Faith’s Benefits – Societal

Evangelicals’ Image Problem.  God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.  “Few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as ‘evangelical Christian,’” he writes.  So why does he sing evangelicals’ praises?  (Short op-ed)

Gay Mayor, Christians in Surprising Alliance.  Portland, Oregon, mayor Sam Adams gets “calls from mayors of liberal cities all across the United States asking me if I’ve been abducted by aliens.”  He tells them the churches and the city really do cooperate in social services and that “we’re better for it.”  (Short op-ed)

Atlanta Volunteers Change Lives.  Want a dose of inspiration and motivation?  Take a look at these fine folks who are getting “out of their seats and into the streets” to help meet Atlanta’s physical, psychological and spiritual needs.  (Short op-ed)

Tony Blair’s God Thing.  By Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi.  When Blair was British Prime Minister, his press secretary once explained to reporters, “We don’t do God.”  Today, Blair promotes God and faith freely.  What’s he up to?  (Short op-ed)

When Ted Kennedy Met Jerry Falwell.  When the lion of liberalism met the Moral Majority founder, some surprising, humorous, and positive things happened.  Insights on bridge building that could well inform today’s rancorous debates.  (Short op-ed)

Church’s intolerant past not a true representation of Christianity.  Does Christianity promote racism?  Is it just for whites?  How could the faith whose founder told people to “love one another” be associated with racial oppression? (Short op-ed)

Christianity and Racism: Does Christianity promote racism?  Is it a “white person’s religion?”  A biblical perspective on these controversial questions.  (Probe radio series transcript.)

Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians.  Can God and politics mix?  Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but inspiring twenty-year struggle to outlaw the slave trade.  (Short op-ed)

William Wilberforce and Abolishing the Slave Trade.  A profound change led this famous British parliamentarian on a path that some say cost him the prime ministership, but helped rescue an oppressed people and a nation’s character.  An inspiring story with lasting social and personal implications.  (Probe radio series transcript.)

Amazing Grace in John Newton.  This slave-trader-turned-pastor significantly impacted the eighteenth century British campaign to abolish the African slave trade.  You’ve likely heard his classic song.  Perhaps you think you know his inspiring story.  You may discover that you don’t!  (Probe radio series transcript)

West Africans to African-Americans: “We Apologize for Slavery”.  Africans make poignant apology to African Americans for their ancestors’ complicity in the slave trade.  (Short op-ed)

Atheist Recommends God.  By Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi.  A prominent British political observer and journalist says, “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God.”  What did he encounter that “confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God”?  (Short op-ed)

Responding to Poverty.  Why does poverty exist?  How does it destroy minds as well as bodies?  What is a biblical perspective on poverty?  And what should we do about it?   Facts and colorful stories illustrate needs and potential remedies. (Probe radio series transcript.)

How to Surprise your Mayor.  When you’re the mayor, people who talk to you very often want something from you.  Luis Palau asked Portland’s mayor how churches could help the city.  The result: massive – and inspiring – mobilization to tackle homelessness, poverty, hunger, healthcare, and more.  (Short op-ed)

A Famous Revolutionary’s Surprising Past.  Spiritual roots of a radical leader you’ve heard of.  (Short op-ed)

Faith-Based Initiatives Worth Considering.  Do faith-based social programs really work?  A look at a model prison initiative in Texas that is making headlines with encouraging results.  (Short op-ed)

Could Church Involvement Improve Kid’s Grades?  Recent studies suggest it might play a part.  (Short op-ed)

Animal House Revisited: Fraternity Fosters Faith.  College fraternities sometimes make headlines for all the wrong reasons.  Here’s a group that encourages members to develop the spiritual side of life.  (Short op-ed)

Leftist Jewish Journalist Survives Evangelical Beat.  What do you get when you take one leftist Jewish journalist, assign him to the evangelical Christian beat for major newspapers on both US coasts, sprinkle in some fiery sermons and politically conservative speeches, mix thoroughly, and bake with the heat of fiercely contested national elections?  Important lessons from a peculiar and unlikely journey. (Short op-ed)