Recent Articles
September 14, 2020
Today’s curated news headlines include: KKK chapter appealing to “our white Christian brothers and sisters; QAnon candidate brandishing AR-15 calls for “Conservative Christians to go on offense” against liberals; the pandemic and religion in Chicago; Black Church leaders demand apology for Trump ad; Watching religion die in America; and more
People of Good Faith: Tony Cartledge
Tony Cartledge is contributing editor and regular columnist for Good Faith Media, as well as weekly curriculum/resource writer for Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies.
Jannie Lister Is Friend to All
The friendly voice of Jannie Lister usually greeted those calling the Nurturing Faith office. She is a dear friend to those of us who work with her. As she wraps up her work this month, we want to wish her well in the days ahead.
Global Food Insecurity Could Hike by 11%
Global food insecurity is expected to rise by 11 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a government report said. An additional 83.5 million people globally could face challenges in finding sufficient, healthy food options.
September 11, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: Key findings about the religious lives of teens and their parents; Trump struggling with religious voters; evangelical Christians and climate change denial; and more.
Losers, Thugs and Nasty – Why Words Matter
A bombshell article claimed President Trump allegedly referred to soldiers killed in action as ‘suckers’ and ‘losers.’ As he continues to spew deeply offensive rhetoric, the president once again hasn’t learned that words matter.
The Most Important Ritual in American Society
All major religions have rituals that help bring their faith to life. The Star-Spangled Banner is an important ritual before sporting events. And one ritual is vital to the lifeblood of our country. Will you participate in it?
Leadership Styles: Jesus vs. The Wolves
When Jesus talked about leadership, he spoke of those who served others. We still elevate leaders more wrapped up in self-promotion than in service. If we elevate wolves to lead us, don’t be surprised when we wind up as prey.
September 10, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: a rural church reimagines the Lord’s Supper as a farm stand; Baylor and Southwestern Seminary at odds; Christian colleges are trying to survive, but will they?; Mike Pence attends an event hosted by a QAnon-supporting Christian couple; and more
Two Cents. One Cent. Little Sense.
Many retailers are asking to be paid with exact change because of a shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With pennies and nickels costing more to make than their value, is it time to stop making them? Or do we fear change?
When Western Countries Hoard Vaccines
The US and other Western nations have been buying up and hoarding vaccines and antivirals to fight the coronavirus. However, when affluent nations pursue a stockpiling strategy for their own people, poor nations pay the price.
Pandemic Hasn’t Increased US Bible Engagement
Bible disengagement remained static in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic triggering neither an increase nor a decrease, a report found. Nearly one-third of respondents reported reading the Bible at least once a week.
September 9, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: White supremacy is ‘Most Lethal Threat’ to US, DHS says; Christian group launches anti-Trump effort in swing states; pandemic prompts churches to consider permanent changes; the Simpsons’ 10 best episodes about religion; and more.
Is Trumpism a Cult? Let’s See.
Strong allegiance to a religious or political leader isn’t enough to make one a cultist. While not all Trump supporters are cult members, it is fair to ask if some of his loyalists have taken Trumpism to the point of cultism.
This One Word Best Describes 2020
How have we responded to COVID-19 in the US? We hoarded groceries and toilet paper. We refused to stay home or wear masks. We stormed statehouses with guns. Is this anger and selfishness the example God expects of Christians?
Unhoused People Overrepresented in Criminal Justice System
People without homes in the US are overrepresented in the criminal justice system due to punitive laws and enforcement practices, a report found. Homeless persons are 11 times more likely to be arrested than people with homes.
September 8, 2020
Today’s curated news and opinion headlines include: Rochester police praise church volunteers for keeping peace at protest; When pews are too close, one church turns to kayaks; Trump, defender of white America, inspires Germany’s far right; an African nation separates religion and state; and more
Sunday School Values Comin’ Down
Many of us were taught in childhood Sunday School classes to be kind to each other. For conservative Christians, those values go out the window when you feel threatened by shifting demographics and the loss of cultural dominance.
Parties’ Conventions Reveal Two Stark Christianities
While the theme of religion was woven into both party platforms, the similarities began and ended at the cliché of ‘God Bless America.’ The contrasting religious rhetoric at both conventions should raise questions for Christians.
September 4, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: 600 faith leaders urge California governor to stop transfer of incarcerated people to ICE; controversial Bonhoeffer biographer Metaxas responds to viral video showing him hitting rioter; from the seabed, figures of an ancient cult; and more
Fundamentalists Have a Problem with Jesus
Fundamentalists have a problem with Jesus, trading Jesus of Nazareth with a Jesus of American nationalism, substituting Calvary’s cross with the American flag. They have remade him in their own political image.
Tempted to Believe the Worst? We Know Better
2020 has been tough. It is easy to start believing the worst watching the chaos. The months ahead will likely continue to be stressful and challenging. When tempted to believe the worst, remember ‘we know better than that.’
More Than Half Oppose Universal Basic Income
Majority of U.S. adults oppose universal basic income, a report says. When asked if they would favor or oppose a $1,000 per month government payment to all citizens, 54% of respondents opposed this, while 45% favored it.
September 3, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: Baptist Calvinists defend slavery of Southern Seminary’s founders; American Christianity’s white supremacist problem; Christian group seeks removal of dinosaur from Tuscon McDonalds; and more
More Than One Vaccine Needed
Sometimes, we have to feel bad in order to feel better. We must feel discomfort to work toward comfort. We must know pain to get to a better place. As we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine, our society also needs a ‘vaccine’ for racism.
The Labor Day Paradox: A Day of Not-Work
Working 14-hour days and 80-hour weeks in a hospital’s infection prevention department, COVID-19 turned me into a workaholic. This Labor Day, I’ll embrace the paradox of celebrating work with a day of not-work.
Why VP’s Speech Was Not Christian Nationalism
While many decried VP Mike Pence’s speech, which replaced ‘Jesus’ for ‘Old Glory,’ during the Republican National Convention, it was not an example of Christian nationalism. It was an example of idolatry. Here’s why.
September 2, 2020
In today’s curated news and opinion headlines: Church aid to Kenosha seized by police; Liberty University announces investigation of Falwell’s presidency; ‘Latter-Day Saints for Trump’; 500 faith leaders endorse Biden and Harris; a new, ancient discovery in Israel; and more
Kudzu, Kinfolks and Me: A Family Tree Search
Many, perhaps even most folks, who grew up white in the South, can uncover ‘ways in which white supremacy, like kudzu, has crept its way forward through the family tree.’ Here’s what I found digging into my family tree’s roots.
Have Churches Pursued Justice for Laborers?
While capitalism has created enormous wealth, society has only partially committed to achieving distributive justice. With income inequality at its highest in 50 years, how have churches responded to robust capitalism?