Recent Articles
Belief in God Among U.S. Adults at All-Time Low
The number of U.S. adults who say they believe in God reached an all-time low 2022, according to a Gallup report. Still, more than eight-in-10 affirm that they belief in a higher power.
Why Did the U.S. Take So Long to Join the Party?
Celebrated on June 19 each year by African Americans and considered the community’s Independence Day, Juneteenth is set aside to celebrate the end of slavery in the U.S. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
On ‘Bleak House’ and Equally Bleak Institutions
On a recent library visit, I came across Charles Dickens’ book ‘Bleak House.’ Skimming its pages again for the first time in years, I noticed several parallels between the conditions it describes and the present reality for houses of faith.
Deaths from Alcohol, Drugs and Suicide Spiked in 2020
The combined number of U.S. deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicided jumped 20% from 2019 to 2020, according to a report published in late May by the Trust for America’s Health.
An Affirming Home
By showing, not just telling, our kids we’re a soft place to land on all subjects, they will grow up knowing our love for them is big enough.
Church Infighting Unappealing to Younger Generation of Believers
Younger Evangelicals are tired of watching their parents and grandparents fighting over details they affirm do not determine salvation. Despite the raging politicization sweeping through the church, these young Christians simply want to worship God without infighting infecting their faith.
Look Back | Crossing the Chasm That Seemingly Divides Bible, LGBTQ Loved Ones
For many, it feels like the Bible is on one side of the debate regarding LGBTQ inclusion in the church and pictures of loved ones are on the other. How does a Jesus follower choose between the two?
June 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: What Antisemitism Looks Like When it is Carved into Church; Pride-flag Protest at Christian University Graduation Part of Larger Social Movement; Spirituality and Sexuality Often Clash. These Green Bay Churches Made the Effort to be Designated LGBTQ Friendly. (and more)
Right and Wrong: Takeaways from Watching the January 6th Hearings
Watching the January 6th hearings this week, remarks made by members of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and witness testimony drew a clear line between right and wrong.
On Learning from Queer Kin
Growing up queer in the church can be a lonely endeavor. But for those of us who are lucky enough, their stories do not end with death-dealing theologies. They go on to find new life in the queer community.
My Family’s EV Life: Part Two
Driving an electric vehicle is an adjustment from the internal combustion engines most of us are familiar with. However, the differences are positive, as they provide comfortable and quiet rides. But don’t take my word for it – drive one.
June 16, 2022
In today’s news and analysis headlines: Southern Baptist Convention Passes 2 Reform Measures Aimed at Improving its Handling of Sexual Abuse Allegations; How the Christian Home-Schooling Lobby Feeds on Fear of Public Schools; Roger Stone and Michael Flynn Under Fire Over Rallies ‘Distorting Christianity’; Religion Professor: Coercive Power is Where Christianity is Most Unlike its Founder (and more)
You’re LGBTQ Affirming! Now What?
Many churches go through incredibly intentional processes to help cultivate LGBTQ affirmation and then never tell anyone about that commitment outside the church walls. Here are five considerations for “welcoming and affirming” congregations.
My Family’s EV Life: Part One
My family is unique in that we only have electric vehicles. As early adopters, we are learning a lot about a different way of getting from here to there. Here are a few reasons why we made the switch.
A good faith response to the abortion debate
The recently leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would serve to overturn Roe v. Wade has concerning implications for people of good faith.
June 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Police in Idaho are Getting Death Threats After Arresting White Supremacist Patriot Front Members; South Florida Synagogue Challenges State Abortion Law Over Religion; In Missouri, Battles Over Birth Control Foreshadow a Post-Roe World; As Southern Baptists Gather, Right-Wing, MAGA-like Faction Sounds Alarm (and more)
A Philosophy of Opinion Writing
The advent of social media and blogging has made it possible for everyone to express their opinion in the public square. Here are a few suggestions to consider based on my, admittedly, imperfect approach.
I Am a Woman Because I Do Womanhood
Like other trans women, I don’t identify as a woman. Rather, I am a woman. I am a woman because I do womanhood. Yet, somehow, identity has come to connote a kind of disembodied, decontextualized totem of sorts.
Celebrating Pride and Pentecost in a Pub
I do not believe it was a coincidence that Pentecost Sunday fell on June 5 this year – the first Sunday during Pride month. Here is how our congregation celebrated both observances in a local bar.
June 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: ‘Born in Slavery’ Shares Stories of Formerly Enslaved People. Read Their Words Ahead of Juneteenth.; Cult Expert Steven Hassan Sees 95% Chance of Worsening Pro-Trump Violence; Explosive Report Alleged Sex Abuse by SBC Leader Johnny Hunt. His Accuser Still Waits for Justice.; New Book ‘Interpreting Religion’ Dares to Ask ‘How’ (and more)
‘Heathen’ Documents History of Religious, Racial Name-Calling
Before there was the “other,” there was the heathen. Kathryn Gin Lum’s new book ‘Heathen: Religion and Race in American History’ is a must read.
An Invitation for Embrace and Resurrection
Celebrating Pride Month is crucial amid all this fear, so how do queer Christians faithfully engage in thoughtful celebrations of Pride this year? I’d suggest that we look to the example of Jesus.
We Need Revelation’s Non-Violent Witness for a Violent Age
Thomas Slater’s 2019 book ‘Revelation as Civil Disobedience’ is prescient in both its cover design and its observations. Here is why I strongly commend it for such a time as this.
June 13, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How Christian Nationalism Pave the Way for January 6; CRT, Trumpism and Doubt Roil Biola University. Is this the Future of Evangelical Christianity?; National Bible Study to Commemorate Seventh Anniversary of Charleston Church Mass Shooting; Evangelical Christian Adoption Movement Hit by a ‘Tsunami’ of Mentally Ill Children; How Christian Home-Schoolers Laid the Groundwork for ‘Parental Rights’; This Traffic Stop Between a Black Man and a White State Trooper Began With Fear. It Ended with a Surprising Act of Kindness. (and more)
People of Good Faith: Kira Dewey
Kira M. Dewey is a sophomore at Palm Beach Atlantic University, studying English and Creative Writing. She is a summer 2022 Ernest C. Hynds Jr. Intern at Good Faith Media.
Prayer, ‘Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain’ and Mass Shootings
: I was almost suspended from class in fifth grade for “taking the Lord’s name in vain.” This came to mind when I heard Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) use this phrase in a speech suggesting more prayer could curb mass shootings.
Republican Majority Thinks Whites Are Being ‘Replaced,’ Says Discrimination Against Whites a ‘Big Problem’
A Republican majority in the U.S. agree that “white people … are being replaced by non-white people” and that “discrimination against white people has become as big a problem as discrimination against Black people,” a recent survey found.
Will the Next Global Pandemic Be a Recession?
Inflation seems to be running rampant, despite efforts of governments to slow the price increases by raising interest rates. After more than two years fighting a global pandemic, could a weary world be headed toward a global recession?
Faith Seeking Understanding | Rethinking Atonement
There was no “Damascus Road” experience. My understanding of Jesus’ death was challenged – and, ultimately, changed – slowly, gradually, haltingly. This is how I sought, and found, new understanding.
Fallacious Presuppositions Undergird Franklin Graham’s Assessment of U.S. Gun Violence
Franklin Graham offered his assessment last week regarding the cause of mass shootings in the U.S. Because Graham’s influence remains significant within evangelical Christianity, here is why his conclusions are erroneous.