Marriage Protects Against Injustice

A great perspective from an article titled “Christianity and Sexuality“ by Christopher Ash.  In the section on “Public Order: Servicing God by Guarding Sex for Marriage,” he introduces his point with these words:
It is worth asking in this connection what the difference is between unmarried cohabitation and marriage. Why not just live together? The main truth [...]

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Stats on the Oppression of Women

From International Justice Mission, some stats on how land rights, rape and female genital mutilation are used to oppress women around the world:

The land rights of women, particularly widows, are often violated.  “According to Human Rights Watch, Kenyan women constitute 80 percent of the agricultural labor force and provide 60 percent of farm income, yet [...]

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Stats on Abuse of Authority

Here are some more stats from International Justice Mission concerning police brutality and torture, and illegal detention:

Police brutality is the excessive use of force by police officers. Torture is extreme mental stress or unbearable physical pain imposed on a person, often by a person of authority.”
“In April 2000, the Bolivian police used excessive force in [...]

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Stats on Sex Trafficking

From International Justice Mission:

“Human trafficking is the world’s third largest criminal enterprise, after drugs and weapons. (U.S. Department of State).”
“Worldwide, there are nearly two million children in the commercial sex trade. (UNICEF).”
“There are an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 children, women and men trafficked across international borders annually. (U.S. Department of State).”
 “Approximately 80 percent of human [...]

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Bad Theology Neglects the Oppressed

 
When the grace of God in Jesus Christ truly overwhelms a person, then that faith will naturally overflow into a heart for the oppressed.  The early church leader Ignatius of Antioch makes that case against a heresy of his day, and the Bible confirms what he says.
Ignatius of Antioc is a leader of the Christian [...]

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New Documentary on Modern Day Slavery

It is sometimes hard for Americans to think outside their brand new SUVs while sipping soy lattes.  It is even hard for many American churches to think outside the walls of their brand new auditoriums with pillow seating and a billboard of their pastor in the foyer.  Hopefully a new documentary called Call+Response will do [...]

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Getting Heaven Wright

N. T. Wright, the Bishop of Durham and respected New Testament scholar, is interviewed by ABC News concerning his book Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church.  Bishop Wright does a good job of reestablishing a biblical view of the new heavens and the new earth, and how that [...]

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My Broken Heart for Darfur’s Women

This week I read a heartbreaking report from CNN on how rape is a way of life for Darfur’s women.  Here is part of that report:
Some relief workers say that almost every woman living in aid camps has been raped or become a victim of gender-based violence. Many teenagers, while out running errands such as [...]

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Sanctions against Sudan

Here is an update on the proposed sanctions against Sudan that I posted on here.  From cnn.com (“U.S. imposes sanctions against Sudan“):
President Bush imposed new sanctions Tuesday against the Sudanese government in reaction to the violence in Darfur, preventing 31 companies and three people from doing business in the United States or with U.S. companies.
The [...]

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Virginia Repents for Slavery

Cnn.com reported on an interesting story (click here) about the Virginia General Assembly voting unanimously “to express ‘profound regret’ for the state’s role in slavery.” This regret is the first of its kind since no other state has ever apologized for slavery. This measure passed also included a clause expressing regret for “exploitation [...]

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