A coalition of Christian groups released a statement Nov. 18 blaming Israeli and U.S. officials for the rising death toll in the Israel-Hamas war and admitting their own complicity in the weaponization of religion in the conflict. “We confess that…
Between Hamas and Boko Haram
I remember reading, long ago, that tragedy brings out the best in human beings in regard to empathy. But it also brings out bias. This has been obvious over the past weeks as the Israeli-Hamas war has unfolded. Since first…
Why aid to Gaza is so slow across the Rafah Crossing and how that could lead to a regional war
Why did it take so long for the border crossing from Egypt into Gaza to be reopened so that relief supplies could enter for the benefit of 2 million people living without water, electricity or fuel? The Rafah Crossing has…
Pastor and peacemaker Bob Roberts has traveled the world, and he has some thoughts on Israel and Palestine
Growing up a Baptist pastor’s kid in East Texas, Bob Roberts found himself in church a lot. That time allowed him to develop a love for the church, eventually landing him at Baylor University and then Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,…
Maybe there are some ‘good guys’ in this war after all
I take it back. There are some “good guys” in the war between Israel and Hamas: The innocent civilians being slaughtered by both sides. Two weeks ago, I wrote a column saying there are no “good guys” in this war…
Trump praises Hezbollah, as DeSantis says there are no innocent Palestinians
Conservative evangelical activists and the Republican presidential candidates they support are speaking out in different ways about the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,300 innocent Israelis and has sparked a retaliatory war. They agree on main points: that…
Gaza hospital hit by airstrike was run by Baptists for three decades
The Gaza hospital where at least 500 people died in an Oct. 17 blast once was managed by Southern Baptist Convention missionaries. Al-Ahli Hospital has been in operation since 1882 and was founded by the Church Mission Society of the…
‘The moment we allow our hearts to go numb to the deaths of any children is the moment we shut down our humanity’
As someone whose ancestors immigrated to the United States from Lebanon, the faces of children suffering in the war in Israel remind me of my own children. The limp body of a 5-year-old girl being carried through the rubble, and…
More violence will not produce peace
I am concerned about the current war in Gaza, Israel and Palestine because I care about life, justice, truth and peace as a follower, ordained minister and pastor of a congregation of people whose faith and living are inspired by…