This election season has been a hard spiritual journey, as well as a grimy political slog. Rancor ran rampant, spilling out of campaign rallies and whistlestops, bounding onto our screens. Candidates mongered fear, amplified animosity and spewed indignation. Now, we…
Most Americans agree democracy is in trouble, but few worry about it
Although fragmented politically, a strong majority of Americans agree democracy is in peril. They also agree their pocketbooks are far more important than the future of the nation’s government. A New York Times/Siena College poll conducted this month shows 71%…
Most Republicans want U.S. declared ‘Christian nation,’ even though they know that’s unconstitutional
A solid majority of Republicans favor declaring the United States a Christian nation, even though almost as many acknowledge the U.S. Constitution does not allow such a declaration, according to the latest Politico/University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll. Zeal for…
Ken Starr, former Clinton investigator and Baylor University president, dies at 76
Ken Starr, who vaulted to notoriety for investigating President Bill Clinton’s sex scandal and plummeted from Baylor University’s presidency for failing to handle sexual violence complaints, has died at age 76. Starr’s family reported he died Sept. 13 at Baylor…
Whether blind, blurry or oblivious, failure to see whiteness distorts God’s image in others
When people think about and discuss race, they often fail to see and acknowledge whiteness, distorting the image of God stamped upon all people, Erica Whitaker told participants in a Baptist News Global education conference on hidden racism in Colonial…
In Colonial Williamsburg, a paved-over parking lot and an almost-lost school teach lessons about racism
Recent archaeological and architectural discoveries revealed part of “the hidden story of racism in colonial America” for participants in a Baptist News Global educational tour of Colonial Williamsburg and Richmond, Va. In Colonial Williamsburg, they visited the original building site…
Evangelicals’ hypocrisy is sending their neighbors to hell — and they don’t care
American evangelicals’ most besetting — and most damning — sin is hypocrisy. “Evangelical” has taken on a political connotation, of course. But at their core, modern-day evangelicals are Christians who actively pursue the conversion of sinners, believe the Bible is…
Half the world says they live in a ‘good place’ for gays and lesbians
The world is getting better for gays and lesbians, according to a new Gallup World Poll survey. Last year, 50% of adults worldwide indicated their community is a “good place” for LGBTQ people to live, Gallup announced. That percentage doubles…
Iran continues ‘egregious violations of religious freedom,’ watchdog reports
Religious repression remains widespread in Iran, according to a new report released by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Minority faiths — even including some Muslim sects — and women are most vulnerable to persecution in the predominantly Islamic…