Recent Articles
Defending the Vote for All Citizens
Just as ‘faith without works is dead,’ so too is democracy without voting rights for all citizens. During Black History Month, let’s remember how Black voters have been suppressed throughout U.S. history and commit ourselves to defend voting rights for all.
The Role of Liturgy in the Journey Toward Justice
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed Christian worship, bringing both positive and negative impacts. As pastoral leaders advocate for justice, they must remember that liturgy is a ‘work of the people’ and engage the membership.
February 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: An Angry Debate Over Critical Race Theory Splits Christian Colleges; A Michigan Woman’s Journey to Define Spirituality is Rooted in Black History; Has the Catholic Church Been Covering up its Biggest Pedophile Priest Problem?; The Russian-Ukrainian Orthodox Church Split Continues to Anger Moscow (and more)
Democracy Remains a Dream, Voting Rights a Nightmare
Democracy is a work in progress as long as some suppress the rights of others in order to retain power and privilege. Black History Month declares that the struggle for equity and justice for all continues.
The Environmental Impact of COVID-19
Much attention has been given to PPE, vaccines and testing over the past two years. One crucial, but overlooked, impact of the ongoing pandemic is the significant increase in medical waste.
U.S. Adults Mostly Gloomy on State of Nation
The perception of U.S. adults on the state of the nation is predominantly one of dissatisfaction, a Gallup survey found. Satisfaction with organized religious remains at an all-time low.
February 14, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Beaten by the Klan in 1963, a Black Man Just Spoke to the White Pastor Who Helped Rescue Him; Black History Month in Chicago: Landmark West Side Church Played Pivotal Role in Civil Rights Movement, Push for Housing Equality; Capitalism Had Israel’s Kibbutzim on the Ropes. Then They Discovered Pot.; (and more)
Celebrating All Clergy: Hearing From Children, Youth and College Ministers
Clergy burnout has long been a pressing issue for local congregations, and the pandemic has increased the pressure they feel to minister effectively. Clergy health often focuses on senior pastors, but we must expand our concern and care for all ministers.
People of Good Faith: Jon Roebuck
Jon R. Roebuck is the executive director of The Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and the author of four books.
What the Lord’s Prayer Taught Me About Praying for Daily Bread
The Lord’s prayer was presenting an increasing challenge for me – particularly the part about asking for daily bread. Upon further reflection, the prayer’s pronouns taught me an important lesson about such petitions.
February 11, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Emanuel AME Church Inspired Guide to Help Mass Shooting Survivors; New Report Details the Influence of Christian Nationalism on the Insurrection; One in Five Applicants to White Supremacist Group Tied to US Military (The Guardian). Another Bomb Threat Was Reported at a HBCU This Week. Here’s Where the Investigation Stands; ‘I Quoted the Bible’: Phil Robertson of ‘Duck Dynasty’ Has No Regrets for Making Anti-Gay Remarks; (and more)
Report Analyzes Influence of Christian Nationalism on Jan. 6 Insurrection
A new report on Christian nationalism analyzes the role and influence this ideological movement had on the U.S. Capitol insurrectionists. It was announced and released during a Feb. 9 webinar featuring report contributors.
Winston-Salem Church to Welcome Refugees With Housing, Hospitality
A conference presentation sparked an idea and new mission initiative for one North Carolina church. They are in the process of converting an unused parsonage to provide temporary housing to refugees.
Reaction and Response | Only One U.S. Faith Group Lacks Majority Support for Undocumented Path to Citizenship
A new report found that only one U.S. faith group lacked a majority who support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Which group was it? And what trends did the survey reveal about immigration views?
February 10, 2022
In today’s news and analysis headlines: White Evangelicals Most Likely to Oppose Pathway to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants: Poll; Florida Seeks to Block Uncomfortable Themes in Schools. Its History is Full of Them.; Christian Revival at Public School Prompts Walkout in Virginia; Benedict Woes Come as German Church Reform Pressure Rises (and more)
What Can Moses, Aaron and Fannie Lou Hamer Teach Us About Freedom?
Hamer’s story is integral to the history of the struggle for Black voting rights, women’s empowerment, economic rights and human rights. Thinking about her life and the biblical book of Exodus offers insight about freedom.
How Health Care Data Acquisitions Could Affect Patient Privacy
IBM is in the process of selling its health care data to a private equity firm. Why does this matter? And why should you care?
Life Satisfaction High Among Weekly Religious Service Attendees
U.S. adults who attend religious services weekly are more likely to express their satisfaction with life than those who attend less often. This was one of the findings from a recent Gallup survey.
February 9, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Woke War: How Social Justice and CRT Became Heresy for Conservative Evangelicals; Islamophobia and the Insurrection: Law Enforcement Focused on Muslims for Years, and Then …; Anonymous Group Calls for More Transparency from SBC’s North American Mission Board (and more)
Is Christianity More Than a Moral Philosophy?
Christianity has been defined and expressed in myriad ways. Here is why the moral philosophy of Jesus must remain central to any true expression of Christian faith.
HBCU Bomb Threats Continue Long History of Terrorism
Multiple bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities were made on Jan. 4. Additional threats were made on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month. Such acts of terrorism have a long history.
U.S. Religious Life Diversifies Amid Overall Decline
Religious life in the U.S. remains vibrant and has diversified even amid an overall decline in religious affiliation. These are among the findings of a National Congregations Survey report published in mid-January by Duke University.
February 8, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Baptist Leader Calls Denial of Voting Rights ‘Evil’; Oklahoma Bill Would Fine Teachers $10k for Teaching Anything that Contradicts Religion; Gothard Ministry that Once Nourished Duggar Family Faith Falls from Grace (and more)
What Is History Teaching Us?
Some in the U.S. are afraid to discuss history, preferring to avoid or cover up the nation’s dirty laundry. How we teach history will determine if we really want to live in a free society.
U.S. Faces Crossroads on Reckoning With History
The U.S. is at crossroads yet again, facing a decision to acknowledge its full history, or whitewash the sordid elements once more. It’s a time of reckoning for which each new generation must take responsibility.
Whoopi Goldberg and the Need for Holocaust Education
Whoopi Goldberg’s serious misstatements about race and the Nazi Holocaust offer an opportunity to provide education. Let’s use this time to counsel, not cancel.
February 7, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Survey Finds Path to U.S. Citizenship for Migrants Has Majority Support; How the Critical Race Theory Debate was Fueled by Misinformation; Black History Month Founder Showed How Schools Should Teach About Race; The Dissenters Trying to Save Evangelicalism From Itself; and more
People of Good Faith: Lynn Brinkley
Lynn Brinkley is associate director of Baptist Women in Ministry.
U.S. Givers Plan to Maintain Giving Levels, Increase Selectivity
U.S. donors plan to maintain current giving levels while increasing their selectivity. This is one of several key findings from a new report on charitable giving from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Look Back | An Interview with Bob Abernethy
Bob Abernethy (1927-2021) hosted Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly on PBS from 1997 to 2017. He spoke with Jodi Mathews about religion, ethics and journalism in a 2002 interview.