Recent Articles
Legislating Ignorance: The Battle for Democracy
Authoritarians use disinformation, anti-intellectualism and intimidation to obtain and maintain power. These tactics are being used in the U.S. to control what can be taught in public schools. This is where the battle for democracy is taking place.
Second Annual Confronting Whiteness Conference Held at Myers Park Baptist Church
Participants gathered over two days at Myers Park Baptist Church for the Confronting Whiteness conference. They listened to African American thought leaders and sought to discern what it means to confront whiteness in our lives, churches and the world.
Inaugural Good Faith Advocates Meeting Focuses on Countering Christian Nationalism
The first Good Faith Advocates meeting focused on countering Christian nationalism. The hour-long meeting featured three GFM staff members and special guest Matthew Dowd.
February 8, 2023
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How the LDS Church Could Prevent its Headquarters from Becoming a Toxic Wasteland; Boston’s Slavery Ties Deepened by Findings at First Church in Roxbury; Ukraine’s Main Catholic Church Moves Christmas to Dec. 25 in Pivot to West (and more)
Were Jesus’ Disciples Real Christians?
Take a close look at how so many Americanized Christians define their faith today. What are the priorities, even essentials, they embrace and seek to enforce on others? Do these align with Jesus’ life and teachings?
Legislating Ignorance: Authoritarian Tactics
A recent trip to Poland involved visits to a museum at the factory owned by Oscar Schindler. One exhibit revealed that the first thing the Nazis did wasn’t to round up Jews or communists. It was far more insidious.
Moral, Ethical Business Conduct a Priority for Younger Workers
U.S. adults under age 30 want to work for businesses committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment, according to a report published January 26 by Gallup and Bentley University.
February 7, 2023
Friends, Family and Community Come Together at Atlanta’s Friendship Baptist Church to Celebrate Hank Aaron’s 89th Birthday; Oregon University that Fired Professor Who Reported Antisemitic Incidents Settles With Him for $1M; Two Baptist Higher Education Institutions in Texas to Merge
How Some Politicians Are Co-opting Terms and Erasing History
Just in time for African American History Month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis banned the Advanced Placement African American history course for high school students. Considering the other cultural and historical courses that weren’t banned is revealing.
How Mercy Shaped My Life
I grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, witnessing and living through the horror of the massacre of refugees at the hands of a Lebanese Christian group. A chance interfaith encounter during the chaos shaped my life.
The Work of Shoring Up Democracy Continues
The McMinn County school board called a special meeting in January 2022 about banning books. What followed was a flurry of work by my congregation and community members to oppose such decisions and to offer a better way.
February 6, 2023
The Astonishing Moral Beauty of Rev. Shuttlesworth and the Black Church; Hobby Lobby Founder Revealed to be Behind Effort to ‘Rebrand Jesus’; Psychedelic Churches in US Pushing Boundaries of Religion (and more)
February 15, 2023
The ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl Ads Brought Back Bad Memories; There are So Many School Shootings in America that Students Now Live Through Multiple Ones; Hundreds Participate in Kentucky Church Service that is Lasting Nearly a Week (and more)
Protecting Religious Freedom Must Be an Interfaith Effort
Interfaith coalitions regularly stand together to spread a counter message of love and justice. Where some have sought to sow seeds of hate for political profit, others have joined with their neighbors to create safer, more inclusive communities.
U.S. Parents Value Children Being Honest More Than Holding Similar Religious Views
Most U.S. parents do not place a high priority on their children sharing their religious views, according to a Pew Research Center report. They’re far more concerned that their children grow up to be honest and ethical.
Look Back | Humility Is a Prerequisite for Interfaith Dialogue
Humility is a key ingredient for interfaith dialogue to be successful. It helps us recognize that people from other faiths have something to teach us and vice versa.
February 3, 2023
We Can Reduce Homelessness if We Follow the Science on What Works; Texas Church Wins US Building of the Year; The Political Targeting of Ilhan Omar is Extricable from Her Religion (and more)
They Don’t Get Me: Examining the ‘He Gets Us’ Campaign
Jesus will be at the Super Bowl this year – well, his slick, new commercials will be. The “He Gets Us” campaign is a well-funded public relations strategy to rebrand Jesus. I have questions and concerns about who is ultimately behind the ad buys.
How I Came Home With a Gift From Ayatollah Sistani
I’m still savoring and pondering the significance of our visit with Ayatollah Sistani during a trip last summer with Muslim pilgrims in Iraq. We took refuge in his home from the blistering heat of an Iraqi summer for a conversation.
How We Can Work to Fix a Trust Deficit in the U.S.
Nurses have ranked as the most trusted profession in the U.S. for the past two decades. They retained their top spot in 2022 despite a drop in confidence. This reflects a larger trend of declining trust among many professions.
February 2, 2023
How I Learned I Was a Preservationist: The Story of the Man Who is Saving Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church; The Bizarre Story of Groundhog Day – or, How We Decided to Trust a Subterranean Rodent; Progressive National Baptists to Deploy $1 Million Grant to Boost ‘Compelling Preaching’ (and more)
Beyond Harmony to Friendship
Harmony among persons who follow different faith traditions engenders mutual respect and kindness. Harmony is self-evidently superior to disharmony. Yet, harmony is not enough.
That’s Amoré? No, That’s Amorite
Two archaeologists have revealed the discovery of two Old Babylonian tablets from around 1800 BCE that contain a surprising bilingual text. Could this be the most exciting language discovery of the year?
Giving Honor Where It Is Due
Brittney Griner is owed several apologies – not that she’s asking for them. The opinion of others never kept her from enduring life with poise. Yet, it is time for many to break their silence and give honor where it is due.
February 1, 2023
First Baptist Jacksonville Responds to Concerns About LGBTQ Stance; Far-Right Project that Pushed Election Lies Expands Mission as Trump Ramps up 2024 Campaign; Hitler Became the German Chancellor 90 Years Ago. The World is Still Recovering. (and more)
America Has a Police Brutality Problem
Don’t resist the truth. Police brutality in America is a real problem. The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers during a traffic stop is the latest, tragic example of this reality.
How to Sidestep Jesus and Still Profess to Be Christian
There is strong interest among many Americanized Christians to redefine their faith in ways that avoid having to deal too much with Jesus. Here is how this can be accomplished in seven simple steps.
Interfaith Alliance and Their Battle Against Online Hate
Technological advances create countless opportunities that come with many negative consequences. This was an emphasis in a new report published by Interfaith Alliance, as well as a primary focus in an online panel discussion about the report’s findings.
January 31, 2023
Texas Painter Unites Religion and Art in Images Inspired by Jewish Life in the South; Tiny, Christian Nationalist Hillsdale College is Driving the Right’s Nationwide War Against Public Schools; How to Turn the Tide on Violations Based on Religion or Belief? (and more)
George Santos and the Politics of Deception
Paul told the faith community in Corinth that there was no place for liars in the kin-dom of God. Apparently, there remains plenty of room for them in the United States government.