What you should know about Sanctity of Human Life Sunday​

This weekend will mark the 38th observance of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. On that Sunday, churches across the country lament what former Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear called the “greatest moral tragedy of our day” — the evil of abortion.

A Message From Our Friends at Prison Fellowship

God calls us to seek justice. But how should Christians respond?

Outrageous Justice, a free small-group study from experts at Prison Fellowship, offers Christians a place to start. Explore the criminal justice system through a biblical lens and discover hands-on ways to pursue justice, hope, and restoration in your community.

Click the button below to get your free copy of Outrageous Justice, featuring a study guide, videos, and a companion book today!

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, the ERLC released its 2022 Public Policy Agenda. The second session of the 117th Congress is now underway, and it begins as the nation is still grappling with a global pandemic, supply chain issues, and economic uncertainty. This is a midterm election year, meaning that the window for legislative activity is shorter than usual, and — if history is any indication — the Congressional landscape will likely change in November.

In the midst of this chaotic and divided landscape, the ERLC remains committed to advocating for human dignity, religious liberty, and justice. As always, we will work with any and all of those elected by the people, or appointed to serve in our government by those who were so elected, on issues where we may share common concern.

On some of those issues — such as criminal justice reform, the regulation of payday lenders, and providing a just solution to the plight of children brought to this country by their parents and now in legal limbo — there may well prove to be broad bipartisan consensus already. On other issues — such as protecting preborn children and their mothers, strengthening protections for religious freedom and conscience, and advocacy for religious minorities in peril around the world — there will probably be much less consensus in a divided and increasingly partisan America. Nevertheless, whether issues are currently popular or unpopular, we have the opportunity to bear witness, to seek to persuade, and to build the consensus needed to make change.

You can view the entire 2022 Public Policy Agenda here.

Human Dignity Around the World

In the newest edition of Light Magazine, we highlight the assault of human dignity across the globe and call Christians to help uncover darkness and advocate for the sanctity of every single life. Click the button below to read this issue online and download your copy.

From The Public Square

Florida lawmakers file pre-viability abortion ban bills
Baptist Press

Florida legislators filed two bills Tuesday (Jan. 11) to ban abortion pre-viability, making it the latest state to try to limit the procedure as the U.S. Supreme Court rethinks abortion law.

Senate passes bill to honor Emmett Till and his mother
Associated Press

The Senate has passed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Emmett Till, the Chicago teenager murdered by white supremacists in the 1950s, and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.

2nd Stay Sought Against Ohio Law on Aborted Fetal Remains
Associated Press

Ohio abortion providers again sued Friday to block a state law requiring that fetal remains from surgical abortions be cremated or buried.

European Court Dismisses Challenge To Baker's Refusal To Supply Cake With Pro-Gay Marriage Inscription
Religion Clause

In a much-awaited decision, the European Court of Human Rights managed to avoid dealing directly with the central question in a case pitting LGBTQ rights against religious freedom rights of owners of commercial establishments.

Featured Podcast

On the Digital Public Square podcast, Jason Thacker highlights four of the top ethical issues in technology to watch out for this year and shares how Christians can begin to navigate these issues in the public square.

What You Need to Read

Candice Watters with How to protect your children from social media’s harms

Facebook likely won’t curb its own magnetic and wildly profitable platforms. But even if Facebook were motivated to place children’s welfare above revenues, parents would still bear the responsibility before God to guide their children in stewarding this and other technologies for their good and his glory.

Elizabeth Bristow with Why Southern Baptists care about the Uyghur genocide​

On July 15, 2020, Griffin Gulledge, the pastor of Madison Baptist Church in Madison, Georgia, had a tweet go viral. He posted a video on Twitter showing Uyghurs, a minority people group in China, kneeling in rows after being escorted off of trains. All of their heads were shaved. And all of them were headed to forced labor camps.

Jason Thacker with 4 ethical issues in technology to watch for in 2022​

For all of the good uses of technology, it has profound and consequential effects on us as humans. It shapes us in particular ways, including how we see and engage with those around us. While many today are reframing what it means to be human, Christians know that every person is created in God’s image and has inherent dignity. Furthermore, we know that our identity is rooted in God our Creator and that we are to love him and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39). This question of human identity is a central to many of the top ethical issues of the day, especially in our technologically rich society.