What If It’s Not the Prisoner Who Needs Forgiveness? (VIDEO)

April 29, 2013 By 2 Comments

Co-authored by Bill Mefford, director of civil and human rights at the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church & Society; and Sala Nolan Gonzales, minister for criminal justice and human rights at the United Church of Christ's Justice & Witness Ministries. As Christians should know but often don't, mass incarceration is one of our country's greatest sins. With less than 5% of the world's population, we house nearly 25% of the world's prisoners -- more than any other nation. … [Read More...]

A Pittance

March 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Core message: 750,000 jobs lost is not "a pittance." How powerful leaders treat ordinary people says a lot about their values and priorities. Sure, the sequester's no big deal if you're a politician who only cares about donors who write the next campaign check -- instead of your constituents living paycheck to paycheck. Unfortunately, Republican leaders in Congress like Sen. McConnell are dismissing the sequester as "modest" while others like Sen. Paul call it "a pittance." House … [Read More...]

An Evening with David P. Gushee

February 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Last week, Evangelical scholar and Christian ethicist David Gushee visited The University of Virginia to give two lectures. I attended the first – “Sacredness of Life,” which received its title from his latest book.  If I recall, the poster advertising his visit said something along these … [Read More...]

The World’s Eyes on NRA Lobbyists

February 12, 2013 By 1 Comment

While efforts to reduce gun violence in the U.S. move forward, the international community is watching closely to see if NRA lobbyists once again seek to derail the Arms Trade Treaty when the U.N. negotiations resume next month. Here's how to talk about the Treaty and hold its opponents … [Read More...]

What’s in Your Portfolio?

January 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Late Saturday morning, I was sitting in my favorite Charlottesville coffee shop with my dad and uncle.  They were in town for a basketball game but we had a few hours to spare so I decided to show them one of my favorite places to work. Just before it was time to head to the arena, I noticed a … [Read More...]

Climate Change, Here and Now

January 23, 2013 By 2 Comments

President Obama vowed action on climate change in his historic inaugural speech warning that "the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations." Here's how to make the case for why and how we can tackle one the most pressing challenges facing humanity.   Lead with … [Read More...]

Gun Violence: Prep Guide

January 16, 2013 By 8 Comments

Core Message: Congress chose to legalize the gun that killed the Newtown children. It’s time to make it right.    Commonly Asked Questions: Q: Would closing the private sales loophole prevent private citizens from selling firearms? A: Yes, gun show loophole legislation allows … [Read More...]

NRA Lobbyists vs. Gun Owners

January 15, 2013 By 2 Comments

Core Message: It has been just over one month since the Newtown elementary school massacre and the NRA continues to use this tragedy as a fundraising tool. Instead of representing law abiding gun owners, the Washington gun lobby is using the Newtown massacre to raise money so they can keep doing … [Read More...]

Failing at Devil’s Advocate for Louie Giglio

January 13, 2013 By 6 Comments

In the few short days since controversy erupted around Rev. Louie Giglio's invitation to pray at the inauguration, I’ve been engaging in a Tevye-esque internal dialogue, ala Fiddler on the Roof, looking at the one hand and then the other hand of this episode. While I believe that it is good that … [Read More...]

The Murmur of Military Violence Drones On

January 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

Everyday, it seems, I read tweets and news snippets announcing that, “Obama launches drone attacks on Pakistan” or Yemen or Iran. And every time, I struggle to reconcile my conception of the man I voted for with the man who is responsible for these distant, unmanned attacks. People who study … [Read More...]