Secularism and the Ongoing Culture Wars

Peter Beinart writes at The Atlantic about "Breaking Faith: The culture war over religious morality has faded; in its place is something much worse."  The hunch that reduced attendance of organized religious services would lead toward a truce in the culture wars was naive.  Religiously unaffiliated Americans to the right and the left are not paving the way toward a tolerant, inclusive, and harmonious society.

In conclusion Beinart muses, "Maybe it’s the values of hierarchy, authority, and tradition that churches instill. Maybe religion builds habits and networks that help people better weather national traumas, and thus retain their faith that the system works. For whatever reason, secularization isn’t easing political conflict. It’s making American politics even more convulsive and zero-sum."

The Ends of the Earth

J. D. Greear shares an amazing report from a remote setting in Asia--a story that shows God's missionary heart for all the people groups, and the way he transforms lives and plants his church in connection with the witness of his people!

Russia Muzzles Church

"Under the guise of implementing “anti-terrorism” measures, Russia has adopted new laws that restrict religious freedom and criminalize missionary activities."  See Joe Carter's article on this chilling development.  And pray for the advance of the Gospel despite all obstacles.

Why Some Professing Christians Favor Trump

Ross Douthat notes that the most committed Christians are not the ones turning to Trump, but that the GOP front-runner is succeeding "where active religiosity has weakened, but a Christian-ish residue remains."  Trump's "occasional nods to religious faith — like, say, his promise to make store clerks say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” — are well tailored for voters for whom Christian identity is still a talisman even when an active faith is all but gone."

Muslim Leaders Speak Out for Religious Freedom

More than 250 Muslim religious leaders from over 120 countries met in Morocco last month, and they released the Marrakesh Declaration calling for religious freedom for non-Muslims in Muslim-majority countries.  Their contention is that it is in keeping with Islam and the writings of the Prophet Muhammad (in his Charter of Medina) to protect religious minorities. Christianity Today reports on this extraordinary summit. Even though there is a long distance between these lofty words and corresponding constructive actions in Muslim-majority nations (Ayman S. Ibrahim is not optimistic that change will come), it is surely positive that such a conversation is even taking place in this day when conflict and war and terror abound.

Polarizing Provocation

Charlie Hebdo's special edition recognizing the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack that left 12 dead in their Paris offices makes a reckless, dishonest, and profoundly damaging statement:  the cover portrays God as a Kalashnikov-wielding terrorist scurrying about with blood on his hands, and it has the caption:  "The assassin is still at large."  Their point is clear:  God is to blame.  God is the killer.  Religion is the problem.

This broad brush journalistic swipe at religion is both incorrect and irresponsible.  We would expect some measure of discernment, some capacity to make vital distinctions, by those who write for a paper with the following self-description:  "A different angle on the news, for an in-depth view beyond the everyday media offer.  Humour, food for thought and satire from cartoonists, journalists, reporters, writers and columnists."  But discernment is cast to the wind in this brazen gesture to smear any and all who believe in God with the guilt of ruthless killers.  The Vatican, rightly, has sharply criticized Charlie Hebdo's anti-God message.

I can't help but suppose that this poor excuse for journalism is really a clever publicity stunt to sell papers and turn a nice profit.  Tossing out the baby with the bath water may be "Foolish Thinking 101," but it serves nicely to inflame other careless minds, cause unnecessary division, and, again, sell papers.  As they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Two seconds of honest reflection on the history of the world will remind an open-minded person that religious faith has motivated many of the greatest humanitarian achievements.  Yes, religious people have sometimes committed great wrongs.  But to let that fact erase the massive contribution of good would be tragic and foolish.  Consider, for example, the countless hospitals founded by Christian missionaries that dot the planet.  Or so many many schools and universities.  Or charities or shelters for the homeless or social service agencies.  The list could go on and on.  But I'll stop.