Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is continuing his campaign to try to convince Americans to “disagree better” with a recent series of bipartisan events in New Hampshire. Cox, a Republican and chair of the National Governors Association, and New Hampshire Gov….
With a change in perspective, a new, more modest standard of living is possible
In an op-ed in the Washington Post, Rebecca Solnit suggested, “Much of the reluctance to do what climate change requires comes from the assumption that it means trading abundance for austerity and trading all our stuff and conveniences for less…
Bruce Willis diagnosed with FTD: How churches can respond pastorally to people with dementia
Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, his family announced Feb. 16. The disease, also known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration, has no treatment or cure. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear…
‘To bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance’: Responding to the rising tide of antisemitism
On Aug. 18, 1790, President George Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew congregation of Newport, R.I. Washington was responding to a letter from Moses Seixas, warden of the Congregation Yeshuat Israel of Newport. In his letter, Seixas had expressed…
In the gun violence debate, let’s stop scapegoating mental illness
In the book of Leviticus, we read these instructions to the high priest regarding the day of atonement: Then Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of…
Americans with disabilities face unemployment and poverty rates twice the national average
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush July 26, 1990. For the first time in U.S. history, an invocation was offered at such an event. Harold Wilke, a minister in the United Church…
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility celebrates 50 years of faith-based shareholder advocacy
“Sometimes quitting is the courageous act,” said Traci Blackmon. “Sometimes the courage that is needed is to stop doing what is expected in order to start doing what is necessary.” Blackmon, associate general minister of justice and local church ministries…
The Beatles: Get Back — Returning to the root of something can be a productive, if elusive, exercise
I remember Dec. 9, 1980, like it was yesterday. I woke to the news that John Lennon had been murdered the night before as he returned home to the Dakota Apartments in New York. I was a 13-year-old Beatles fan…
Is it time to separate church and social media like we have separated church and state?
This summer, Elizabeth Dias, who covers faith and politics for the New York Times, wrote an article titled “Facebook’s Next Target: The Religious Experience.” Published July 25, it chronicled Facebook’s efforts to partner with a wide range of faith communities…