty

Posted on January 22, 2019 by mitchteemley

The death penalty is dying. Even in many American states where it’s still legal, it’s no longer actually practiced. Why? One key reason is that too many innocent people have been wrongly executed. It’s interesting, therefore, that character assassination is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers | Tagged , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Make Me an Instrument

Posted on July 9, 2017 by mitchteemley

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” ~Matthew 5:9

Posted in Culture, For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Hard Work of Forgiveness

Posted on April 21, 2017 by mitchteemley

My new film Over-the-Rhine, which has its world premiere in Orlando next month, is about forgiveness, so the subject is very much on my mind. Update: Over-the-Rhine went on to win numerous awards and was released under the title Healing … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Quips and Quotes, Religion/Faith | Tagged , , , , , , | 63 Comments

Church Shooting

Posted on June 18, 2015 by mitchteemley

Nine of my brothers and sisters were murdered at a church prayer meeting in Charleston, South Carolina last night, a cruel reminder that ISIS and Al-Quaeda have no exclusive patent on hatred. And yet… Even while we mourn their loss, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments