Recent Articles
November 3, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Spiritual But Not Religious Americans are Finding New Ways of Pursuing Meaning; 48 Louisiana Churches Left United Methodist Church Over Gay Marriage, LGBTQ Issues ; Too Many Christians are Afraid to Admit They’re Wrong, Argues Tim Keller in ‘Forgive’ (and more)
When Evil Votes
The people have gone mad. There really is no other way to explain it. Why else would they vote for an individual or party which has declared itself to be fascists while wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross?
Report: Recycling Is Not a Solution for Plastic Waste
The amount of plastic waste being created is increasing, while the percentage being recycled is declining in the U.S., according to a Greenpeace report. Few U.S. facilities can recycle anything other than no. 1 or no. 2 plastics.
How Grandparenting Is an Antidote to Ageism
There is one “-ism” that seems to receive less attention than the others: ageism. Grandparenting is one avenue to address this tendency toward ageism.
November 2, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Half of U.S. Protestants Want Their Church to Share Their Politics; SWBTS Confirms Staff Cuts, Pursues Sale of Seminary-Owner Property: ‘These Have Been Difficult Decisions’; What Jews Don’t Know About Christianity Could Fill a Book (and more)
The Need for Life-Over-Death Priorities — in This Life
On All Saints’ Day, we remember that a life-over-death belief permeates the Christian faith. Tragically, many evangelical Christians in the U.S. support policies and express perspectives that are best described as death-over-life.
Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom
David Blight’s biography of Fredrick Douglass is a tough read. Some will probably want it to be banned, along with any of Douglass’s writings in states where the Confederacy is still revered and celebrated.
Few U.S. Adults Look to Religious Institutions, Leaders to Enact Meaningful Change
U.S. adults look to the government and to themselves more than to religious organizations and faith leaders to bring about meaningful change in the nation, according to a Barna Group report.
November 1, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Omaha Church Works to Fight Health Inequality; Oldest Map of the Stars Discovered Under Christian Manuscript; At Copacabana Church, Catholic Voters Clash Over Brazil Election (and more)
‘Till’ Is A Must-See Film Directed by Chinonye Chukwu
Emmett Till was the face of the civil rights movement. His tragic death in 1955 is the subject of a new, must-see film directed by Chinonye Chukwu, which tells the story through the eyes of his mother.
Limping Along on Faith
We pulled our little travel trailer from storage and headed out for a four-week road trip. The trip was more eventful than we’d planned or hoped for, but I’m glad we persisted despite the challenges.
U.S. Adults Agree Nation Moving in Wrong Direction, Diverge on Vision for Future
Most U.S. adults believe the nation is heading in the wrong direction, but they have significantly different views of what the country should be like, according to the 2022 American Values Survey released by Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution.
October 31, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Churches are Breaking the Law by Endorsing in Elections, Experts Say. The IRS Looks the Other Way.; Political Science Prof: Americans Who Aren’t Sure About God are a Fast-Growing Force in Politics; Oklahoma Education Official Pushing for Christianity Centered History Curriculum; Calvin Butts, Leader of Harlem’s Historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, Dies at 73 (and more)
Why I’m Not That Kind of Christian
In America, there has always been at least two types of believers: slaveholding or liberating, segregating or protesting inequality. Lately, Christians have been split into the Democrat and Republican kind.
Why Laughing at Bullies Is a Problem
It is beyond time to stop making excuses for Kanye West’s hate speech, or any such speech coming from rich men who find themselves with platforms built on some talent and a fan base that largely chooses to stay silent.
Most U.S. Adults Say Founders Intended to Create Christian Nation, But Most Don’t Want One
Six in 10 U.S. adults believe that “the founders of America originally intended for the U.S. to be a ‘Christian nation,’” according to a Pew Research Center report. Yet, most also do not feel the U.S. should be a “Christian nation.”
Look Back | All Saints’ Day Offers Moment for Remembrance and Reflection
Halloween began as a vigil of prayer and fasting to prepare for All Saints’ Day, a time to remember the martyrs of the faith. Here’s why your church should observe All Saints’ Day Sunday.
October 28, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis: 45% of Americans Say U.S. Should be a ‘Christian Nation’; Branson’s God and Country Tourism Draws Christian Nationalists; Mike Pence Says Americans Don’t Have a Right to Freedom from Religion; Twitter User Dupes Everyone Into Thinking Andre the Giant is Biblical Figure Joseph (and more)
Standing up for My Jewish Friends
Troubling high-profile antisemitic incidents have occurred across the U.S. People of good faith must work to counter this growing antisemitic movement that frequently finds its roots in white Christian nationalism.
Integrity Is on the Ballot in 2022
Integrity seems to be on the ballot this election season, maybe as much or more than it has been in recent memory. We need truth-tellers who will work for the common good of all creation.
U.S. Majority Says Antisemitism a Serious Problem
Most U.S. adults see antisemitism as a serious problem in the nation, according to a recent YouGov survey. Respondents are more likely to see the problem of antisemitism as located online than in the local communities.
October 27, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Whitehead and Perry: Is Christian Nationalism Growing or Declining? Both.; Giving Back Ancient Manuscripts and Giving Away Hobby Lobby – the Latest on David Green; New Saddleback Pastor Sees Women Clergy in Church’s Future (and more)
Short Documentary Forthcoming from Good Faith Media and Baptist Women in Ministry
A third short documentary on female Baptist pastors will be released this November. “No. 3: Danielle,” produced in partnership by Baptist Women in Ministry and Good Faith Media, will premiere in person and online Nov. 13.
Hush and Bustle
We’ve all had hectic periods, whether long or short, that left us longing for quiet and a bit of free time. Self-care, some people call it. Here is how I’ve managed a busy month of October.
A Mother’s Heart
We had a plan. We executed it perfectly. And then, on September 21, 2022, it completely fell apart. Here is my story, and my heart, as a mother.
October 26, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Deconstruction or Reconstruction? Pastors Discuss a Reboot of Evangelicalism; Faith Groups Weigh the Impact of Abortion on the Midterms; Out in Ohio: Nonprofit Reframing LGBTQ+ Community’s Relationship With Faith (and more)
Avoiding the Snookering at Snook Haven and Beyond
A pleasant dinner with friends was somewhat derailed when the restaurant’s troubadour for the evening began to opine about his religious and political views. Preaching singers, like singing preachers, should come with warning labels.
Fashion, Footwear Industries Rarely Pay Factory Workers a Living Wage
Most fashion and footwear brands do not pay a living wage to the factory workers producing their products, according to Baptist World Aid Australia’s annual Ethical Fashion Guide.
A Biblical Formula for Forgiveness
Nothing is as important as forgiveness, but sometimes nothing is harder than forgiveness. Contrary to some well-intended advice, we can’t simply decide to forgive and move on. It is a process that often takes a long time.
October 25, 2022
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: A Visit to the First Baptist Church in America; Ohio Has a Particular Appetite for Christian Nationalism, Group Says; There’s No One ‘Latino Vote’ – Religion and Diversity Add to Voters’ Diversity; Judge Rules for California Baker Who Discriminated Against Same-Sex Couple (and more)