Recent Articles
U.N. Anti-Discrimination Guide Highlights Two Sides of Religious Discrimination
A new publication on protecting minority rights highlights the ways in which religions face discrimination and the ways in which religious beliefs are used to discriminate against others. It offers guidance to governments on enacting and enforcing anti-discrimination laws.
Enjoying ‘the Beautiful Game’
Despite the U.S. team being eliminated, my passion for following the rest of the World Cup 2022 has not been diminished. I’m enjoying the beauty of ‘the beautiful game,’ while committing to protest injustices of the host nation.
December 8, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Restaurant Refuses Service to Christian Group, Citing Staff ‘Dignity’; Stunning Necklace Found at Burial Site of Powerful Anglo-Saxon Woman, Perhaps an Early Christian Leader; US Catholic Population Shows Growth, Trends Southward (and more)
Red Hot Revenge
A near disaster on Thanksgiving Day due to a faulty oven was saved by a Google search and quick thinking. The malfunction led to some reflection on the state of our society, particularly when it comes to political division.
Advent Lectionary | Giving Voice to the Wilderness
The legendary Sandy Ray once declared, “The wilderness needs a voice.” The lectionary texts for the penultimate Sunday of Advent this year do just that.
Why Citizenship Matters
Citizenship matters. Not in some ethereal or patriotic sense of pride at being a citizen of a certain nation, but in tangible ways that confer rights and protections not afforded to non-citizens.
A More-Pressing Question About Post-Pandemic Christianity
Many U.S. church leaders and members are lamenting a slow or absent return of participating members following the pandemic. They are seeking answers. But rightly formed questions are always essential in the pursuit of answers.
Why the World Needs People Willing to Change Their Religion
The world needs people willing to change their religion. This isn’t about hopping or swapping between houses of faith, but a mass movement, individually and collectively, to transform whole faiths.
A Tale of Two Christians
Sitting on an old, uncomfortable, wooden pew in an almost 500-year-old cathedral nestled at the foot of a volcano and adjacent to Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, I reflected on the vast differences in how self-professed Christians live out their faith.
Unwrapping Christmas | What Will Your Nativity Look Like This Year?
Sponsored by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, tis’ the season for neat nativity scenes after Mary’s labor and delivery. During Advent, I am unwrapping Jesus, stripping away the ceramic finish of this both natural and miraculous event.
The Capability Approach and Human Rights: A New Perspective
Human Rights Day is December 10. In recognition of the date, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948. But what are human rights? And how do they relate to the Capability Approach?
Increase in U.S. Adults Who See SCOTUS As ‘Friendly’ Toward Religion
The number of adults in the United States who see the Supreme Court as friendly toward religion is increasing, according to a Pew Research Center report. Religiously unaffiliated adults are most likely to agree with this view.
People of Good Faith: Miguel De La Torre
Miguel De La Torre is professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, and a contributing correspondent at Good Faith Media.
Turning the Tables on Race: A New Raceless Gospel Initiative Resource
‘Turning the Tables on Race: Disrupting Systems of Exclusion, Marginalization and Privilege’ is a new resource from The Raceless Gospel Initiative. It aims to give the reader the upper hand in conversations about race.
Look Back | Christians and the Creation
If the creation story describes humanity’s appointment as steward of the earth’s resources, then as caretakers, humans are called to protect, preserve and safeguard those resources so that all can benefit and enjoy its fruits.
December 2, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Amy Grant Conquered Christian Music. That Was Just Her First Act.; Kentucky Baptist Leaders Say Respect for Marriage Act Threatens Their Rights to Discriminate Against LBGTQ Persons; No Longer the Fringe: Small-Town Voters Fear for America (and more)
World Cup Corruption … and Hypocrisy
English Premier League, Champions League and the Euros all provide excellent matches for football (soccer), but nothing compares to the World Cup. This year’s World Cup is unique for many reasons.
Emerging Voices | Imago Dei, Namaste, and Loving Neighbors
The concept of ‘imago Dei’ is a recognition of the divine image present in everyone, an awareness that some interpretations of ‘namaste’ also contain. Here is how these terms encourage us to love our neighbors.
‘The Fabelmans’ Presents the ‘Call Story’ of an Artist
The Fabelmans’ appears to be a fictionalized version of Steven Spielberg’s ‘call story.’ It is a fine film. Not only because it tells about a great director’s coming of age, but also due to its depth.
December 1, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: England and Wales No Longer Majority Christian Nations, Census Reveals; New Research Reveals Global Youth are Stepping Up for Human Rights and Climate Justice Despite Increased Disenfranchisement; No Religion, No Politics, Just Community: How Refugees Learn to Celebrate Thanksgiving (and more)
Koinonia Farm Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Koinonia Farm celebrated 80 years of commitment to a simple life, a common purse and relationships that cross racialized boundaries. The land continues to extend a call to Christians who feel compelled to live in intentional community.
Advent Lectionary | The Music of Peace
The Psalter reading for this week of Advent is Psalm 72:1-7 and 18-19. I always wondered why those who built the liturgical year didn’t just focus on verses 1-7; why add the tag at the end of the psalm?
Half of U.S. Protestants Prefer Political Silos in the Congregation
Half of U.S. Protestants want to attend church with people who agree with them politically, according to a LifeWay Research report. A majority say most people in their congregation share their political views.
November 30, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Why Hawaiians See Volcanoes as a ‘Place of Creation’; Amy Comey Barrett Asked by Former Members of Christian Group to Step Away from LGBT Case; The Righting Deciphers Conservative Media for Outsiders (and more)
Faith Seeking Understanding | The Story We Were Told and Tell
Have you ever stripped away the sanctified language of the basic story that was offered as central to your inherited faith and told it as plainly as any other story would be told? Here’s the one I learned.
Execution of the Mentally Ill Should Shame Us All
Andre Thomas will be executed by the State of Texas in April, after the Supreme Court rejected a request to review his case. I met Thomas in 2008 when serving as the mental health manager at a Texas prison.
Global Temperatures Projected to Far Exceed Paris Agreement Target
Current trends indicate that global temperatures will far exceed the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius established in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, according to a United Nations Environment Programme report.
Unwrapping Christmas | Why There Isn’t a ‘War on Christmas’
Four weeks to nest before the birth of Jesus, Advent also doubles as a time of war – the so-called “war on Christmas,” to be specific. But this “war” is mostly being proclaimed by the same people who see attacks on Christianity where none exist.
Keeping Upright on My Bicycle and in Life
Biking is a regular part of my weekly routine, and it is something I’ve enjoyed for over 20 years. Here are some lessons I’ve learned that are applicable both to biking and to daily living.
Religious Freedom Repressed When Government Favors a Religious Tradition
Religious freedom is repressed when a government favors one religious tradition over others, according to a report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Worldwide, 78 nations have an official or favored faith tradition.