Category: Culture

China and the Liberated Spirit

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, Current EventsLeave a comment
Beijing, China, November 27, 2022
Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters

In the last few days, protests have happened in China over COVID restrictions, among other things. It seems like things have settled with looser rules in the last few hours, but I greatly hope the protesters in China are the front end of a liberated spirit that will resist government overreach. If reports are accurate that children are taken from their parents to confine COVID, that is an assault against the most basic human instinct to care for one’s child.

In every culture, self-determination and family welfare cannot be repressed indefinitely because those qualities reflect the character of God. I pray for the Chinese people.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth

On By Aaron AllisonIn Anglicanism, Culture, Current Events1 Comment

Queen Elizabeth’s passing today reminds us that when used to serve, tradition adds stability and dignity to our human experience. While the monarchy is an outdated institution in our modern republics, its evolved, mostly symbolic role gives Americans a connection to our past. 

My Allison family branch came from England in 1658, so I take an ancestral interest in the story of this English throne. It will be an interesting few days of reflection for Americans as we have a variety of responses to this historic shift. 

Still Grieving Uvalde

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, United States of AmericaLeave a comment
(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The information about the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, has been too painful to bear, yet the news keeps getting worse. I am deeply impacted by the surveillance videos released by the Austin American-Statesman on July 12.

I recognize I do not understand the complexities of being in law enforcement, but I cannot understand what took place. I can make this conclusion: the power of an AR-15 is astounding. When an untrained 18-year-old can deter dozens of professional officers, that weapon must be considered an instrument of great communal concern. I know many who responsibly own such a gun, connecting ownership with their right to self-defense. I understand that perspective, but can’t we wait a few years for adolescent males to mature, preventing some of the mentally ill from having such an instrument for carnage? It is a conversation that needs to continue, and reasonable minds can collaborate for solutions.

The way of Jesus is the answer to violence

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, Current Events, DevotionalLeave a comment

What is the answer to the violence of our culture? There are so many fronts to discuss you would not have time to read a lengthy post from me.

Earlier this week, I read about the Messiah, sent “to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79).” Jesus, you are more than our crutch to cope with evil. Jesus, your way will guide us to peace for this world.

May the work of Jesus destroy the iniquity in me and the wickedness in our world. His power is transformational to overcome violence heart by heart.

The intelligence and hard work of a teacher

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, EducationLeave a comment

I wish all teachers a well-deserved summer break as I have the highest respect for teachers. My grandparents, Mom, and aunt all were teachers. My sister teaches in Sumner County schools, and my daughter will be a first-year teacher in our district.

These jobs are HARD, and every teacher I know brings intellect, creativity, and heart to their vocation. Let’s get behind our educators and affirm their irreplaceable role in society.

Good news for America

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, Current Events, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

For those who dare accept it, I have positive news. I recognize that media outlets and religious leaders are stoking fear, distrust, and hidden conspiracies. While that is one lens to see the world, there is another perspective I want to suggest. Good things are happening during our lifetime!

  • Diseases are being cured.
  • Life expectancy is increasing.
  • Roe vs. Wade is on the verge of being overturned.
  • Unemployment is at a record low.
  • Religious liberty has been widely upheld in the courts. 
  • The federal government supported churches and religious institutions with the PPP of 2020 and 2021. 
  • Home values are increasing.
  • Mass gatherings are occurring without required masks. 
  • So far, America is not being drawn into foreign wars. 

Now, there are many things I am concerned about – medical ethics, inflation, the value of the dollar, a porous southern border, affordable housing, health care access, the misuse of executive orders, and federal overreach – to name a few. There is much concern, but there are also reasons to give thanks.

The world is falling apart. The world is advancing. 

You can choose either tune to be the soundtrack of your life. Scripture teaches us that sin and evil are present in this world and increasing in many. Yet, Scripture teaches God’s victory over sin, and He is redeeming the world for His purposes through the church.  

Try positivity – you may like it! 

March Madness – Hobby or Worship?

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, DevotionalLeave a comment

It’s March Madness! It’s the annual NCAA basketball tournament that includes dozens of games over three weeks. I have been following this tournament my entire life, and I enjoy the competition. It has become a family event as an easy way to bond around something with my family. We attended some games in Indianapolis Thursday night and had a great time (despite our team losing!). That’s the good part!

The problem? Sports can quickly become more than a hobby; it is now the other religion. The emotions attached to these games go beyond fun, as it sinks to the core of people’s identity. Interestingly, people have an emotional release at a sports game but exclude emotion from worship. This observation is not new from me or countless others, but, amazingly, this irony keeps repeating with each American generation with greater intensity.

God, help us to use sports, but not let sports use us.

Roe vs Wade ends, the Abortion challenge continues

On By Aaron AllisonIn Culture, Current Events, History, United States of AmericaLeave a comment

For those who are anti-abortion, a positive trend in preserving life has developed since 2021. Many states are functionally overriding the Roe vs. Wade decision by legislating drastic abortion obstructions. These state laws make it impossible to get an abortion in such a state. Recent United States Supreme Court decisions have protected these drastic state measures.

As the Supreme Court upholds these laws, Roe vs. Wade becomes ineffective as a federal precedent. The future is this: one could still get an abortion in states like California and New York but could not in states with restrictive laws, like Texas and Louisiana.

So, you probably know something about what I have just written. As I warned on this blog a couple of years ago, the overturn of Roe vs. Wade would not stop abortion in America, and it would only limit it regionally.

So, Christians cannot hide behind Roe vs. Wade as a distant cultural argument. Now, our stand for life is more consequential state by state, community by community, vote by vote, and conversation by conversation.