Some time ago, when I was working as a chaplain at a secular university, I had an article published condemning the hypocrisy of evangelical leadership. I was asked to stop writing things like that, or face the potential of losing my job. My answer to that was easy: I'll keep writing what I write, and they can keep firing me. It is not my business to keep my job by sacrificing my integrity. My calling as a Christian and a minister is for something bigger, something better, something honest and true. As I continue to write for Salon and whoever else will publish my work, I know full well that it's likely to hurt my professional career and even some personal and family relationships.
The question that was posed to me when I held that post was an important one. Why speak out against the evangelical leaders, for virtually no financial or professional gain, if it damages my professional and personal life? Why put my divisive voice (according to some) out into the public square? It's a fair question, one I have often asked myself and one I would like to answer.
