By David Gushee The Roe v. Wade anniversary with its ritual marches of protest and defense occurs this year amidst our quadrennial election carnival. Our elections now seem to require that contending politicians seek to outdo one another in ideological…
Pressler denies Santorum endorsement was rigged
By Bob Allen The host of a weekend gathering of religious conservatives seeking consensus on an alternative presidential candidate to GOP front-runner Mitt Romney denied charges that balloting was rigged to give Rick Santorum the nod over rivals Newt Gingrich…
We say no, again
By Ken Sehested On the first Sunday in Lent in 2007, when tensions between the United States and Iran were escalating, Circle of Mercy Congregation unanimously adopted a statement opposing an attack on Iran. With the recent assassination of another…
President proclaims Religious Freedom Day
By Bob Allen President Obama described religious liberty as a “universal human right” Jan. 13 and pledged support for individuals around the world “who live in fear of violence and discrimination because of their beliefs.” Proclaiming Jan. 16 as Religious…
Could there be a Muslim president?
By Zachary Bailes With the New Hampshire primaries behind the GOP and South Carolina on the horizon, Mitt Romney seems the likely presidential candidate. Perhaps surprisingly, Romney’s Mormonism has yet to be a major stumbling block, and as time passes…
Supreme Court upholds ‘ministerial exception’ to employment discrimination laws
By Bob Allen A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 11 that churches can fire their ministers for reasons that for other employers would be job discrimination. The decision marks the first time the high court has recognized a “ministerial…
Seven arrested in protest of NYC church ban
By Bob Allen Editor’s note: This story was edited after publication to correct misinformation in tne next-to-final paragraph and to add a comment from the NYC Law Department. A New York City councilman was among seven people arrested Jan. 5…
America shall not be exceptional
By Brian McLaren In “America the Exceptional,” an article published in the January 2012 issue of Sojourners, I intentionally misquote Genesis 12 as follows: “And the Lord said to Abraham, I will bless you and make your name great. I…
‘Birther’ lawsuit has setback
By Bob Allen California pastor Wiley Drake’s three-year legal battle challenging President Obama’s eligibility received a setback Dec. 22, when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said he and other plaintiffs lacked legal standing to file their complaint. A…