Betsy Shirley

Churches can be exploited without Johnson Amendment (RNS) — The entire nonprofit sector risks being corrupted and captured by partisan politics and polarization.

Thanks to @rns.org for the opportunity to write about Johnson Amendment protections for faith communities and non-profit organizations. I appreciated the chance to give my perspective both as president of @sojo.net and board chair of @independentsector.bsky.social. religionnews.com/2025/09/17/w...

I Rejected Charlie Kirk’s Politics. That’s Why I Grieve His Death I once led an aggressive conservative Christian movement—until I saw how our rhetoric led to violence.

"Before I abandoned the conservatism Kirk so effectively promoted, I shared many of the same platforms he exploited," writes @revrobschenck.bsky.social in an important reflection for @sojo.net
sojo.net/sojoshare/Mz...

Once upon a middle school Bible class, I watched “Hell's Bells: The Dangers of Rock 'N' Roll” on one of these. It was a 1989 documentary hosted by a guy with a glorious mullet about the many ways the music industry was spreading “satanism” and “the occult.” First time I heard Led Zeppelin, tbh

A reminder that @sojo.net is funded by zero oligarchs and welcomes new readers, subscribers, and donors who support nonprofit journalism focused on faith and social justice.

For example, when ICE tries to use the Bible to support its agenda, we publish stuff like; sojo.net/articles/opi...

I just need more people to appreciate that an artist MADE a Henry Nouwen puppet and put that puppet on a TRAPEZE for our most recent issue of Sojourners. I love it so much!

Article here:
sojo.net/sojoshare/Mz...

I'm curious where you landed; I'll admit it's definitely a gospel story that is often interpreted as a protest by folks today (especially by folks who believe in protesting)

Congrats to the music industry on entering its Victorian novel era!

ICE Quotes the Bible in a New Propaganda Video A government video distorts scripture in a recruitment drive for the immigration crackdown.

Still can't believe that ICE really made this video; grateful to @jrforasteros.com for breaking down the levels of twisted scripture here. sojo.net/articles/opi...

Called to a Dangerous Oddness Jesus is that great voice of otherwise, who saw the contradictions of the gospel to the Roman Empire and who acted out an alternative.

One of my favorites: sojo.net/magazine/jan...

Relentless Hope Prophetic imagination in a time of despair.

A beautiful meditation by Kenyatta R. Gilbert, dean of Howard School of Divinity, on the 40th anniversary of Brueggemann's influential "The Prophetic Imagination" sojo.net/magazine/jan...

Walter Brueggemann: Jesus Acted Out the Alternative to Empire Jesus was executed as an enemy of the totalism.

A few of my favorite pieces by and about Walter that we've published here at Sojourners:
sojo.net/articles/wal...

Light perpetual upon Walter Brueggemann (1933-2025) whose scholarship on the prophets forever changed the way I read the Bible and launched me on path to find Christian communities living out alternatives to the way of empire. Interviewing him for @sojo.net in 2017 was an absolute honor.

10 Ways Your Church Can Take Solidarity Beyond Sympathy Be radical stewards of your resources.

"Solidarity isn’t affection," writes @hannahnpbowman.bsky.social for @sojo.net:
sojo.net/articles/opi...

‘I Was Saved by God To Make America Great Again’ Religious allies took the inauguration as a chance to project God’s blessing on Trump’s promises of American domination, expansion, and nationalism.

With few exceptions, the prayers at the inauguration served to project God’s blessing on President Trump’s promises of American domination, expansion, and nationalism.

sojo.net/articles/new...

Trump May Allow ICE Arrests in Churches; Here’s What We Know After reports Trump will rescind a policy discouraging ICE raids in churches, faith and immigration experts prepare for uncertain future.

Great reporting by @saraheinselen.bsky.social for Sojourners: sojo.net/articles/new...

So glad to be here at #SBLAAR24! Who else is here?

Tony Campolo Showed Me a Different Way To Be a Christian Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove on Campolo's lifelong work to connect a personal relationship with Jesus and the movement for justice.

I suspect the church in America won’t fully recognize the importance of Tony Campolo’s witness until we’ve repented of the sins he named & embraced the kingdom of God that he preached for three-quarters of a century.

sojo.net/articles/opi...

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Tony Campolo, sociologist and famed Red Letter Christian, has died (RNS) — Known as a powerful evangelist and social justice preacher, Campolo had long advocated that Christian faith can transform the world — and people's everyday lives.

Tony Campolo - famed evangelist and social justice preacher - has died. There was no one like him

religionnews.com/2024/11/19/t...

Theologian Robert Monson Wants a Softer Social Justice How can softness and self-love help us defeat the triple evils of racism, militarism, and greed?

Monson talks with Sojourners about crying, loving oneself, and Black theology and disability.

Theologian Robert Monson Wants a Softer Social Justice How can softness and self-love help us defeat the triple evils of racism, militarism, and greed?

"I wish I was famous for other things that sounded cooler," Robert Monson tells @mitchellatencio.com in this interview with @sojo.net.

**Spoiler alert** Monson is, in fact, very cool.
sojo.net/articles/int...

Well, after leaving that other place and spending about a year without any of these apps, here we are. Glad to join y’all!