News
Religious Liberty Under Attack in Myanmar (Burma)
Human rights, and specifically religious liberty, are increasingly under attack in Myanmar (Burma), following a military coup. A new report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom highlights some of the atrocities.
Attendance Lags as In-Person Church Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
Church attendance remains below pre-pandemic rates, even as in-person gatherings have returned to January 2020 levels, a new report found.
U.S. Majority Says Opposing Racism ‘Essential’ to Faith Tradition
A majority of U.S. adults say opposing racism and racial discrimination is an essential part of their faith, a new report finds. However, more than 10% of Black adults report facing some form of discrimination in religious settings.
Climate Reports Paint Bleak Picture of Global Temperature Increase
Two climate reports published in late October suggest it is unlikely global warming won’t move beyond the 1.5°C pre-industrial level target. This is largely the result of commitments from nations not matching their actions.
Global Child Labor Increased in 2020
Child labor increased in 2020, rising to 160 million worldwide. The U.S. Department of Labor report cited the pandemic as a factor, while noting that “the story begins much earlier.”
White Evangelical Protestants Outliers in Church-State Views
White evangelical Protestants are more likely than the general public to express a desire for less separation between church and state, a new report found. This was true across all six hypothetical church-state actions presented in the survey.
People of Good Faith: Colin Harris
Colin Harris is professor emeritus of religious studies at Mercer University, having retired from full-time teaching in 2013.
Faith Leaders Urge G20 Leaders to Prioritize Creation, People Over Profits
Faith leaders from five Christian organizations representing over 500 million Christians sent a joint letter to G20 leaders ahead of their Oct. 30-31 meeting. They urged a reset of the world’s economic system to adopt a more holistic approach.
Annual Fashion Report Urges Ethical Shopping
Baptist World Aid Australia issued its annual ethical fashion report in mid-October. Despite improvements in recent years, overall grades for fashion brands remain low.
U.S. Adults Divided on Strength of Religious Conflict in the Nation
U.S. adults are evenly divided on the degree of conflicts in the nation based on religious differences, according to a new report. Where does the U.S. rank with the other nations on the perceived conflict?
Pope: Limitless Freedom is Selfish, Empty
Limitless freedom is selfishness and leads to emptiness, Pope Francis asserted in a recent general audience message. The proper exercise of individual freedom considers the impact of our actions on those around us.
Self-Care Vital for Effective Ministry
Congregants and clergy alike have struggled during the pandemic, with mental health being a key challenge. Three North Carolina clergy share their experience and insight on balancing congregational and self-care.
People of Good Faith: Don Gordon
Don Gordon is an ordained Baptist minister who is the founder and CEO of Christians Caring for Creation. He is a member of the Good Faith Media strategic advisory board.
Pope Francis Urges Caring for Common Good, Common Home
Pope Francis spoke about working for the common good and protecting our common home in a video address. Citing the Bible and Catholic social teaching, he urged listeners to live in harmony with one another and creation.
Good Faith Media Enhances User-Friendly, Online Bookstore
Shopping for Nurturing Faith books — the book-publishing imprint of Good Faith Media — is even easier and more informative now. Learn about the new and improved bookstore features.
Most U.S. Faith Communities Are Small with Declining Attendance
Most U.S. faith communities are small and experiencing an attendance decline, a report found. With data submitted prior, or shortly after, the March 2020 lockdowns, it provides a picture of pre-pandemic religious life in the nation.
Latest Nurturing Faith Book Encourages ‘Lively Hope’
“Lively Hope” by J. Daniel Day guides readers through understanding the phenomenon of hope, hope’s many challenges, and our literary view of hope. The book is now available in the Good Faith Media bookstore.
Practicing Christians Are Outliers in Pastor Assessment
Practicing Christians in the U.S. tend to be outliers in being very affirming of local pastors’ leadership in the community, a recent Barna Group survey found. Their affirmation was typically much higher than other groups surveyed.
Religious Orgs. Second Most Common Charitable Donation Among U.S. Affluent
Religious organizations were the second most common charitable cause supported by affluent households in the U.S. in 2020. Even so, a new report found a few trends that should concern religious charities.
Global Faith Leaders Emphasize Interdependence Ahead of COP26
Faith leaders and scientists gathered at the Vatican on Oct. 4 to discuss faith, science and climate ahead of COP26. They emphasized interdependence and the need to work together to care for our ‘common home.’
Reaction and Response: U.S. Christians See Vocational Discernment as ‘Solo Journey’
A majority of U.S. Christians say discerning their sense of vocation and calling is a ‘solo journey,’ a new report found. Here is what several faith leaders had to say about this finding.
U.S. Adult COVID-19 Vaccinations Rise, Majority of Parents to Vaccinate Kids
Vaccination rates among U.S. adults ticked up in September after flatlining during the summer, while a majority of parents plan to vaccinate their 12 and under children upon FDA approval, two Gallup reports found.
Majority of U.S. Food Insecure Struggled to Obtain Help
Three main obstacles hindered, or prevented, U.S. adults from obtaining food assistance in the past year. Believing they were ineligible was the most common reason cited for not getting help.
Government Restrictions on Religion at All-Time High
Government restrictions on religion worldwide matched an all-time high, a new Pew report found. Meanwhile, social hostility toward religion declined.
People of Good Faith: Alyssa Aldape
Alyssa Aldape is a contributing correspondent for Good Faith Media. Some of her hobies include hiking, running, playing guitar, reading and cooking.
Nearly 14m U.S. Households Were Food Insecure in 2020
Around 13.8 million U.S. households experienced food insecurity last year, representing more than 10% of all U.S. households. This was the first year since 2016 that households with food-insecure children increased.
Christian Affiliation in U.S. Continues to Decline
The number of U.S. adults affiliating with Christianity continues to decrease, new Pew Research Center data reveals. This continues a decades-long trend.
Respite for Revs Initiative to Support Local Church Clergy
A GoodFaithMedia.org column by Mitch Randall on the struggles and stress clergy have faced during the pandemic led to a dialogue with the leaders of BJC, Baptist News Global, Baptist Women in Ministry, Good Faith Media and Passport about how the organizations could help. Respite for Revs is the result of that dialogue.
Religious Bias Third Largest Hate Crime Basis in 2020
Religious bias was the third largest hate crime bias in 2020, accounting for 13.4% of all hate crimes. Anti-Jewish bias accounted for a majority of all religious bias incidents last year.
People of Good Faith: Jamie Nash
Jamie Nash is a Masters of Divinity student at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. He is an Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern with Good Faith Media for the fall 2021 semester.