Identification as a white evangelical doesn’t necessarily mean a Christian has become a follower of Christian nationalism, but it certainly doesn’t rule it out, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Speaking during a recent…
MAGA equals authoritarianism, professor says in Shurden Lectures
The MAGA movement represents not only a yearning for a mythical golden age in American history but a strident campaign to transform the United States into a totalitarian nation, theologian Joseph Evans said. “What you hear in ‘Make America Great…
Biden administration restores religious protections for those receiving federal social services
Religious liberty advocates are hailing a new Biden administration rule that protects the recipients of federally funded social services from discrimination by the religious groups that administer them. The White House measure is designed to prevent faith-based organizations that receive…
For decades, BJC struggled to live up to its ‘joint’ representation of Blacks and whites
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., is and has been an institution long championed by moderate and progressive Baptists for its defense of religious liberty for all people. Since 1936, Baptists from across geographic and racial lines…
All 25 largest school districts in Texas reject school chaplains option
The biggest school districts in Texas have voted against allowing unlicensed Christian chaplains to replace professional school counselors and to evangelize students at will, leaders of a six-month, faith-based campaign against the policy announced Feb. 29. Groups including Baptist Joint…
All in the Family set the stage for Rob Reiner to understand Christian nationalism
It was easy for television viewers to forget the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights struggle and women’s liberation when immersed in the gauzy nostalgia of The Andy Griffith Show or The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Then, in 1971, producer…
Not all Black Americans are highly religious, BJC podcast explains
The assumption that Black Americans are highly religious, and almost universally Christian, overlooks the theological and ideological complexity of the African American community, Anthony Pinn said on the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s “Respecting Religion” podcast. But a clearer…
With three weeks until statewide deadline, school district of ‘chaplain’ bill’s author is set to reject it
The school district that is home to the state senator who got a bill passed last year to allow public schools to hire unlicensed “chaplains” to replace licensed school counselor is poised to reject his plan. Sen. Mayes Middleton lives…
Defeating authoritarian impulses requires a broad coalition, strategist says
It will take a broad coalition of Americans willing to set aside political and cultural differences to defeat the growing authoritarian movement bent on undermining constitutional freedoms, pro-democracy activist Chris Crawford said on the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s…