Holding up the jewel of religious liberty

By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
I eagerly anticipate the Baptist Joint Committee’s board meeting each October. In fact, the whole staff does because we draw such energy and encouragement through our interaction with this talented and involved group representing the BJC’s 15 member bodies. This year, however, the board meeting also marked a renewal of the BJC in many ways as we celebrated the opening of the Center for Religious Liberty.

Signs we’re taking ‘no religious test’ seriously

By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
The upcoming election will be an important one and certainly historic in at least one sense. In the 223 years of our republic, this will be the first time that no white Anglo-Saxon Protestant will appear on either ticket of the two major parties for president or vice president.

The Raspberry approach to public policy issues

By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
I am sometimes asked where the Baptist Joint Committee stands on the political spectrum: conservative or liberal? My response is that the BJC is neither left nor right, but at the sensible center. There are others in the public arena that approach public policy issues the way we do, but not many. Unfortunately, one of them recently passed away. William Raspberry — one of the first widely read African-American columnists in the United States — died on July 17.

From the July/August 2012 Report from the Capital.

Shedding light, not bringing heat

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Less than six months out from the 2012 fall elections, religion continues to be a part of the campaigns. I predict it only will accelerate. Four years ago I offered this conundrum as a challenge: …
From the June 2012 Report from the Capital

Working from the wilderness

By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
We are still on Capitol Hill, but we have recently left our familiar digs on the third floor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Building and moved to temporary quarters one floor down. Why? We are making way for our expanded, improved and altogether welcomed new quarters, a Center for Religious Liberty on Capitol Hill. …
From the May 2012 Report from the Capital

The will of the majority and the rights of the minority

  By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director President Barack Obama’s recent remarks about “unelected judges” thwarting the will of the elected political branches provides an opportunity to think about several fundaments of our democratic form of government and...