Recent Articles
June 22, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Charleston Church Shooting, Six Years Later; After COVID-19 Kills 60 Members, Church Re-examines Role in Community; Law, Religion Come Together in Support of Death Penalty Ban; They Joined the Wisconsin Proud Boys for Brotherhood. They Found Racism, Bullying and Antisemitism; and more.
Wanting a Faith that Makes a Difference
This can’t be what Jesus died for. Christianity has become another holier-than-them club with membership dues and weekly activities while women in ministry, slavery and LGBTQ+ inclusion keep dividing the North American church.
Juneteenth: Observing a Modern-Day Jubilee
Juneteenth is a day for us to repent, reimagine and rejoice. Following the first Juneteenth observed as a federal holiday, let us advocate for a nation where resources are distributed equitably, and all people are treated fairly.
COVID-19’s Rude Awakening Boosted Community
COVID-19 has shown us that our lives are fragile. This rude awakening makes clear to us that we actually do live in community with each other. Rude awakenings may be unwelcome, but now we can engage with the day and all it offers us.
June 21, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Juneteenth Brings Joy, a New Tubman Museum and Questions of the Future; 1 Person is Dead After a Truck Hit Pedestrians at a Florida Pride Parade; Will Christian America Withstand the Pull of QAnon?; After Debate on Biden’s Abortion Views, Bishops Vote to Rethink Communion Rules; In Trying to Pressure Biden, Catholic Bishops Forget the Lessons of JFK; and more
Reaction & Response: Reparations for Black Americans
What should be done when economic prosperity for Black Americans is denied due to racial terror and systemic oppression? Reparations have been brought to the forefront of many conversations about how to achieve racial equity.
Even Death Valley Erupts with ‘Super Bloom’
Valleys represent the times when life has not turned out as we anticipated or hoped. Yet God reminds us that even Death Valley goes from dry, barren wasteland to vibrant fields of growing color: A place of beauty, a ‘super bloom.’
Southern Baptists Resist Rightward Drift for Now
In their first meeting since the onslaught of COVID-19, the Southern Baptist Convention tackled issues ranging from racial reconciliation, sexual abuse, abortion, ordained women and the supposed leftward drift of the convention.
Look Back | Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom from Slavery
Tracing its origin back to African Americans celebrating the end of slavery, Juneteenth has taken on even greater significance by uniting Americans and the world in honor of black lives and commemorating racial unity.
June 18, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Fight Against Evangelical Vaccine Hesitancy; The Fight for Religious Freedom Isn’t What is Used to Be; LBGTQ Rights Dodge a Supreme Court Bullet, But More Shots are Coming; IRS Rejects Tax-Exempt Status for Christian Group Over Ties to Republican Party; and more
Southern Baptist Convention: Old Themes, Alternative Movements
Embroiled in yet another internal rift, the Southern Baptist Convention met this week. While the largely white and patriarchal SBC remains devoted to a rigid and exclusive faith, we must continue the hard work of love and justice.
The Continuance of Hiding Truths
US governors are signing legislation to make it illegal to teach Critical Race Theory, but the truth of racial injustice cannot be hidden. Healing will only happen when we boldly expose the injustice perpetuated by racist systems.
The American Mosque: Growing and Evolving
The number of mosques in the US has increased by 31% to nearly 2,800 last year, up from over 2,100 in 2010. They have given back to their communities every day through charity, service and interreligious cooperation and sharing.
June 17, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Senate Unanimously Passes Bill Making Juneteenth a National Holiday; A Boise Church ‘Repents’ and Removes a Confederate Icon. Are Others in Idaho Next?; Timeless Treasure: Clock in Old North Church Ticks Again; Oklahoma Family Turns Abandoned 1893 Church Into Their Dream Home; Faith Still Shapes Morals and Values Even After People are ‘Done’ with Religion; and more
Reaction & Response | Uber-Rich Pay Little in Taxes
The wealthiest U.S. citizens pay very little in federal taxes each year, a report found, while poor and middle-class households shouldered a greater share. Experts told Good Faith Media this regressive system can’t continue.
God’s Cathedral
Where do you sense God’s presence most clearly? While many people find that sacred feeling inside monumental cathedrals, the glories of nature incite a different sense of wonder that point many toward thoughts of a creator.
Emerging Voices | Celebrating Black Freedom, Moral Imagination
Abraham Lincoln’s vision to imagine an America without slavery inspired millions. Our moral imagination must be like Lincoln’s – bold enough to fight against injustices in society that threaten the mutual flourishing of everyone.
June 16, 2021
In today’s news and analysis headlines: Francis Collins, NIH Director: We Asked God for Help with COVID19, and Vaccines are the ‘Answer to that Prayer’; Unlike Other U.S. Religious Groups, Most Atheists and Agnostics Oppose the Death Penalty;
Florida Schools Prepare for New Mandatory Moment of Silence; and more
Why I Don’t Do Dueling Bible Verses
Dueling Bible verses is a popular game among some Christians when they discuss controversial subjects. I no longer play this game, because there is never a good result.
A Feature of the ‘Big Lie’ Is Always with Us
An untruth can be so blatantly obvious, so public, and responses to it so bizarre and unbelievable that it earns the “Big Lie” label. It then becomes a defining featured of public conversation.
New Nurturing Faith Book Shares Real Conversations with God
‘A Daily Prayer, Short and Sweet: Real Conversations with God’ is now available from Nurturing Faith Books. Author William G. Henderson Jr. shares conversations he’s had with God.
Don’t Read Society’s False Labels
Instructions. Labels. Price tags. I don’t read them, yet many others do. Stereotypes are like labels, ones that bear false witness. Many people rely on these labels to make sense of divisions and bank on additional privileges.
Why It’s Harder to See Your Family Doctor
Patients with a trusting relationship with a primary care provider are more likely to catch issues early and follow up with treatment. But we don’t have enough of these physicians for every American. Why? Two reasons, both economic.
Majority Favors Death Penalty Despite Doubts
Six out of 10 US adults support the death penalty for people convicted of murder, a report found. This majority support continues despite significant misgivings among the general public regarding its fairness and deterrence.
People of Good Faith: Julie Cloud
Julie Cloud is vice president of the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. She currently serves on Good Faith Media’s strategic advisory board, Interfaith Alliance’s board and Perkins School of Theology’s executive board.
Record Level of US Supports Same-Sex Marriage
A record number of US adults (70%) say same-sex marriage ‘should be recognized by the law as valid’ and convey the same rights as ‘traditional marriages,’ a report found, up 43 points since the question was first polled in 1996.
Look Back | Breaking Down Walls of Power, Privilege
The dominant culture will offer forgiveness but seldom wants to relinquish the hold on power that privileges them. The walls of power and privilege must be torn down before any discussion of forgiveness can take place.
Greenwood, Come Forth! Reparations Now
At some point, the US needs to make reparations to the people groups whose lands were stolen, whose lives were enslaved and whose communities were shattered in order for white citizens to prosper. Greenwood is a perfect example.
Out-of-the-Box Ways COVID-19 Helped Our Congregation
The pandemic has been extremely difficult for clergy. One of the new ideas that became part of our congregational life was organizing Jewish programs on a statewide level in a way that was inconceivable prior to the pandemic.
Hospital Suspends 178 After Forced Vaccination Suit
On Tuesday, the Houston Methodist Hospital suspended without pay 178 of its employees who refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Earlier, more than 100 unvaccinated employees had sued the hospital over its vaccine mandate.