Anyone who has ever played miniature golf knows there’s a water hazard or two designed into nearly every course. These shallow concrete ponds and waterways, or water traps as they’re often called, are what players try to avoid when putting their ball. The water with bright blue dye always reminds me, unfortunately, of toilet bowl cleaner. I recognize that the blue chemical serves as a sort of algae blocker, but I do wonder how fish would survive even an hour in it.

What’s most bothersome to me about this particular mini-golf aesthetic is its fake appearance.

The artificial coloring gives it a toxic look. Isn’t water beautiful enough without having to be dyed? Imagine blue water coming out of your showerhead. You’d probably jump out screaming if that ever poured over your head and body unexpectedly.

At the Christian Century, we make no room for fakery or artificiality in our thinking and writing. Life is too short and your mind is too precious for us to play around with false substitutes for good journalism. We’re constantly pushing writers and our own editors to turn out the best essays and most thoughtful articles possible. The end goal is to bless your life with deep insight, fresh curiosity, and all kinds of reasons to live in faith.

Click here to make a gift today. We are a non-profit ministry of journalism that is heavily reliant on donor support. That makes your gift today vital. Whether that gift be large or small, just make sure it’s authentic to your idea of generosity and your joy for the work we do. And, then, count on us being most appreciative.

Gratefully yours,

Peter W. Marty, Editor/Publisher
The Christian Century