Recent Articles
November 28, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Colorado Springs, Bastion of Christian Conservatism, Reckons with Past After Gay Club Shooting; At Protests Across America, Guns are Doing the Talking; BYU Student: Young Mormons Aren’t Fooled by Church Support for Gay Marriage Bill (and more)
Unthankful: Remembering Club Q
Thanksgiving in the U.S. is just a day away, and millions of Americans will gather around tables to offer “thanks” for the many blessings bestowed upon them this past year. I will not be one of them. Here is why.
Head Scratching, With Good Reason
The past couple of weeks have been good for archaeology nerds, with several recent discoveries making news. Here are details on a few of the latest finds.
What Story Will You Tell This Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and the national holiday comes with anxiety for a variety of reasons. How we view, and celebrate, will depend on the story we tell.
Things to Do Until Jesus Comes
A curiosity about one line, “We’ll work till Jesus comes,” penned by hymn writer Elizabeth Mills, revisits me on occasion. I wondered then and now: Why work?
Advent Lectionary | Flood Watch
The once-mighty Mississippi that shrank during a season of drought is filling again. We’re back on flood watch. And we’d almost forgotten there was such a thing. But what does this have to do with Advent?
Faith Groups, Leaders React to Respect for Marriage Act
The U.S. Senate voted on Nov. 16 to begin debate on the Respect for Marriage Act. This action came after amendments focused on religious exemptions were added. Several faith groups and leaders have issued statements on the legislation.
November 22, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Facebook Takes Sexuality, Religion, Address, and Politics Off of Your Profile; Another 100,000 Graduates From the World’s Largest Theological Seminary; Israel’s Religious and Far-Right Parties Demand Law to Legitimize Gender Separation (and more)
What Twitter’s Uncertain Future Reveals about Leadership
Do you still think that Elon Musk is a tech genius? Yes, he is a billionaire, but he is also another rich example of poor leadership as his newly acquired company, Twitter, is facing an uncertain future.
How Jesus’ Lordship Destabilizes All Other Forms of ‘Lording’
‘Christ the King Sunday,’ or ‘Reign of Christ Sunday,’ was observed this past Sunday. Despite the outdated language, it reminds us that Jesus’ lordship destabilizes all other forms of ‘lording.’
Political Affiliation More Influential Than Religion on Environmental Views
Highly religious adults in the United States readily affirm a divine mandate to care for creation, according to a Pew Research Center report. They tend to be the least likely to say climate change is a serious problem.
November 21, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Jeopardy Fans are Frustrated by This Controversial Bible Clue; Now Trump and the GOP are Losing Young Evangelicals Too; American Evangelicals Open a New Antiabortion Front – in Israel (and more)
Common Ground Begins on Higher Ground
Recently, I read Bono’s autobiography, ‘Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.’ His story is an amazing tale, weaving together rock-n-roll with social conscience. Bono and U2 have released numerous hits, but their greatest achievements are outside of music.
Most Adults Say Religious Service Attendance Not Important to Be Good Member of Society
A majority of adults worldwide say that attending religious services regularly is not important to be a good member of society, according to a Pew Research Center report.
Look Back | Guatemalan Research: Disturbing Echo of Tuskegee
A disturbing reminder of the well-known Tuskegee syphilis study, the Guatemalan research by the U.S. was discovered by Susan M. Reverby of Wellesley College while she was researching her recent book, “Examining Tuskegee: The Infamous Syphilis Study and Its Legacy.”
November 18, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Poll: Religious Americans Less Concerned About Climate Change; ‘Nondenominational’ is Now the Largest Segment of American Protestants; Spirituality an Important Coping Mechanism for Neurologic Disease (and more)
Tuskegee Study Is Part of a Long, Shameful History
The Tuskegee experiment is part of a larger and longer narrative of the exploitation of African Americans. It is a reminder that scientific racism is not a thing of the past.
When the Oppressed Become Oppressors
Probably no group has suffered more over the centuries at the hands of Christianity than Jews. But what happens when the oppressed become the oppressors?
U.S. Majority Says Legal Same-Sex Marriage is Good for Society
Six in 10 U.S. adults say that legal, same-sex marriage is good for society, according to a Pew Research Center report. This is a one-point increase from 2019 and a five-point increase since 2018.
November 17, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Is Judaism a Younger Religion than Previously Thought?; A Veteran Religious Writer Considers the Changing Church; White Teacher in Texas Fired After Telling Students His Race is ‘the Superior One’ (and more)
Fifty Years Later, Effects of Tuskegee Experiment Linger
There is a long history of bad blood when it comes to African Americans and the medical community. It contributed to the wariness of the COVID-19 vaccines because many know the story of the Tuskegee experiment.
The Sacrament of Jury Duty
Participating in jury duty offered insight into our judicial system and an opportunity to reflect on the local church. As jurors confessed the truth of past experiences, I wondered how this kind of honesty would transform congregations.
National Bible Bee Encourages Young Adults to Increase Bible Knowledge
It is a powerful experience to hear young people proclaim the Word of God. And it is even more amazing to watch them do it all from memory! This is what happens at the annual National Bible Bee.
November 16, 2022
In today’s news and analysis headlines: Why White Christian Nationalism Isn’t Going Away; The Culture Wars are Pushing Some Teachers to Leave the Classroom; Did Faith Fall Off a Cliff During Covid? New Study Says No (and more)
What I’ve “Left Behind” for My Sake and Others
There is a lot of talk today about leaving Christianity. I get it. There’s much within Americanized white evangelicalism that is repelling.
A Brief History of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
A 40-year study on syphilis was officially concluded 50 years ago this month. The “Tuskegee Study,” which has been described as “ethically unjustified,” involved Black patients whose informed consent was not obtained.
Nurturing Faith Book Considers When God Can’t Answer
In their latest Nurturing Faith book, ‘When God Can’t Answer,’ Miles and Maralene Wesner draw on almost 70 years as religious and educational counselors to help readers navigate tragic experiences.
November 15, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Nonbelievers Rising: Pew Research Center’s Study Finds American Christians Could be a Minority Group by 2070; Shreveport Church Opens Healing Garden for Processing Grief; Solving the Mystery of Israel’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre Pillar Carvings (and more)
When Church Doesn’t Feel Like a Safe Word or Place
A source of trauma, even the word “church” can be triggering. What do we say then to Christians who are in search of healing from these sacred buildings that were not safe spaces?
Workaholism and Greed
What is the only addiction for which we are praised? With every other addiction, concerned others are looking to put you into a clinic or into a recovery program, but this addiction is generally seen as virtue.