My son, Mattias, is a charmer. As introverted and crowd-averse as I am, he feeds off the energy of a group. His uncle Matt calls him “Slumdog Millionaire” because he’s convinced that, if you dropped him in the ...

Super Bowl halftime shows often burn more vivid images into the American conscience than the most-watched football game of the year, and can claim millions more viewers. Super B ...

January 31, 2013 Sojo in the News Jim Wallis ...

Shane L. Windmeyer, a nationally recognized LGBT leader in higher education, recently ‘came out’ as a friend of Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president and COO, who found himself embroiled in a PR battle after maki ...

This week's book reviews. Among my must reads are the Sunday  New York Times Book Review  and other book reviews I come across in various media outlets. There are too many ...

In moral battles over the last several years, I have witnessed the roles of pastors, parents, and people of faith. Their roles have made all the difference. Could that now happen again on guns? It will certain ...

Churches are crying out, “You need us! You don’t think you do, but you really do!” The “nones” are shouting back, “I’ve got my own community, thank you very much, and it’s way less hypocritical than yours!” Th ...

Evangelical theologian David Lamb tackles some of the Bible’s most troubling passages in his book, God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist? His answer: yes and no. ...

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords testifies at gun control hearing. The Senate Judiciary Committee held its first hearing on gun control in the new Congress this morning. The fir ...

I applaud the parents who give their children a voice in the public discourse by allowing them to write letters to the president and to their congress members. They have the power to help change our laws and o ...

The Arkansas Senate has passed a bill that lifts a ban on carrying concealed weapons in church. The Arkansas Senate has passed a bill that lifts a ban on carrying concealed weap ...

Pope Benedict XVI has asked the Vatican’s highest appeals court to consider reviewing church rules on marriage annulments — a statement that may signal a change in tone more than a change in substance. ...

John Kerry confirmed as Secretary of State. The Associated Press reports that the Senate has confirmed John Kerry as Secretary of State with a 94-3 vote. Earlier today, the Fo ...

Those who try to simplify American culture and demand that it fit their uniform standards fail to see the beauty of diversity, and they miss the half-truth – charming, but always partial – of the mythologies w ...

Over the weekend I joined more than 6,000 people in a march for common sense gun control legislation. Over the weekend I joined more than 6,000 people in a march for common sense ...

January 28, 2013 Sojo in the News Jerry Filteau ...

While the debate on sensible gun restrictions has continued, local evening newscasts continue to run stories highlighting yet more tragic deaths from gun violence. We need more than a conversation. We need Co ...

U.S. plans to base surveillance drones in northern Africa. The New York Times reports that the U.S. is preparing to establish a base in northwest Africa so that it can fly ...

Not only have we created a culture of violence, we glorify violence in our movies, television shows, and video games. Even in pro sports, players increasingly settle disagreements on the court or field with ph ...

While I am certain evil exists I’m not sure it’s in the form of a red man with horns and pitchfork and tail. That image that terrified me as a child is now a bit too cartoon-y for me to take seriously. ...

My sister read aloud. Chapter 1: Zechariah, Mary, Elizabeth, babies on the way. Chapter 2: Jesus, prophesies. Chapter 3: John the Baptist, and wait, what? Every Christmas, my fami ...

no skater pants for boys, no ripped jeans for girls. This is what was meant, apparently, by 1 John 2:15-17 ...

We in the general public often receive an edited intake of information based upon a wide variety of personal choices, public influences, and political agendas. But we often fail to recognize the various influe ...

“Idolatry of guns.” What does that mean, exactly? “Idolatry of guns.” What does that mean, exactly? It might be hard to admit, but if you think about it, you can see that many ...

(Girard, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning , 17). The most important thing Bell teaches and models ...

We who believe in the God of Peace must lean forward into the not-yet-here future we are promised, and live as though that day has come. We must use nonviolent means to disarm our nation, and make it safe for ...

It’s been said that Hollywood films comfort the afflicted while Sundance films afflict the comfortable. Film offers a vicarious entry to the world the way it is, and the films I saw at the 2013 Sundance Film F ...

When thousands of abortion opponents gather Friday on the National Mall for their annual protest march, they will be united in their fierce passion for ending a procedure that the Supreme Court legalized 40 ye ...

January 24, 2013 Sojo in the News Jim Wallis ...

Half of Americans worry that religious freedom in the U.S. is at risk, and many say activist groups — particularly gays and lesbians — are trying to remove “traditional Christian values” from the public square ...

A U.N. special rapporteur is beginning an investigation into drone strikes. Ben Emmerson, a U.N. special rapporteur, is beginning an investigation into drone strikes in Afghanist ...

Lutheran leaders have warned the Vatican that the creation of a structure to welcome conservative Lutherans into the Catholic Church would harm dialogue and damage ecumenical relations. ...

It might be that our first job in responding to the rise of the "Nones" is that we should stop creating so many of them through our own arrogance and our attempts to judge others (contrary to Christ& ...

Playbook of rules for drone attacks exempts CIA in Pakistan. Several months ago, the Washington Post reported  that presidential counterterrorism adviser John Brennan w ...

Fourteen deaths in Yemen drone strikes in past four days. While Washington, D.C., reveled in the ceremonies and parties surrounding Inauguration Day, U.S. drones were busy in Yeme ...

This week's book reviews. Among my must reads are the Sunday New York Times Book Review and other book reviews I come across in various media outlets. There are too many ...

When did "football" become so intertwined with "God," like "God" and "America?" Faith and football, faith and flag. Is this what God is all about? ...

January 23, 2013 Sojo in the News Ina Hughes ...

In the past four decades, American attitudes have changed markedly on gay marriage, smoking, bullying, and a host of other cultural issues. In the past four decades, American atti ...

The Vatican applauded President Obama’s gun control proposals. The Vatican applauded President Obama’s gun control proposals. The Vatican continues to appeal for disarmament and m ...

This is a memorable week: on Monday the inauguration of President Obama on the holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., and today, the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court. Some p ...

As our nation celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther, King Jr., I can’t help but wonder what injustices Dr. King would fight against today. As our nation celebrates the legacy o ...

Because I’m a believer in people – and more so – because I believe in the power of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration, I want to see Manti Te'o do well – not just as a football player – but as a ...

Four decades after Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, many opponents of the decision are in a celebratory mood while those backing abortion rights are glum, feeling that mo ...

Making public the secret legal memos that claim to justify drone policy. John Brennan, President Obama’s counterterrorism advisor and nominee for CIA Director, is one of the archi ...

January 14, 2013 Sojo in the News Brian Witte ...

January 15, 2013 Andy Sullivan Reuters ...

Rep. Keith Ellison proposes Congress create a legal framework to guide executive action. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) writes in a Washington Post op-ed of the many unanswered ...

January 16, 2013 Sojo in the News Lauren Markoe ...

January 16, 2013 Sojo in the News Jewish Telegraphic Agency ...