News
Reaction and Response | Four in 10 Worry About ‘Illegal Immigration’
Four in 10 Americans reported that they worry “a great deal” about “illegal immigration” in a recent Gallup survey. Several faith leaders offered their reaction and response to the findings.
Half of Federal Indian Boarding Schools in U.S. Involved Religious Organizations
The U.S. Department of Interior released on May 11 a report of its initial findings on the Federal Indian Boarding School System that operated from around 1819 to 1969. Religious organizations had significant involvement in the system.
Nearly Half of U.S. Disapproves of SCOTUS, Two-Thirds Affirm Legal Abortion
A recent YouGov survey asked U.S. adults to share their views on the Supreme Court and polled respondents’ views on abortion. The findings track closely with two other surveys released last week.
Social Media Platforms and Climate Dis/misinformation
Social media platforms are not doing enough to curb or counter climate change mis/disinformation, a recent Greenpeace report found. A recent UN report cited “the deliberate undermining of science” as a key issue in addressing environmental concerns.
‘Unprecedented Drop’ In Bible Engagement Among U.S. Adults
The number of U.S. adults who read the Bible saw an “unprecedented drop” in early 2022, an American Bible Society report found. This was the first significant drop in polling history.
People of Good Faith: Rachel Ain
Rachel Ain is rabbi at Sutton Place Synagogue in midtown Manhattan, New York.
Catholics Outpace National Average in Affirming Belief in Astrology
More than one-in-four U.S. adults (27%) say they believe in astrology, according to a new report. Catholics outpace the national average.
Season 3 of The Raceless Gospel Podcast Focuses on ‘Body Language’
Season three of The Raceless Gospel podcast will be released on May 5. Employing 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 as a prescriptive lens, each episode addresses a member’s issue while highlighting the need to accept all limbs.
Four-in-Ten U.S. Protestant Pastors Considered Quitting in the Past Year
Nearly half of all Protestant pastors in the U.S. have contemplated leaving full-time ministry in the last year, a report found. Job stress was the most common reason cited for this consideration.
Annual Religious Freedom Report Highlights Deterioration of Rights in Afghanistan
The Taliban’s extension of control across the country following the U.S. troop withdrawal has led to a serious deterioration in religious freedom, the 2022 USCIRF religious freedom report emphasized.
Zakat Given by U.S. Muslims Approached $2b in 2021
Muslims in the U.S. gave $1.8 billion in zakat in 2021, according to a report from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy published April 14.
U.S. Pastors See Missions as Mandate for All, Parishioners Divided
Most Protestant pastors in the U.S. see missions as a mandate for all Christians, while their parishioners aren’t as certain, a recent Barna Group report revealed.
Most of the World Breathes Air Detrimental to Health
Most of the world is currently breathing air that exceeds World Health Organization’s air quality standards. These standards are based on the negative impacts of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide on health.
Good Faith Media to Host Unique, Small-Group Amish Experience in October
A Good Faith Experience set for October 5-8, 2022, will provide an opportunity to interact with Amish families and community leaders in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Climate Report Notes Emissions Rise, Highlights Key Contributors
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its Sixth Assessment Report detailing the status of climate change mitigation progress globally. Emissions are on the rise and several groups are key contributors to the trend.
U.S. Majority Favors Several Climate Change Mitigation Proposals
Most U.S. adults support six possible climate change mitigation strategies, a new report found. Tax credits for installing clean energy in homes was the most favored proposal.
New Nurturing Faith Books Now Available from Jon Roebuck and Larry Williams
New books from Jon R. Roebuck and Larry C. Williams are now available from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media. Both can be purchased from GFM’s bookstore, with free shipping.
Look Back | Resources for Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month
Lists of 20th-century genocides differ widely. Yet, six instances always appear: Armenia (1915), the Holocaust in Germany (1933), Cambodia (1975), Rwanda (1990), Bosnia (1995) and Darfur (2003).
People of Good Faith: Merrill J. Davies
Merrill Davies spent 31 years teaching high school English. Retired, she spends most of her time writing now. Her fifth novel, The Best Version of Alice, was recently released by Nurturing Faith Books.
U.S. Majority Skeptical of Religious Claims for Vaccine Exemptions
A majority of U.S. adults are skeptical of the religious claims being cited by those seeking to avoid vaccination against COVID-19, according to a Pew Research Center report published March 31.
Majority of U.S. Parents Concerned About Children’s Faith Formation
Most U.S. parents are concerned about the spiritual development, and long-term faith formation, of their children, a new report found. One group was far more likely than others to express higher levels of concern.
U.S. Faith Communities Report Highlights Financial Data
Most U.S. houses of faith have fewer than 100 members and annual income of less than $100,000, according to a new data analysis. Yet, a majority of weekly worshippers frequent congregations with 250 or more members.
People of Good Faith: Lynelle Mason
Lynelle Mason is the author of seven books published by Nurturing Faith Books.
New Books Offer ‘Keys for Everyday Theologians,’ Share ‘Spiritual Journey in Age of Science’
‘Keys for Everyday Theologians’ by Colin Harris explains why you don’t need to be an expert to do theology. ‘Modern Life, Ancient God: A Spiritual Journey Both are now available in the Good Faith Media bookstore.
One-in-Ten U.S. Children Experience Food Insecurity
One in 10 U.S. children experienced food insecurity in 2019 and 2020, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Insecurity was highest among 12-17-year-olds.
U.S. Divided on Voting Rights, Pessimistic on State of Democracy
The U.S. is split on voting rights’ progress, a new report found. One area in which most adults agree is on the state of U.S. democracy.
Many Faith Traditions Outpace U.S. Average in Support of LGBTQ Protection Laws
Nearly eight-in-ten U.S. adults support laws protecting LGBTQ+ persons from discrimination. Of the 18 faith traditions included in the report, 10 of these had support levels higher than this national average.
In-Person Religious Services Increase, Attendance Plateaus
The number of houses of faith holding in-person services as they did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic has nearly quadrupled from March 2021 to March 2022, a report found. Service attendance has plateaued since September 2021.
Racial Justice Protest Affirmation Outpaced Financial Support
Far more people were involved in, or supportive of, protests for racial justice in 2020 than those who made donations to organizations and causes working for justice, according to a recent report.
People of Good Faith: Scott Stearman
Scott Stearman directs the International Advocacy Baptist Collaborative that seeks to amplify and coordinate the advocacy work of the global Baptist family at the United Nations and in Washington D.C.