Faith in Values

In this series

Wise as Serpents but Harmless as Doves
A demonstrator holding up a sign outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., June 2014. (AP/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Working and Still Poor
People rally for an increase in the minimum wage in Albany, New York. (AP/Mike Groll)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Hobby Lobby’s Win Is a Loss for Religious Liberty
Customers walk to a Hobby Lobby store in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Monday, June 30, 2014. (AP/Sue Ogrocki)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Conquering the Religious-Secular Divide
Sister Simone Campbell walks with a demonstrator. (Flickr/reptilelingerie)
Article

Conquering the Religious-Secular Divide

Sharing common goals in the fight for justice helps narrow gaps in understanding between religious and secular advocates.

Sally Steenland

Turning Trouble into Miracles
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, waves as she steps off the bus during a stop on the first day of a nine-state Nuns on the Bus tour, Monday, June 18, 2012, in Ames, Iowa. (AP/Charlie Neibergall)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

The Conservative Fairy Tale About Government
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Thursday, March 6, 2014. (AP/Cliff Owen)
Article

The Conservative Fairy Tale About Government

By casting government as the villain, conservatives are ignoring history and denying the facts.

Sally Steenland

How to Reduce Poverty and Save Taxpayers $4.6 Billion Per Year
Alex Robles joins dozens of sign-holding protesters at a rally against low wages in front of a McDonald's in December 2013. (AP/Ross D. Franklin)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Cracking the Edifice of Injustice
With the Arizona State Capitol in the background, LGBT rights supporters  Jo Jo Halko and Rachel Butas kiss after learning that Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed an anti-gay bill. (AP/Ross D. Franklin)
Article

Cracking the Edifice of Injustice

The fight for liberty and justice requires persistence and envisioning a more perfect union.

Sally Steenland

Family Values Versus the Corporate Bottom Line
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

It’s Time to Talk
Abortion rights protesters hold signs as anti-abortion activists march past the Capitol to the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, January 25, 2013, as they observe the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Resolving to Focus in 2014
Pope Francis speaks at a New Year's Eve vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica on December 31, 2013. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Love and Work
Employees at Sheffield Platers, Inc. work on the factory floor in San Diego, California, October 10, 2013. (AP/Lenny Ignelzi)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Repairing Christianity’s Damaged Brand
Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, waves as she steps off the bus during a stop on the first day of a nine-state Nuns on the Bus tour, Monday, June 18, 2012, in Ames, Iowa. (AP/Charlie Neibergall)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Business and Belief
The Hobby Lobby store in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is pictured on June 27, 2013. (AP/Andre’ P. Kissel)
Article

Business and Belief

Corporations don’t have religious liberty; human beings do.

Sally Steenland

The Supreme Court Considers Compulsory Prayer
Observers stand outside the U.S. Supreme Court on the first day of the 2013–14 term. One of this season's cases deals with government-sanctioned prayer. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Americans See Opportunities in Rising Diversity
Demonstrators wave American flags as they march down Las Vegas Boulevard during an immigration rally, Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A new CAP poll shows that Americans are more open to diversity than media and politics would lead us to believe. (AP/JulieJacobson)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Women Senators Prove Collaboration Is Better than Conflict
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) gets on an elevator on Capitol Hill on Monday, October 14, 2013, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Hating Government but Loving Its Programs
Tea Party Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks at a rally at the World War II Memorial in Washington, Sunday, October 13, 2013. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Article

Hating Government but Loving Its Programs

The conservatives who engineered the government shutdown are complaining about the new lack of programs and services.

Sally Steenland

Pressing on for Immigration Reform
Demonstrators hold up their banners during an immigration rally on the National Mall on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, calling on the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)
Article

Pressing on for Immigration Reform

Immigrants and allies are rallying, fasting, marching, and lobbying for immigration reform legislation with a path to citizenship.

Sally Steenland

Have They No Shame?
Rahab Kinity espera para obtener estampillas de asistencia alimentaria en el Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry de Raleigh, Carolina del Norte, 13 de septiembre del 2013. (AP/Gerry Broome)
Article

Have They No Shame?

Republicans who slash essential programs for those in need are modern-day Pharaohs.

Sally Steenland

There’s More than One Way to Start a Revolution
Pope Francis waves as he arrives at Cagliari's Cathedral, Italy, Sunday, September 22, 2013. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement
A cross with roses sits on the marker commemorating the spot where a bomb was detonated 50 years ago by the Ku Klux Klan, which killed four young girls, at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Sunday, September 15, 2013. (AP/Hal Yeager)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

What We’ve Learned Since 9/11
Mohammed el-Sioufi, vice president of the Islamic Culture Center, and his wife, Nagiba, are interviewed about the New York Police Department's surveillance of the Muslim community in Newark, New Jersey. (AP/Charles Dharapak)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

57,000 Reasons to Restore Early Learning
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visits with young students at the St. Benedict Center for Early Childhood Education in Louisville, Kentucky, Thursday, June 20, 2013. (AP/Dylan Lovan)
Article

57,000 Reasons to Restore Early Learning

57,000 children won’t be attending Head Start this month because of sequester cuts.

Sally Steenland

Where’s the Debate on Immigration Reform?
Participants bow their heads in prayer during a demonstration to protest Alabama's new law against illegal immigration in Birmingham, Alabama, June 25, 2011. (AP/Jay Reeves)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Of Strawberries and Stereotypes
This February 6, 2010 file photo shows a sign announcing the acceptance of Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at a farmers market in Roseville, California. (AP/Rich Pedroncelli)
Article

Of Strawberries and Stereotypes

While the work of charities is key to helping the poor, government programs can be key in supporting human dignity.

Sally Steenland

What’s Race Got to Do With It?
Pastor Charles Blake lll, left, greets Tracy Martin, center, and Sybrina Fulton, the parents of shooting victim Trayvon Martin, during a rally on behalf of Trayvon's family, Thursday, April 26, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. (AP/Mark J. Terrill)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Partners for LGBT Equality
City officials performing same-sex marriages are sworn in before conducting wedding ceremonies in West Hollywood, California, Monday, July 1, 2013. (AP/Jae C. Hong)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Pulling up Racial Injustice by the Roots
Celebrity chef Paula Deen is seen wearing an apron from Smithfield Foods. The company announced this week that they are dropping her as a spokeswoman in the wake of revelations that she used racial slurs in the past. (AP/Smithfield Foods)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Purity Police Miss the Point
Pope Francis waves as he leaves St. Peter's Square at the Vatican after his weekly general audience on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
Article

Purity Police Miss the Point

Shortsighted efforts by self-appointed conservative watchdogs are endangering faith-based social-justice programs.

Sally Steenland

God Versus Godless—a False Choice
The Ten Commandments monument is seen in front of the Dixie County Courthouse in Cross City, Florida, July 27, 2011. (AP/John Raoux)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Marriage Equality Will Not End LGBT Discrimination
Linda Baker, foreground left, of Renton, Washington, and Kim Nuesse, right, of Kelso, Washington, join others on the Capitol steps during a rally in support of legislation to protect gay and lesbian citizens from discrimination in housing, employment, and insurance, January 23, 2006, in Olympia, Washington. (AP/John Froschauer)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

A Godsend to Reproductive Health Clinics
Signs placed by abortion-rights activists are displayed on the front security gating of the Jackson Women's Health Organization Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi, Tuesday, January 22, 2013. (AP/Rogelio V. Solis)
Article

A Godsend to Reproductive Health Clinics

Groups offer compassionate, nonjudgmental counseling for women and their families dealing with abortion.

Sally Steenland

Nothing Says Love Like Great Public Policy
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

3 Facts About Religion and Violent Extremism
A banner reading
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Advocates Continue Efforts to Prevent Gun Violence
More than 50 anti-gun activists rally outside Sen. Jeff Flake's (R-AZ) office in Phoenix chanting
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Is Creativity or Obedience More Important?
 (Rev. Joel Hunter)
Article

Is Creativity or Obedience More Important?

Probing and honest conversation is key to fostering real understanding between people.

Sally Steenland

The Ever-Evolving Institution of Marriage
Gabriela Fore, 6, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, holds a sign with her moms in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, March 27, 2013 as the court heard arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act. (AP/Carolyn Kaster)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

The Dark Side of ‘Bright Young Things’
Elsa Hosk, Alexander Ludwig, and Sara Sampaio appear at the Victoria's Secret Ultimate Spring Break Dance Party at The Raleigh Hotel on March 13, 2013, in Miami Beach, Florida.
Article

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.”

Sally Steenland

The Religious Right Wasn’t Created to Battle Abortion
Antiabortion activists march past the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, January 25, 2013, as they observe the 40th anniversary of the <em>Roe v. Wade</em> decision. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Family Planning Is Key to Healthier Mothers, Babies, and Societies
Fatima Nevic kisses her baby boy after a seven-hour labor in a Sarajevo hospital. (AP/Sava Radovanovic)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Misusing Religious Freedom to Cloak Intolerance
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defends the rights of gay and transgender people from around the world in a speech entitled
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Working Full Time and Still Poor
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Lessons from Our Past Should Light the Path of Immigration Reform
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is seen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, May 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Welcoming Diversity Can Increase Your Clout
Mobile banking can both substitute for existing bank activities and open up new opportunities for unbanked and underbanked consumers. (iStockphoto)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

The President and the Poet
President Barack Obama greets poet Richard Blanco on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 21, 2013, after Blanco's reading at the president's ceremonial swearing-in ceremony during the 57th Presidential Inauguration. (AP/Win McNamee)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Roe and Religion
Contrary to popular belief, religious leaders have long been among the staunchest supporters of women seeking an abortion. (AP/ Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Article

Roe and Religion

Contrary to popular belief, religious leaders have long been among the staunchest supporters of women seeking an abortion.

Sally Steenland

Resolve to End Homelessness in 2013
In this photo taken Friday, March 9, 2012, homeless veteran Misha McLamb, 32, talks in her transition home in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington. (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Article

Resolve to End Homelessness in 2013

Instead of spending billions of dollars on trimming our bellies, let’s shed our nation of homelessness.

Sally Steenland

Searching for Answers After the Sandy Hook Tragedy
Eknoor Kaur, 3, stands with her father, Guramril Singh, during a candlelight vigil outside Newtown High School before an interfaith vigil with President Barack Obama, Sunday, December 16, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut. (AP/Jason DeCrow)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland

Forgive Us Our Debts
An offshoot of Occupy Wall Street has turned to ancient religious teachings to take on America's mounting consumer debt. (AP/ Jason DeCrow)
Article

Forgive Us Our Debts

Occupy Wall Street offshoot turns to ancient religious teachings to take on America’s mounting consumer debt.

Sally Steenland

Are We Finally Nearing the Tipping Point on Climate Change?
A hiker surveys the damage from climate change atop an iceberg in Alaska. Correcting climate change used to be a bipartisan effort, but recently has become more partisan, causing faith groups to get involved. (AP/James Balog)
Article

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.

Sally Steenland