Faith and Equality

‘Among Neighbors’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join the Center for American Progress for the Washington, D.C., premiere of "Among Neighbors" followed by a conversation with director and producer, Yoav Potash.

Healing America’s Spiritual Crisis: A Conversation With Sen. Raphael Warnock

Please join the Center for American Progress to hear Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speak as part of CAP's “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

7 Policy Recommendations for Combating Antisemitism in the United States

The surge in antisemitism seen in America today threatens the Jewish community and the nation’s democracy as a whole, and it necessitates a nonpartisan, whole-of-society effort to eradicate hate.

How the Supreme Court Is Dismantling the Separation of Church and State

Chief Justice John Roberts’ court is actively eroding the separation of church and state, breaking with centuries of First Amendment jurisprudence.

Growing Market Power Among Catholic Hospitals Restrains Access to Reproductive Health Care

Stronger antitrust enforcement is necessary to prevent reduced access to reproductive health care, including abortion, birth control, and fertility treatments, while safeguarding market competition.

Confronting Antisemitism in America

Join leaders from the Jewish community as we explore the rise of antisemitism in America.

Christian Nationalism Is ‘Single Biggest Threat’ to America’s Religious Freedom

Religious freedom expert Amanda Tyler, of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, discusses the latest court cases and trends in religious freedom.

22 Faith Leaders To Watch in 2022

There’s been no shortage of faith-based advocacy during the first year of the Biden administration.

A Look Back on the Biden Administration’s First Year on Religious Liberty

Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion of the Biden administration's efforts to protect the rights and safety of religious minorities and the nonreligious, here and around the world, and to safeguard the nation’s separation of church and state.

Abortion, Justice, and Religion

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg of the National Council of Jewish Women shares her thoughts on Dobbs v. Jackson and the fight for abortion rights.

Christians Have a Role To Play in Defending U.S. Democracy

CAP interviews one of the country’s most influential Christian leaders, the Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, to learn more about Christian political engagement at this moment in history.

Covid vaccine and mask mandates expose alt-right Christian hypocrisy

Maggie Siddiqi explains why in the face of a deadly pandemic, religion must not be used as an excuse to avoid lifesaving vaccination and mask requirements.

The Pro-Democracy Faith Movement

Join us on December 15 to hear from prominent faith leaders about America’s pro-democracy faith movement. They will share their vision for what it takes to build a more inclusive democracy based on their wisdom traditions rooted in hope, resilience, and systemic transformation.

The Pro-Democracy Faith Movement

Prominent religious leaders reflect on the meaning of democracy.

Religious Organizations Are Integral to the Fight Against Gun Violence

Religious organizations and people of faith across the country are working to heal their communities and prevent gun violence through support for broader reforms.

Maine Provides Leadership on Religion and Vaccines

The Rev. Jane Field of the Maine Council of Churches shares her thoughts on Maine’s approach to containing COVID-19, as well as the response from religious communities in the state.

The Build Back Better Act Will Allow Parents To Choose Faith-Based Child Care and Pre-K

Despite claims to the contrary, the Build Back Better Act envisions an important role for faith-based child care providers.

Personal Reflections on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11

Staff and fellows at the Center for American Progress share how 9/11 changed their lives.

Religious Americans Demand Climate Action

Faith groups across the board are advocating for climate justice, including through the investments in the bipartisan infrastructure framework and reconciliation packages.

21 Faith Leaders To Watch in 2021

From climate change to gun violence to civil rights, religious leaders are having a positive impact on all areas of American public life.

Faith Leaders Highlight How the American Jobs Plan Invests in U.S. Communities

Religious groups welcome the Biden administration’s $2 trillion investment in a stronger, more resilient, and more just U.S. economy.

Discrimination and Experiences Among LGBTQ People in the US: 2020 Survey Results

This data interactive displays the results of CAP’s national survey of LGBTQ individuals.

What You Need To Know About the Equality Act

This fact sheet outlines how the Equality Act would provide much-needed civil rights protections for LGBTQ people, women, people of faith, and others.

Religious Groups Rally for the American Rescue Plan

Faith-based organizations have a long history of fighting for economic justice.

The Pro-Democracy Faith Movement

CAP brought together diverse religious leaders to explore the values underpinning the faith community’s support of democracy.

Improving the Lives and Rights of LGBTQ People in America

The incoming Biden administration has stated its commitment to advancing LGBTQ equality, which will require undoing the harms caused during the last four years and by generations of discrimination, as well as proactively championing a progressive agenda.

How Religion and LGBTQ Rights Intersect in Media Coverage

A study of recent news articles across national and local media outlets reveals that media coverage of LGBTQ rights more often cites religiously identified sources who oppose LGBTQ equality than those who support it.

Recommendations for the Biden Administration on Engaging With Religious Communities

Working with diverse religious communities will be key as the Biden administration seeks to advance progressive public policy priorities and true religious liberty.

4 Ways Religious Communities Can Ensure a Safe and Fair Election

This video from faith leaders explains four concrete, nonpartisan ways that religious communities can support the 2020 election.

How the Trump Administration Has Harmed Faith Communities

People of faith have suffered under the Trump administration’s attacks on civil rights, religious freedom, and health and economic well-being.

Faith Leaders To Watch in 2020

Each of these leaders is working to ensure that their faith communities participate in U.S. democracy.

17 FAQs for Houses of Worship Considering Reopening Amid the Coronavirus Crisis

Faith communities must safely reopen houses of worship based on evidence—not politics.

The CAP Faith Team’s Coronavirus Resources

Here are some of the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative's coronavirus-related resources.

Connecting the Dots: How the Trump Administration Misuses Religious Freedom To Create a License To Discriminate

This video examines how the Trump administration is expanding religious exemptions in an attempt to gut civil rights protections and codify discrimination against people of minority faiths, women, and people who are LGBTQ.

The Plan for Reopening Houses of Worship After the Coronavirus Crisis

Policymakers must follow evidence-based public health guidance and reject the misuse of religious freedom.

Religious Exemptions During the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Only Worsen the Crisis

Government officials must prohibit houses of worship from remaining open to large gatherings.

12 Questions From Faith Leaders for Presidential Candidates

Progressive faith leaders want the next debate to cover topics that range from racism and bigotry to climate change and income inequality.

Unequal Application of the Marital Presumption of Parentage for Same-Sex Parents

The scope of the marital presumption of parentage must be expanded to be more LGBTQ-inclusive.

HHS Proposal Puts Millions of Americans at Risk of Discrimination When Accessing Federally Funded Services

A new proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services would give grantees a license to discriminate using billions in taxpayer dollars.

5 Questions About the Commission on Unalienable Rights

It is unclear how the new commission within the State Department will rule on universal human rights.

9 LGBTQ Faith Leaders to Watch in 2019

These nine LGBTQ faith leaders work to resist injustice and articulate a moral vision for the United States.

5 Ways People of Faith Have Led LGBTQ Advocacy Efforts Since the 1969 Stonewall Riots

People of faith have been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ rights for more than 50 years.

Going Bold to Protect LGBTQ Equality

The Equality Act would help to ensure that all Americans, including LGBTQ people, receive full equality under the law.

HHS Budget Would Fund Discrimination at Expense of Civil Rights Enforcement

President Trump’s HHS budget request to Congress slashes funding for civil rights enforcement and patient privacy protections while increasing funding for religious exemptions.

Religious Liberty Should Do No Harm

Policymakers should ensure that religious liberty extends to all Americans—and that it is not misused as a license to discriminate.

Faith Leaders Rally in Support of the Equality Act

Faith leaders across the United States are showing support for the Equality Act, a bill that would grant members of the LGBTQ community consistent protections.

Reclaiming Religious Freedom

The right to religious freedom is an essential American protection, yet it has been distorted in recent years to cause harm and discrimination.

Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Took a Foster Child From Her Loving Foster Dads

John Freml—whose foster daughter was taken from his home—is one of a growing number of LGBTQ individuals who has faced discrimination in adoption and foster care.

Welcoming All Families

Religious exemptions allowing child placing agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ prospective parents will likely reduce the number of families available to adopt, further overburdening the child welfare system and harming the best interests of children in care.

People of Faith Support LGBTQ Equality in a Philadelphia Child Welfare Case

Religious organizations and people of faith affirm that LGBTQ individuals should be allowed to adopt and foster children from child welfare organizations without facing discrimination.

Pruitt’s Misuse of Religion to Sell Out Our Air and Water

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has misappropriated religion to justify his dangerous ideologies.

Efforts by Women of Faith to Achieve Gender Equality

Women of faith have played an integral role in the fight for gender equality in myriad ways, including feminist theology, leadership in houses of worship, advocacy for immigrants and refugees, and more.

The Intersection of Youth Activism and Faith-Based Values

Young people’s involvement in faith-based activism is not new, and their work fighting for righteous causes should be supported.

Religious Liberty for a Select Few

Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ guidance is already empowering appointees throughout the administration to attack the equality and legal protections of LGBTQ people, women, and religious minorities.

Progressive Policy Wins in the Omnibus

Congress’ spending deal makes a number of important policy advances—although it shamefully leaves Dreamers behind.

10 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2018

Follow these 10 faith leaders for a moral vision and strong resistance to injustice.

Discrimination Prevents LGBTQ People From Accessing Health Care

New data from the Center for American Progress show that LGBTQ people frequently avoid health care and experience discrimination in these settings, underscoring the importance of ACA.

Tales and Truth in the Masterpiece Cakeshop Arguments

A ruling for Charlie Craig and David Mullins would dispel three key misunderstandings and underscore the dignity of LGBTQ people.

How Masterpiece Cakeshop Can Undermine Civil Rights

The U.S. Supreme Court could undermine civil rights for the LGBTQ community in Masterpiece Cakeshop.

The Harms of Refusing Service to LGBTQ People and Other Marginalized Communities

New research shows that, in addition to negatively impacting mental and physical health, discriminatory service refusals undermine LGBTQ people’s access to services.

5 Reasons Communities of Faith Should Be Alarmed by the Tax Bill

There is a profound absence of faith values in the pending tax legislation.

God, Roy Moore, and Faith in the Resistance

This week, Michele and Igor chat with two guests and discuss the intersection of religion and politics, specifically Christian nationalism and the pairing of progressivism and faith.

Masterpiece Cakeshop Ruling Could Turn Back the Clock 50 Years

The case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court is not about cakes or even just the LGBTQ community; it’s a fight for civil rights and the kind of society Americans want to live in.

In 2016, White Evangelicals Acted More White Than Evangelical

Michele and Igor chat with author Reza Aslan about Tuesday's elections and the role of religion in the Trump movement.

Mississippi Faith Leaders Fight Discrimination

Faith leaders in Mississippi combat a discriminatory bill targeting members of the LGBTQ community.

Faith and Reproductive Justice Voices on the Contraception Mandate

Faith and reproductive justice leaders speak out against President Trump’s rule to deny women contraceptive coverage.

Race and the Creditability of the Church

The faith community has a moral imperative to condemn hate.

Who Seeks Religious Accommodations to Providing Contraceptive Coverage?

New data show that for-profit corporations make up the majority of entities seeking exemptions from providing no-cost contraception under the Affordable Care Act.

How the Religious Liberty Executive Order Licenses Discrimination

Far from maintaining the status quo, the religious liberty executive order permits Attorney General Sessions to remove protections that Americans rely upon in everyday life.

Wage Discrimination: Behind the Numbers

Understanding the breadth of wage discrimination charges is critical to ensuring that the United States pursues solutions responsive to the diverse needs of workers.

President Trump Wants to Restrict Access to Contraception Under the Guise of Religious Liberty

Using the language of religious freedom, the Trump administration is decimating access to preventive health services.

Trump’s First 100 Days in 100 Seconds

Watch a 100-second run-down of Trump's chaotic first 100 days.

100 Ways, in 100 Days, that Trump Has Hurt Americans

Trump’s actions during his first 100 days in office have time and again benefitted corporations and the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Americans.

3 Reasons the Johnson Amendment Should Not Be Repealed

The amendment serves as a critical safeguard to preserve the integrity of public charities.

People of Faith Are Increasingly Vocal Supporters of Transgender Justice

For many people of faith, the motivation to fight against transgender discrimination in public policy comes from their religious identities, not despite them.

People of Faith Support Transgender Rights

Despite attempts by conservative lawmakers to use religious and values language to support anti-transgender legislation, communities of faith show majority and increasing support for transgender people and LGBT rights, equality, and inclusion.

Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Only Weakens the United States

The White House’s foolhardy Muslim ban does nothing to protect us.

Pausing the Refugee Resettlement Program Will Harm the Most Vulnerable of Arrivals

Stopping the refugee program even temporarily will decimate refugee resettlement and leave vulnerable refugees to languish indefinitely.

Our Courts Matter for the Muslim Community

The courts are a critical independent check on this unpredictable and dangerous administration’s attack on the Muslim community.

The Real Effect of Trump’s Muslim Ban

President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban keeps innocent people from traveling to the United States, but does little to make the United States safer.

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Attempt to Redefine Religious Liberty

True religious liberty must be preserved for all Americans and protected from manipulation for political gain.

Trump’s Muslim Ban Underscores the Need for National Resistance

The Trump administration’s Muslim ban is a troubling glimpse into the disastrous policies and poor management that the nation is likely to face over the next four years.

Trump Promised that His Supreme Court Nominee Would Rule Against Women’s Reproductive Rights

President Trump has repeatedly said that his Supreme Court justice would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Trump’s Reckless Muslim Ban Makes Americans Less Safe

No Americans have ever been killed in a terrorist attack in the United States by a national from the banned countries.

12 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2017

In 2017, the voices and actions of these 12 faith leaders will be integral to advancing dignity and equity for all.

This Election Day, Americans Cannot Afford to Take a Seat

Divisive rhetoric harms many diverse groups—including women, Muslims, and those perceived to be Muslim—and Americans must use their vote to speak up.

Addressing Challenges to Progressive Religious Liberty in North Carolina

North Carolina must strike a proper balance between true religious freedom and the other cherished rights and freedoms that keep the nation’s democracy strong.

Hearing Faith Voices Raised Against Hyde

Repealing the Hyde Amendment is in line with numerous faith traditions, which support providing all women access to safe, affordable, and timely abortions.

Hate and Discrimination in the Wake of September 11

The association of Muslims with terrorists in the wake of the 9/11 attacks continues to affect the nation in myriad ways.

Stepping Away from Racism

Purging prejudice from the pews will move America closer toward a long overdue racial reconciliation.

Faith Voices on Reproductive Justice: Religion and Equality

We asked faith leaders from around the country to discuss the role of faith in the reproductive justice movement.

How Government Inaction Thwarts Equal Access to Reproductive Health Care

Anti-choice politicians who prioritize their personal beliefs over women’s health prevent access to reproductive health services for all women but particularly for low-income women and women of color.

This Independence Day, Celebrate Religious Liberty for All

Americans should promote freedoms that they are willing to share with all of their neighbors—including freedom of religion for Muslims.

Addressing Challenges to Progressive Religious Liberty in Michigan

Michigan must strike a proper balance between true religious freedom and the other cherished rights and freedoms that keep the nation’s democracy strong.

How Overly Broad Religious Exemptions Are Putting Children at Risk of Sexual Abuse

Religious exemptions in federal guidelines to address sexual abuse of children undermine their efficacy.

Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice: Supporting Mothers and Caregivers

This Mother’s Day, progressive leaders of faith discuss what fuels their work.

Advancing Progressive Religious Liberty in 2016

A hopeful, progressive understanding of religious liberty can prevent harm and discrimination while preserving the freedoms of both religious and nonreligious Americans.

When Public Figures Normalize Hate

When public figures use their platforms for hate speech, they become responsible for normalizing feelings of bigotry that can lead to hate crimes against innocent individuals.

Everything You Need to Know About Zubik v. Burwell

Here, in two minutes, is everything you need to know about what is at stake in Zubik v. Burwell.

Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice: Standing With Women and Families

In light of the upcoming ruling in Zubik v. Burwell, the progressive faith leaders and faith-based advocates featured in this video affirm women's right to comprehensive health care.

A Win for Zubik Would Undermine the Religious Liberty of Employees

Allowing religiously affiliated nonprofits to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate would endanger the religious liberty of students, employees, and their dependents.

Zubik v. Burwell: Pushing Reproductive Health Care Access to the Precipice

A win in the U.S. Supreme Court for religiously affiliated nonprofits would decrease women’s access to critical reproductive health care services.

Fired for Being Who I Am: The Fight for LGBT Equality Continues

Despite historic progress on LGBT rights, many LGBT people and their families still face serious and life-altering discrimination in their daily lives.

The Economic Cost of Overly Broad RFRAs

Anti-LGBT religious exemption laws pose a serious risk to state economies.

President Obama Is Right to Visit Baltimore Mosque

Anti-Muslim bigotry runs counter to American values and threatens national security.

Infographic: Reclaiming Roe for All

Decades of state abortion restrictions have prevented many women—especially marginalized populations—from fully accessing the right to abortion granted to them in Roe v. Wade.

True Pro-Women Policies Foster a Woman’s Right to Reproductive Health Care Access

Conservative doublespeak is not in women’s best interest and can have devastating consequences for their health and lives.

16 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2016

People of faith are leading the nation’s social justice landscape and working to deliver on long-held values of freedom, equality, and dignity for all.

Building Transgender-Inclusive Faith Communities

Building Transgender-Inclusive Faith Communities

The Center for American Progress asked transgender and allied faith leaders how communities of faith can lead the way for greater acceptance of transgender people. Here is what they said.

Transgender Welcome

This resource makes the case for the full inclusion of transgender people in both Jewish and Christian communities of faith and in society, based on Scripture and theology.

Re-Educating Turkey

Following its dominant electoral victory on November 1, the AKP government is likely to continue it efforts to enhance the reach of religious education in Turkey. This process could have a profound long-term impact on Turkish identity and stability.

Climate Talks Must Heed the Call of Pope Francis and the Multifaith Movement

At the Paris climate talks, global leaders must heed the urgent call of multifaith activists, led by Pope Francis, for immediate action to protect all people and the planet.

Anti-Muslim Sentiment Is a Serious Threat to American Security

ISIS is following a clear and determined strategy to provoke an anti-Muslim backlash and ignite a clash of civilizations.

Standing Up Against Islamophobia

Islamophobia is morally wrong and harmful to America’s security.

Restoring the Balance

One year after Hobby Lobby, state legislators, organizations, and for-profit corporations are using religious liberty to infringe on the rights of women, religious minorities, and LGBT people.

The Legacy of Hobby Lobby

Using Religion to Justify Discrimination

Voting with Values That Work for All

Conservatives who profess faith, family, and values should follow Pope Francis’ lead and support principles that actually reflect the nation’s shared values.

The ‘Clock Kid’ Incident Is a Small Part of a Bigger Problem

The recent experience of Muslim American high school student Ahmed Mohamed sheds light on the much bigger issue of Islamophobia in the United States today.

Pope Francis and Access to Justice

The record number of federal court judicial vacancies contradicts Pope Francis’ call for better governance and a more just society.

Remembering Oak Creek

The three-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, highlights the resilience, unity, and positivity of this often misunderstood religious community.

Infographic: Small Business Owners Support Contraception Insurance Coverage

New polling data shows widespread support among small business owners for providing employees with birth control coverage.

Small Business Owners Are More Progressive than the U.S. Supreme Court Thinks

As the U.S. Supreme Court’s Burwell v. Hobby Lobby ruling becomes the law of the land, small business owners show just how unnecessary the religious accommodations for contraceptive insurance are.

Real Family Values: Planning for a Future that Ensures Dignity for an Aging Population

As America’s aging population increases, implementing policies steeped in real family values—dignity, fairness, and respect—must be a priority to meet the needs of the elderly and their caregivers.

Infographic: An Interfaith Call for Climate Action

Americans from diverse faith traditions are responding to the threat of climate change and working to protect the environment, its inhabitants, and its resources.

The Francis Moment: A Moral Call to Action on Climate Change

Pope Francis has created an incredible moment of synergy for faith-based and environmental advocates to push for action to protect all people, as well as the planet.

Responsible Credit Is an Economic and Moral Issue

As states and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau debate payday lending regulation, both economics and faith illustrate the need for effective consumer protections.

Strengthening Child Welfare Systems by Resisting LGBT Discrimination

Religious exemption laws would deny loving homes to vulnerable youth.

Harnessing Faith to Work for Justice

Infographic: RFRA Repercussions

Overly broad state religious freedom restoration acts, or RFRAs, threaten true religious freedom and could have far-reaching negative consequences.

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.

The Plight of Christians in the Middle East

Some of the world's oldest Christian communities are disappearing in the very lands where their faith was born. The status of Christians in the Middle East is an important sign of broader regional trends in religious freedom, pluralism, and tolerance.

Fear, Inc. 2.0

An examination of the Islamophobia network’s efforts to spread misinformation and propaganda about Islam and American Muslims in the United States.

15 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2015

Religious leaders and faith-based activists are poised to make significant progress on a range of social justice issues this year.

3 Ways to Celebrate Religious Freedom Day

It is important to mark the nation’s progress in achieving religious freedom for all Americans, but the United States must also note the distance it still has to go.

Health Care that Heals

Pope Francis teaches that access to comprehensive health care, which acknowledges the dignity of the whole person at each stage of life, is necessary to build a more just world.

Education that Empowers

Pope Francis teaches that education is a tool for developing individuals, communities, and the world in service of compassion and fairness, suggesting that a commitment to quality, accessible education for all is a crucial element of building a more just world.

An Economy that Serves

Pope Francis has repeatedly highlighted the importance of work and his concern that the current economy values profit over people, urging people of faith and conscience to champion changes in business and the labor market that protect workers.

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.

Spirited and Faithful: An Interview with Rev. Marvin Ellison on the Role of Faith Leaders in the Reproductive Justice Movement

Sally Steenland interviews Rev. Marvin Ellison, a writer, educator, and advocate for reproductive rights, about his work to organize clergy for reproductive justice.

How Would Francis Vote?

Pope Francis has been a strong proponent of civic engagement during his papacy, calling for his billions of followers—and inspiring other admirers—to consider their faith and values when working to build more just societies.

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.

Infographic: The Ripple Effect of the Hobby Lobby Decision

Allowing corporate religious liberty to trump employees’ religious liberty can lead to a cascade of poor health outcomes for the nation.

Rep. Ryan’s New Poverty Plan Is Not the Answer to the Pope’s Prayers

Rep. Ryan needs to look toward Pope Francis’s teachings and the true state of poverty in America in order to effectively address the nation’s poverty crisis.

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.

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.

A Blueprint for Reclaiming Religious Liberty Post-Hobby Lobby

Religious liberty protections must strongly protect both individuals and religious institutions, but must be limited when the exercise imposes costs or burdens on others.

Linking Policy and Life: An Interview on Moral Mondays Protests and Reproductive Justice with Rev. Emma Akpan

Sally Steenland interviews Rev. Emma Akpan of Blueprint North Carolina on the state's Moral Mondays protests.

A Day of Testimony

Community Leaders Share Stories and Offer Recommendations Regarding 'My Brother’s Keeper' from 90 Days of Listening in Faith-Led Meetings Across the United States

Called to Be Whole: An Interview with Rev. Lacette Cross on Reproductive Justice and Working with LGBT Communities and Communities of Color

Sally Steenland interviews Rev. Lacette Cross, minister, advocate, youth and sexual health educator, on her reproductive justice work.

Conquering the Religious-Secular Divide

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

Minister and Clinic Escort: An Interview with Rev. Kathleen Green

Sally Steenland interviews Rev. Kathleen Green of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, New Jersey, about her work in support of reproductive justice and pro-choice health care.

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.

Real Family Values: Child Care and Early Childhood Education

If we value opportunity, equality, and fairness, we must do more to provide children and working parents with access to high-quality, affordable child care.

Political Pluralism: How Government Can Support Conflicting Religious Beliefs

Christian scholars are exploring what is appropriate religious expression in a diverse society.

Reproductive Health Care Is a Human Right: An Interview with Vernita Gutierrez

Sally Steenland interviews Vernita Gutierrez, the director of community engagement for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, San Diego County, about her reproductive justice work.

The Conservative Fairy Tale About Government

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

It’s Personal: Reproductive Justice and Religious Liberty with Rev. Angela Herrera

Just before the Supreme Court hears arguments in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius, Sally Steenland discusses religious liberty and reproductive justice with Rev. Angela Herrera.

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.

14 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2014

CAP’s Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative takes a look at some of the faith voices poised to make a difference in the year ahead.

Connecting Maternal Health, Faith, and Reproductive Justice for International Women’s Day: An Interview with Courtney Fowler

Sally Steenland interviews Courtney Fowler, the conference lay leader for the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church, about her work to support maternal and family health.

Cracking the Edifice of Injustice

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

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.

Medicaid Expansion and the Spiritual Side of Health Care: An Interview with Matthew Ellis of Episcopal Health Ministries

Sally Steenland interviews Matthew Ellis, CEO of National Episcopal Health Ministries, about the importance of the church in health care leadership.

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.

Real Family Values: Making College Affordable and Alleviating Student Loan Debt

In a country founded on the ideals of equality, fairness, and economic opportunity, higher education should not be reserved for a privileged few.

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.

Real Family Values: Flexible Work Arrangements and Work-Life Fit

We need policies that ensure all workers have the opportunity to both excel at work and care for the family members who need them.

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.

Religious Liberty for Some or Religious Liberty for All?

How the conservative campaign for “religious liberty” undermines fairness and liberty for all

Religious Liberty for Some or Religious Liberty for All?

The conservative campaign for “religious liberty” undermines fairness and liberty for all.

Real Family Values: Raising the Federal Minimum Wage

Americans have a moral imperative to raise the federal minimum wage.

1 Year After the Sandy Hook School Shooting, Dean Gary Hall Calls for Action on Gun Violence Prevention

Sally Steenland and the Very Rev. Gary Hall discuss the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting and why faith leaders are at the forefront of gun control prevention advocacy.

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.

Real Family Values: Paid Family Leave

Paid family leave upholds the value of caregiving, fights against injustice, and helps build healthier families.

Business and Belief

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

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.

Faith Communities Work to Defeat 20-Week Abortion Ban in Albuquerque: An Interview with Joan Lamunyon Sanford

Sally Steenland interviews Joan Lamunyon Sanford, a reproductive justice advocate and the executive director of the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, about her work to defeat a proposed 20-week abortion ban in Albuquerque.

A Reflection on Faith and Politics with Joshua DuBois and Tom Perriello

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.

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.

Hating Government but Loving Its Programs

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

Real Family Values: Values-Based Policies that Work for American Families

Conservatives’ version of “family values” has failed. It’s time to embrace policies and values that actually improve the lives of Americans and their families.

Pressing on for Immigration Reform

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

Faith-Based Providers and the Affordable Care Act

Here’s a look at five ways faith-based providers and the government are partnering to ensure Americans have access to health care under the Affordable Care Act.

Have They No Shame?

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

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.

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.

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.

57,000 Reasons to Restore Early Learning

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

Supporting a Faith-Based Right to Reproductive Justice: An Interview with Dr. Willie Parker

Sally Steenland interviews Dr. Willie J. Parker, a reproductive justice advocate and associate medical director of Family Planning Associates in Chicago, about the danger of proposed 20-week abortion bans.

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.

Scarlet Letters: Getting the History of Abortion and Contraception Right

Despite anti-abortion activists’ rhetoric, abortion and contraception have been legally practiced in America since the Pilgrims' arrival.

Religious Liberty + Marriage Equality = Harmony, Not Dissension

Despite opposition activists’ rhetoric, support for nondiscrimination laws and religious liberty are positively connected.

Faith Groups Are Central to the Fight for Economic Justice in the Fast-Food Industry

The intersection of social justice and economic teachings within religion are exemplified by fast-food workers’ plight for fair treatment from their employers.

Of Strawberries and Stereotypes

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

Merging the Blues with the Gospel: Rev. Otis Moss III on Trayvon Martin and Building a More United America

Sally Steenland interviews Rev. Otis Moss III, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and a leading progressive Christian activist and cultural critic.

Ensuring Health Coverage for All

Faith groups call on their states to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

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.

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.

Building on History: An Interview on Social Justice and Religious Liberty with Nancy Kaufman

Sally Steenland talks with Nancy Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women.

5 Reasons People of Faith Should Care About Student-Loan Debt

As Congress debates whether or not to double student-loan interest rates, people of faith can help make the moral case for a fair student-loan system.

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.

Sister Reach, Faith, and Speaking out for Reproductive Justice: An Interview with Cherisse Scott

Sally Steenland talks with Cherisse Scott, the founder and CEO of Sister Reach in Tennessee, about her work empowering women and girls of color.

Purity Police Miss the Point

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

6 Ways Faith Communities Have Helped Prevent Gun Violence Since Newtown

Faith communities are playing an integral role in making communities safer through state gun-violence prevention laws in the wake of the Newtown shooting.

Faith and the Fast-Food Strikes: An Interview with Rev. Liz Muñoz

Jack Jenkins talks with Rev. Liz Muñoz of Chicago, Illinois, about the fast-food strikes happening across the country and what faith groups and faith leaders are doing to help.

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.

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.

Mobilizing at the Margins: An Interview on Women, Leadership, and Faith

Sally Steenland talks with Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, a Benedictine nun, speaker, and author.

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.

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.

A Godsend to Reproductive Health Clinics

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

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.

How Faith Fuels Progressivism

A new video from the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative shows how religious groups have played a critical role in many of our nation’s social-justice movements, and continue to fuel many of today’s forward-looking campaigns for justice, mercy, and equality.

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.