“Rend your hearts, not your garments!” These are the challenging words of the prophet Joel that greeted Christians in churches around the world as they marked the beginning of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. Lent—too domesticated over time—is a radical ancient invitation to reject the globalization of superficiality that too often sullies our… Read More Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments
On Fox News yesterday, I said that President Donald Trump should give up his wall and refugee ban for Lent. To do so as Lent begins, when Christians begin the commemoration of Jesus’ entry into the fullness of human suffering and dysfunction, would be a visible sign that the President honors those who—like Jesus Christ… Read More Donald Trump Should Give up His Wall and Refugee Ban for Lent
Many Christians in the United States and throughout the globe have tried to excuse Bashar al-Assad’s tyrannical rule of Syria because he claims to be protecting Christian minorities from terrorists in the region. But let’s be clear: he’s using Christians as a political shield to deflect attention from his widespread violence and murderous campaign against… Read More On Syria, Silence Never Again
I’ve been invited to be a part of the president-elect’s meeting with faith leaders during his transition where he will seek our counsel. During his victory speech, Donald Trump said he wanted to be a President for everyone. If he’s serious about that, he should immediately withdraw his proposals to ban Muslims and to deport… Read More Christians Must Resist Trump’s Rumored Muslim Registry
Today on Fox News, I debated Donald Trump’s evangelical advisor. Though he argued that Trump has been transformed since he recently “gave his life to Christ,” I argued that his behavior doesn’t show it. This is a man who praises a dictator and calls the pope a “disgrace.” This is a man who mocks the… Read More Stop Pretending Trump is a Strong Ambassador for Christian Values
You can check out my Fox News debate with Donald Trump’s Catholic advisor Matt Smith on tonight’s Vice Presidential debate here: Drawing on my recent experiences on the border of Syria and Lebanon, I challenged his suggestion that Mike Pence’s position of rejecting Syrian was well within the Catholic moral framework. Let’s set the record straight: that’s… Read More How do the VP Candidates Differ on Religious Issues?
The gridlock in our political system stands as a serious obstacle to the common good. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recently shared a story about working with Mother Teresa, while noting that they disagreed on other subjects. This serves as a good reminder that if people are willing to find common ground, even if they disagree… Read More Hillary Clinton on Working With Mother Teresa
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