News
Leave and Learn: Three Unique Good Faith Experiences Offered in 2023
Three in-person travel experiences are being offered by Good Faith Media in 2023, with dates far enough apart to participate in all three. Join GFM staff on trips to Alabama, Amish Country and Iceland.
U.N. Anti-Discrimination Guide Highlights Two Sides of Religious Discrimination
A new publication on protecting minority rights highlights the ways in which religions face discrimination and the ways in which religious beliefs are used to discriminate against others. It offers guidance to governments on enacting and enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
Increase in U.S. Adults Who See SCOTUS As ‘Friendly’ Toward Religion
The number of adults in the United States who see the Supreme Court as friendly toward religion is increasing, according to a Pew Research Center report. Religiously unaffiliated adults are most likely to agree with this view.
People of Good Faith: Miguel De La Torre
Miguel De La Torre is professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, and a contributing correspondent at Good Faith Media.
Turning the Tables on Race: A New Raceless Gospel Initiative Resource
‘Turning the Tables on Race: Disrupting Systems of Exclusion, Marginalization and Privilege’ is a new resource from The Raceless Gospel Initiative. It aims to give the reader the upper hand in conversations about race.
Half of U.S. Protestants Prefer Political Silos in the Congregation
Half of U.S. Protestants want to attend church with people who agree with them politically, according to a LifeWay Research report. A majority say most people in their congregation share their political views.
Global Temperatures Projected to Far Exceed Paris Agreement Target
Current trends indicate that global temperatures will far exceed the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius established in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, according to a United Nations Environment Programme report.
Religious Freedom Repressed When Government Favors a Religious Tradition
Religious freedom is repressed when a government favors one religious tradition over others, according to a report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Worldwide, 78 nations have an official or favored faith tradition.
Faith Groups, Leaders React to Respect for Marriage Act
The U.S. Senate voted on Nov. 16 to begin debate on the Respect for Marriage Act. This action came after amendments focused on religious exemptions were added. Several faith groups and leaders have issued statements on the legislation.
Political Affiliation More Influential Than Religion on Environmental Views
Highly religious adults in the United States readily affirm a divine mandate to care for creation, according to a Pew Research Center report. They tend to be the least likely to say climate change is a serious problem.
Most Adults Say Religious Service Attendance Not Important to Be Good Member of Society
A majority of adults worldwide say that attending religious services regularly is not important to be a good member of society, according to a Pew Research Center report.
U.S. Majority Says Legal Same-Sex Marriage is Good for Society
Six in 10 U.S. adults say that legal, same-sex marriage is good for society, according to a Pew Research Center report. This is a one-point increase from 2019 and a five-point increase since 2018.
Nurturing Faith Book Considers When God Can’t Answer
In their latest Nurturing Faith book, ‘When God Can’t Answer,’ Miles and Maralene Wesner draw on almost 70 years as religious and educational counselors to help readers navigate tragic experiences.
Most U.S. Adults Do Not Frequently Visit Transcendent Spaces
Most U.S. adults do not regularly visit places or spaces that they consider transcendent or spiritual, according to a Barna Group report. Nature is the most common space considered to be transcendent.
People of Good Faith: Ashley Robinson
Ashley Robinson is Pastor – Christian Education and Community Engagement at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Pope: Economy Should Be ‘In Service of the Human Being’
Pope Francis urged entrepreneurs to “transform the face of the economy” so that it follows ethical principles in a speech delivered at the Vatican. This restructuring should result in an economy whose “activity is in service of the human being.”
Plurality of U.S. Adults Say Houses of Faith Should Not Be Tax-Exempt
A plurality of U.S. adults say houses of faith and religious organizations should not be exempt from paying taxes, according to a YouGov survey. A plurality also says it should be illegal for such entities to endorse candidates.
Belief and Belonging Festival Focuses on Rhyme, Rhythm and Reasoning
Rhyme, rhythm and reasoning took center stage in Waco, Texas, when University Baptist Church hosted the Belief and Belonging Festival. This event is dedicated to bringing people together to share personal stories of finding their place in the world.
U.S. Adults Pessimistic About Morality in Politics and the Nation
U.S. adults feel all three branches of government in the U.S. conduct themselves immorally, according to a YouGov survey. The negative perceptions carry over to views of morality in the nation as a whole.
Sense of Political Alienation Growing Among U.S. Adults
Almost one third of U.S. adults feel completely alienated by politics, as the nation’s 2022 midterm elections take place, according to a Public Agenda report. Most also feel the government’s design and structure must be changed.
Two International Religious Summits Taking Place During Fall 2022
Global faith leaders convened in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 2-3 for the G20 Religion Forum. A second interfaith forum with international leaders will take place in December in the United Arab Emirates.
CEO Pay Increases to 399 Times U.S. Worker Pay
The wage gap between CEOs of the 350 largest publicly traded U.S. companies and average U.S. workers continues to increase. In 2021, CEOs earned 399 times more than the typical U.S. worker was paid.
Extreme Poverty Increases, Will Not Be Eliminated by 2030
Decades of progress in reducing extreme poverty slowed and then stopped, according to a World Bank report. In 2020, there was an increase in the number of people living in extreme poverty.
Report: Recycling Is Not a Solution for Plastic Waste
The amount of plastic waste being created is increasing, while the percentage being recycled is declining in the U.S., according to a Greenpeace report. Few U.S. facilities can recycle anything other than no. 1 or no. 2 plastics.
Few U.S. Adults Look to Religious Institutions, Leaders to Enact Meaningful Change
U.S. adults look to the government and to themselves more than to religious organizations and faith leaders to bring about meaningful change in the nation, according to a Barna Group report.
U.S. Majority Says Antisemitism a Serious Problem
Most U.S. adults see antisemitism as a serious problem in the nation, according to a recent YouGov survey. Respondents are more likely to see the problem of antisemitism as located online than in the local communities.
Short Documentary Forthcoming from Good Faith Media and Baptist Women in Ministry
A third short documentary on female Baptist pastors will be released this November. “No. 3: Danielle,” produced in partnership by Baptist Women in Ministry and Good Faith Media, will premiere in person and online Nov. 13.
Fashion, Footwear Industries Rarely Pay Factory Workers a Living Wage
Most fashion and footwear brands do not pay a living wage to the factory workers producing their products, according to Baptist World Aid Australia’s annual Ethical Fashion Guide.
People of Good Faith: David Wheeler
David Wheeler is an adjunct professor of theology at Palmer Seminary in St. Davids, Pennsylvania.
Religious Identity References Common Among Alternate Social Media Accounts
Few U.S. adults regularly obtain news and information from seven alternative social media platforms, but most who do say they have found community. Religious identity references are common among the most prominent users.