Explainer: U.S. faces an “outbreak” of antisemitism

Antisemitic activity has been on the rise over the past few weeks. As The New York Times reports, there has been “an outbreak of anti-Semitic threats and violence across the United States, stoking fear among Jews in small towns and major cities. During the two weeks of clashes in Israel and Gaza this month, the Anti-Defamation League collected 222 reports of anti-Semitic harassment, vandalism and violence in the United States, compared with 127 over the previous two weeks.”

Editor's Note

Child safety is vital to a healthy ministry and critical to protecting those persons created in God’s image. We believe that protecting kids from any form of abuse is a matter of biblical stewardship. So, where do you start, and how do you know if what you are doing is adequate to protect the vulnerable in your care? Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) was created for the purpose of helping ministry leaders know what to do and how to sustain child protection through accreditation.

Join ECAP this June 17 at Nashville First Baptist following the SBC annual meeting for the National Conference. Key note sessions and workshops are geared to help leaders create safe environments where the next generation can hear the gospel and grow in discipleship. ERLC is a major sponsor for this annual event. Register online and use the 20% discount code “ERLC” for any rate type. Check out the ECAP website for standards and additional resources to support your child safety program at www.ecap.net.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, the ERLC joined dozens of pro-life coalition partners in sending Congressional leadership a letter urging them to adhere to critical pro-life policy riders, including the Hyde Amendment, which prevents Medicaid from covering the cost of abortions. Earlier this year, the ERLC sent a similar letter to Congressional leadership.

The ERLC urges Congress to defend these protections against federal funds being used for abortion and to ensure that pro-life spending riders are approved in all spending legislation passed in the 117th Congress. These amendments save lives and protect American consciences. Protecting them would be an act of courageous leadership that recognizes our great democratic republic experiment is strongest when we respect one another in the midst of our disagreements. Such an act of across-the-aisle courage is desperately needed. 

For further reading: 5 pro-life riders Southern Baptists should know about

From The Public Square

What You Need to Read

Jordan Wootten with What is religious liberty, and why is it important? An interview with Andrew Walker on Liberty for All

The biggest challenge to religious liberty is its politicization as a culture war issue rather than as an issue central to the experiment of constitutionalism. Because religious conservatives are on the defensive in an increasingly secularizing society, it has become a tool to retreat to, which is both a necessary safe harbor but not a sufficient safe harbor in the long run. 

Stephen Johnson with Why I'm thankful I grew up in an elderly church: 3 ways older saints cared for me

An elderly church may not be what comes to mind for most people when they consider the characteristics of a vibrant church. Maybe it should, though. Our churches — the leadership and congregations — would benefit greatly from their prayers, listening ears, and wisdom. 

Catherine Parks with What we need most for hard choices in parenting: Smartphones, sports, and wisdom

God will often answer our prayers for wisdom through the words of Scripture, the words of another person, or through circumstances. As we wrestle through the challenges of parenting, there will always be new issues that arise, and we will frequently lack the wisdom we need. Statistics, firsthand reports, and the words of friends can be helpful and wise, but we need wisdom to sift through the noise and determine what is best for our individual children, and the grace to not fault our friends for the decisions they make. 

This Week at the ERLC

• Josh Wester talked to Baptist Press about a setback to the College of the Ozarks' case challenging a federal order that requires schools to open dormitory rooms, restrooms and shared shower facilities to members of the opposite sex.
   
• Jason Thacker was featured at Lifeway Voices with an article about balancing our uneasy relationship with technology after the pandemic. 

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