Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Look Back | Religious Leaders Can Sway Politics, Support Pluralism
In our pluralistic democracy, religious leaders have a moral responsibility to address injustices they see in society and a civic responsibility to work to secure justice.
August 2, 2019
Leaders of Religious Right Balk at Labeling Trump a Racist (Yahoo News) Why do Evangelicals Support Trump? Blame the Suburbs (Religion News Service) Internet Torches Marco Rubio Over Bible Tweet that Perfectly...
Christian Nationalism: Kill the Indian, Save the Man
Christian nationalism seeks to divide God’s children, raising an elected segment over that of others. It was wrong when my Native American great-grandmother and her sister were subjected to it, and it’s wrong today.
Can Theological Education Challenge Rising Nationalism?
The ethnic nationalism being bred by the current presidential regime cannot go unchallenged, and seminaries and schools of theology can offer the prophetic word through a new generation of ministers.
Many Christians Don’t Acknowledge Their Christian Privilege
As we focus on Christian nationalism, it’s also vital to confront our Christian privilege. Like white privilege, it’s hard for Christians to see their Christian privilege. Like the air we breathe, we don’t see it or think about it.
August 1, 2019
A Humanist and a Baptist Walk Through Colonial Williamsburg (The Humanist) Aging, Declining Texas Church Chooses Hospitality (Christian Chronicle) Pete Buttigieg Brings Proverbs into the Democratic Debate (Christianity...
Rest For The Weary
By: Ginger Hughes I don’t know about you, but around here, Summer has been busy—a little too busy. Our calendar has been full—a bit too full. Summer is often touted as being a fun and relaxing season, but I’m not so...
Profiles in Goodwill: LeDayne McLeese Polaski
LeDayne McLeese Polaski was on the staff of BPFNA ~ Bautistas por la Paz for 21 years.
Your Fight Song Against Christian Nationalism: I Won’t Back Down
With Christian fundamentalists proposing state laws to erode church-state separation and promote Christian nationalism, we must be ready to testify against such bills – and not back down.
Why Christian Nationalism Cannot Tolerate Crucified King
The temptation in Christian nationalism is to believe that when God makes our nation great, it will be good for other nations. And with that ‘benevolent’ logic, what ill could not be committed in the name of the greater good?
Threat of Christian Nationalism Has Reached High Tide
Christian nationalism threatens religious freedom for all. While it has ebbed and flowed over many decades, we seem to be stuck at high tide now. And you can get involved to counter the dangerous threat of Christian nationalism.
Freedom Fighters: Baptist Defenders of Religious Liberty
Baptists have long been known as strong, tireless defenders of religious liberty, believing that everyone should be free to accept God’s offer of salvation and free to worship or not to worship according to the dictates of conscience.
When Christians Allow Gov’t to Usurp Their Responsibilities
Despite our heritage of religious freedom and the lessons of history, US Christians are quick to use legislation as a crutch to avoid accepting the personal responsibility we have been given.
July 30, 2019
Christian Group Warns Against Rise of ‘Christian Nationalism’ (The Hill) The Trump Strain in American History (New York Times) The Abuse of Religion to Foster Extremism is a Universal Phenomenon (Common Dreams) An...
U.S. Christians Speak Out Against Christian Nationalism
In an initiative spearheaded by BJC, Christian leaders are calling out Christian nationalism as a distortion of ‘the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy.’
Building Our Nations into Gardens of Peace, Not Exclusion
Like a summerhouse with no doors or windows, in a garden with walls for shelter, our countries cannot build better futures with higher walls and narrower gates. You can’t build peace with the materials of a hostile environment.
Seeing God’s Presence at Work Directing Your Life
Even though we exert our free will and proceed with full confidence as though we’re in charge, it also seems true that a larger hand is at work in directing us through life. As people of faith, do we see God’s presence in our lives?
July 29, 2019
Ex-Reagan Adviser: Evangelical Leaders Who Back Trump Do More Harm to Christian Values Than Atheists (Newsweek) The More Americans Know About Evangelicals, the Less They Like Them: Study (Christian Post) (Re)-Claiming...
In the Market for ‘Jesus-Free’ Christianity? Grab This Cheap Deal!
Seeking a way to reconcile your religious commitments to the stormy circumstances of our current political situation? What you need is a less risky ‘Jesus-free’ Christianity! You won’t believe how cheap it is!
Religious Freedom Often Life-or-Death Issue Around Globe
For many around the globe, the lack of religious freedom isn’t just a matter of being expected to serve a population they dislike or debating a religious symbol on government grounds. It’s life or death. Consider the Yazidis.
What Baptists Don’t Understand About Being Witnesses – Part 3
Baptists should witness about their own spiritual journeys but must approach people of other faiths with humility, curiosity, kindness and respect. Cultivating these virtues and recalling these 3 factors will yield positive results.