A public school system that provided every child in Memphis and Shelby County an equal educational foundation . . . The eyes of the nation are upon Memphis and what we are doing in educational reform. Let’s gift the nation a gift by showing the way for urban America to be transformed. Christmas is the [...]

What are your views on the fact that Protestants are no longer the majority religion in the U.S.? This study shows what had already become rather clear: we have become a post-Christian nation. Protestant Christianity played a major role in the educational/cultural/religious development of this nation, and has held a favored position through the…[Read more]

What accounts for our such low and declining confidence in ‘the church or organized religion’? I am not surprised, but I am concerned about the declining confidence in “the church or organized religion.” We have seen this lack of confidence developing over the years. It helps a bit to recognize that this decline is connected with [...]

Noted scientist and best-selling novelist Alan Lightman, a Memphis native, asks what are the boundaries between science and religion, the two greatest forces that have shaped human civilization. What are the different kinds of knowledge in science and in religion? And how do we come by those different kinds of knowledge? Members of the Faith in [...]

Is imposition of the death penalty a political/partisan matter or a religious/moral matter? Why is the death penalty largely being carried out in the South? Should Tennessee abolish the death penalty? The death penalty is both a political/partisan and a religious/moral matter. I’m afraid we make it a political/partisan matter more than a…[Read more]

Gov. Haslam is expected this week to sign a new law that would require public schools to allow science teachers to discuss purported weaknesses of theories such as Evolution and Global Warming in their classrooms. What should we do about teaching evolution? Is the theory of evolution a scientific controversy or a social/religious controversy?…[Read more]

It is often said that you “can’t legislate morality.” Are saggy pants a morality issue or something else? Who says we “can’t legislate morality?” Almost everything we do could be a morality question. I’m not sure we need a state law about “saggy pants.” I am sure that we need better defined and stricter controlled conduct [...]

What concerns you about immigration? What concerns you about the way politicians and legislators are dealing with the issue of immigration? What should we do about illegal immigration? Would you sign the Clergy for Tolerance letter? I have signed the letter. Immigration is a huge issue and must be dealt with civily and humanely. My biggest [...]

Should religious groups be allowed to rent and use public schools for worship services? Why or why not? I say, yes…religious groups should be allowed to rent and use public school building for worship, but the community needs to be aware of the fact that this cannot be restricted to one religious group. Muslims, Jews, Christians, [...]

Religion has been a major and hot topic among Republican presidential contenders. It also was a major topic in the 2008 campaign. What do YOU want to know about a presidential candidate’s faith? What do you NOT want to know? I want to know how and to what degree his religious commitment is a lens through [...]

In 50 words or less send a holiday greeting to the Memphis community. What is your holiday wish your fellow Memphis area residents? In his letter to them, Paul told the Ephesians they would “see with the eyes of your heart.” This is my prayerful Christmas wish for Memphians. When see with our hearts, we will [...]

Should the federal government be providing breakfast, lunch and supper for school children in poor families? Should the faith community be doing more? The role of government is to protect and support the “common good”. While we may have developed a culture where too many people are dependent upon the government, that should not prevent us [...]

Tell us a funny faith-related story. Make us laugh. I had preached in a church that had a very learned pastor. He had a PhD and his sermons were very scholarly. After my sermon one of the worshippers greeted me with these words. “Thank you so much. Our preacher is so smart and his sermons are [...]

When someone we know is nearing death, how do we help them die with dignity? How do we help the family navigate the medical desire to preserve life at all cost? How can we prepare to die with dignity? Preserving life at any cost is not an ultimate value; rather living life with meaning is. Living [...]

In 140 characters or less (Twitter’s limit per Tweet), can you sum up your personal faith? In other words, Tweet your faith to Memphis. Or Tweet your faith message to Memphis. I trust Christ for my salvation (wholeness) in this life and the life to come. Through His death and ressurction I am reconciled to God, [...]

Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. How has America changed since then? How did 9/11 change faith in America? What impact did 9/11 have on the soul of America? Unfortunately our corporate memory is short lived. I’m not sure 9/11 had any permanent impact. Hopefully we will remember that as a nation we [...]

The bombing in downtown Oslo and the shooting massacre at a youth camp outside the capital were intended to start a revolution to inspire Norwegians to retake their country from Muslims and other immigrants, the suspect said. What was your reaction, and given the heated rhetoric on Muslims and multiculturalism in this country, what are your [...]

A few months before he was killed in the line of duty, Memphis Police Officer Timothy Warren made a YouTube video expressing his deep internal struggle between his “Two Paths” – between a Christian “life of service, compassion, seeking and forbearance” and a life in “police authority, command and governance.” “Which path to follow?” Officer Warren [...]

Given that the Fourth of July has just past and we are now at the height of summer vacation and prime reading season, what are you reading this summer, and what books would you recommend to our Faith in Memphis readers and why? I’ve just finished reading A Positive Life by Shane Stanford . Shane is the new [...]

On Monday, the Shelby County Commission restored funding for the Office of Early Childhood and Youth this week after first voting to cut the program, which works to reduce infant deaths and teen pregnancies. Commissioners Wyatt Bunker and Terry Roland spoke against funding the program, arguing that churches and civic organizations — not…[Read more]