We recommend The Salt Collective writer Lawrence Richardson's new memoir I Know What Heaven Looks Like.

All posts by Naiomi Gonzalez

About Naiomi Gonzalez

Naiomi Gonzalez is a “professional” student, still trying to figure out God’s calling in her life. She has an MDiv from Brite Divinity School, an MA in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from George Mason University, and will begin a PhD in history at Texas Christian University in the Fall of 2018. She is passionate about the interconnections between faith, American foreign policy, and state oppression. You can read more of her work on whoviantheology.com/ and thetameradical.wordpress.com/ View all posts by Naiomi Gonzalez →

Blessed are the Peacemakers is not a Justification for Police Brutality
by Naiomi Gonzalez

Biblical interpretations that don’t take into account historical and contextual realities can be used to further oppression. To simply take a Bible verse and apply it to any given situation can at worst, contribute to harm and violence. For instance, police officers love to quote Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers is not a Justification for Police Brutality →

Why Black & Brown People Don’t Want to Go to Your “Progressive Church.”
by Naiomi Gonzalez

Inspired by Nathan Kennedy’s fantastic blog post, “7 Reasons Why LGBTQ+ People Don’t Want to go to your LGBTQ+ Affirming Church.” Many progressive churches speak out about their support for Black Lives Matter, they issue rebukes against racist and inhumane government policies such as the separation of children from their parents at the Mexican/American border, … Continue reading Why Black & Brown People Don’t Want to Go to Your “Progressive Church.” →

Finding God’s Beauty & Pain in the Lake After My Camper Drown
by Naiomi Gonzalez

But my mind still can’t help but return the darkness and fear I felt during my first night on Lake Ida and wonder what my former camper experienced. Did my former camper feel pain? Was he scared? What was going on in his mind as his lungs filled with water? More importantly, was God there with him?

God Abusing Jesus, Helped My Family Justify Abusing Me
by Naiomi Gonzalez

We need to preach and believe in a God whose love is manifest not through a bloody death but through the explicit condemnation of abuse and who actively works to journey with and heal those who have been abused by loved ones, strangers, and/or societal institutions.