Recent Articles
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.
What Food Reveals About Shame Culture and Insufferable High Horses
At the end of a workday, I turn to cooking and food podcasts to find connection with others and to renew my spirit. Chef David Chang and the variety of opinions about food offer insight into the shame culture found in many faith communities.
U.S. Majority Says Religion Important, Minority Attend Services Regularly
Most U.S. adults say that religion is important in their lives, according to a YouGov / The Economist report. Prayer is a more common expression of faith than religious service attendance.
January 30, 2023
Church Provides Winter Light in Norweigan Arctic Mining Town Where Sun Never Rises; Tyre Nichols Case Revives Calls for Changes in Police Culture; Waco-Area Methodist Churches Seeing Denomination’s Split (and more)
GFM Managing Editor Zach Dawes Headed to the Classroom
Zach Dawes Jr., the managing editor for news and opinion at Good Faith Media (GFM), will leave later this year to pursue a long-held interest in teaching. He is praised for his work ethic and commitment to responsible journalism.
Lincoln Lessons: Real Church, Real Theology
This week, I sat down with David Wood, former pastor of the United Church of Lincoln. His 38-year tenure at the congregation was memorable and meaningful, some of which I had the privilege to hear about during our conversation.
How Prescription Drug Development Is Funded
Americans spent over $335 billion on prescription drugs in 2018 compared to $30 billion in 1980. What accounts for the $305 billion increase in costs in less than 40 years?
January 27, 2023
First Baptist Jacksonville Requires Members to Sign Homophobic ‘Statement on Biblical Sexuality’; New Book Suggest Florida Cult Inspired Waco’s David Koresh; ‘Utopia is a Place that Accommodate Every Body’ (and more)
People of Good Faith: Randall Balmer
Randall Balmer is the John Phillips Professor in Religion at Dartmouth College, an Episcopal priest, and the author of more than a dozen books, with commentaries appearing in newspapers across the country. He is a contributing correspondent at Good Faith Media.
Why the Inflation Reduction Act Is Unlikely to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices
The median list price for new drugs approved in 2022 by the FDA was $222,003, up from $180,000 in 2021. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is unlikely to impact this trend anytime soon, so what can be done?
Entering the Second Half of Life
Richard Rohr’s book ‘Falling Upward’ speaks about there being two halves to life. For me, this transition hasn’t been so much about the calendar but about a change in mindset and an openness to the Divine.
January 26, 2023
Pope Opens Up on Sex Abuse Cases, Says Church Must Do More; South Carolina Committee Advances Limits to Classroom Teaching on Race; How Southern California Helped Birth White Christian Nationalism (and more)