Open to Change

Open to Change

Author: Dr. Roger Ray February 19, 2023 Duration: 20:23

For many of us, society is not a safe place to exist, and we lack the supports and resources we need to thrive as human beings. Yet even when we enter into movements and spaces dedicated to working for social justice, activism fatigue and burnout take their toll. Can we practice in such a way that kindness leads to confidence, compassion and wisdom create safety, and a trustworthy community helps us remain open to change?


Each week, Progressive Faith Sermons-Dr. Roger Ray offers a thoughtful exploration of modern spirituality and ethics, rooted in the inclusive community of the Community Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Hosted by Dr. Roger Ray, this podcast presents recorded sermons that bridge traditional Christian faith with urgent contemporary questions. The discussions move beyond doctrine to engage deeply with philosophy, culture, and the practical work of social justice, reflecting a commitment to accepting all people without judgment. Listeners will hear a unique blend of theological insight, cultural commentary, and ethical challenge, all aimed at fostering a more compassionate and equitable society. This isn't about simple answers; it's about wrestling with complex ideas on how to live a meaningful, faithful life in a complicated world. Tune in for a perspective that is both intellectually rigorous and grounded in a tangible desire for community and change. You can find this podcast wherever you listen, inviting you into a ongoing conversation about what it means to believe, belong, and act justly today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 350

Progressive Faith Sermons - Dr. Roger Ray
Podcast Episodes
A.I. and the Guaranteed Basic Income [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:18
Beyond the fear of A.I. taking over our nuclear arsenal and attacking us is the very realistic fear that A.I. along with automation and robotics, will quickly and dramatically end the need for human employees in very man…
Reason vs. Religion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:24
230 years ago, in his Age of Reason, Thomas Paine implored his fellow Americans to break free of the mental prison imposed on them by monarchs and priests and to embrace a mental freedom found in reason. The pendulum has…
Religion and Politics (Just Be Nice) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:45
If we follow the norm of never talking about politics or religion in polite company, we become a society that doesn't know how to discuss the important matters of politics or religion in a polite way. In fact, our faith…
The Long Road Out of Prejudice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:01
We inherit prejudices from our family of origin as well as the culture around us and in the media. The first time our irrational prejudices are confronted, it is unlikely that we will give them up. For most of us, overco…
Hateful Self-Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
Our mind can be our worst enemy, the invisible opponent who keeps us from staying in the battle with our visible opponents. We need to learn to pay attention to how our internal voice is talking to us. Does it tell us th…
Radicalized by Basic Decency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:15
For centuries the world's religions have constructed a mental prison in which they try to control the conduct of their adherents through threats of eternal torture or, for the very good, promises of eternal reward. Howev…
Mom, Dad, and the Kids: Staying Together in the 21st Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:45
Between Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day, let us consider what it is that holds couples together in this age of liberty when neither church nor society has much to say when a couple decides to call it quits. Are we trying h…
100 Days of Idiocracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
We have now seen Donald Trump through the first 100 days of his second term and what we have witnessed has been a horrifying attack on our constitutional democracy. It is sad to have to admit that the clowns are now runn…
Ideas are Immortal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:08
By the end of the first century of the common era, the message of Jesus the preacher had been entirely transformed into a message about Jesus, turning the spokesperson of radical compassion into a magical symbol who hods…
Estrangement Among Family and Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
Estrangement among family and friends is a sad occurrence which is becoming increasingly common in a society that continues to trend towards isolation and loneliness. Our decade is more polarized than most but even thoug…