culture wars
A columnist looks back and looks ahead
By David P. Gushee — December 27, 2016
(RNS) "After 30 years attempting to advocate for a particular kind of American public life," writes David Gushee, "I feel a deep sense of powerlessness in relation to where our culture and politics are going."
Cue the ‘War on Christmas’: Starbucks has a new cup
By Kimberly Winston — November 2, 2016
(RNS) Fire up the annual outrage! Starbucks launches a green cup!
So now I am a pastor
By David P. Gushee — September 26, 2016
When I was 17, I felt called to be a pastor. Now I am one.
Phyllis Schlafly’s rhetorical genius
By Jerome Socolovsky — September 6, 2016
Phyllis Schlafly was brilliant. I agreed with none of her causes or methods. But I was fascinated by the ways she deployed great intelligence, fierce determination and rhetorical talent.
Two conventions, two nominees and a whole new culture war
By David Gibson — July 29, 2016
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) It’s officially Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump for president. But just as notable is the fact that Democrats have now taken over the language of faith and morals from the GOP.
How Eric Metaxas manipulates the past to serve his political agenda
By John Fea — July 13, 2016
(RNS) To suggest that religious freedom and religious tolerance have been the single most important principle of American life is flat-out wrong.
Seven hard truths about America this July 4th weekend
By David P. Gushee — June 30, 2016
We are bruised from failed foreign wars, and six other hard truths about America this July 4th.
A retreat into silence amid our culture’s ugly noise
By David P. Gushee — May 16, 2016
Vulgarity, meanness, conflict. Lather, rinse, repeat. Unless we choose silence.
In honoring Biden and Boehner, Notre Dame lives up to Pope Francis’ vision
By Yonat Shimron — May 11, 2016
(RNS) Notre Dame President John Jenkins is sending a message in line with the pope’s vision.
Trump’s religious bigotry is as American as apple pie (COMMENTARY)
By Stephen Prothero — December 9, 2015
Trump is popular because he is giving voice to anxieties deeply held in the heartland, not least the anxiety that “they” are taking away “our” country.
‘War on Christmas’ turns into hashtag wars: now #ItsJustACup
By Mary Bowerman — November 11, 2015
People on social media are responding to criticism that Starbucks is waging a war on Christmas with this year's plain red holiday cup. The latest hot hashtag: #ItsJustACup.
Starbucks’ red cups, and the Internet outrage machine (COMMENTARY)
By Laura Turner — November 9, 2015
(RNS) The latest missives in the culture wars have come from different sides of Christianity over, of all things, the new design of the Starbucks red cup.
Pope Francis hails America’s freedoms, but saves strongest praise for the nation’s immigrants
By David Gibson — September 26, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) The pontiff had a chance to endorse the U.S. bishops' religious liberty battles against gay rights and the contraception mandate. But he passed.
The long history of sexual baiting in America’s effort to extend civil rights (COMMENTARY)
By William J. Barber II — April 9, 2015
(RNS) The pattern is clear: Whenever established power brokers have felt threatened in America’s history, they have responded by stirring up sexual fears.
Why we should worry when millennials don’t take religion seriously (COMMENTARY)
By Arthur E. Farnsley II — April 6, 2015
(RNS) I’m doing my best to help my millennial students see that religion is not just a placeholder for other interests; it is a powerful motivator and many religious people are willing to sacrifice, die, and even kill in its name.
