Good Faith Media launched its spring giving campaign, “More to Tell,” this week.
The “More to Tell” campaign underscores the importance of the stories, topics and voices GFM amplifies, inviting supporters to consider making a monthly commitment to our work.
It was intended to be an inspiring campaign. However, the last few months have unleashed a wave of concern for those committed to inclusion, freedom and justice for all.
Russia’s violent aggression in Ukraine demonstrated the aims of authoritarian ideologies and rule. Global leaders and their followers steeped in hubris only care about power and control over others. They don’t celebrate the world’s diversity; rather, they seek to force the world into their own image and ideology.
A rising tide of ultra-rightwing outrage continues to sweep across the U.S., re-establishing and widening a divide between state and federal governance. Both argue their moral and ethical positions, but it’s the ultra-rightwing stance that appears to favor exclusion, control and injustice.
The numerous voter restriction laws passed earlier this year across a variety of states signify that some conservatives do not want everyone to vote.
In fact, these bills echo the words of the late conservative political strategist, Paul Weyrich: “I don’t want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of the people. They never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.”
Florida’s anti-LGBTQ bill forbids public school teachers in kindergarten through third grade from talking about sexuality. The bill is so ambiguous that teachers are fearful of even introducing a child’s parents to the class if they are a same-sex couple.
Can you imagine not being able to discuss a student’s family because you’re frightened of being fired and/or sued? It makes one wonder: Could imprisonment be next?
Other states are using the false accusation that Critical Race Theory is being taught in public schools to force superintendents to resign, pressure teachers to stop talking about historic events, and push out school boards so they can instill their Christian nationalist ideologies and objectives.
In addition, states like Texas and Oklahoma are passing restrictive laws targeting women’s health.
Hoping the current Supreme Court will strike down Roe v. Wade, states are passing laws empowering anti-abortion citizens with the authority to report and/or sue other citizens based upon the accusation of providing an abortion or assisting someone in their attempts to receive abortion care. This is the most egregious attack on women’s health in decades.
Then, the news broke this week that, according to a report from POLITICO, the United States Supreme Court is preparing a ruling that will end the decades-old legal precedent for women to receive safe health care from their doctors when needing to terminate a pregnancy.
SCOTUS confirmed that the draft opinion is legitimate, but emphasized that a final decision has not yet been made. If the leaked draft ends up being the majority opinion, then the ruling will most likely set into motion a deluge of other laws in states controlled by conservatives advocating for their draconian policies.
The tension between red, blue and purple citizens hasn’t been seen since the time leading up to the Civil War. Unfortunately, the country is moving closer and closer to Margret Atwood’s fictional scenario in her masterpiece The Handmaid’s Tale. God forbid, but we might end up with two distinct countries.
For these reasons – and many more – I am thankful to be working for an organization dedicated to providing an alternative voice to combat the Religious Right and amplify voices proclaiming inclusion, freedom and justice for all.
Good Faith Media is committed to telling more stories and covering more critical topics so that we can bend the arc of history towards justice. However, in order to do so, we need to enlist your help.
During our “More to Tell” campaign, we encourage you to do three things:
- Consider becoming a monthly donor.
GFM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The only way we can tell more stories and cover more topics is through the generosity of our supporters and donors.
Therefore, because the cultural climate has grown so desperate over the last several years, please consider supporting our important and inspiring work through a sustainable monthly gift.
- Purchase a gift subscription to GFM’s “Nurturing Faith Journal and Bible Studies” for a friend or colleague.
The journal is filled with thought-provoking interviews and columns from an array of remarkable columnists. The Bible study from Tony W. Cartledge is one of the very best on the market, changing learners’ minds and inspiring their actions.
- Share GFM’s content across your social media platforms.
Our research shows social media algorithms have no idea what to do with us – a faith-based organization committed to social justice, quite literally, does not compute. We need your help to train these systems to share our message. We invite you to like, comment and share our posts for maximum reach.
The only way we can spread GFM’s good work is through collaborative efforts. Together, we can create a louder voice reverberating through the public square, calling for a more hopeful future.
We invite you today to join – or redouble, if you’re already a supporter – our efforts to provide reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.
The moment is too important for us to stand by and let others claim the public space. We have a voice. We have each other.
As long as we stay true to ourselves and to Jesus, we can make a positive difference in this world.
Like I said, there’s definitely more to tell, so let’s do it together!
