Dare to Know

Celebrating change, growth & curiosity
Brandi Carlile: A Theology of Belonging

Brandi Carlile: A Theology of Belonging

After spending dozens of hours absorbing Carlile’s music, interviews, memoir and lyrics, an undeniable theme emerged that I call a Theology of Belonging. It’s a theology that is concerned with real life experiences, and causes us to make room for others.

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Welcome!

Ever been embarrassed by the things you used to believe or how you’ve acted? Yeah, me too…until I realized that it all represents my journey and growth. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have some regrets about the younger version of ourselves.

Looking back, I see a very crooked path as I followed my curiosity, which only hinted at the adventures to come. Please join me as I continue to explore my shifting thoughts at the intersection of faith, gender, culture and how diving more deeply into my story is shaping my public theology.  more about me

Master’s Project: The Seattle School 2023

Master’s Project: The Seattle School 2023

This project examines the connection between Christian fundamentalism’s strict model of womanhood and Complex-PTSD, which misshapes personal identity, atrophies agency and stunts the imagination.

When Religion Becomes Traumatic

When Religion Becomes Traumatic

Religion is largely recognized as being beneficial to the lives of humans. It can help us make sense of the world by answering the big questions of life. Religion can also bring comfort, healing and a sense of safety from a traumatic world. So…what happens when it’s religion itself that is the source of distress and trauma? 

Searching for Truth

Searching for Truth

Never before have humans been able to spew our immediate thoughts out into the world with such urgency, precision and speed. We stake a claim in a particular camp of opinion and target hate and vitriol towards those who disagree. But, how often do we think deeply about how we know what we know

Listening to the Body

Listening to the Body

Our bodies have a form of knowledge that is different from our cognitive brains. This knowledge is typically experienced as…

Creation Story Reboot-Part I

Creation Story Reboot-Part I

Origins matter. They provide the seeds that will later grow into full blown ideologies, worldviews, theologies, practices and systems

Denial

Denial

Hearts remained broken, addictions unchecked, and people tormented with fear and loneliness. Yet, we could only speak of it in whispers…

Hey Lady

Hey Lady

For some women, language around gender is a non-issue. But for others. the terms “lady” and “girl” are loaded and emotionally explosive.

Dare to be Curious

Dare to be Curious

So, what if I didn’t give a flyin’ freak about what others thought of me? This is the question…

Sapere Aude-Dare to Know

Sapere Aude-Dare to Know

Let me share how I have moved from fear of being a heretic to having the courage to use my own reason.

About Beth Alford

About Beth Alford

I cringe when I remember old, dogmatic opinions and narrow world views, and it’s tempting…