Recent Articles
A Life and Death Look at Human Rights
Do human rights end at the grave? This seemingly strange question is rarely, if ever, considered, but it raises the issue of how extensive human declarations about the quality and dignity of human life are.
Bill Jones to End ‘Weekly Baptist Roundup’
Bill Jones will end his “Weekly Baptist Roundup” that he has been publishing since May 2011. Dec. 18 will be the final edition of the Roundup, which provides links to articles and other resources relevant to faith and contemporary trends and issues.
December 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Creative Resistance of Native American Christian Art; Supreme Court Conservatives Skeptical of Maine Policy that Blocks State Funding for Religious Schools; Driven by Religious Prohibitions, the ‘Dirty Soda Rush’ is on in the Mountain West; and more
Rights of Indigenous Peoples Declaration Reveals Church Complicity
Being presented with a human rights framework for reconciliation felt awkward, and a little bitter. Yet, this invitation exposed unspeakable hurt inflicted by Christians on Indigenous peoples in Canada and offered a path forward.
Resolutions Are Only Revolutionary If Implemented
A momentous occasion took place in October 2021 when access to a healthy and sustainable environment was declared a human right. Yet, such resolutions are only revolutionary if humanity makes changes to implement them.
Republicans Flip-Flop on Unemployment Benefits
The politicization of mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic is nothing new. But it has entered a new era of ridiculousness with GOP leaders flip-flopping on how their state handles unemployment benefits.
December 8, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Finding Religion in a Day of Infamy: Pearl Harbor was Turning Point, FSU Professor Says; After Decades of Surveillance, Muslims Struggle With How Much to Share Online; Iraq Puts on Display Ancient Artifacts Returned by U.S.; and more
Scattered, Smothered and Faithful
An overwhelmed diner staff received an unexpected gift in the form of customers pitching in to help. Why is this such an exceptional occurrence? And what would the world be like if it was more common?
Advent Lectionary | Let Your Joy Be Known
Jesus broke with long-established boundaries and norms. On this Advent Sunday in which joy takes center stage, how might we follow his example? Could a dance of defiance be in order?
Humans Right Day: A Proclamation of Freedom for All
Human Rights Day is often marked with commemorations of the progress made and recognition of the work still needed to be done in advancing freedom for all. Here is why such observances matter.
December 7, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Televangelist’s Death from COVID Highlights Christian Media’s Vaccine Problem; Lawyer: This Supreme Court Case Could Take a ‘Wrecking Ball’ to Separation of Church and State; ‘Global Empire of the US Christian Right’: Dark Money Fuels Attacks on Abortion Rights; and more
Peng Shuai’s Experience Reveals Treatment of Assault Victims
Three-time Olympian and tennis star Peng Shuai has been forced from the public eye after accusing a former Chinese official of sexual assault. This is what assault victims experience when they speak out.
Words Alone Won’t Secure Human Rights, Address Climate Crisis
As the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approaches, we need more action, and less talking, to address the climate crisis. Translating the “whereas” and “therefore” of the UDHR into tangible actions remains a challenge 73 years on.
The Persistent Widow and the United Nations
Even top-level UN leaders focused on human rights have been unaware of religious freedom violations in places like Algeria and Sri Lanka. Without organizations like the World Evangelical Alliance, human rights abuses would remain unknown.
December 6, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Students are Fed up With Racist Slurs and Bullying. Now They’re Walking Out of Class.; Why ‘Sorcery’ Was the Fastest-Growing Search Term on Bible Gateway in 2021; Both Sides Planning for New State-by-State Abortion Fight; Civil War-Style, Nondenominational Christmas Church Service in Maryland; and more
People of Good Faith: Bruce Salmon
Bruce Salmon served for 33 years as pastor of Village Baptist Church in Bowie, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
Listening Tops Gen Z List for Effective Evangelism
U.S. teens recently offered their views on the most effective approaches to sharing one’s faith. Rather than the apologetics common to earlier generations, they prefer listening, not lecturing.
Slight U.S. Majority Supports Death Penalty
A slim majority of U.S. adults support the death penalty, with support remaining largely unchanged in recent years. Current levels were the lowest since 1972, and well below the 80% who affirmed capital punishment in 1994.
December 3, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: As Supreme Court Debates Abortion, Dueling Theologies Battle Outside; Ohio Governor’s Race: Jim Rennaci Chooses Anti-Abortion Christian Movie Producer as Running Mate in GOP Primary; It’s Back: Purity Culture, 2.0, Gen Z Style; and more
Reaction and Response | Few Cite Faith/Spirituality/Religion As Giving Life Meaning
Few adults worldwide cite faith, religious or spirituality as a leading source of meaning, according to a new report. What were the most common responses? And what do faith leaders think about the findings?
Women in the Catholic Church: A Brief History
Pope Francis has appointed several women to prominent positions within the Roman Catholic Church in recent months. Here is a brief history of the complex role of women within Catholicism.
‘The Gathering’ Offers Alternative to ‘Church-as-We-Know-It’
Are you among the people giving up on church right and left? Are you tired, perhaps even offended, by ‘church-as-we-know-it’? If so, “The Gathering: A Womanist Church” is the book for you.
December 2, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: QAnon Follower Writes Open Letter to Donald Trump Over Failed Predictions: ‘Tired of It’; Marjorie Taylor Greene, in Feud with Nancy Mace on Islamophobia, Launches Personal Attack Over Abortion; Catholic Church Cancels College Republicans’ Pro-Life Talk Featuring Matt Walsh, Citing Speakers’ ‘Provocative Positions’; and more
Does Your Congregation Need Inoculation Against Misinformation?
Karl Barth’s advice to preach with a Bible and a newspaper in hand would likely be met today with questions about what newspaper to read. Churches are not immune from a misinformation pandemic, and an inoculation is likely needed.
Didn’t Ask, Don’t Need
What are some of your pet peeves when it comes to end-of-the-year donation requests from charitable organizations? Let me share a few of mine, and why I still give despite the annoyances.
Analyzing Vaccine Mandates and Legal Challenges
Legal nuances surrounding the federal vaccine mandates can be mind-numbing. Here is what you need to know, and why these challenges matter.
December 1, 2021
In today’s curated new and analysis headlines: After Ahmaud Arbery’s Death, This Group Demanded Change; The Christian Legal Army Behind the Ban on Abortion in Mississippi; Conservative Southern Baptist Network Launches Attack on James Merritt for Saying Something Nice About His Son; and more
Jesus on the Sidelines
Americanized Christians have made a recent substitution, replacing one player for another star. With this long-revered figure now on the sidelines, many are struggling to know how to proceed.
Advent Lectionary | The Earliest Soundtrack
The Gospel of Luke opens with a series of songs, which offer the earliest soundtrack to the Advent season. Of the four, Zechariah’s Benedictus is the most sophisticated.
U.S. Protestant Congregations See Finances Stabilizing
Many Protestant churches in the U.S. have seen their finances stabilize after a volatile 2020, a survey found. A majority report that giving was either the same as last year or had increased in 2021.