Given such a strong divergence in views over social justice, how could we not fall into the larger culture wars? Because God expects something better from us. A parting aspiration for a peacemaking pathway forward.
Delve into the rise of an unprecedented faith—a blend of social justice, modern philosophies, and digital age rituals, transforming spiritual practice.
If you don’t direct your trust and love in one place, then you’re going to put it somewhere else.
Stressed? Studies show that religious escapes can improve your well-being, creativity, and spirituality by providing an opportunity for reflection.
In the ongoing debate about religion, politics, and abortion, far less attention has gone to how the desire to do whatever people want sexually shapes the entire conversation.
Framing questions about culture war topics can go a long way toward understanding. It’s ok for others “to have a different religion than us.”
Much has been said about the Christian nationalism present in the hate crime mass shooting in Buffalo, including by us in the Public Square Bulletin. In fact a search for “Buffalo Shooting” and “Christianity” all center on the Christianity of the shooter, whether decrying the role religion played in leading to the shooting or taking efforts to separate religion from the actions of the shooter. But little has been said about the faith of the victims and community. This is a common thread in media reporting on tragedies, focusing on the way religion influenced perpetrators, but not how it helped heal victims. Religion News Services interviewed Rev. Denice Walden about the attack, and she was able to turn the focus to just those too-often underreported questions. Walden said, “We’ve also put out a call to clergy to just be a presence in this community. Just be a presence of peace, a presence of comfort, a presence of love in this community. Because at the end of the day, that’s what’s going to help us start to process. That’s what’s going to help us start to heal.” After the climax of a tragedy has passed, and the journalists move on, those remaining are often left with the long work of healing and community building, and it’s there where religion shines.
Despite strong hopes otherwise, many religious parents are seeing their children choosing a different path—a freedom that is as painful as it is Godly.
The ongoing disaffection of educated church members in North America can’t be understood apart from the recent emergence of an appealing alternative religion.
Can a religion be adequately understood by referencing simply its psychological or sociological manifestations? Not according to religious people, it can’t.
When someone is harming others’ faith, is it “spiritual violence” to excommunicate them? Or not to?
