Recent Articles
Earth Day Reflection | Fish, Plastic Rubbish and the Lord’s Table
When we share the bread and the wine, we are called to share our lives and resources with each other and those suffering because of injustice, environmental pollution and the carelessness of fellow humans.
Earth Day Reflection | Is “Beauty” a Symptom of a Sick Earth?
Can something that causes so much harm be beautiful? Or have we simply been conditioned to call it beautiful?
April 22, 2024
How the United Methodist Churches Split Over LGBTQ Policies Has Unfolded in North Texas; Chicago’s Response to Migrant Influx Stirs Longstanding Frustrations Among Black Residents; ‘Our Future Was Here’. Christians in Gaza are Paying an Unholy Price Israel-Hamas War (and more)
When Neighbors Are Enemies and Enemies Are Neighbors: An Atypical Reflection on A24’s “Civil War”
This isn’t a normal film review. Instead, it’s a story about my trip to the cinema to see “Civil War.” What follows is a story about what I saw, heard, and felt, both on and off the screen.
Justice Native: Sanchi Rohira Reflects on the Joys and Challenges of Activism
If you are feeling tired, disillusioned or attracted toward conformity and routine, that is by design. They want you to feel like that.
Seeing Beyond Knowledge
Many people know “Mars Hill” because of the podcast “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill,” which documents the scandals of Mark Driscoll and the church he once pastored. Yet, how many people know the biblical context of Mars Hill?
April 19, 2024
In Segregated Roanoke, Black and White Churchgoers Gather to Study the Bible—and Find Ways to Improve the City; Q&A: Researchers Discuss How Claims of Anti-Christian Bias Can Serve as Racial Dog Whistles; Ryan Burge Explains ‘Casual Dechurching’ (and more)
Loma Linda University Conference Explores LGBTQ+ Spirituality
The conference aimed to integrate two fields that are sometimes seen as at odds: spirituality and behavioral sciences.
Most U.S. Catholics View Pope Francis Favorably
Most U.S. Catholics view Pope Francis favorably, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.
‘For Such a Time as This’: Swimming Against the Anti-immigrant Tide
Anti-immigrant sentiment is at such a fever pitch in this country that each major political party is anxious to show they are more prepared than the other to exclude refugees at the border.
April 18, 2024
More Pastors are Leaving Ministry Over Church Conflict; Conservatives Clash With Trump on Leaving Abortion up to Voters; Here’s What a Massive Exodus is Costing the United Methodist Church: Splinter Explainer (and more)
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Hosts 2024 Summit for Religious Freedom
Americans United for Separation of Church and State hosted its second Summit for Religious Liberty in Washington, DC, from April 14 to 15. President and CEO Rachel Laser welcomed the crowd by reminding attendees, “The wall (of separation between church and state) protects us all.”
The Great Bible Shelving and How to Reverse It
The American Bible Society (ABS) issued its “State of the Bible” report last week, and even for those accustomed to reporting about secularization and the shrinking of the American church, it’s a doozy.
New Visions from Macedonia: Intergenerational Engagement
I remember having a vision of my future. I saw myself as a successful lawyer, battling for the progress of capitalism and defending the need for huge buildings and the advancement of corporate life. But when I started working in church as a 15-year-old volunteer, my vision changed.
April 17, 2024
‘Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy’ Review: A Scary Look at the Potential Soldiers of the Second Trump Regime; Houston Pastor Ed Young Calls Biden ‘Godless’ in Anti-Immigration Sermon; Interfaith Group Makes Bolder $20M Ask of Greenville Leaders for Affordable Housing (and more)
A Form of Christianity and the Raceless Gospel
I have been leaving toxic environments since I was twelve years old. Prepared for the coming of Jesus as a new convert, I’m surprised my list now includes the segregated North American church.
The Apocalyptic Effects of AI Military Decisions
Earlier this month, +972 Magazine and Local Call published the accounts of six Israeli intelligence officers claiming Israel was using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system known as Lavender to assist in the selection of targets for military strikes in Gaza.
Fund Summer EBT and Invest in a Healthier Future for Alabama’s Children
As lawmakers wrap up this year’s legislative session, Feeding Alabama and Alabama Arise urge them to include funding for a Summer EBT program in the state’s 2025 budgets.
April 16, 2024
‘Monkey Man’ Attempts to Reclaim Hinduism for the Underdog; Americans are Not Evenly Divided on Culture Wars, Robert Jones Explains in BNG Webinar; FBI Director Speaks at Birmingham Civil Rights Conference (and more)
Intergenerational Faith on Display at American Baptist Home Missions Societies’ Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference
The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) hosted their biennial gathering, Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on April 9-11. A hybrid event, this year’s theme is “Engaging Intergenerational Faith, Listen. Learn. Live.”
Inflation and Immigration Remain Top Concerns for Americans
The March 2024 CAPS-Harris poll revealed that inflation and immigration remain Americans’ most pressing personal concerns. The survey, conducted between March 20 and 21, asked 2,111 registered voters which issues were most important to them personally.
Movie Review | Monkey Man
Though this movie is from a Hindu point of view, it spoke to me about the problems we encounter when we meld religion and politics.
April 15, 2024
6 in 10 Catholics in Favor of Abortion Rights, Pew Research Report Finds; Polish Opponents of Abortion March Against Recent Steps to Liberalize Strict Law; Jelly Roll Took Country Thunder Arizona to Church in Inspiring Set: ‘Everything I Dreamed’ (and more)
An Eclipse Encounter
I completely understand how problematic it is to attribute fortunate or unfortunate weather circumstances to God. One person’s “The tornado turned left just before it hit my house, thank God!” is another person’s “Oh my God, the tornado destroyed my house!”
The Southern Baptist Convention Continues to Face Decline, Losing More Than 1,200 Churches
A new Lifeway Research analysis finds the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) lost more than 1,200 churches in 2022.
April 12, 2024
As Trump Hawks Bible, Debate Over ‘Christian America’ Spreads Outside Church; Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Pushes Pastors to Run for Political Office; A Dramatic Schism Over Social Issues? The United Methodist Church Has Been Here Before; Louisiana Lawmakers Want Ten Commandments in All Public School Classrooms (and more)
States’ Rights: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The current states’ rights argument is yet another attempt by a small group of citizens to circumvent the Constitution and force their own will on others.
Walking Each Other Home
Jesus showed up. That was what all the disciples needed to transform the pain, fear and doubt of the previous weeks into a conviction that would fuel the future they would build.
Nearly One in Three Americans Say Neither Biden nor Trump Would Be a Good President
A new Gallup report finds that nearly one in three Americans believes neither Joseph Biden nor Donald Trump would be a good president.
Why I Don’t Eat Hamburgers
What we eat is an ethical and moral imperative.