News
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.
How Does Political Polarization Destabilize Faith Communities?
Princeton Theological Seminary hosted an in-person and live-streamed panel discussion considering how political polarization destabilizes communities, including houses of faith.
U.S. Evangelicals Influenced More by Family, Friends and Media Than the Bible on Immigration
Family, friends and the media are more influential in shaping the immigration views of U.S. Evangelicals than the Bible, according to a LifeWay Research report.
Books by Charles E. Poole, Jon R. Roebuck Now Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Nurturing Faith Books has released two new titles, ‘The Path to Depth’ by Charles E. Poole and ‘Morning Conversations on the Wisdom of the Ages’ by Jon R. Roebuck.
Hunger Doubles in 10 Nations Particularly Impacted by Climate Change
Extreme weather events fueled by climate change are causing widespread hunger, according to an OxFam International report. The number of people living in situations of acute food insecurity in 10 nations has more than doubled since 2016.
New Resource Available from The Raceless Gospel Initiative
With U.S. Thanksgiving approaching, millions are planning to gather around the table. All of this got me to thinking about our table manners and Jesus’ table ministry as outlined in Luke’s Gospel.
UN: ‘Piecemeal’ Approach Won’t Effectively Combat Systemic Racism
A U.N. report says a comprehensive approach is essential to effectively combatting systemic racism, rather than the current piecemeal approach. It highlights continued disproportionate experiences and life expectations of people of African descent across the world.
U.S. Holds Mixed Views on Religious Expressions in Sports, Schools
A slim U.S. majority approves of the Supreme Court’s ruling that “a public high school football coach can pray on the field after games.” Views on several scenarios regarding prayer at sporting events and public schools were mixed.
People of Good Faith: Danielle L. Bridgeforth
Danielle L. Bridgeforth is an ordained preacher, writer and encourager who serves as the senior pastor of the Church at Clarendon located in Arlington, Virginia.
160m Children Remain in Child Labor Conditions
There were 233 million working children in 2021, with 160 million in conditions of child labor, according to U.S. Department of Labor report. Of the children in child labor, 79 million worked in hazardous conditions.
Study Reveals Self-Perception of U.S. Adults’ Tolerance, Inclusivity, Pluralism
U.S. Muslims were more likely to perceive themselves to be tolerant and inclusive than non-Muslims when it comes to philanthropy, according to a report from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Nearly 12% of U.S. Lived in Poverty During 2021
There were 37.9 million people living in poverty in the U.S. during 2021, which represents 11.6% of the total population, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Good Faith Media Launches A Better Way Initiative
Religious, social and policy issues are often framed in ways suggesting that many people of faith hold narrow, fundamentalists views. GFM is launching a new initiative to offer another, better way that will provide an alternative voice and perspective.
U.S. Divided Along Race, Party and Religious Lines Regarding Confederate Monuments
The legacy of the Confederacy, and commemorations in public spaces to its leaders continue to divide the U.S. mostly along racial, political and religious lines, according to a Public Religion Research Institute report.
People of Good Faith: Michael Chancellor
Michael Chancellor is a private practice counselor working with veterans and survivors of trauma.
Reaction and Response | #PandemicPastoring Report
A report on pastoring during the pandemic was released in early September, providing insight and reflection on the experience of ministers during this time. Several faith leaders offer their reaction and response to the report’s findings.
Media Outlets Struggle to Meet Global Desire for Religion News Coverage
In a global survey, adults across the world expressed a desire for more coverage of religious news. Journalists acknowledged the dearth of coverage and shared reasons for the trend.