Recent Articles
Unlearned Lessons about Religion and Power
Some religious leaders have been quick to capitulate to political power throughout history, conferring assurance of God’s blessings in exchange for favor and privilege. Such “court evangelicals” remain prominent today.
White Evangelical Protestants Hold Divergent Religious Liberty, Discrimination Views
White evangelical Protestants in the U.S. hold views on religious liberty and discrimination that often diverge from the rest of the nation, a report found. Nearly three-quarters say religious liberty is being threatened, compared to only 42% of all adults.
February 16, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Problem Isn’t Just One Insurrection. It’s Mass Radicalization.; The Agency Founded Because of 9/11 is Shifting to Face the Threat of Domestic Terrorism; Alliance of Baptists Chooses Restitution and Redemption from Thief Who Stole $20,000; How Christian Booksellers Survived 2020; and more.
Some White Christians Demand Accountability, but Only for Others
Some white Christians in the U.S. speak a great deal about accountability but apply it selectively. When others seek to hold them accountable, they talk about grace, all the time that is past, and the confusing arithmetic of justice.
Technology Is a Tool, Not the Church’s Salvation
The pandemic has forced all congregations to adapt, implementing approaches and using technologies some had resisted previously. While technology is a helpful tool, it is not the church’s savior.
Be Kind: A Simple Practice to Change the World
Kindness is a simple concept that, when put into practice, can make the world a more humane place. Let’s seek to do this kind of living, demonstrating a better way to our children.
Progress on U.S. Racial Relations Becoming Less Evident
Fewer U.S. adults affirmed progress in racial relations in late 2020 than six years ago, a report found. More than half of respondents said racial relations became more strained under the Trump administration.
February 15, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Biden Reestablishes Faith-Based Partnerships Office and Names Melissa Rogers to Lead It; The Way Out of America’s Zero-Sum Thinking on Race and Wealth; White Evangelical Protestants Identified as Group Most Proud to be Americans: Survey; Religion and the Death Penalty Collide at the Supreme Court; and more
People of Good Faith: Renée Owen
Renée Lloyd Owen is a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-endorsed healthcare chaplain with more than 20 years of experience meeting the unique spiritual, religious, and cultural needs of patients, their families and healthcare providers.
Satisfaction with Organized Religion, Moral Climate Declines in U.S.
Perception of organized religion and the nation’s moral climate is declining among U.S. adults, a report found. Less than half are satisfied with organized religion’s influence, while eight-in-ten are dissatisfied with the country’s moral / ethical climate.
Look Back | Panelists Urge New Covenant Baptists to Fight Institutional Racism
The church’s struggle against racism is no longer primarily about skin color, but institutions that bestow privilege on some and penalties on others, panelists emphasized at the 2008 New Baptist Covenant gathering. We live in a racialized society.
February 12, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Some Capitol Rioters Believed They Answered God’s Call, Not Just Trump’s; A ‘Scary’ Survey Finding: 4 in 10 Republicans say Political Violence May be Necessary; White Evangelicals Most Susceptible to False Conspiracy Theories; The Significance of the Black Church Throughout America’s History; Television Show Partners with Philosophers to Explore Philosophy of Religion; and more
Freedom of Speech Is Not the Absence of Responsibility
Lawyers for former President Donald Trump are citing the First Amendment in his defense at the Senate impeachment trial. While freedom of speech is a sacred right, this argument fails at the point of legal precedent, as well as honest assessment and application.
Pandemic Has Changed Grieving Rituals
COVID-19 has changed much of the grieving process rituals we once carried out, so how can we walk with the grieving during these extraordinary days of loss? Here are four pathways that adapt pre-pandemic rituals.
February 11, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The World According to ‘God’s Harvard’; Americans Far More Likely to Say Evangelicals Will Lose Influence, Rather than Gain It, Under Biden; First Baptist Church of Huntsville Has UV-C Lights Installed; Returning to In-Person Worship; Southern Baptist Leaders Called Kamala Harris a ‘Jezebel.’ That’s Not Just Insulting, It’s Dangerous, Experts Say; and more
Baptist Theologian Becomes Interim President at UCC Seminary
Molly T. Marshall, a retired Baptist theologian, will become the interim president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities on March 1. Established in 1962 and located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the school is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
Don’t Let Politeness Keep You from Confronting Lies
Poor thinking skills and blatant lies are widespread in society today, particularly on social media. A desire to be polite should not prevent us from confronting falsehoods with facts. We have a responsibility to call out mistruths.
Is Our Number One Problem Really Number Two?
Online advertisements make all sorts of outlandish claims, ranging from clickbait headlines to dietary supplement promotions to conspiracy theories. People of faith should be more discerning, able to recognize truth from lies.
Five Common Misconceptions When Talking about Race
Talking about race can help expel its toxins. But there are several misconceptions that have to be identified and addressed. Here are five.
February 10, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The Religious Right’s Rhetoric Fueled the Insurrection; A Century Ago, White Protestantism Extremism Marched on Washington; Baylor and Southwestern Baptist Regain Control of Texas Foundation After Failed ‘Coup’; Middle East: Anger Grows at Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Virus Scofflaws, Threatening Rupture with Secular Jews (Washington Post); and more.
If Not Required by Jesus, It Isn’t a Requirement
The definition of the term “Christian” has changed a great deal since biblical times. It’s become an almost meaningless label these days. So, what does Jesus call disciples to do and be?
Safety Net Programs Have Reduced U.S. Poverty, Disparities Remain
Social safety net programs in the U.S. like SNAP, SSI and TANF have significantly reduced poverty levels, a report found. Yet, racial and ethnic disparities remain, which could increase further as a result of the pandemic.
Breadmaking Fosters Virtual Community During Lock-Down
A 112-day lock-down in Australia ended in late 2020. To cope with isolation, many turned to breadmaking and fostered community by sharing the results online. Beyond the pandemic, where can this sense of life together lead us?
February 9, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Former QAnon Follower: I Really Believe It’s a Cult; West Virginia’s Evangelical Christians Torn Over Religion’s Role in Politics; We Need to Talk About Bruce Springsteen’s Strange Quasi-Christian Ad for Jeep; Catholic Schools in US Hit by Unprecedented Enrollment Drop; and more
Baptist Pastors Need Reintroduction to Jesus
Two Baptist pastors who called Vice President Kamala Harris “Jezebel” received little news coverage and few public denunciations from fellow Baptists. Their racial slur demonstrates both cultural incompetence and a need to be reintroduced to Jesus.
White Evangelicals More Likely to Say Online Harassment Due to Faith
Nearly one-third of white evangelicals in the U.S. say the online harassment they have experienced resulted from their religious affiliation, a report found. This is the most of any religious group.
What Is Love Asking of Us Now?
We live in a time of bitter division, which has brought out the worst in us. In the current political and social climate, people of faith must consider what love is asking of us now.
February 8, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: California to Revise Indoor Church Guidelines After Ruling;Peleton Makes Toning Your Glutes Feel Spiritual. But Should Jesus be a Part of the Experience?; A Student Athlete Sparked National Change After Being Disqualified from a Volleyball Match for Wearing a Hijab; The Brave, But Forgotten, Kansas Lunch Counter Sit-in that Helped Change America; and more
People of Good Faith: Jana Peterson
Jana Peterson, a self-described “homeschooling homemaker” for 15 years, is pursuing a master of divinity at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She is a GFM Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern for the spring 2021 semester.
I Didn’t Sign Up for White Christian Nationalism
I had already started following Jesus when I realized that something didn’t look, feel or sound right. If race, racism, white nationalism, toxic masculinity and insurrection are part of Christian discipleship, then cross my name off.