Principles in political posturing

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

What ‘secular’ really means

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.

In George Washington’s words

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Dick Ice’s contributions to the life and work of the BJC are incalculable. He understands and appreciates Baptist principles and the American concept of the separation of church and state like few others. He is also a student of history who can call up the words of our Founders on the spur of the moment and make scholarly presentations on James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and others.

Debunking five other identified myths

My recent efforts to answer lies and misunderstandings about the separation of church and state have been appreciated by readers of Report from the Capitaland by others. Certainly the likes of David Barton seem to be on a tear (featured on “The Daily Show” no less!)...

Preventing religion from becoming lethal

The continuing-to-unfold events in the Middle East provide an occasion to think about the relationship between religion and politics among the three Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Although religion has not been front and center in the democracy...

Context is key in the public debate

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
In a time of rampant misconceptions about our president’s faith and a plethora of religious pandering, I am reminded that concerns about a leader’s faith are nothing new. It has been 50 years since presidential candidate John F. Kennedy gave a speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association addressing the widespread contention of many Protestants that Kennedy was unfit for he presidency because of his Catholicism.