Category: Justice

America, Bill of Rights, Christianity, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, Evangelicalism, Faith, fear, First Amendment, Fundamentalism, Institutions, Interfaith Dialogue, Justice, Politics, Politics, spirituality, Story, Theology and Life, worldview

No Religious Test Doesn’t Mean No Religion

Gary Furr

We are entering in full the campaign season, where quackery and hyperbolic fear-mongering fills our ears and screens. Communists, fascists, atheists, Nazis, terrorists abound. Apparently they have crawled forth to seize our poor nation and kill it off at last unless we elect old Joe, who at 96 years old is the last hope if we’ll just give him that twelfth term in a row. Sure, he’s barely breathing, but otherwise it’s the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Alamo rolled into one. At the same time, there are profoundly serious questions rumbling the foundations that should indeed rouse … Continue reading No Religious Test Doesn’t Mean No Religion

Alabama, Children, Economics, Healthcare, Home, Justice, Poverty, Story

Coalition Launches NO KID WITHOUT A BED Initiative

Gary Furr

The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers & Children and Perry County School System Launch NO CHILD WITHOUT A BED. Community partners seek donations, sponsors, and volunteers to help provide safe sleeping spaces for children and strengthen family well-being across Perry County The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers & Children (ACHMC), in partnership with the Perry County School System, is proud to announce the launch of the Perry County No Child Without a Bed project , a countywide program to by provide beds for children who do not have one. The initiative was strengthened by a generous grant of $20,000 by the Mark Cuban Foundation.  Mr. Cuban … Continue reading Coalition Launches NO KID WITHOUT A BED Initiative

Family, Justice, Love, Parenting, Politics, Reinhold Niebuhr, Story

Love, Justice, and Perseverance

Gary Furr

I read an excellent post this morning from Rich Havard, who was in our congregation as a student and now works in community building and social change in his adult life. It is an excellent piece about the struggles of being a person who is intentional in his spiritual journey working in a real world where sometimes there is puzzlement or antipathy toward the notion. He asked, “What place do spirituality and love have in the quest for a just world?” He spurred me to think about it. It’s an excellent piece I commend for your thinking. In his book, … Continue reading Love, Justice, and Perseverance

America, Christian Nationalism, Christianity, Citizenship, Culture, Ethics, Hope, hope, Humor, Jesus, Justice, Leadership, Love, Politics, Politics, reconciliation1 Comment

Chaplain of the Day

Gary Furr

When I was a pastor in South Georgia, our congregation had a member by the name of Senator Jimmy Hodge Timmons. He went by “Hodge” around the church, and he was our state senator  in the legislature and I think during his time he worked hard to be a friend of the community an effective representative. One year while I was there, Hodge came to me and invited me to be the Chaplain of the day for the Georgia Senate. This was an honorary event when you would come and offer a devotional and prayer for the elected representatives. It’s … Continue reading Chaplain of the Day

9-11, America, Baptist life, Christian Nationalism, Citizenship, Constitution, Culture, Ethics, First Amendment, Harrassment, humanity, Immigration, Interfaith Dialogue, Justice, Modern Life, Politics, September 11, spirituality, Terrorism1 Comment

Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too

Gary Furr

Religious freedom is either a principle or a convenient fiction. I once taught American church history at Samford University, and I at least know something about religion and American history. And on the matter of religious liberty, I am a fiery Baptist. It is a principle, not a convenience. If you are a real Baptist, you fight for EVERYBODY’S freedom.  My friend Glenn Hinson once wrote, “For faith to be genuine, it must be free.” That means unsupported by government, and free from government power over our conscience and the practice of faith as long as we do not interfere … Continue reading Give Me Liberty and I’ll Give You Liberty, Too