Opinion
Legislating Ignorance: The Battle for Democracy
Authoritarians use disinformation, anti-intellectualism and intimidation to obtain and maintain power. These tactics are being used in the U.S. to control what can be taught in public schools. This is where the battle for democracy is taking place.
Were Jesus’ Disciples Real Christians?
Take a close look at how so many Americanized Christians define their faith today. What are the priorities, even essentials, they embrace and seek to enforce on others? Do these align with Jesus’ life and teachings?
Legislating Ignorance: Authoritarian Tactics
A recent trip to Poland involved visits to a museum at the factory owned by Oscar Schindler. One exhibit revealed that the first thing the Nazis did wasn’t to round up Jews or communists. It was far more insidious.
How Some Politicians Are Co-opting Terms and Erasing History
Just in time for African American History Month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banned the Advanced Placement African American history course for high school students. Considering the other cultural and historical courses that weren’t banned is revealing.
How Mercy Shaped My Life
I grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, witnessing and living through the horror of the massacre of refugees at the hands of a Lebanese Christian group. A chance interfaith encounter during the chaos shaped my life.
The Work of Shoring Up Democracy Continues
The McMinn County school board called a special meeting in January 2022 about banning books. What followed was a flurry of work by my congregation and community members to oppose such decisions and to offer a better way.
Protecting Religious Freedom Must Be an Interfaith Effort
Interfaith coalitions regularly stand together to spread a counter message of love and justice. Where some have sought to sow seeds of hate for political profit, others have joined with their neighbors to create safer, more inclusive communities.
Look Back | Humility Is a Prerequisite for Interfaith Dialogue
Humility is a key ingredient for interfaith dialogue to be successful. It helps us recognize that people from other faiths have something to teach us and vice versa.
They Don’t Get Me: Examining the ‘He Gets Us’ Campaign
Jesus will be at the Super Bowl this year – well, his slick, new commercials will be. The “He Gets Us” campaign is a well-funded public relations strategy to rebrand Jesus. I have questions and concerns about who is ultimately behind the ad buys.
How I Came Home With a Gift From Ayatollah Sistani
I’m still savoring and pondering the significance of our visit with Ayatollah Sistani during a trip last summer with Muslim pilgrims in Iraq. We took refuge in his home from the blistering heat of an Iraqi summer for a conversation.
How We Can Work to Fix a Trust Deficit in the U.S.
Nurses have ranked as the most trusted profession in the U.S. for the past two decades. They retained their top spot in 2022 despite a drop in confidence. This reflects a larger trend of declining trust among many professions.
Beyond Harmony to Friendship
Harmony among persons who follow different faith traditions engenders mutual respect and kindness. Harmony is self-evidently superior to disharmony. Yet, harmony is not enough.
That’s Amoré? No, That’s Amorite
Two archaeologists have revealed the discovery of two Old Babylonian tablets from around 1800 BCE that contain a surprising bilingual text. Could this be the most exciting language discovery of the year?
Giving Honor Where It Is Due
Brittney Griner is owed several apologies – not that she’s asking for them. The opinion of others never kept her from enduring life with poise. Yet, it is time for many to break their silence and give honor where it is due.
America Has a Police Brutality Problem
Don’t resist the truth. Police brutality in America is a real problem. The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers during a traffic stop is the latest, tragic example of this reality.
How to Sidestep Jesus and Still Profess to Be Christian
There is strong interest among many Americanized Christians to redefine their faith in ways that avoid having to deal too much with Jesus. Here is how this can be accomplished in seven simple steps.