Category: take action

politics, social justice and ways you can make a difference in the world around you.

Church-goers support torture

torture

A new CNN article today reports that the more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists.

More than half of people who attend services at least once a week — 54 percent — said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is “often” or “sometimes” justified. Only 42 percent of people who “seldom or never” go to services agreed, according the analysis released Wednesday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Can someone please tell me why?

Is there something I’m missing along the way?

Photo by benab

Two futures – which do you choose?

no drugs or nuclear weapons

AS A MATTER OF CHRISTIAN CONVICTION, WE CHOOSE A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

WE BELIEVE that we face two futures: a world without nuclear weapons or a world ruined by them.

WE PROCLAIM that nuclear weapons today are unjustifiable theologically, politically, and militarily.

WE RENOUNCE nuclear weapons as sin against God and neighbor.

WE REPENT of apathy toward devices that cause indiscriminate destruction.

WE URGE the American President’s leadership in fulfilling existing commitments toward global and complete nuclear disarmament.

WE PLEDGE our support to the elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide, to the glory of God.

I’ve joined and signed the pledge. Will you?

Photo from karstenkneese

WIN :: Gardening Eden

The view from our family's farm in Nebraska (circa 2004)

I’m right in the middle of reading Gardening Eden by Michael Abbaté. It’s a great timely read – especially with Earth Day on Wednesday.

I’ve got an extra copy of the book, so as a thank you to folks who read this blog, I’m giving away a copy of the book on Friday afternoon. Read the synopsis and then find out how to win below…

Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

To win:
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment sharing what you think about “spiritual environmentalism.” It can be a short response, a long response, pro or negative, just so long as you share your thoughts in the comment below. This contest will go until Friday afternoon @ 5pm (my time) and then a winner will be randomly chosen.

Easy cheesy. So what are you waiting for?

On the issue of gun control

gun control - http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmiked/232984651/

As you may have seen, I received an e-mail last week that bothered me a bit about gun control. I shared my response here on my blog.

I’ve received a couple good responses to the blog post via Facebook and on another blog.

Continue reading On the issue of gun control

JustOneDallas :: May 16th :: Life in Deep Ellum

JustOneDallas – May 16th – Life in Deep Ellum

Can’t wait!

justonedallas_front1

justonedallas_back

JustOne is a non profit organization that was formed to stimulate greater global awareness about extreme poverty, and to provoke compassionate ideas and intelligent giving in order to provide sustainable relief. We are a collective voice for the victims of social injustice––the one(s) living in geographical and situational poverty; the one(s) orphaned through death, disease and desertion; the one(s) trafficked into slavery throughout the world.

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How

Through our innovative development of resources, creative awareness campaigns, educational gatherings, speaking engagements and activist mobilization, JustOne provides reprieve to the marginalized and the oppressed.

We believe in an economy of enough that is established through the cooperative practice of sharing and redistribution. These practices are central to the Laundry Love Project, A Trashcan can Make a Difference and the Activist initiatives. We hope to see these initiatives expand throughout the US and overseas giving others the opportunity to be the enough for those living in localized poverty.

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Inclusion and Accountability

We are a social mercy foundation that exists to change universal issues of social injustice effecting millions of people regardless of race, culture, sex, age, or religion. We have an open policy partnership, meaning we will collaborate with a diversity of people(s) and organization(s) regardless of differences while holding to wisdom, discernment and the collective council that directs the mission and future of JustOne. The collective council comes through the Board of Directors and organizational Partners.

Want to take it a step further and help sponsor the event? Download our sponsorship info pdf.