Recent Articles
November 5, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: The presidential election and Christians; Albert Mohler, John Piper and Trump; Old whaling church to serve as homeless shelter this winter; Rare coins featuring people from the Bible; and more.
Truth in Advertising
Election Day is over and all those grating political ads are gone until the next election. But wait. While the political ads may be no more, we’re still bombarded by ads that mislead the unwary. A prime offender? Drug companies.
The Countless Women Lost to History
With few records recorded, many women over the centuries have been lost to the ages. Male heads of households categorize the majority of genealogical information. We must do better. No one should be left to die in anonymity.
US Imprisonment Rate Declines to 1995 Levels
The U.S. imprisonment rate declined for the 11th straight year, reaching its lowest level since 1995, a report said. In 2019, there were 419 prisoners per 100,000 in population, down from 432 per 100,000 in 2018 – a 3% decrease.
Elections, Fears and Beliefs
When you know someone’s fears, you can know what that person believes. Unhealthy fear rejects truth that doesn’t align with one’s more comforting though inaccurate vision of reality. We must rebuild trust and reestablish truth.
Smells Like Better Times
The sense of smell is powerful. These days whiffs of stenches past emerge from certain kinds of politics. They linger in the nose and stink. But every now and then, the scents of better times waft through the air.
Will Election Trigger General Strike Across US?
Strikes are rare in America. Labor unions represent millions of working people here. They don’t go out because of elections or to oppose political repression. They don’t shut everything down, but maybe this year they will.
We Can’t Allow the Nightmares to Come True
Since the 1960s, our nation has faced unsettling things, from assassinations to rioting, but 2020 feels uniquely troubling. We’ve lost so much recently. Is it even possible to turn things around? Yes, there’s still time – and hope.
November 3, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis; Coverage of evangelicals and the presidential election. (What else did you expect?)
When We Use Science to Justify Our Racial Biases
The University of California at Berkeley will repurpose its Genealogical Eugenics Institute Fund to help projects that educate about the horrible legacy of eugenics. More public and private institutions need to follow its example.
Christians Still Majority of US Voters Despite Waning Numbers
How Christians vote in the 2020 election will be a key factor in who occupies the White House for the next four years, a recent report found. They remain a majority – nearly two-thirds – of all registered voters.
How Long Does It Take to Be Nice?
Some people sneer and proclaim that niceness is fake, insincere or manipulative, but niceness is the oil that lets real relationships flourish. How long does it take to be nice? Less time than it takes to be rude.
November 2, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Cathedral hosts memorial services after ‘enormously popular’ resident stray cat dies; Four ways ‘Jim Crow 2.0’ is shaping this election; Deep state, deep church; news from Africa and the Middle East; and more
People of Good Faith: Michael Leathers
Michael Leathers is copy editor at Good Faith Media. He also writes full-length plays, one-acts and sketches for mainstream theater as well as churches.
It’s All Happened Before
When the flu pandemic of 1918 hit, government put restriction in place. After a while, the public grew weary of the restrictions and ignored them. It happened before, and it’s happening again. Will we learn from past mistakes?
Help Wanted: Seeking Harvest-Minded People
When you read social media comments, you see a lot of bruised and hurt lives, a lot of sheep desperate for a good shepherd. Where we see rotting fruit, Jesus sees a harvest. He’s calling for harvesters. Are you available?
US Public Wants COVID-19 Facts, Struggles to Find Them
Nearly six out of 10 U.S. adults are paying close attention to the ongoing pandemic, but many are struggling to find trustworthy information, and few individuals or institutions garner much trust, a new report found.
October 30, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Study looks into connection between religion and equal pay; Biden appeals to Christian voters: Wear masks to ‘Love our neighbors as ourselves’; Trump is losing ground with some, but not all, white Christians; and more.
America, Who Are We?
As the United States determines its next president, another decision will be rendered. Voters will reveal who they are and who they want to be when they elect the future leader of the nation. Are we better than what we have become?
Don’t Let Apathy Keep You from Voting, Civic Engagement
In less than a week, we will have the opportunity to shape the direction of our country for years to come. To sit this or any election out would be to squander the right and privilege we have to shape our common life as a nation.
More US Protestant Pastors Endorse Candidates
While US Protestant pastors are becoming more vocal about political candidates, laity have mixed feelings regarding such endorsements in any context or capacity, though a growing number approve of endorsements ‘from the pulpit.’
October 29, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines; In Warm Springs, Georgia near FDR’s Little White House Joe Biden quotes Ecclesiastes; The preacher who might finally turn Georgia blue; Ancient church discovered in Israel; and more
Are You Scared Yet?
Halloween won’t be the same this year, much to the chagrin of costume-wearing children and pillowcase-toting teens. With COVID-19 still lurking, some towns are banning all trick-or-treating. Yet some folks can’t resist decorating.
A Demonstration of Unity Against Hate
Churches, synagogues and mosques around the world will take a stand against bigotry, racism and anti-Semitism when they leave their lights on Nov. 9 for the ‘Let There Be Light’ campaign. Learn how your faith group can join in.
1,000-Plus Faith Leaders Urge Free, Fair Elections
With signatories from a variety of faith traditions, more than 1,000 US faith leaders issued a statement on Tuesday in support of free and fair elections, noting that our freedoms ‘depend on the integrity of our elections.’
October 28, 2020
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: As white churches confront racism, researchers create models for change; Oklahoma church coalition launches anti-hate campaign; Across the country, Muslims are fighting voter suppression and intimidation; and more.
Is This a Hearing or Heeding Problem?
A large majority of white US evangelicals and conservative Christians are passing on basic gospel priorities, embracing a political ideology of cruelty and self-interest. Many pastors are wondering what they may have done wrong.
How Trees May Help Your COVID-19 Anxieties
The beauty of trees can help us cope during this pandemic. Isaiah and his love of trees are a contrary voice to those inner anxieties and persistently negative voices that are in danger of undermining our faith and our hope.
Most US Protestant Churches Resume In-Person Worship
Nearly nine out of 10 Protestant churches met in person during September, but only 15% did so with attendance levels 90% or higher than before the global pandemic. ‘Things are not back to normal,’ a LifeWay executive observed.
October 27, 2020
Today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Seeking power in Jesus’ name, Trump sparks a rise of ‘Patriot Churches’; Billy Graham’s daughter: Evangelical, Pro-Life, and Voting for Biden; Will the Supreme Court tip the balance on religious liberty and discrimination protection?; and more