State Religious Freedom Restoration Acts Threaten True Religious Liberty ArticleApr 1, 2015 State Religious Freedom Restoration Acts Threaten True Religious Liberty Under the guise of protecting religious freedom, states across the country are opening the door to discrimination by enacting misguided laws and policies. Apr 1, 2015 Sally Steenland
So-Called ‘Cultural War’ Issues Are Really About Justice ArticleOct 6, 2014 So-Called ‘Cultural War’ Issues Are Really About Justice Marriage equality and women’s reproductive rights are now being seen for what they always were: issues of basic justice. Oct 6, 2014 Sally Steenland
Wise as Serpents but Harmless as Doves ArticleSep 11, 2014 Wise as Serpents but Harmless as Doves The Obama administration’s new birth control rules are generous and strategically smart, but some opponents still aren’t happy. Sep 11, 2014 Sally Steenland
Working and Still Poor ArticleJul 30, 2014 Working and Still Poor When you try living on $77 a week for food, transportation, and entertainment—the budget of a minimum-wage worker—spending on things that many take for granted requires tough choices and carries significant consequences. Jul 30, 2014 Sally Steenland
Hobby Lobby’s Win Is a Loss for Religious Liberty ArticleJul 16, 2014 Hobby Lobby’s Win Is a Loss for Religious Liberty When for-profit corporations get the same privileges that have historically been given to religious groups that feed the hungry and care for the sick, religion itself is cheapened and devalued. Jul 16, 2014 Sally Steenland
Conquering the Religious-Secular Divide ArticleMay 14, 2014 Conquering the Religious-Secular Divide Sharing common goals in the fight for justice helps narrow gaps in understanding between religious and secular advocates. May 14, 2014 Sally Steenland
Turning Trouble into Miracles ArticleApr 30, 2014 Turning Trouble into Miracles In what can only be described as a modern-day miracle, the Nuns on the Bus managed to transform a Vatican sanction into prophetic witness. Apr 30, 2014 Sally Steenland
Political Pluralism: How Government Can Support Conflicting Religious Beliefs ArticleApr 16, 2014 Political Pluralism: How Government Can Support Conflicting Religious Beliefs Christian scholars are exploring what is appropriate religious expression in a diverse society. Apr 16, 2014 Sally Steenland
The Conservative Fairy Tale About Government ArticleApr 2, 2014 The Conservative Fairy Tale About Government By casting government as the villain, conservatives are ignoring history and denying the facts. Apr 2, 2014 Sally Steenland
How to Reduce Poverty and Save Taxpayers $4.6 Billion Per Year ArticleMar 19, 2014 How to Reduce Poverty and Save Taxpayers $4.6 Billion Per Year Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour will cut spending on federal assistance programs and strengthen families, the economy, and our nation. Mar 19, 2014 Sally Steenland
Cracking the Edifice of Injustice ArticleMar 5, 2014 Cracking the Edifice of Injustice The fight for liberty and justice requires persistence and envisioning a more perfect union. Mar 5, 2014 Sally Steenland
Family Values Versus the Corporate Bottom Line ArticleFeb 19, 2014 Family Values Versus the Corporate Bottom Line The lack of paid sick days forces American workers to make the no-win choice between job and family. Feb 19, 2014 Sally Steenland
It’s Time to Talk ArticleFeb 5, 2014 It’s Time to Talk Contrary to mainstream assumptions, much of the religious community supports a woman’s right to make decisions about her own reproductive health. Feb 5, 2014 Sally Steenland
Resolving to Focus in 2014 ArticleJan 8, 2014 Resolving to Focus in 2014 Despite the distractions of the coming year, it’s important to hold basic, long-lasting truths in mind in order to experience purpose and joy. Jan 8, 2014 Sally Steenland
Love and Work ArticleDec 18, 2013 Love and Work Conservatives should value the bonds of loyalty and commitment not just in marriage but also in the workplace, where bosses have obligations to their workers. Dec 18, 2013 Sally Steenland
Repairing Christianity’s Damaged Brand ArticleDec 4, 2013 Repairing Christianity’s Damaged Brand After four decades, the Religious Right is losing its grip, and a generous, justice-minded Christianity is gaining public attention and support. Dec 4, 2013 Sally Steenland
Business and Belief ArticleNov 20, 2013 Business and Belief Corporations don’t have religious liberty; human beings do. Nov 20, 2013 Sally Steenland
The Supreme Court Considers Compulsory Prayer ArticleNov 6, 2013 The Supreme Court Considers Compulsory Prayer Mandating prayer at local town board meetings mixes government and religion in a way that is harmful to both. Nov 6, 2013 Sally Steenland
Americans See Opportunities in Rising Diversity ArticleOct 30, 2013 Americans See Opportunities in Rising Diversity A new CAP poll shows that Americans are more open to diversity and reducing inequality than the media and politics portray them to be. Oct 30, 2013 Sally Steenland
Women Senators Prove Collaboration Is Better than Conflict ArticleOct 23, 2013 Women Senators Prove Collaboration Is Better than Conflict As the government shutdown dragged on, female senators broke through the impasse with a compromise plan to put Americans back to work and save the global economy. Oct 23, 2013 Sally Steenland
Hating Government but Loving Its Programs ArticleOct 16, 2013 Hating Government but Loving Its Programs The conservatives who engineered the government shutdown are complaining about the new lack of programs and services. Oct 16, 2013 Sally Steenland
Pressing on for Immigration Reform ArticleOct 9, 2013 Pressing on for Immigration Reform Immigrants and allies are rallying, fasting, marching, and lobbying for immigration reform legislation with a path to citizenship. Oct 9, 2013 Sally Steenland
Have They No Shame? ArticleOct 2, 2013 Have They No Shame? Republicans who slash essential programs for those in need are modern-day Pharaohs. Oct 2, 2013 Sally Steenland
There’s More than One Way to Start a Revolution ArticleSep 25, 2013 There’s More than One Way to Start a Revolution Pope Francis’ spiritual humility, intellectual curiosity, and emotional honesty can be a driving force for positive change in the Catholic Church. Sep 25, 2013 Sally Steenland
Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement ArticleSep 18, 2013 Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement Despite uncertainties, failures, and threats, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those in the civil rights movement kept up the fight for justice and equality. Sep 18, 2013 Sally Steenland
What We’ve Learned Since 9/11 ArticleSep 11, 2013 What We’ve Learned Since 9/11 In order to make our world safer, we need to focus on factual evidence and real threats rather than target entire communities because of their ethnicity or religion. Sep 11, 2013 Sally Steenland
57,000 Reasons to Restore Early Learning ArticleSep 4, 2013 57,000 Reasons to Restore Early Learning 57,000 children won’t be attending Head Start this month because of sequester cuts. Sep 4, 2013 Sally Steenland
Where’s the Debate on Immigration Reform? ArticleAug 14, 2013 Where’s the Debate on Immigration Reform? An overwhelming number of business, labor, faith, and civic groups, as well as a strong majority of the American public, a supermajority in the Senate, and a bipartisan majority in the House, all support immigration reform. Aug 14, 2013 Sally Steenland
Religious Liberty + Marriage Equality = Harmony, Not Dissension ArticleAug 7, 2013 Religious Liberty + Marriage Equality = Harmony, Not Dissension Despite opposition activists’ rhetoric, support for nondiscrimination laws and religious liberty are positively connected. Aug 7, 2013 Sally Steenland
Of Strawberries and Stereotypes ArticleJul 24, 2013 Of Strawberries and Stereotypes While the work of charities is key to helping the poor, government programs can be key in supporting human dignity. Jul 24, 2013 Sally Steenland
What’s Race Got to Do With It? ArticleJul 17, 2013 What’s Race Got to Do With It? After the Zimmerman verdict, it is more obvious than ever that we can no longer ignore the persistence of racial injustice in the United States. Jul 17, 2013 Sally Steenland
Partners for LGBT Equality ArticleJul 10, 2013 Partners for LGBT Equality The recent Supreme Court decisions supporting marriage equality underscores the successful alliance that has been forged between the religious community and LGBT advocates. Jul 10, 2013 Sally Steenland
Pulling up Racial Injustice by the Roots ArticleJun 26, 2013 Pulling up Racial Injustice by the Roots Institutional racism might be harder to detect than individual bigotry, but its impact is more widespread and lasting. Jun 26, 2013 Sally Steenland
Purity Police Miss the Point ArticleJun 19, 2013 Purity Police Miss the Point Shortsighted efforts by self-appointed conservative watchdogs are endangering faith-based social-justice programs. Jun 19, 2013 Sally Steenland
God Versus Godless—a False Choice ArticleJun 12, 2013 God Versus Godless—a False Choice Extreme views on religious belief—or lack of it—may make for lively theatrics, but they ignore the dynamic complexities of behavior and faith. Jun 12, 2013 Sally Steenland
Marriage Equality Will Not End LGBT Discrimination ArticleJun 5, 2013 Marriage Equality Will Not End LGBT Discrimination As the Supreme Court decides who can say “I do,” finally passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is something that Congress must do. Jun 5, 2013 Sally Steenland
Sequestration Hurts All of Us, Not Just Our Most Vulnerable ArticleMay 29, 2013 Sequestration Hurts All of Us, Not Just Our Most Vulnerable Three months into sequestration, we take a look at how harmful the phased-in cuts have been. May 29, 2013 Sally Steenland
People of Faith Should Oppose Official Prayer at Public-School Graduation Ceremonies ArticleMay 22, 2013 People of Faith Should Oppose Official Prayer at Public-School Graduation Ceremonies In a pluralistic democracy, government should not be in the business of promoting religion. May 22, 2013 Sally Steenland
A Godsend to Reproductive Health Clinics ArticleMay 15, 2013 A Godsend to Reproductive Health Clinics Groups offer compassionate, nonjudgmental counseling for women and their families dealing with abortion. May 15, 2013 Sally Steenland
Nothing Says Love Like Great Public Policy ArticleMay 8, 2013 Nothing Says Love Like Great Public Policy While cards and flowers are fine Mother’s Day gifts, public policies that make life better for moms are the best way to honor all they do. May 8, 2013 Sally Steenland
3 Facts About Religion and Violent Extremism ArticleMay 1, 2013 3 Facts About Religion and Violent Extremism In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, it’s important to keep the facts straight about the complexities of terrorism. May 1, 2013 Sally Steenland
Advocates Continue Efforts to Prevent Gun Violence ArticleApr 24, 2013 Advocates Continue Efforts to Prevent Gun Violence In the wake of last week’s Senate vote against legislation to prevent gun violence, Americans must remember that their efforts to reduce gun violence are a marathon, not a sprint. Apr 24, 2013 Sally Steenland
Is Creativity or Obedience More Important? ArticleApr 17, 2013 Is Creativity or Obedience More Important? Probing and honest conversation is key to fostering real understanding between people. Apr 17, 2013 Sally Steenland
The Ever-Evolving Institution of Marriage ArticleApr 10, 2013 The Ever-Evolving Institution of Marriage Despite claims by many conservatives and religious leaders, marriage has not always been a union between one man and one woman but over the years has embraced practices that even most strident marriage traditionalists might abhor. Apr 10, 2013 Sally Steenland
The Dark Side of ‘Bright Young Things’ ArticleApr 3, 2013 The Dark Side of ‘Bright Young Things’ Progressives should speak out about the commercial targeting of youth instead of shying away from a fight about deregulation and the “nanny state.” Apr 3, 2013 Sally Steenland
The Religious Right Wasn’t Created to Battle Abortion ArticleMar 27, 2013 The Religious Right Wasn’t Created to Battle Abortion As the Supreme Court hears arguments in cases on marriage equality, many fear a decades-long backlash reminiscent of that after Roe v. Wade. It is important, however, to remember the real story behind the formation of the religious conservative movement. Mar 27, 2013 Sally Steenland
‘Girls’ Needs to Glance Away from the Mirror ArticleMar 20, 2013 ‘Girls’ Needs to Glance Away from the Mirror Even the created reality of a television show can benefit from a diverse worldview. Mar 20, 2013 Sally Steenland
Selection of New Pope Underscores a Shortcoming of Church Rules ArticleMar 13, 2013 Selection of New Pope Underscores a Shortcoming of Church Rules A leadership devoid of women seriously undermines the Catholic Church’s mission and future. Mar 13, 2013 Sally Steenland
Family Planning Is Key to Healthier Mothers, Babies, and Societies ArticleMar 6, 2013 Family Planning Is Key to Healthier Mothers, Babies, and Societies Faith-based efforts to provide reproductive health services and family planning have dramatically improved the lives of mothers and their children worldwide. Mar 6, 2013 Sally Steenland
Misusing Religious Freedom to Cloak Intolerance ArticleFeb 27, 2013 Misusing Religious Freedom to Cloak Intolerance Opposing gay and transgender equality under the guise of religious freedom has deep roots stretching back more than 50 years. Feb 27, 2013 Sally Steenland
Working Full Time and Still Poor ArticleFeb 20, 2013 Working Full Time and Still Poor We need to raise the minimum wage in order to change the shameful American reality of people working full time but still not earning enough to lift them and their families out of poverty. Feb 20, 2013 Sally Steenland
Lessons from Our Past Should Light the Path of Immigration Reform ArticleFeb 13, 2013 Lessons from Our Past Should Light the Path of Immigration Reform U.S. history provides both shining examples and stark warnings as we debate over whether to grant citizenship to this country’s 11 million undocumented immigrants. Feb 13, 2013 Sally Steenland
Contraception-Coverage Requirement Strengthens Religious Liberty and Women’s Health ArticleFeb 6, 2013 Contraception-Coverage Requirement Strengthens Religious Liberty and Women’s Health Don’t be fooled by opponents’ claims of religious-liberty infringement—the new contraceptive-coverage provision announced last week does no such thing. It does, however, enhance women’s health. Feb 6, 2013 Sally Steenland
Welcoming Diversity Can Increase Your Clout ArticleJan 30, 2013 Welcoming Diversity Can Increase Your Clout Examining the moral and cultural tendencies of faith leaders in the past can teach us lessons about diversity and changing demographics that are still relevant today. Jan 30, 2013 Sally Steenland
The President and the Poet ArticleJan 23, 2013 The President and the Poet Richard Blanco’s poem at the Inauguration ceremony was a perfect companion to the president’s speech on equality and unity. Jan 23, 2013 Sally Steenland
Roe and Religion ArticleJan 16, 2013 Roe and Religion Contrary to popular belief, religious leaders have long been among the staunchest supporters of women seeking an abortion. Jan 16, 2013 Sally Steenland
Faith Communities Stepping Up Efforts Against Guns and Gun Violence ArticleJan 9, 2013 Faith Communities Stepping Up Efforts Against Guns and Gun Violence For many in the faith community, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is the final straw. Jan 9, 2013 Sally Steenland
Resolve to End Homelessness in 2013 ArticleJan 2, 2013 Resolve to End Homelessness in 2013 Instead of spending billions of dollars on trimming our bellies, let’s shed our nation of homelessness. Jan 2, 2013 Sally Steenland
Searching for Answers After the Sandy Hook Tragedy ArticleDec 19, 2012 Searching for Answers After the Sandy Hook Tragedy The senseless shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, has forced all of us to confront unspeakable tragedy and unanswerable questions. Dec 19, 2012 Sally Steenland
Forgive Us Our Debts ArticleDec 12, 2012 Forgive Us Our Debts Occupy Wall Street offshoot turns to ancient religious teachings to take on America’s mounting consumer debt. Dec 12, 2012 Sally Steenland
The Political and Cultural Embrace of Marriage Equality Is Growing ArticleDec 5, 2012 The Political and Cultural Embrace of Marriage Equality Is Growing Voters young and old are supporting marriage equality for gay and transgender Americans, and many religious institutions are supportive too. Dec 5, 2012 Sally Steenland
Are We Finally Nearing the Tipping Point on Climate Change? ArticleNov 28, 2012 Are We Finally Nearing the Tipping Point on Climate Change? The devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy was a wake-up call that has forced many to shake off complacency and refocus on climate change. Nov 28, 2012 Sally Steenland