News
Sharp Drop in Affirmation of Civil Rights Progress
Although 59% of US adults told Gallup that civil rights for Black Americans had ‘greatly’ or ‘somewhat greatly’ improved, that represents a 16-point drop from 2016 and an all-time low since Gallup first polled the question in 1995.
Report: Pandemic Expands US Inequality
Inequality in the US has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with lower-income and minority households more likely to not have enough to eat, pay rent or face unemployment, a report says.
Reaction and Response: Medical Bankruptcy Concerns Half of US
Half of all US adults are ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘concerned’ about bankruptcy resulting from medical costs from a major health event, a Gallup report says. Several faith leaders share how the report hits close to home.
People of Good Faith: Tony Cartledge
Tony Cartledge is contributing editor and regular columnist for Good Faith Media, as well as weekly curriculum/resource writer for Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies.
Global Food Insecurity Could Hike by 11%
Global food insecurity is expected to rise by 11 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a government report said. An additional 83.5 million people globally could face challenges in finding sufficient, healthy food options.
Pandemic Hasn’t Increased US Bible Engagement
Bible disengagement remained static in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic triggering neither an increase nor a decrease, a report found. Nearly one-third of respondents reported reading the Bible at least once a week.
Unhoused People Overrepresented in Criminal Justice System
People without homes in the US are overrepresented in the criminal justice system due to punitive laws and enforcement practices, a report found. Homeless persons are 11 times more likely to be arrested than people with homes.
People of Good Faith: Cliff Vaughn
Cliff Vaughn is the media producer for Good Faith Media, where he has worked for 20 years producing documentaries, videos and podcasts.
Organized Religion: 5th in US Confidence Index
Organized religion ranked fifth out of 16 institutions surveyed in Gallup’s annual confidence index, with 42% of adults saying they have a ‘great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in religion, ending a multiyear slide.
People of Good Faith: John D. Pierce
John D. Pierce, executive editor/publisher of Good Faith Media, has served for 20 years as editor of Nurturing Faith Journal. He was previously managing editor of the Christian Index.
Aug. 25: Final Virtual Good Faith Forum on Public Ed
Good Faith Media will host its final public education forum on Aug. 25, focusing on public education funding and privatization efforts. The forum will be livestreamed to GFM’s Facebook page at 1 p.m. CDT / 2 p.m. EDT.
Some Clergy Unequipped to Minister to Abused
While nearly three-fourths of Protestant ministers feel they are ‘somewhat equipped’ for trauma care ministry, they feel less able to effectively minister to those who have experienced forms of abuse, a Barna report said.
People of Good Faith: Autumn Lockett
Autumn Lockett is the executive director of development and marketing at Good Faith Media.
Morality Without God? World Has Mixed Response
Is it necessary to believe in a higher power in order to be a moral person and have good values? Wide-ranging responses to this question are visible between, and even within, nations, a recent Pew Report found.
Good Faith Forum on Public Education on Aug. 18
The first of three Good Faith Forums on public education was held Aug. 11, and the next is scheduled for Aug. 18. This second forum will focus on public education as a cornerstone for democracy. Here’s how you can join in.
GFM launches Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Internships
A gift by the foundation of First Baptist Church of Athens, Georgia, will honor a church leader and professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Georgia, and support an internship program for Good Faith Media.
People of Good Faith: Mitch Randall
The premier installment of the People of Good Faith series features Mitch Randall, CEO of Good Faith Media.
Good Faith Forums to Focus on Public Education
Public education will be the focus of a new series of Good Faith Forums in August. The first forum will take place at 1 pm CDT / 2 pm EDT Tuesday, Aug. 11, followed by the other forums on the following two Tuesdays.
New Podcast Series: How Black Pastors Flourish in Ministry
A new podcast series will explore how Black pastoral leaders flourish in their various ministries, jointly produced by Good Faith Media and Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society. Production will begin this fall.
New Series Spotlights People of Good Faith
Titled ‘People of Good Faith,’ a new series will debut this week at GoodFaithMedia.org, featuring in-their-own-words profiles of organizational staff and leadership, as well as supporters and contributors.
Reaction and Response: Work Remains on Gender Equality
While the public’s affirmation that women should be treated as men is good, the US still must deal with gender inequality across all its sectors, according to a census of faith leaders reacting to a Pew report.
Reaction and Response: US Gives Notice to Withdraw from WHO
The World Health Organization may have its flaws, but as two Baptist leaders pointed out, it remains a vital organization to deal with the health of the world, not only the current pandemic but other health risks as well.
Good Faith Media Forums on Racial Justice Continue July 21
Good Faith Media will host the second of three virtual forums on racial justice on July 21, focusing on nationalism, white Christian nationalism and white supremacy. The third and final forum will be held July 28.
US Child Well-Being Improves Overall; Racial Inequities Remain
The well-being of U.S. children continues to improve by most measures, a new report said. However, ‘the nation’s racial inequities remain deep, systemic and stubbornly persistent,’ the report cautioned.
Strong Majority in US Wants Policing Reform Measures
A majority of the U.S. public supports many policing reform measures, a report found. Seven out of 10 possible policing reforms in the poll were strongly or somewhat favored by a majority of adults.
US Divided Along Stark Racial Lines on Monument Removal
The U.S. is divided along racial lines regarding the removal of monuments and statues linked to slavery, a report found. The differences between Black and white respondents were stark.
More Than 1,000 Faith Leaders Urge Trump to Stop Executions
More than 1,000 faith leaders from multiple traditions signed a statement opposing the federal government’s plan to resume executions. The government plans to execute four death-row inmates scheduled for July and August.
Reaction and Response: US Says More Immigration, Not Less for 1st Time
A higher percentage of the US public wants to see more immigration than those who desire to see less for the first time in polling history, Gallup says. Among respondents, 34% favor more, 28% less and 36% say stay the same.
Support for Capital Punishment Reaches Another All-Time Low
The number of U.S. adults who believe capital punishment is morally acceptable is at an all-time low, Gallup says. A slim majority, 54%, now believe the death penalty is “morally acceptable.”
Global Deforestation Slows But Millions of Acres Still Lost
The rate of deforestation globally has slowed over the past three decades. The overall rate slowed to 24.7 million acres annually from 2015-20. Yet, a net loss of nearly 440 million acres has occurred over the past 30 years.