American Christians may think of Africa most often as a mission field, but the continent now plays a prominent role in global politics too. “Look, this forum is about building connections. It’s about closing deals. And above all, it’s about the…
Lessons from Cicero on America’s 247th birthday
I am reading the Roman statesman-philosopher Cicero these days. You might ask why in the world that dusty old personage should be occupying my thoughts. The answer is that, as part of the preparation of my new book on democracy,…
On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common
The United States practice of paying Mexico millions of dollars to keep asylum-seeking immigrants from crossing the southern border is not unique. The United Kingdom does something similar in partnership with Rwanda. In the U.S., the Biden administration has been…
It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains
The rise of social media and hate-based politics has helped transform the United States into a nation of bullies where acts of rage and intimidation have become normative and even celebrated, character educator Elaine Parke warns. “What’s unique about social…
Canada labels Uyghur repression ‘genocide,’ but that’s not as exemplary as you might think
This week, Canada’s Parliament voted to label China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority as “genocide.” This makes Canada the second country in the world after the United States to describe Beijing’s egregious repression as it is. A bit of…
U.S. not only place where ‘nones’ on the rise
Looks like you don’t have to be American or European to give up on religion. And the same is especially true for young adults, who are becoming “nones” around the planet just as they are in the U.S., according to…
Latino churches adapting to declining Hispanic identity, pastor says
It would be understandable for pastors of Hispanic churches in the United States to worry about new data showing that Latino identity is fading across generations. Wouldn’t that ultimately portend membership declines for ethnic congregations as fewer and fewer self-identify…
Is Christian decline in U.S. prompting evangelicals to seek government endorsement? Maybe.
Eighty-three nations have an official, state-endorsed religion or give preferred treatment to one over others, according to a Pew Research Center study, which lists the United States among 106 countries that have no official or preferred faith. But is that changing? It might appear so, as the increasingly rapid descent of organized religion may be fueling some Christians’ drive to codify faith in America.
Young immigrants nervous about Trump’s DACA decision/indecision
Yerendi Roblero was 6 months old when her parents took the family across the U.S. border from their native Mexico. “I pretty much grew up here, ” said Roblero, 21, of Fredericksburg, Va. It’s why the threat to end special protections for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. since childhood concerns her and many others.