Whose Pluralism? — Tthis essay/review by church historian George Marsden is an example of writing informed by the assorted perspectives on how established faith traditions should or should not relate to their culture. In his measured discussion of its current irreligious contours, Marsden says that higher education now “seems strangely dated and parochially Western to […]
What Scientific Idea is Ready for Retirement?
What Scientific Idea is Ready for Retirement? — This is the annual question-at-large from Edge.org that generated over 170 responses from scientists, artists, scholars and public figures. Several entries might be used as brief points of departure for two-kingdoms and science-and-religion topics. For ex, the first entry would retire the-theory-of-everything projects. The second entry by […]
Bible-Minded Cities in America
Bible-Minded Cities in America — The popular press has, for some reason, taken note of this study from the American Bible Society. The ABS asked a random sample of more than 46,000 people nationwide if they had read the Bible in the past seven days. If they had, and if they “agree strongly in the […]
Local Pastor as Public School Champion
Local Pastor As Public School Champion — Don Coleman, Richmond VA’s newly elected school board chairman, wants more churches to adopt local, struggling schools. Coleman’s dream is that every one of the 48 Richmond schools would have a church that serves them, asking nothing in return, until the school invites them to be a part […]
A Teacher Fired
A Teacher Fired — Korey Maas offers some background and context on a religion-in-public-school story about a first-grade teacher who refused to let one of her students share Christmas candy canes with notes about Jesus attached. Maas’ concern is that “conservative and Christian media have made it even more difficult to take seriously the many […]
Religious Rights in a Changing Society
Religious Rights in a Changing Society — NPR’s overview of the issues in play as cultural changes conflict with 1st Amendment rights for churches, church-sponsored agencies, and large and small businesses whose owners assert their religious convictions. This 7 min. audio clip touches on selected examples and some of the main themes.
Dying in the Digital Age
Dying in the Digital Age — An active conversation and a hefty dose of outrage is swirling on social media about the proper boundaries between public and private when it comes to illness and death. Lisa Adams, a stage 4 cancer patient, has been tweeting her experiences with the disease. Writers Bill and Emma Keller […]
Global Hostilities Toward Religion
Global Hostilities Toward Religion — A third of the 198 countries studied had a high or very high level of social hostilities involving religion in 2012. About three-in-ten countries had a high or very high level of government restrictions on religion, roughly the same as in 2011.
What Happens When Schools Cut Denominational Ties?
What Happens When Schools Cut Denominational Ties? — a major new study by the Council on Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) raises questions about what happens when schools with strong denominational ties loosen them. The three-part study, published in the journal Christian Higher Education, surveyed thousands of faculty members and students at 79 evangelical schools.
Three Views: Is the 17 Trillion Dollar Federal Debt Immoral?
Three Views: Is the 17 Trillion Dollar Federal Debt Immoral? — The debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio sat at 107 percent. The U.S. credit rating had fallen to AA plus, with a negative outlook—the first time our rating has been downgraded. When a country borrows this much in excess, it risks spiritual bankruptcy.
