The Small, Deadly Love of White Mothers

"...it is the nice, Christian mothers like me who are often the quickest to question the means and motives of good faith activism in defense of the Black right to breathe. Despite our professed passion for protecting the sanctity of life, killing is exactly what we do. We kill when we choose our own “safety” over the safety of others."

To Affirm the Death Penalty Is to Reject the Christian Gospel

We need a broader moral reckoning on capital punishment—in the Bible belt, in particular. In a recent forum, we zeroed in on the challenge of problematic theology, which in Shane’s words has turned the Bible Belt into a “Death Belt,” giving moral cover to a lethal human rights violation. Southern states where Christianity predominates are the ones holding fast to the death penalty and using it most often. Last month four executions were scheduled—two in Texas and one each in Tennessee in South Carolina—during a season where Christians everywhere celebrated resurrection. 

When Religion Becomes Idolatry

Yes, I am talking about white supremacy, but the kind comfortably ensconced in a leather chair smoking a cigar. I am talking about xenophobia, but the kind safely domesticated behind a white picket fence. I am talking about homophobia, the kind that scapegoats before an audience of well-dressed parishioners.