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Archive: August 24, 2008 - August 30, 2008
Vodoo Helping to Heal New Orleans
Today's guest blogger is Erik Schwarz, founder of Interfaith Works, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Washington, DC that partners a wide range of faith communities and other organizations around innovative social-change projects. He also serves as an...
By Eboo Patel | August 29, 2008; 5:19 PM ET | Comments (8)
Palin's Pregnancy Problem
With news that Sarah Palin's 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant, McCain's VP pick may not even find support among "family values" voters.
By Sally Quinn | August 29, 2008; 4:03 PM ET | Comments (3544)
Divine Impulses: Barry Lynn
Barry Lynn does not just want to protect the state from religion. He wants to protect religion from the state. "Religion flourishes best when governments just leave it alone," Lynn said to On Faith's Sally Quinn in the Divine Impulses...
By Elizabeth Tenety | August 29, 2008; 3:51 PM ET | Comments (5)
The Race for Pastor-in-Chief
The leader we choose may have a faith of his own, but he must lead members of all faiths present in the nation - as well as those with no faith at all. Voters need to know how candidates are prepared to translate their beliefs into policy statements based on universal values.
By Welton Gaddy | August 29, 2008; 3:38 PM ET | Comments (28)
Bad Moon Waning
I certainly would have told the Democrats that they're holding their convention during the waning phase of the moon, when it's harder to generate power, whereas the Republicans have commandeered the waxing phase of rising energy. Bad move, Dems.
By Starhawk | August 29, 2008; 12:02 PM ET | Comments (225)
Let's Not Make This Election About What God Says
We need to know where you will turn in the middle of the night when confronting the really big questions. To the Bible? To your spouse? To the Constitution? The pollsters? That's what we really need to know.
By Brad Hirschfield | August 29, 2008; 11:40 AM ET | Comments (22)
Faith a Factor, not an "Issue"
If your faith informs a specific public policy, say so and be prepared to defend it. Otherwise it will be seen as manipulative and insincere.
By Cal Thomas | August 29, 2008; 5:31 AM ET | Comments (5)
Ramadan and Fasting in a Parallel Universe
What makes Ramadan markedly different in America is that it truly brings all faiths together.
By Eboo Patel | August 28, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (81)
Mile High Miracle
In a moment, in a city in the western United States, in the midst of all the kinds of political maneuvering imaginable, there was real blessing. I will never forget that I was there.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | August 28, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (30)
Righteous History
Susan K. Smith | At the moment Barack Obama was officially nominated, black people remembered, rejoiced and wept.
By Susan K. Smith | August 28, 2008; 9:09 AM ET | Comments (68)
Don't Exclude Humanists, Atheists from the Melting Pot
The U.S. is not merely a "Christian Nation." We have become something new entirely: the world's first truly "Interfaith Nation." If we embrace the values of religious pluralism, our diversity will be a rich resource, rather than a source of division.
By Greg M. Epstein | August 28, 2008; 8:18 AM ET | Comments (57)
"One's Worldview Should Illumine One's Decisions"
It's dangerous to tell us that you pray for divine guidance, but it's honest. Dangerous, because enemies will be quick to accuse you of hypocritical piety. But honest to the human condition of limited wisdom.
By Willis E. Elliott | August 28, 2008; 7:18 AM ET | Comments (13)
The Year of the Religious Moderate
This Presidential election may very well serve as the healthy convergence of faith and politics.
By Samuel Rodriguez | August 28, 2008; 6:18 AM ET | Comments (6)
Celebrate One Nation of Many Faiths
Be careful in courting religious denominations and faith traditions support and their member's votes.
By John Bryson Chane | August 28, 2008; 5:34 AM ET | Comments (17)
Authenticity, Not Marketing
I think authenticity will garner more votes than a manufactured campaign strategy focused on addressing religion.
By Matt Maher | August 27, 2008; 4:59 PM ET | Comments (1)
All Atheists Are Not Created Equal
"What do you think about all the progressive faith caucuses at the DNC this year?" That was the question I asked more than 50 people in the Convention Center in Denver today who self-identified as atheist or agnostic. This is,...
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | August 27, 2008; 3:24 PM ET | Comments (5)
Unwanted Advice for Candidates On The Faithiness Trail
There is no point in my advising John McCain or Barack Obama about the role that religion should play in their campaigns. Expecting an American presidential candidate to take any advice from an atheist is like expecting a general to take advice from a pacifist.
By Susan Jacoby | August 27, 2008; 10:55 AM ET | Comments (157)
Silence of the Lamb
I'd advise both candidates the same way. Don't mention religion a single time in the upcoming campaign.
By Deepak Chopra | August 27, 2008; 9:35 AM ET | Comments (13)
God In, Religion Out
Obama and McCain ought to follow suit and leave religion out of this campaign, but for goodness' sake, and for the sake of this nation and world, lean on,learn of, and use ... God.
By Susan K. Smith | August 27, 2008; 8:38 AM ET | Comments (15)
Just Be Yourself
You should avoid resorting to divisive religious language that would suggest God blesses your position and the other candidate's view is ungodly.
By J. Brent Walker | August 27, 2008; 7:30 AM ET | Comments (4)
First Ever Faith Caucus at DNC
There are those both inside and outside the party who think the Democrats should not be talking about faith like this. I wish these critics would actually come and hear these discussions.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | August 26, 2008; 8:50 PM ET | Comments (3)
Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts
Sally Quinn | Democrats are trying to show their religious side, but at what cost? Atheists feel excluded from the so-called inclusive party.
By Sally Quinn | August 26, 2008; 5:33 PM ET | Comments (213)
Sex, Forgiveness and Politicians
Why are we so obsessed with every politician's sex life? Here's breaking news: power is sexy. Men who have power (and most likely women, too, although it works somewhat differently for us) are mega-attractive, and they act on it. Politicians do it. Gurus do it. Televangelists, new age shamans, priests and princes do it. Democrats and yes, even Republicans do it.
By Starhawk | August 26, 2008; 2:52 PM ET | Comments (26)
Be True to Your Beliefs and Ours
By all means go to Church and practice your religion without wearing it on your sleeves. Talk about God and swear by God but one that is inclusive. Is that too much to ask?
By Arun Gandhi | August 26, 2008; 2:27 PM ET | Comments (5)
Forgiving is a High Moral Quality
In a certain sense, the ability to forgive (which is not the same as to forget) has a somewhat divine quality, because it contains the notion that the past can be deleted or, at least, not have any consequence or bearing on the future.
By Adin Steinsaltz | August 26, 2008; 1:44 PM ET | Comments (9)
Hush! Don't Say a Word!
Why did Michelle Obama have to be so careful not to talk about race?
By Susan K. Smith | August 26, 2008; 1:17 PM ET | Comments (1)
Celebrate America's Faith
Respect the faith (or lack of faith) of those with whom you differ.
By Leith Anderson | August 26, 2008; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (0)
Forgiving is Only the Beginning
If, as a society, we want to deal with the havoc extramarital affairs are wreaking upon our families, then we need to deal with that on a societal level -- not demand that individual women make the choices that would punish men who engage in infidelity.
By Pamela K. Taylor | August 26, 2008; 9:20 AM ET | Comments (10)
The Merciful Are Happy
I don't know if John Edwards is sorry for his sins, but I do know that only a fool or a saint can afford to be unmerciful or delight in his fall.
By John Mark Reynolds | August 26, 2008; 8:30 AM ET | Comments (3)
Forgivness Has No Limits, But Those Asked To Forgive Might
As to the recent story with John Edwards' infidelity, and frankly I don't know why its a news story at all, the only thing to decide about his wife's decision to forgive him is why we think she did it.
By Brad Hirschfield | August 26, 2008; 7:45 AM ET | Comments (4)
Interfaith Dialogue on the High Seas
It didn't matter at all that my heritage was different than theirs, and they welcomed me with open arms.
By Eboo Patel | August 25, 2008; 2:59 PM ET | Comments (3)
Democrats and Bloggers Get Religion
Susan Thistlethwaite | Both are feeling the new spirit at this year's Democratic National Convention, but will it matter in November?
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | August 25, 2008; 2:19 PM ET | Comments (54)
A Politician Taken in Adultery
If the various faiths of the American people have not taught them to forgive, so that they too might be forgiven, their secular human decency should do the job. Let him (or her) who is without sin cast the first vote.
By Wendy Doniger | August 25, 2008; 8:55 AM ET | Comments (8)
Forgiveness, Women and Infidelity
What I'm concerned about is Elizabeth Edwards, and in fact all women who deal with unfaithful husbands.
By Susan K. Smith | August 25, 2008; 8:31 AM ET | Comments (16)
Destructive Forgiveness or Fatal Unforgiveness
Elizabeth Edwards stands both as a victim and a hero. Destructive? No. Christ like? Yes.
By Samuel Rodriguez | August 25, 2008; 7:42 AM ET | Comments (6)
Does a Prurient Public Deserve the Truth about Marital Infidelity?
Our society is hypocritical in encouraging natural sexual behavior (especially in commercial advertising and entertainment) while condemning it in politicians.
By Willis E. Elliott | August 25, 2008; 6:28 AM ET | Comments (12)
Amen Chorus at the DNC
Susan Thistlethwaite | The clergy who spoke at Sunday's interfaith gathering agreed with conviction that faith without works is dead.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | August 24, 2008; 11:29 PM ET | Comments (34)
