by Andre E. JohnsonR3 Editor *This is part of the keynote speech I gave at Viterbo University on King Day, January 21, 2013  There is a story found in the book of Matthew. It is right at the beginning of chapter 11 in that book and it’s the story of John while in prison wondering if Jesus was the One. You are probably familiar with the story—he sent word by his disciples to ask Jesus this question, “Are you the... Read more

Americans are more likely to believe that improving mental health screening and support is the best way to prevent mass shootings, compared to enacting stricter gun laws, putting a greater emphasis on God and morality in school and society, having stricter security at public gatherings, or allowing more private citizens to carry guns, a new survey released today finds. Three-in-ten (30 percent) Americans say that better mental health screening and support is the best way to prevent mass shootings from... Read more

by Carol Howard MerrittR3 ContributorI picked up the Tribune, and my mouth fell open at the headline on the bottom of the front page. It was 1993 and I was living in Chicago. The paper made an editorial decision to not only report the cold hard facts of the homicides in the city, but to tell at least one story each day exploring the details of the childish accidents, domestic violence, and premeditated revenge. Reading the heart-breaking articles, seeing the innocent... Read more

At Monday’s Inauguration ceremony a poet echoed a president, transforming themes of connection and equality into vivid images of color, texture, and sound. Richard Blanco was the perfect choice for inaugural poet, embodying the rich kaleidoscope of our nation’s people. Blanco was conceived in Cuba, born in Spain, and came to the United States when he was two months old. Like President Barack Obama, he grew up negotiating different identities. And like the president, he loves his country. Blanco read his poem after the president... Read more

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Civil religion is the folk religion of a nation; in the United States, invocation of religion is expected by Americans at events such as the Presidential inauguration, mention of God in political speeches, and of course an example of civil religion can be found on our money, which asserts “In God We Trust.”    God has been invoked during times of war.  The New World Encyclopedia says that “In 1763, Jean-Jacques Rousseau coined the term “civil religion” in his The Social Contract, to describe... Read more

by Crystal St. Marie Lewis R3 Contributor I’m taking an interfaith conflict resolution course at my seminary. Tonight, the professor briefly touched on the difficulties experienced by religious people when attempting to solve problems within their own faiths. During her lecture, a certain student raised her hand to share that in her opinion, one example of internal religious conflict occurred several months ago when Chick-Fil-A’s CEO expressed that he felt the “institution of marriage” should be “protected” by reserving it for... Read more

by Cynthia NielsenR3 Contributor In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s essay, “Nonviolence and Racial Justice,” he observes that true peace requires “the presence of some positive force—justice, good will and brotherhood.” In today’s world, this sense of solidarity and concern for the good of others—the poor, the incarcerated, the immigrant, the unemployed, those with little or no access to healthcare and so forth—seems to have diminished significantly. In contrast, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was animated by a strong sense... Read more

by Gee JoynerR3 ContributorI’m sure I’ll be rhetorically crucified in cyberspace by the American Negro. I am almost positive this text may have an adverse effect on my personal, and. possibly, professional networks and even my occupation. But I must do this. I must write this. I must continue writing this piece in order for me to rid myself, and my constituency of an internal and explicit hypocrisy. A few times a year I travel to scholarly/academic conferences and listen... Read more

On Monday, our nation will celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Our community’s celebration will be held at 7 p.m. in Viterbo University’s Fine Arts Center Main Theater. Everyone is welcome, as we invigorate our community spirit through music and fellowship. Andre Johnson from the Memphis Theological Seminary will deliver the evening’s keynote address — “From a Dream to a Mountain Top and Beyond: Martin Luther King Jr. and the African American Prophetic Tradition.”... Read more