One of the scariest things about Christian nationalism — especially for a Black Baptist minister— is its symbiotic relationship with white supremacy expressed through the myth that America was founded as a Christian nation, Christopher McKee Jr. explained to an…
Embrace new ways of relating to mental health and spiritual challenges of Gen Z or risk losing them, researcher urges
Religious leaders must learn to embrace new ways of relating to the mental health and spiritual challenges of young people or risk contributing to their continued alienation from faith institutions, the coordinator of a new national study says. Josh Packard…
Campaign calls Christians to oppose solitary confinement on moral grounds
Natasha White spent more than a quarter of a 15-year prison sentence in New York banished to solitary confinement, an experience that inflicted so much emotional and physical trauma that it has shaped the course of her life since her…
Pennsylvania faith leaders launch bus tour against Christian nationalism
A coalition of Pennsylvania faith leaders and activists have launched a multi-faith and multi-racial bus tour to oppose Christian nationalism and defeat its proponents in the upcoming midterm elections. The Freedom Express Bus Tour began with an Oct. 18 rally…
Next month, Arkansans will vote on a controversial ‘religious freedom’ amendment sparked by COVID closures
Proponents of Issue 3 on Arkansas’ Nov. 8 ballot claim it will protect individual religious freedom from violation by local and state government. Opponents say it clears the way for faith-based racial and sexual discrimination. “This is not about a…
If you’re engaged in justice ministry, here are some tips on how to avoid burnout
Those engaged in justice ministry must practice emotional and spiritual self-care or face overwhelming exhaustion and despair, a global justice ministry expert said in a recent webinar titled “Still Trusting the God of Justice.” “Helplessness and hopelessness can set in…
Quakers join the applause for Biden’s federal pardon of simple marijuana possession
The Quakers joined other proponents of criminal justice reform to welcome President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that he will grant pardons to thousands of Americans convicted on federal charges of simple marijuana possession. While many conservative Christian denominations typically support…
Seattle Pacific University in governance turmoil as trustees resign and a group of students, faculty and staff sue to unseat six other trustees
Accusations of denominational meddling and the continuation of anti-LGBTQ hiring and personnel policies have led students and staff to sue members of the Seattle Pacific University board of trustees. Concerns about racial disparities, declining enrollments and giving also motivated the…
Immigration advocate surveys asylum-seekers to measure anxiety and depression
Immigrant advocate and social worker Sue Smith has noticed a significant increase in asylum seekers arriving in the United States with severe cases of anxiety and depression, making it harder for them to learn English, enroll their children in schools…