News
A Third of U.S. Adults, Half of Christians Say We’re ‘Living in the End Times’
More than one third of U.S. adults believe that we are “living in the end times,” according to a Pew Research Center report. Historically Black Protestants and evangelical Protestants are the most likely religious groups to agree.
U.S. Majority Says Social Media Bad for Democracy, Uncertain of Religious Impact
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults say that social media has been bad for democracy, according to a Pew Research Center report. The nation is less certain about the impact on religious groups.
Report Explains How Religious Tolerance Differs from Religious Freedom
Religious tolerance differs in significant ways from religious freedom, a new U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report emphasizes. Authoritarian nations often focus on the former to deflect from oppressive, unjust policies.
Two New Books Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Paul Wallace answers questions Christians ask scientists and Bruce C. Salmon reflects on a lifetime of offering eulogies in the newest titles from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media.
Most U.S. Protestant Churches Will Hold Christmas and New Year’s Day Services
Is your church planning services on Christmas and New Year’s Day? If so, you are part of a strong majority who plan to do so, according to a LifeWay Research report.
Political Affiliation Influences U.S. Perceptions of Discrimination Against Christians, Jews and Muslims
U.S. adults are more likely to say that Muslims face a great deal or moderate amount of discrimination than those who say Jews and Christians do. Responses varied significantly when analyzed based on political affiliation.
Trust in Charitable Organizations Increases Among U.S., Canadian Adults
Adults in the U.S. and Canada are expressing more trust in charitable causes and organizations, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Trust in U.S. religious charities rose for the first time in four years.
Weekly Churchgoers Only Faith Group Without Majority Approving Marijuana Legalization
Weekly churchgoers in the U.S. were the only faith group without a majority of respondents favoring the legalization of marijuana, according to a Gallup report. Political conservatives were the only other demographic group without majority support.
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.