For too long, we have given deference to those of you who have supported and enabled Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. We have feared losing relationships, losing family, offending friends, dividing churches. We’ve bristled when you’ve accused us of…
In states and counties, Republicans move to restrict Democrats, same-sex marriage and trans existence
Empowered by Donald Trump’s rapid-fire attempt to change American culture, some state legislators and county leaders are pushing the envelope even further, seeking to eliminate rights for people they despise or fear. In Fort Worth, Texas, the chairman of the…
Bishop Budde’s sermon, one month later
Unless you’ve been in a coma, you’re no doubt aware of the sermon Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde gave at a “Service of Prayer for the Nation” held at Washington National Cathedral Jan. 21. The bishop preached a gospel message and…
The first openly gay Muslim imam is killed in South Africa, prompting claims of an assassination
A man regarded as the first openly gay Muslim imam has been fatally shot while sitting in a car in South Africa in what many are calling an assassination because of his teachings.
The liberating potential of queer joy
In the midst of the past three weeks, I’ve had a hard time finding reason for celebration and optimism. The Grammys changed that. Fall semester 2023, I taught a study abroad program in London. Upon learning about my iPhone’s music…
In New Orleans, Christians form a second line to counter Sean Feucht
On the eve of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the “anti-vaccine, pro-Trump, guitar-strumming preacher” Sean Feucht staged a so-called Jesus March in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In addition to Feucht’s rise to fame for defying safety orders…
What happened to Saddleback’s PEACE Plan?
Rick and Kay Warren gave an excellent interview to Krista Tippett, on the On Being radio show almost 20 years ago, on Dec. 6, 2007. In it, Pastor Rick says this: The reason there are hungry people in the world,…
Does God obsess about gender?
A few hours ago, I received a text from a friend who is concerned about their transgender child. It’s been easy to miss the exacting details of the barrage of executive orders flying across our new president’s desk these last…
Rejected elsewhere, these LGBTQ+ Jews find love and acceptance in the Connecticut woods
One day into a three-day retreat for Orthodox Jews who identify as LGBTQ+, Zippy Spanjer looked around and liked what she saw.
MAGA ramps up attacks on US Christian groups
Donald Trump and his allies are widening their attacks on religious groups compassionate toward immigrants, refugees, the poor and LGBTQ people. The Catholic and Episcopal churches have faced the heat from the MAGA movement for some time and are again…
Trump issues two orders on education that get swift pushback
Amid the flurry of executive orders coming from the Trump White House, two issued Jan. 29 related to education, and both drew immediate fire from educators and church-state separationists. The first order, “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families,” promotes…
Here’s why ‘pro-family’ groups are on board with Trump’s first days in office
“Pro-family” groups are praising President Donald Trump for issuing executive orders that support their conservative agenda: Recognizing only “two sexes: male and female” Terminating DEI programs in the federal government Withdrawing from international organizations that allegedly threaten U.S. sovereignty (the…