From The Desk of Holy Heresy

Imagine waking up tomorrow to find that the federal income tax is gone. No more deductions, no more tax season stress, just your entire paycheck deposited in full. It sounds like a dream. But beneath the surface, this proposal isn’t just radical; it’s reckless. Eliminating the federal income tax without a sustainable replacement would destabilize the economy, devastate the federal budget, and drastically increase the cost of living for everyday Americans. The federal income tax is the backbone of government revenue, providing $2.5 trillion annually, nearly 50% of all federal revenue . It funds essential services: Social Security, Medicare, infrastructure, defense, education, and disaster relief. Without it, the government would be forced to either eliminate critical programs or find new ways to tax Americans . Even the most drastic spending cuts couldn’t offset this loss. In 2023, Social Security alone cost $1.4 trillion , while Medicare and Medicaid required another $1.6 trillion ...

Elon Musk's companies have received approximately $243 million from federal contracts since January 20, 2025 (based on an estimated $9 million per day), here are some federal programs that could be funded with that amount: 1. Education & Childcare Head Start Program: Provides early childhood education to low-income families. ($243M could fund over 200,000 children for a year) Pell Grants: Helps low-income students afford college. ($243M could provide 60,000 students with the maximum grant of ~$4,000) 2. Healthcare & Public Health Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Covers healthcare for children in low-income families. ($243M could cover over 400,000 children for a year) Opioid Addiction Treatment: Funds rehabilitation programs to combat the opioid crisis. ($243M could fund treatment for over 120,000 people) 3. Housing & Homelessness Section 8 Housing Assistance: Provides rent subsidies for low-income families. ($243M could fund 24,000 families for a year) Homel...

We believe that God is a God of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. We believe that the church is called to bear witness to the truth, even when it is costly. We believe that Jesus Christ, in his life, death, and resurrection, has broken down the dividing walls of hostility, calling all people to belong in the household of God. And yet, we confess: That in a world where the stranger is persecuted and immigrants are treated as enemies, we have too often remained silent. We confess that God’s call to welcome the foreigner and care for the refugee has been ignored by those who claim His name. That in a time when nations justify conquest, power, and war under the guise of righteousness, we declare that the kingdom of God is not built on domination, but on peace, humility, and service to the least of these. We reject the pursuit of power at all costs, for we follow the One who refused to seize power but instead took the form of a servant. That Christian Nationalism is a false gospel, an ido...

It is tempting, so tempting, to be angry. To sit in frustration and let rage simmer as a radical minority twists democracy to its own ends. To scroll through the news, shaking your head, wondering how we got here. But history reminds us that fretting changes nothing. Sitting in despair solves nothing. The only answer to extremism has always been collective action. There have always been those who seek to impose their will on the many, who mistake their power for divine right, who believe their control of a system gives them a mandate to oppress. The United States has faced these moments before. And each time, the arc of justice has only bent when ordinary people refused to be paralyzed by despair. Frederick Douglass, speaking on the Fourth of July in 1852, reminded us that “power concedes nothing without a demand.” The abolitionists did not simply curse the cruelty of slavery; they organized, they printed newspapers, they filed lawsuits, they formed the Underground Railroad. The Civil ...

In times of such as these, the church is called to embody radical solidarity. Across history, faithful communities have sheltered the persecuted, spoken truth to power, and stood up to unjust laws in service to God’s justice. Today, as individuals face legal and political persecution from the current administration, churches must walk alongside them, drawing from those who have come before. Though legal sanctuary has been revoked and many federally funded aid organizations have been defunded, the call to protect the vulnerable remains. The church must reclaim its role as a sanctuary in the deepest sense, providing physical refuge, legal aid, and spiritual accompaniment. In the past, Christian movements provided sanctuary to those facing persecution. They offer us lessons for today.  1. Decentralized Aid Networks – Instead of relying on a single church or organization, networks of faith communities must work together to provide aid to those facing persecution. 2. Documentation – Chu...

If you noticed that your child struggled with anxiety during the pandemic, you may be seeing some of those same signs reemerge now. Uncertainty, distressing news, and an overwhelming digital world can make it difficult for children and adolescents to feel safe and secure. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we can help them navigate these challenges with tools that build resilience, emotional regulation, and a sense of control over their world. Anxiety doesn’t always look the same for every child, but common signs include: Increased worry or fearfulness about world events Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares Physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches with no medical cause Irritability, anger, or emotional outbursts Avoidance of social activities or excessive clinginess Trouble concentrating, which may impact school performance Repetitive behaviors or seeking constant reassurance If these behaviors remind you of how they reacted to the uncertainty of the pandemic...

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." — Theodore Roosevelt In challenging economic times, maintaining a household on a fixed budget can feel like an uphill battle. Prices rise, wages stagnate, and the cost of everyday essentials stretches wallets thinner than ever. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when each trip to the grocery store or monthly bill seems to demand more from a budget that hasn’t grown. But even in the face of inflation and financial strain, there are practical ways to adjust without sacrificing quality of life. By making smart financial choices, maximizing resources, and shifting spending habits, it’s possible to maintain stability and even thrive. Here are key strategies to help navigate economic uncertainty while keeping your household running smoothly. Bulk Buying & Stockpiling – Purchase non-perishable goods in bulk before prices rise. Loyalty & Rewards Programs – Maximize discounts through store memberships and cashback programs. Buy ...