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.
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
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
By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
We planned to release the Interfaith Statement of Principles on Religion in Political Campaigns the morning after the Presidents Day holiday. And what interesting timing it was. The previous weekend and the following week brought a torrent of examples of the very abuses of religion in politics that we talked about in the statement.
From the March 2012 Report from the Capital
Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
“Secular” is not a bad word as many religious people and some politicians believe. In fact, it is a good word and, properly understood, is useful to describe our political culture and church-state configuration.
