Religion and Politics
One hundred and fifty years later, African American Christians continue the faith tradition of their enslaved ancestors and gather at a designated meeting space, the church, tonight, Dec. 31, 2012, to celebrate
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, evangelical Christians widely believed the Bible says life begins at birth and supported looser abortion policies. Given current evangelical anti-abortion activism, the reality and significance of this history deserves fuller discussion.
We've heard plenty about the "threat of sharia" to American culture, but noting about how Muḥammad would vote the issues. What does Islamic law have to say about the federal deficit, tax-cuts, gay marriage and other hot-button issues?
WHAT'S HAPPENING
On June 19, the state of Ohio declared that I had a voluntary abortion. My rabbi and my doctors disagreed. I simply wanted to be pregnant.
The Bible is neither an operating manual nor a policy book. In all its soaring ideals and unsettling messiness, it reflects to us -- sometimes clearly, sometimes dimly -- what we might find near to God's heart.
It's hard to ask biblical texts the modern question, "when does human life begin?" because the Bible has a very different understanding of human reproduction.
Politics is supposed to serve the common good. These biblical texts remind us that good politics -- that is, faithful politics -- are rooted in love.
I have watched with mild amusement as the debate surrounding the beliefs of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have gained steam. Aren't the Mormons weird fanatics? Should we trust people with such strange beliefs with high office?