“On Returning to Campus: What Might We Learn from Christian Ethics?” by Paul Lewis

COVID-19 presents colleges with precisely the kind of problem that those of us in the liberal arts claim that we are preparing people to address in responsible ways. The pandemic confronts us with what academics call an unstructured problem: one that has many layers and for which there is no easy answer.  Ethicists, of all

“‘Losing Religion:’ Black Lives Matter, the Sacred, and the Secular” by Ari Colston

In an interview with Krista Tippet’s theology podcast On Being, prominent civil rights activist and public theologian Ruby Sales considers the role of Black Christianity and Black folk religion in her community organizing. Despite being reared in the Black Baptist tradition, Sales explains that she “lost her religion” during her first protest. When God failed

“Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: The Free Exercise Clause Prevails” by Martha McCarthy

Photo of Supreme Court in Washington, D.C (Creative Commons/Public Domain) The Supreme Court delivered a precedent-setting decision on June 30, 2020, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. The facts and holding of this case have already been addressed in the Canopy Forum, so I will only summarize them here. Then, following a brief discussion of

“Rethinking American Establishment Jurisprudence” by Eric Wang

Many Americans gleam over Uncle Sam’s “wall of separation” between church and state. That this wall should be thick and tall perhaps became even more evident after President Trump posed weeks ago with a Bible minutes after having the National Guard use tear gas to expel peaceful protestors for his photo-op. Reverends and representatives alike

“Jobs for All?” by Brooks Holifield and Steven Tipton

An earlier version of this essay was originally published in the University of Chicago’s online publication, Sightings. Since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in the United States five months ago, the staggering effects of the virus, economic shutdown, and disrupted work and commerce have hit home. Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs,

“Prohibitions on In-Person Religious Services: Valid Under the Smith Test, No Matter Their Free Exercise Burden” by Connor Hees

As the United States nears the grim milestone of 150,000 American coronavirus deaths and cases surge in many parts of the country, a number of states are pausing or reversing their reopening plans. Many states are also weighing whether to put back in place the numerical limits on indoor gatherings that existed before reopening, which

“A Spirituality of Social Justice and Peacemaking: Elements from within the Roman Catholic Tradition” by Thomas Massaro, S.J.

The word spirituality is often misunderstood and even off-putting, conjuring up images of wispy New Age-y practices and a general flakiness. I would like to make the case that spirituality is not only a positive thing, but a necessary thing for anyone who values social responsibility and harmony with all. While I will draw primarily