Recent Articles
What Markings Do We Bear?
What does it look like to bear the markings of Jesus in one’s life? One large, visible portion of the Christian church in the U.S. offers up an answer that looks very different from what is set forth in the Gospels.
Australia Making Headlines for All the Wrong Reasons
Australia is making headlines. Lack of substantive action on climate change mitigation has drawn the Pacific nation and its prime minister into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
UMC Female Clergy Underrepresented, Underpaid
Female clergy in the United Methodist Church are underrepresented and underpaid, according to a report. Even when accounting for mitigating factors, pay is substantially less in several regions.
November 16, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: His Reasons for Opposing Trump Were Biblical. Now a Top Christian Editor is Out; ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Chanted at QAnon-Linked Church Event in Texas; The Mormon Church’s $100 Billion Fund Added to its Tesla Stake and Took Profits in Nvidia Last Quarter; The Language of Jewish Nationalism: Street Signs and Linguistics in the Old City of Jerusalem; and more
Does Your Church Need a ‘Come to Jesus’ Meeting?
The church has been called ‘a hospital for sinners,’ but what do you do when the call for an ambulance is coming from inside the house of worship? Perhaps a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting is in order.
Non-Christians Most, White Evangelicals Least Affirming of U.S. Religious Diversity
A recent survey asked U.S. adults to share their views on diversity in the nation. Two groups stood out for their divergent perspectives on this inquiry.
Who Bears the Cost for Technological Advances?
What is involved in making smartphones and other devices we all rely on? For all the benefits of technological advances, who bears the cost? These are questions we should all be asking.
November 15, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How My Faith Shapes My View of Racism and History; In North Carolina, Black Baptists, White Methodists Plan a Bus Trip for Healing; Former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn at Far Right Rally Calls for One Religion in America; and more
People of Good Faith: Imad Enchassi
Imad Enchassi is the founder, imam and president of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.
“Fire Shut Up in My Bones”: A Powerful Drama for Our Time
The opera “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” dispels the notion that opera is only for the elite or is something belonging in a museum. Adapted from the memoir of Charles M. Blow, its powerful drama speaks to myriad issues in our day.
Look Back | Soiling Good Terms
Words and concepts are often co-opted and used as a basis for discrimination and other problematic actions. ‘Religious liberty’ is one such term that has been used improperly in recent years.
November 12, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: On the Best Seller List, Rachel Held Evans’s Legacy Continues (New York Times)
Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology; Uncovering Native History in Badlands National Park; Man Who Stalked Reporter Who Broke Church Scandal Sentenced; Baseball Returning to One of the Nation’s Oldest Historically Black Universities with Help of Cincinnati Reds; and more
Ernest Childers: First Indigenous Person to Receive Medal of Honor in WWII
Second Lieutenant Ernest Childers was the first Indigenous person awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II. I want to thank each and every veteran for their service and sacrifice, and especially my Indigenous brothers and sisters.
Why You Should Hold on to Hope Despite Disappointment
The weeping of Jesus and the lamentation of Jeremiah reveal that disappointment will always accompany the hope for a different and better future. Here is why you should hold on to hope, nevertheless.
Muslim Americans More Generous Than Non-Muslims
Muslims in the U.S. are more generous than non-Muslims, a report found. They contribute a significant amount more to charitable causes, both faith-based and secular, than non-Muslim adults.
November 11, 2021
Today’s curated news and analysis headlines: SBC Abuse Reckoning Spurs State-Level Reviews; The Question Roiling the Catholic Church: Who’s a Good Catholic?; Rev. Jacqui Lewis: In a Divided America, No One is Saved Until Everyone is Saved; and more
‘The Wonderful’ Documentary Offers Dose of Hope
Did you ever want to be an astronaut? Do the dysfunctions on Earth make you want to escape to space? Perhaps a new documentary can offer you a dose of hope.
A Cry for Mercy for Myanmar and a Call for Congress to Act
The brutal military coup in February ended a decade of democracy in Myanmar (Burma). The Burma Act of 2021 has been proposed in the U.S. Congress to provide concrete responses to the ongoing atrocities. Here’s how you can help.
ISNA Urges Adoption of Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) has signed on to a letter urging adoption of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. ISNA is asking Muslim leaders to increase renewable energy investments and to divest from fossil fuels.
Hey, Church! Take a Clue From Snitker
Worried about what your congregation will look like after the pandemic? Perhaps you need to follow the lead of Atlanta Braves’ manager Brian “Snit” Snitker.
Religious Liberty Under Attack in Myanmar (Burma)
Human rights, and specifically religious liberty, are increasingly under attack in Myanmar (Burma), following a military coup. A new report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom highlights some of the atrocities.
What Should Be the Basis for Charitable Giving?
Why do people donate to charitable causes? Is it guilt, greed, altruism, some combination of all three? Let’s take a moment to reflect on our philanthropy.
November 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How Covid Raised the Stakes of the War Between Faith and Science; French Catholic Church to Sell Assets to Settle Sex Abuse Claims; Women Describe Abuse, ‘Stolen Babies’ at Youth Christian Group Homes. Now, They Push for Change; and more
‘Great Resignation’ Offers Insight, Warning to Churches
Millions have quit their jobs during the pandemic, in what has been called “the Great Resignation.” What are the factors contributing to this trend? What parallels, insights and warnings does this offer churches?
Six False Gods of White Evangelical U.S. Christians
Many white, evangelical Christians in the U.S. find themselves in bondage to several idols or false gods. Here are six examples, among many.
Attendance Lags as In-Person Church Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
Church attendance remains below pre-pandemic rates, even as in-person gatherings have returned to January 2020 levels, a new report found.
November 8, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How Leonard Cohen’s Hits Were Influenced by Christianity and Judaism (CBC Radio)
George Group Brings Women of Different Faiths Together; ‘We’re Not Gonna be Knocked Down’: Middletown Church Under Attack by Racist, Anti-LGBTQ Christian Groups; Virginia Pastor: If You Want to Ban Books that Make Children Uncomfortable, Start with the Bible; and more
Dia de los Muertos and Shared Altars
I have slowly begun the work of decolonizing my identity as a Latina and a Christian. Part of this journey has been introducing and honoring practices of the culture, such as honoring the dead and their lives.
On the Need for Informed Voting
Informed citizens are vital for a functioning, effective democracy. We should encourage more people to vote, and make it as easy as possible, while emphasizing the importance of researching the candidates and proposals on the ballot.
COP26: the Science, the Scientists, the Politics and the Christians
COP26, currently taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, is a crucial meeting about the world’s future. How did we get to this point? And what are the key issues that must be addressed?