Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, San Francisco Giants reliever Sam Coonrod, Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and other American athletes have stepped into controversy by declining to kneel in protest with their teammates and the Black Lives Matter movement. Their decisions and critics reflect the ideological divisions of the U.S. over religion and race.
Read More(OPINION) A simple removal of the “Whites Only” signs from water fountains, restrooms and waiting rooms missed the larger problem of segregation. The era of legalized racial segregation and discrimination was marked by the economic exploitation, political disfranchisement and social subordination of African Americans.
Read More(OPINION) Over the weekend, African-American activists were arrested in New York for pouring black paint over a Black Lives Matter mural. Some have lauded it as a courageous act, and others have dismissed it as no more than vandalism of public art.
Read More(OPINION) An Israeli Jewish journalist proposes a solution to offending monuments that’s straight out of the Old Testament.
Read MoreWhile the Black Lives Matter movement has caused controversy in religious circles because of its support for non-traditional families and Marxist philosophy, researchers who study the movement say it is spiritual even with an antipathy for organized religion. Many activists want to explore their ancestors’ African spirituality, and Black churches and mainline Protestants are also influencing the movement.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For all the fallout caused by the virus (and how various states have handled it) and the divisions in this country around issues like race, the presidential election could — once again — be decided by a handful of majority Catholic counties in four states by voters who care about abortion and religious liberty.
Read More(OPINION) Pope Francis, who has consistently drawn the ire of Catholic media on the doctrinal right, gave his view of what the religious press should look like in the United States.
Read More(OPINION) As Italians gained in power, Columbus Day officially became a U.S. federal holiday starting in 1968. Amerigo Vespucci, however, is barely mentioned in American classrooms.
Read More(OPINION) We are living in a moment of deep suffering for African Americans: the modern Zipporahs of the U.S. Too many Americans, like Miriam, think and speak with bias or hatred. Too many Americans, like Aaron, go along with it, whether through laughter, shrugging or silence. The Bible does not let us deny this problem; it presents a solution.
Read More(OPINION) Despite the international connections of Hong Kong’s religious minorities, especially Christians, the American media has largely ignored new threats from China on the democratic region.
Read More(ANALYSIS) This week, city officials in Charlotte began removing stones around one of four monuments in the U.S. to the most prominent Jew of the Confederacy. In today’s political climate, it remains to be seen whether protesters will draw attention to Judah Benjamin or whether he will rest in relative obscurity among U.S. historical figures. As of now, the few monuments to his legacy still stand.
Read More(OPINION) As the national debate surrounding law-enforcement practices and the Black Lives Matter movement continues, journalists need to go beyond covering the obvious.
Read MoreProgressive Catholics like Martin Gugino see it as their role to help the United States achieve racial equality. Traditional Catholics, however, see Black Lives Matter as part of a sinister force that wants to spread Marxist ideology. While Catholics agree that racism is an issue in American society, the proposed remedies for those ills differ wildly.
Read More