From the Editors
Us liberals
In discussions of Protestantism's winners and losers, what often gets lost is how much both liberals and conservatives have changed internally.
Law v. justice
The verdict in the Trayvon Martin case shows that a trial can be fair as far as the law goes, while the nation falls far short of offering justice to all.
Rights and wrongs
Voter suppression may be a less obvious denial of equality than refusing to issue a marriage license, but it is no less significant.
Security at what cost? When safety is an idol
In our political climate, security enjoys a peculiar status: it’s an absolute priority, subject to little scrutiny or cost-benefit analysis.
Wisdom in doing nothing
The civil war in Syria is tragic. But Obama is right to be skeptical of direct military intervention.
Murky mandate
The evidence doesn't point to a politicized IRS. The problem is the vagueness of the tax code.
Who Congress works for
The sequester cuts are a supreme case of Washington dysfunction. Yet Congress is actually quite capable of getting some things done.
Terror and guns
Three people died in the attack on the Boston Marathon. That same day, 11 Americans were murdered by guns.
Faith-based partnerships
Obama's OFNBP has kept a low profile. It's also sidestepped the thorniest issue around partnerships between faith-based groups and government.
Healthy cooperation
Several GOP governors have made plans to go along with Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid. This is very good news.
Cutting the military
The sequester cut defense spending—to 2006 levels. The U.S. will continue to spend as much on defense as the next 13 countries combined.
Blessing gay marriage
A specifically Christian understanding of marriage doesn't insist on procreation. It insists that marriage mirrors God's fidelity.
Americans in waiting
If the current bipartisan push leads to serious immigration reform, we'll all be the better for it. But what constitutes serious reform?
Scientific literacy
Why does antiscience sentiment gain such traction in America? Conservatives deserve some blame, but so does the scientific community.
Of guns and neighbors
In the Bible, social issues are always framed primarily as questions of obligation, not individual rights.
Lone rangers
Humans can't flourish without institutions, flawed as they are. Holding them accountable, and increasing their capacity, enhances human life.
Stopping gun violence
In the wake of the Newtown shooting, political will is growing to do something about guns. People are moved to act—and we must act.
Demographic turmoil
The nation's changing racial and ethnic profile will bring political change. But we can also expect it to elicit fear and resistance.
A reason to bargain
While past attempts at big deals have failed, this time Obama has serious leverage: House Republicans loathe the fiscal cliff's policies.