Social Justice

Can churches’ focus on race move from reconciliation to justice?

For decades, “racial reconciliation” has been the language many white evangelical Christians used when they talked about cultivating improved race relations. The term “racial justice” was avoided.

The Preaching Politician

‘Good Trouble’ documentary follows John Lewis from fields of Alabama to halls of Congress.

Frederick Douglass, July 4th, and remembering Babylon in America

Frederick Douglass used the words of Psalm 137 in his famous speech, ‘What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?’ For centuries, this poem has resonated with writers and composers on how humans deal with trauma.

‘It’s a moral issue:’ Mississippi Baptist Convention calls for new state flag

Leaders asked for “Mississippi Baptists to make this a matter of prayer and to seek the Lord’s guidance in standing for love instead of oppression, unity instead of division, and the gospel of Christ instead of the power of this world.”

The Final Cut

Baltimore barber Antoine Dow helps bring dignity to young black men whose lives were cut short by gun violence.

Here’s why MLK Day is more than just another day off

As our nation continues to fight issues of social injustice and racial tension, many question whether or not the ideals memorialized on MLK Day hold true throughout the year.

Saving Rodney Reed

Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has joined the fast-growing calls from Texas lawmakers and A-list celebrities to take a closer look at the death sentence of Rodney Reed.

IRS: Sorry, but It’s Just Easier and Cheaper to Audit the Poor

Congress asked the IRS to report on why it audits the poor more than the affluent. Its response is that it doesn’t have enough money and people to audit the wealthy properly. So it’s not going to.

African churches demand end to xenophobic attacks in S. Africa

As the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa dies out, churches in the country and others on the continent are demanding an end to the persistent problem, affecting economic migrants in one of Africa’s biggest economies.

Reparations fund for Virginia seminary

An Episcopal seminary in Virginia has announced plans to create a $1.7 million endowment fund whose proceeds will support reparations for the school’s ties to slavery.

Interfaith leaders step up to protect the world’s ‘sacred’ rainforests

During Climate Week, starting September 22 at the UN in New York City, interfaith leaders will unveil the Faiths for Forests Declaration, with a call to political action by global congregations.

Black women sound the alarm about domestic violence

“In some cases, with very, very religious women from certain church traditions, if marital issues are expressed to the pastor or other members of the church, there has been this history of saying, ‘Baby, just take it. Love your husband. Pray for your husband and God will do something in the end.’” — Rev. C.J. Rhodes, pastor of Mount Helm Baptist Church in Jackson, MS.

Few Resources for Growing Number of African Migrants at the Border

The number of Eritreans and Cameroonians detained in Mexico has been steadily increasing over the past five years, but they haven’t tapped into many of the resources available to Central American and Mexican migrants.

Pastor surveilled after ministering to migrants sues US government

A prominent Manhattan pastor has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that U.S. officials violated her religious freedom when she was put on a watchlist over her ministry to migrants at the border.

To Botham Jean’s parents, fatal shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’

Almost nine months have passed since Amber Guyger, an off-duty Dallas police officer still in uniform, entered Botham Shem Jean’s fourth-floor apartment and opened fire, killing the beloved song leader and Bible class teacher as he prepared to watch a football game on TV.