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Jim Wallis At a recent annual meeting, seminary presidents in the Southern Baptist Convention doubled down on the SBC’s dismissal of “critical race theory,” which examines the issues of embedded racism across institutions and culture in American society. CRT shows how white supremacy — the belief that some people are more valuable than other people because of their skin color — is not just a personal prejudice but a structural and societal practice in America. The seminary presidents’ statement, declaring the “affirmation of Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and any version of Critical Theory [as] incompatible with the Baptist Faith & Message” was not quite the prophetic witness we needed from our churches given the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism we’ve experienced in the U.S. — a deadly combination that has disproportionally killed Black and brown people based on demonstrably inequitable life circumstances tied to both past and current injustices. Apparently, Southern Baptist leaders see the problem as bad sociology, but what their statement truly reveals is the bad theology that still haunts the denomination founded in support of slavery. The Southern Baptist statement’s failure is biblical, not just sociological. Racism, in its many forms, is sin; indeed, it is America’s original sin based on the lie, the myth, the ideology, and the idolatry of white superiority, or the assumption of whiteness as normative, and white privilege practiced through domination. White supremacy assaults the image of God, throws away the imago dei, and undermines God’s purpose for humanity clearly stated in Genesis 1:26, to make all humankind in the “image” and “likeness” of God and have stewardship together over all the rest of God’s creation. Therefore, white supremacy — which condones some people exercising violent dominion over other people God created as equal — offends the Creator and is anti-God.
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Our Latest Faith Leaders: Trump's Rushed Executions Show ‘Blatant Disregard’ for Life (by Lexi McMenamin) The Trump administration has accelerated federal executions since the November elections. No, a Hanukkah Bush Is Not a Thing (by Molly Conway) And other things you have to navigate as a queer Jew in December. “Christian nationalism is consistently one of the strongest predictors of anti-vaccine attitudes,” said Andrew L. Whitehead. Kim Jackson: The Black Lesbian Pastor Headed to Georgia’s State Senate (by Mitchell Atencio) “If you had told me at 25 that anybody would be celebrating my sexual orientation, I would not have believed you,” said Rev. Kim Jackson. |
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From the Magazine How Do We Heal Family Histories Entangled With Colonization? (by Elaine Enns) Christians of European descent must face the hard stories of their past. |
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Director of Faith and Neighboring Practices – resumes due by Jan 4, 2021 Coach 3 cohorts of 5 congregations for 2 two-year cycles on faith & neighboring practices for the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA. Goal: increase congregational vitality through deeper connection to God & better understanding how God is already at work in the communities, using spiritually-centered faith practices and faith-based organizing methodology. If you are searching for a way to give responsibly this holiday season, look no further than Sojourners’ Just Giving Guide! Our Just Giving Guide features end of the year giving opportunities as well as faith-based products. |
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