BJC

It’s finally here! Today is release day for Amanda Tyler’s new book, How to End Christian Nationalism (!!). This is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rise of Christian nationalism, and it’s now available to everyone. Amanda is the lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism and a national leader in the conversation on how Christians can counter this dangerous ideology. We’re so excited to get this book in your hands. You can pick it up wherever books are sold, including here: https://lnkd.in/eBXNDTXE

Join us in Georgia next month! The Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State return to Mercer University on November 13-14, featuring Dr. John Compton speaking on the theme of the “politics of secularization.”. A professor of political science and chair of the political science department at Chapman University in Orange, Calif., Dr. Compton will give two presentations on the campus of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and one presentation on the campus of Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. The three lectures are free and open to all, and they will also be available to watch on a livestream. Please register if you want to come in person or watch online. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gqaXE4n4

Today we begin a new season of the Respecting Religion #podcast. Tune in as Holly Hollman and Amanda Tyler look at the state of the Supreme Court, reviewing the most important decisions from the previous term and looking at how the Court seems to be applying its “history and tradition” test. They talk about the continuing impact of this Court on the day-to-day lives of people and much more. Episode 1 of Season 6 of Respecting Religion is available wherever you get your podcasts, or you can play it on our website page: https://lnkd.in/evFrZnzm

Welcome Joy Pettigrew to the BJC staff team! Joy is the community partnership manager at BJC, deepening and cultivating partnerships with BJC’s long-standing supporters and our growing Christians Against Christian Nationalism network across the country. Originally from Hong Kong, Joy is a movement builder, speaker and community advocate. She seeks to uplift the stories of Asian American Christians and empower them toward civic engagement, and she is driven by her desire to see Asian American Christians activated for collective liberation and civic involvement. Joy has lived in the Chicagoland area for the past 13 years. In her personal time, she enjoys cooking, baking and bringing new life to furniture through refinishing and upcycling. You can contact her and say hello at jpettigrew@BJConline.org.

Holly and Amanda are back for season 6 of Respecting Religion. Be sure you are subscribed to the show on your favorite podcasting provider, and check your podcast feeds this Thursday as they kick off a new season. They’ll be looking at the Supreme Court in this week’s episode – from the most important things we saw out of last year’s term to what we know about their troubling “history and tradition” test. Tune in October 17 to hear the latest! Catch up on previous episodes here: https://lnkd.in/dWrjRDj

🗣️The BJC Board met in Washington, D.C., this week for their annual meeting. The board is a collection of wise and engaged leaders from all walks of life. The board includes clergy, nonprofit leaders, academics, lawyers, and other professionals all engaged in the work of protecting faith freedom for all.  Our board guides and enriches the work of BJC and Christians Against Christian Nationalism in ways that spur us all forward. You can read more about our board members on our website: https://lnkd.in/gjsnnvMV #faithfreedomforall #endchristiannationalism #christiansagainstchristiannationalism #religiousliberty #religiousfreedom #baptistlife

We are working to dismantle Christian nationalism, and that work often comes through three mediums of change: local organizing, awareness and advocacy. What does this look like? Lisa Jacob, the North Texas Organizer for the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, explains what this looks like on the ground and in our shared work. “Local organizing happens in the context of relationship,” Lisa writes. “In organizing, the primary vehicle of change is through relationships with others. Local organizing is a slow and tedious process. Oftentimes, we don’t see any substantial wins early on. But to organize communities, relationships to each other are what keep people engaged in the mission, and these relationships sustain us during the lulls and losses.” To read more from Lisa and learn how you can participate, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gFT7-4aa

As our country gets ready for November 5, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re ready to cast your own ballot this year. With reports of voters being removed from rolls and efforts to create confusion in order to suppress the vote in some communities, take a moment to make sure your information is up-to-date. And remember, if you or someone you know is not registered to vote, check the deadlines in your state to register – some states require registration at least a month before Election Day to vote in that election. Here are some ways you can get ready for November 5, 2024, provided by the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g7vuyWbf

🎉Amanda Tyler’s powerful new book, How to End Christian Nationalism, will be in bookstores soon, and we need YOU to help spread the word! 🌟 We’re building an exclusive launch team to champion the important message of the book, and we’d love to have you join us. As a member of this team, you’ll get early access to a free PDF of the book, have the chance to join a private Facebook group of fellow advocates, and even participate in a live, exclusive Q&A with Amanda Tyler on October 15! What’s the catch? Simple. We just ask that you: ✅ Apply to join the launch team (link below) ✅ Pre-order the book (and share a receipt!) ✅ Post honest reviews on Amazon and Goodreads on or before release day (October 22) ✅ Spread the word on social media and beyond We’ve set an ambitious goal of securing 100 reviews by release day. Can you help us achieve this goal? Ready to make a difference? Apply to join the launch team here: https://lnkd.in/gzaXcrXx Let’s work together to name, dismantle and end Christian nationalism. We are looking forward to having you on the team!

🚨 FILM SCREENING ALERT 🚨 Christian nationalism is a threat to democracy and freedom. This dangerous political ideology, which seeks to merge American and Christian identities, manifests in various ways, including religious privilege, book bans, racial injustice, and yes—voter suppression. We invite you to join us for a special online event on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time / 7 p.m. Central Time. The BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation and the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, in partnership with 18 diverse and dedicated partners, are hosting “Combating Christian Nationalism & Voter Suppression: A Fight to Save Democracy,” a virtual event that includes a screening of the short film "Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote" and a live panel conversation with action steps. Register today to join us on September 24! You can register here: https://lnkd.in/gA8_Zg6P