A review of Chris Saade’s book Second Wave Spirituality: Passion for Peace, Passion for Justice, which explores the constructive aspects of globalization.
2014
Pope Francis and the Christian Renewal He Seeks
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Pope Francis has legitimated a powerful critique of global capitalism, drawing attention to its anti-spiritual, anti-God, anti-ethical essence.
Special Web Articles
Challenging Christian Hegemony in the United States
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Reading Paul Kivel’s groundbreaking book Living in the Shadow of the Cross is by turns invigorating and overwhelming for exactly the same reason—he is shining a spotlight on the often unnoticed but pervasive system of Christian domination in the United States.
2014
When Liturgy Goes Wild, Worship Happens
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Worship should astonish us. That’s why Judson Memorial Church invited a performance artist to play the part of Jesus on Easter Sunday—in the nude.
Special Web Articles
Taking Back the Roman Catholic Church
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For many “cradle” Catholics, it is difficult to imagine walking away from the communal liturgies and social ministry that have largely defined our lives yet we are daily losing hope that we will live to see a return to the Church promised by the Second Vatican Council.
2013
Taking Back the Bible
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Same-sex relationships. Abortion. Contraception. All three are under attack by religious conservatives who say biblical teachings are on their side. The Bible says little, if anything, about the politically charged issues…and what it does say runs counter to their right-wing assumptions.
Tikkun Recommends
Christianity’s Renewal: Tikkun Recommends Fall 2013
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Books by Richard Rohr, Reza Aslan, Naomi Alderman, and David P. Gushee.
2013
Fierceness and Reverence: Building the Religious Counterculture
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As religious people, we face our lives head on, knowing that our time is short here. And so we live with a little fire and intensity, fierceness and reverence.
Special Web Articles
Should I Return to the Catholic Church?
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What actions can the pope take that might bring me back to the church? He could start by removing every bishop and cardinal tarnished by the sex abuse scandal and showing mercy, caring, and generosity toward every child abused by clergy—even if such a policy impoverishes the church. He could focus on cultivating the moral conscience that good citizenship requires without making common cause with a strident, social conservatism that rejects reason and reconciliation. He could reinvigorate concern for the poor, the sick, and the elderly, provide education to those left out of secular systems, cultivate local communities, and ordain women. He could make the church a moral exemplar.
Politics & Society
Why Alabama’s Immigration Law is an Assault on Religious Values
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Alabama’s HB 56 criminalizes the ability of faithful people to provide sanctuary, transportation to needed services, and the basic care that the despicable Samaritan offered to one injured by society. This law needs to be repealed (not sections reinstated), so people of faith can bring everyone out of the shadows and truly be whole and upright living in the noonday light of love.
2013
Immigration Reform and Faith Values: The Agenda of the Lamb
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Comprehensive immigration reform is about the right thing to do. To really see how the Bible looks at the issue of immigration, and how we should deal with the 11 million undocumented immigrants that reside in our country, one must continue reading Romans 13, which states, “ … owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Activism
An Evangelical Perspective on Immigration
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Inspired by Scripture and struggling to serve immigrant worshippers, the evangelical community is calling for reforms to keep families together and establish a path toward citizenship for people without papers.
Articles
A Religion of Compassion: A Letter to Pope Francis
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The Catholic Church has become “irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid,” to use the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In his letter to the new pope, Matthew Fox argues that religion needs to return to its roots—as compassionate, loving, spiritual, and accepting of all people—to regain its relevance.
2013
Creating Sanctuary: Faith-Based Activism for Migrant Justice
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When would-be migrants die in the desert, it’s not just an ethical issue, it’s also a religious crisis. Arizona groups have put their faith into action for decades, defying federal law and offering humanitarian aid.
Race
How to Stand in Solidarity with African Americans This Weekend
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I’m writing to YOU to urge you to either come with me on Sunday or go to a nearer African American church this Sunday and let the African American community in your neighborhood or town know that they are not alone, that we understand their fear and stand in solidarity with them. No matter where you came out on the Zimmerman trial, you can still stand in solidarity with African Americans, support them in their grief, and signal to them that they are not alone.