From Moral Collapse to a Values-Led Politics of Democratic Renewal Reflections (with video) from the Yale University conference on moral and spiritual issues of the 2026 elections

From Moral Collapse to a Values-Led Politics of Democratic Renewal
open.substack.com/pub/lucid/p/...

They Pay $34 for Burgers. Should Their Child Care Be Free?

It's not "free" if it's part of the common good we all contribute to. The logic of pay-more-if=you-have-more leads to get-less-if-you-have-less. That's not how democratic societies work and it's why we need to get out of how things are now www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/n...

In Spanish, Dolores Huerta can be transliterated as an Orchard of Pains. So much pain... so much sadness yet so much strength

The Yale Center for Public Theology & Public Policy’s National Conference, Sun, Apr 12th, 2026 @ 12:00 PM Accelevents Join us for a unique public theology gathering, focused on the moral dimensions of the midterm elections. This national conference offers a moral analysis that transcends partisan boundaries and equips religious leaders, scholars, theologians, and moral activists to delve into the crucial public issues confronting our nation. About the Conference: This national conference aims to train and empower religious leaders, scholars, theologians, and moral activists to delve into the crucial moral issues confronting our nation. We are committed to addressing issues from a theological perspective, transcending political partisanships. America has experienced drastic and rapid changes since January 2025. Our national conference aims to be the space where clergy and faith leaders who understand the importance of this moral moment can be equipped with a moral analysis of the landscape, a strategic assessment of the moral issues at stake, and moral action they can take with others in their communities to push the nation toward higher ground. What to Expect? 1. Training and Resourcing: Panels of national experts and practitioners will provide participants with biblical, theological, historical, and policy tools essential for naming and shaping the moral narrative for this election year. 2. Identification of Key Issues: Identify and discuss the key moral and spiritual issues prevalent during an election year. 3. Role Clarification: Clarify the roles that clergy and public theologians can play in ensuring that these issues are not overlooked by candidates, party platforms, and pundits 4. Framing Morality: Contrast moral framing with dominant narratives that often concentrate on divisions, distractions, and micro-deflections. 5. Policy Advocacy: Name specific policy actions that can make a difference on critical issues, allowing attendees to engage in meaningful advocacy. Who Should Attend? The Center for Public Theology & Public Policy at Yale Divinity School welcomes a diverse audience committed to exploring the intersection of spirituality, morality, and public policy. In the past, we have welcomed religious leaders, scholars, theologians, moral activists, and individuals passionate about clarifying complex moral issues for communities during election years. This conference is an ideal gathering for those seeking communities where they may be equipped with the necessary tools—biblical, theological, historical, and policy-related—to navigate and contribute to the moral narrative shaping our nation's political landscape. Whether you are actively involved in leadership or simply interested in understanding the pivotal role of faith and morality in public discourse, this event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and advocacy. Join us April 12-14, 2026, and be part of a community dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations and influencing positive change in our society. Lodging Information: Attendees will receive details for the Omni New Haven Hotel, along with housing registration links, in their conference registration confirmation email.

Register soon to qualify for the discounted room rates! They are going fast!

The Yale Center for Public Theology & Public Policy’s National Conference, Sun, Apr 12th, 2026 @ 12:00 PM Accelevents Join us for a unique public theology gathering, focused on the moral dimensions of the midterm elections. This national conference offers a moral analysis that transcends partisan boundaries and equips religious leaders, scholars, theologians, and moral activists to delve into the crucial public issues confronting our nation. About the Conference: This national conference aims to train and empower religious leaders, scholars, theologians, and moral activists to delve into the crucial moral issues confronting our nation. We are committed to addressing issues from a theological perspective, transcending political partisanships. American has experienced drastic and rapid changes since January 2025. Our national conference aims to be the space where clergy and faith leaders who understand the importance of this moral moment can be equipped with a moral analysis of the landscape, a strategic assessment of the moral issues at stake, and moral action they can take with others in their communities to push the nation toward higher ground. What to Expect? 1. Training and Resourcing: Panels of national experts and practitioners will provide participants with biblical, theological, historical, and policy tools essential for naming and shaping the moral narrative for this election year. 2. Identification of Key Issues: Identify and discuss the key moral and spiritual issues prevalent during an election year. 3. Role Clarification: Clarify the roles that clergy and public theologians can play in ensuring that these issues are not overlooked by candidates, party platforms, and pundits 4. Framing Morality: Contrast moral framing with dominant narratives that often concentrate on divisions, distractions, and micro-deflections. 5. Policy Advocacy: Name specific policy actions that can make a difference on critical issues, allowing attendees to engage in meaningful advocacy. Who Should Attend? The Center for Public Theology & Public Policy at Yale Divinity School welcomes a diverse audience committed to exploring the intersection of spirituality, morality, and public policy. In the past, we have welcomed religious leaders, scholars, theologians, moral activists, and individuals passionate about clarifying complex moral issues for communities during election years. This conference is an ideal gathering for those seeking communities where they may be equipped with the necessary tools—biblical, theological, historical, and policy-related—to navigate and contribute to the moral narrative shaping our nation's political landscape. Whether you are actively involved in leadership or simply interested in understanding the pivotal role of faith and morality in public discourse, this event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and advocacy. Join us April 12-14, 2026, and be part of a community dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations and influencing positive change in our society. Lodging Information: Attendees will receive details for the Omni New Haven Hotel, along with housing registration links, in their conference registration confirmation email.

Join us for this important event!

Remaining faithful in the face of Christian nationalism LOUISVILLE — Last week, the Synod of the Covenant offered a webinar on remaining faithful in the face of Christian nationalism. The Rev. Dr.

Remaining faithful in the face of religious nationalism. Insight and perspective from pastor and scholar Tony Tian-Ren Lin of the Center for Public Theology/Public Policy at YDS. As the Rev. Dr. Lin puts it, "We are living in a time most of us thought we’d never be in.” buff.ly/0SuAK0o

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?

Rev. William Barber takes up Mike Johnson's challenge to debate immigration theology (RNS) — Barber made the challenge during a Thursday (Feb. 5) interview for 'Complexified,' a Religion News Service podcast created in partnership with Iliff Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture....

Well... Mike Johnson said he will debate “with anybody at any time they want to.” The National Conference for the @theologypolicy.bsky.social on April 12-14, 2026 in New Haven, CT. Come on!

"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour." John 12:27

Un pueblo que solo tiene la opción de obedecer o morir no es un pueblo libre.

Tomorrow I will spend the day fasting and praying.

"Creative Maladjustment": A Public Conversation with Dr. Vonnetta West

Join me tonight for a conversation about the importance of non-violence in a violent world vimeo.com/event/5678226

Winston Churchill: An appeaser is someone who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.

Governor Hochul Grants Clemency to Thirteen Individuals Governor Hochul granted clemency in the form of a pardon to 11 individuals and a commutation to two individuals.

Some good news to end 2025. Some of these pardons are acts of mercy, some of them are acts of justice.

What is democracy? A system of government where the most powerful individual are the individuals. Not the presidents, not the senators, governors, congresspeople, elected officials, funders, etc etc. But "We the People..."

Wow… I don’t even know what to say. What happened to universities?

I was just at a panel where Nancy MacLean talked about the parallels! But I don't know if she's published on it.

Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/c...

Opinion | We Came Here Legally. ICE Locked Us Up Anyway.

We Came Here Legally. ICE Locked Us Up Anyway. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...

Knock Down The House | Official Trailer | Netflix YouTube video by Netflix

Watch this documentary youtu.be/_wGZc8ZjFY4

This mayoral race in New York City is a reminder that democracy is about PEOPLE! The hundreds of millions of dollars poured into this campaign was no match for the energy of the people!!!

Zohran Mamdani is not an anomaly. This is the build up by many people for many years across this country. We have come a long way in the past 8 years. Imagine how different things could be 8 years from now.

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC

Breaking news: Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected as the next mayor of New York City, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and becoming the first Muslim and first of Indian descent to hold the office. https://wapo.st/47rlrDf

"Hundreds of thousands of federal employees — including the country’s 14,000 air traffic controllers — will miss their first full paycheck today." Gabe Fleisher's Substack

Marc Lobliner post on X: "Why the hell are we giving food stamps to 40 million people? Does anyone work anymore?"

SNAP isn't about "people who don't work." It's about people who don't get paid enough to live.

Of the 40 or so million people who rely on food stamps:

* Two-thirds are children, seniors, or disabled

* Most working-age adults who receive SNAP are employed—but in jobs that pay poverty wages

Zohran lucha por una ciudad donde la gente trabajadora pueda prosperar - El Diario NY Mamdani entiende que la asequibilidad y la calidad de vida están conectadas, y que el verdadero liderazgo significa invertir en ambas.

“Zohran entiende que la asequibilidad y la calidad de vida están conectadas, y que el verdadero liderazgo significa invertir en ambas.”

Gracias a mi colega @catalinacruzny.bsky.social por su apoyo y su poderoso artículo en @eldiariony.bsky.social!

Relevant topic for these days: Public Theology in a Time of Authoritarianism www.faspe-ethics.org/symposium/

No hay king en Nueva Yol!