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Religion
The spread of the novel coronavirus in the Middle East
As the number of coronavirus cases rises in Iran, nearby countries are scrambling to prevent the virus from spreading across borders. Continue Reading
No religious test to be an American
The First Amendment absolutely permits whole-hearted endorsement of the motto “In God We Trust” by those who wish to affirm it. But the same amendment also exempts them from that or any religious profession, and the same Founders who created the Constitution provided an earlier and alternative motto: E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “Out of Many, One.” Continue Reading
Boko Haram’s impact on the elections in Nigeria
On Saturday, millions of Nigerians will cast a ballot to decide who will lead the country for the next four years. The election campaigns of the two major parties have been framed around the Boko Haram insurgency, and it appears that President Jonathan and the ruling party hold the advantage now, due to recent victories in the fight against Boko Haram. Continue Reading
Religion in the 2012 elections
The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy recently invited a number of leading thinkers — from varied sides of the political spectrum — to come to Houston for a free public symposium to consider the role of religion in our elections. Watch a video of the Jan. 25, 2012, event after the jump. Continue Reading
Who are the Boko Haram and do they pose a threat to the U.S.?
Boko Haram, a Salafi-jihadi Muslim group from northeastern Nigeria, has been in the headlines recently, blamed for a string of recent attacks against the Nigerian government, UN peacekeepers and Nigerian Christians. The group seeks to make Nigeria into an Islamic state, and its name, Boko Haram, roughly translates as “Western education is sin.” Continue Reading
A progressive Christian view on social justice
Last week, more than 275 students, faculty and Houston community members gathered at the Baker Institute for a moderated discussion between Rev. Wallis and Dr. Bill Martin, the institute’s Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy. The two men, both highly respected in their fields and the wider community, discussed the meaning and nature of social justice, the role of faith in public policy, and how American citizens can put pressure on the government to create change and to end poverty. Continue Reading