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Report from the Capital is our flagship magazine to help you stay current on religious liberty news.

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Spring 2024

In this election year, it’s never too early to consider the role you can play in our country’s commitment to faith freedom for all by ensuring our free and fair elections continue in the United States. In this edition, Dr. Sabrina E. Dent discusses how protecting voting rights is a matter of human dignity and justice, Holly Hollman shares how churches and people of faith can be involved in our country’s nonpartisan elections, and Amanda Tyler reflects on how the State of the Union address illuminated new ways to consider who represents our country when lawmakers gather. Plus, read about the premiere of the “God & Country” documentary on Christian nationalism, get an update on the work combating “chaplain” bills in public schools, and hear about a historic meeting of the four major Black Baptist denominations. 

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Featured articles:

• Democracy in action by Amanda Tyler
• Faithful involvement in elections by Holly Hollman
• Protecting voting rights is a matter of human dignity and justice by Dr. Sabrina E. Dent
• TIMELINE: The evolution of voting rights in the United States
• U.S. Capitol hosts first screening of ‘God & Country’ documentary by Amethyst Holmes
• BJC’s first field organizer is fighting Christian nationalism in North Texas by Jeff Brumley
• Updates on “chaplain” bills: Top 25 school districts in Texas reject the option and Chaplains, faith groups and civil rights organizations oppose public school chaplain programs across the country
• Black Baptists meet in historic convening to address critical issues facing the community by Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland
• Remembering Charles G. Adams, former BJC chair and legendary Detroit pastor by Mark Wingfield
• For decades, BJC struggled to live up to its ‘joint’ representation of Blacks and whites by Dr. Andrew Gardner

This edition of the magazine shares how relationships propel all of us forward in defending faith freedom for all and working to end Christian nationalism. Read how we use awareness, advocacy and local organizing to make change in a column from Lisa Jacob, North Texas Organizer for the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, and see resources you can use for hosting a community meeting about Christian nationalism. Hear from the Rev. Dane Martin about how his experience as a BJC Fellow set him on a journey to engage in new relationships and create a trip for college students to wrestle with tough questions. Plus, Holly Hollman explores the problems with yet another push to put the Ten Commandments in public schools, Amanda Tyler talks being Baptist in an election year, Jaziah Masters shares the contested history of voting rights, and more.

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Featured articles:

• Being Baptist in an election year by Amanda Tyler
• Why is this still happening? by Holly Hollman
• Working for change through local organizing by Lisa Jacob
• Celebrating differences through education
• The contested history of voting rights by Jaziah Masters
• Perspectives on sharing the nation (recap of Shurden Lectures) by Jeff Brumley

Meet the newest class of BJC Fellows in this edition of Report from the Capital. Our 2024 cohort came to Colonial Williamsburg from across the country, and these emerging leaders and scholars share about their experience and their plans for the future. Plus, read a reflection from Amanda Tyler on advocacy in Texas; hear Holly Hollman explain the crossroads facing the Supreme Court; meet our fall 2024 Shurden Lecturer, Dr. John Compton;, see an excerpt from Amanda Tyler’s upcoming book; hear from Jaziah Masters about the connection between Christian nationalism and book bans; and more.

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Featured articles:

• Do something by Amanda Tyler
• The Court at a crossroads by Holly Hollman
• Meet the 2024 BJC Fellows
• A conversation with Shurden Lecturer John Compton
• Are you ready to vote in November?
• Saying ‘no’ to Bible-based curriculum in Texas
• Difference does not mean division by Jaziah Masters

After the 2024 presidential election, this edition of the magazine looks at what’s next. Amanda Tyler offers reflections on the results and looks at the future, we offer ideas to take action and create new connections in the fight against Christian nationalism, and Jaziah Masters examines how voter suppression and Christian nationalism are intertwined. Plus, we share more about Tyler’s new book How to End Christian Nationalism and her recent book tour, Holly Hollman reviews a recent court decision in Louisiana that strikes down the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, Dr. John Compton talks about the politics of secularization during the 20th annual Shurden Lectures, and more.

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Featured articles:

• Where do we go from here? by Amanda Tyler
• Religious freedom on the ballot, in the courts and affecting your community by Holly Hollman
• What’s next? by Jaziah Masters
• Touring the country with How to End Christian Nationalism
• A pilgrimage to Montgomery by Amy Lewis
• Voters soundly reject school voucher initiatives in multiple states by Don Byrd