The enduring bond between an evangelical father and his humanist son

[rug]

vimeo.com/157533280

FEBRUARY 17, 2017
BY NEWSWORKS STAFF

Marty Moss-Coane was joined today on "Radio Times" by Tony Campolo and his son Bart. Tony is a prominent long-time pastor, and his son gave up Christianity at 50 years old. Bart describes himself as a "secular humanist" because "I don't want to be defined by what I don't believe."

At the top of the show, the two proved how people can disagree, yet respect each other's views and continue a loving relationship.

Bart and Tony's example proves that whether your differences are religious, political, or personal, an attitude of mutual respect is attainable and more productive than competitiveness.

Bart and Tony Campolo's new book is called "Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son."

The two are the subject of a forthcoming documentary film, "Far From the Tree."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/arts-culture/101497-the-enduring-bond-between-an-evangelical-father-and-his-humanist-son

http://whyy.org/cms/radiotimes/2017/02/17/pastor-father-humanist-son/?_ga=1.265008713.731346806.1487591267

48:27 audio at link.

[No Vested Interest]

1. Having adult children whose religious and political beliefs differ from my own,

I agree with the thesis of adults disagreeing but continuing a loving relationship.

I haven't read the book cited, but believe that familial love is greater than our differences, and is to be nourished, for life is too short to be without it, and, in the end, which matters most - love or partisan thought.

[rug]

2. Yeah. If you cut your children off, who won't you cut off?

[No Vested Interest]

3. Besides, as I grow older I'm really beginning to need them

to get me safely through these senior years.

I have four adult children. Between one out-of-town, one disabled, and two very busy with work, I have lately concluded that I should have had more kids, though I doubt that at the time neither I nor spouse could have handled any more.

[rug]

4. I hope we don't get to the point where our children are the replacement for Social Security.

At this point I'm planning to use Social Security for my youngest's college.