John Kerry: "We ignore... religion at our peril"

One of the most interesting challenges we face in global diplomacy today is the need to fully understand and engage the great impact that a wide range of religious traditions have on foreign affairs. I often say that if I headed back to college today, I would major in comparative religions rather than political science. That is because religious actors and institutions are playing an influential role in every region of the world and on nearly every issue central to U.S. foreign policy.

In June, Pope Francis’ historic encyclical “Laudato Si’” helped advocate for global measures to combat climate change. Religious advocacy groups have long raised awareness about famine and human rights violations abroad; Buddhist nuns in Nepal play a crucial role in natural disaster recovery efforts; and religious organizations have been essential to providing humanitarian support to Syrian refugees.

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As secretary of state for the past two-and-a-half years, and before that as a senator for 29 years and also as a presidential candidate, I have met with religious leaders all across the world. I have also met with people of all religious traditions, life philosophies and belief systems. That experience has only reaffirmed my belief that there is much more that unites us, and should unite us, than divides us.

Amid the diversity of the world’s religions, there are common denominators; many are tied together by the Golden Rule. They share fundamental concerns about the human condition, poverty, human relationships and our responsibilities to each other. Many people talk about how we draw strength from the example of our religious communities—but too few actually translate those words into actions or policies. Leaders in public life need to recognize that in a world where people of all religious traditions are migrating and mingling like never before, we ignore the global impact of religion at our peril.

Group of 100 black male professionals greet students on first day, help bust stereotypes

Students going back to school had some awesome cheerleaders to usher them into the new year.

A group of 100 black men gathered outside Martin Luther King Elementary School in Hartford, Connecticut, last week, forming a line to greet kids on their first day of school, A Plus reported. The welcome was organized by Pastor AJ Johnson and attorney DeVaughn Ward and was aimed at not only getting the students pumped for school, but also changing the public's perception of black men.

“Kids were running out of the bus to smack our hands like they were running down a football field,” Ward told Yahoo Parenting. “It was amazing to see them so fired up to go to school and meet their teachers.”

Is the Republican Party losing the Christian vote?

Since 1992 the Republican Party has maintained a healthy advantage in Protestant and other Evangelical Christian voting blocks, winning by no less than 9% (Dole vs. Clinton in 1996) and as much as 19% (Bush vs. Kerry in 2004). However, with Republican Presidential candidates having lost the popular vote in 5 of the last 6 elections, and amid an escalating Latino voting presence that has traditionally sided more heavily with Democrats, Republicans are on the proverbial ropes, trying to avoid yet another political knockout. With fears they are also losing ground on the Evangelical and moderate Christian vote, it appears there is big trouble ahead. The current front runner the majority of the summer, Donald Trump, has been on record questioning a key tenet of Christianity: repentance.

Try as the Republicans may to gain ground, the party’s challenges are only severely escalating given the mass exodus of Christian voters who are bucking the traditional conservative stronghold. Here are three reasons why I believe this his happening:

Wedge issues have gone awry

The Republican Party’s two “clinch” issues—gay marriage and abortion—are becoming less of a factor for voters. While many Christians, regardless of their political affiliation, may be pro-life and in favor of traditional marriage, the tone of the conversation has changed dramatically and is no longer becoming a singular or even primary influence in picking a candidate. And with the recent Supreme Court decision, one could argue the fight for “traditional marriage” is now truly a moot point. One recent high-profile report even underscored that “most Republican presidential candidates seem to want to avoid talking about the issue [all together]—as Mitt Romney largely did in 2012.”

Religion saved his life. Now he's using it to bring about change.

The rapper completed his undergrad degree in Biblical counseling at Boyce College and he says his education influenced music. His rhymes often offer counsel on how to deal with the culture as a Christian, giving his fans a way to connect what God has to say about life with how we experience it.

On his latest album, Forward, Flame raps about everything from the Ferguson protests and police brutality to the Constitution, and Christian identity. And he’s not afraid to be blunt. .

“I wanted to raise awareness to the change going on in our nation, especially with the younger generation,” the rapper explains.

Flame’s music suggests Christians have a responsibility to be involved in change and conflict resolution.

53 Christian leaders urge Congress to back Iran diplomatic agreement

Dear Member of Congress:

As Christian leaders in the United States, we are writing to urge you to vote in support of the negotiated settlement over Iran's nuclear program. We live by God’s call to "seek peace and pursue it" (Psalm 34:14). After decades of hostility, the international community has crafted a nuclear accord to limit Iran’s nuclear program and prevent the United States from moving closer toward another devastating war in the Middle East.

The July 2015 diplomatic agreement with Iran will dramatically shrink and impose unprecedented constraints on Iran's nuclear program. In exchange, the international community will begin to lift sanctions on Iran. It also establishes the most robust monitoring and inspection regime ever negotiated to verify Iran’s compliance with the restrictions on its nuclear program.

As Christians, we feel called to speak out for the possibility of peace. As faith leaders from the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons in war, we have a particular responsibility to speak boldly when opportunities arise that lead to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation at home and around the world. This historic accord moves us one small step closer to a world free of nuclear weapons.

Let us pray for teachers and students

I found this prayer for teachers earlier today:

Father, thank You for Godly teachers in our schools. Bless them, Lord, and help them to be encouraged today, just knowing that they are making a difference in so many lives. As this new school year begins, Lord, I ask that You wrap Your loving arms around them and give them grace, patience, love and wisdom for their best school year yet. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

A new generation of faith-based activism for equality

ur nation’s seismic shift away from intolerance and towards full equality for LGBTQ people has been strengthened by voices leant by our nation’s young faithful. A rising collective of Millennials are resoundingly dismantling the view that religion is incompatible with LGBTQ acceptance—embracing equal treatment for all Americans not in spite of, but because of, their faith.

The first openly transgender person to head a mainline Protestant organization, Alex McNeill currently serves as the executive director of More Light Presbyterians. McNeill’s journey to ordination will be chronicled alongside other LGBTQ people of faith in the upcoming film, “Out of Order,” which takes place against the backdrop of the passage of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)’s measure to include same-sex couples in their definition of marriage. McNeill was influential in PCUSA’s vote, and has also organized faith communities in support of Maryland’s same-sex marriage legislation and local ballot measures to promote equal rights for LGBTQ people. Reverend Cameron Partridge, an Episcopal priest, says his transgender status has not hindered, but helped him in his role as one of the first openly transgender chaplains at a major university. Because of his identity, he says, he is able to navigate the diverse intersections of faith and sexuality many students wrestle with. Partridge utilizes his various platforms to foster understanding between congregants and religious leaders in an effort to assimilate transgender people into all forms of ministry.

Matthew Vines, author of “God and The Gay Christian,” is regarded as influential for engaging older, evangelical leaders in the growing acceptance of gay rights. Vines is also president and founder of The Reformation Project, a group that trains clergy, lay leaders, and congregants to provide support for LGBTQ people navigating various aspects of church life. Meanwhile, Justin Massey is encouraging LGBTQ advocacy in another unlikely space: the conservative, evangelical Wheaton College. Feeling isolated as an undergraduate, Massey co-founded Refuge, the first administration-approved campus support group for non-heterosexual or questioning students. In Massey’s words, his sexual identity is “not only compatible with his faith, but absolutely critical.”

A new generation of faith-based activism for equality

ur nation’s seismic shift away from intolerance and towards full equality for LGBTQ people has been strengthened by voices leant by our nation’s young faithful. A rising collective of Millennials are resoundingly dismantling the view that religion is incompatible with LGBTQ acceptance—embracing equal treatment for all Americans not in spite of, but because of, their faith.

The first openly transgender person to head a mainline Protestant organization, Alex McNeill currently serves as the executive director of More Light Presbyterians. McNeill’s journey to ordination will be chronicled alongside other LGBTQ people of faith in the upcoming film, “Out of Order,” which takes place against the backdrop of the passage of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)’s measure to include same-sex couples in their definition of marriage. McNeill was influential in PCUSA’s vote, and has also organized faith communities in support of Maryland’s same-sex marriage legislation and local ballot measures to promote equal rights for LGBTQ people. Reverend Cameron Partridge, an Episcopal priest, says his transgender status has not hindered, but helped him in his role as one of the first openly transgender chaplains at a major university. Because of his identity, he says, he is able to navigate the diverse intersections of faith and sexuality many students wrestle with. Partridge utilizes his various platforms to foster understanding between congregants and religious leaders in an effort to assimilate transgender people into all forms of ministry.

Matthew Vines, author of “God and The Gay Christian,” is regarded as influential for engaging older, evangelical leaders in the growing acceptance of gay rights. Vines is also president and founder of The Reformation Project, a group that trains clergy, lay leaders, and congregants to provide support for LGBTQ people navigating various aspects of church life. Meanwhile, Justin Massey is encouraging LGBTQ advocacy in another unlikely space: the conservative, evangelical Wheaton College. Feeling isolated as an undergraduate, Massey co-founded Refuge, the first administration-approved campus support group for non-heterosexual or questioning students. In Massey’s words, his sexual identity is “not only compatible with his faith, but absolutely critical.”

Idaho replaces sign at mile marker 420, because stoners

If you’re looking for milepost 420, you won’t find it in Idaho.

Idaho transportation officials say the mile marker has been replaced with 419.9 signs to curb thieves eager to own a number associated with marijuana enthusiasts.

Turns out, Idaho isn’t alone in this problem. States like Washington and Colorado have also replaced 420 signs with 419.9 after consistently having to replace them after thefts by supposed sticky-fingered stoners.

Adam Rush of the Idaho Transportation Department says officials have replaced the old sign along U.S. Highway 95 with “MILE 419.9,” just south of Coeur d’Alene.

Iowa barber gives haircuts to children in exchange for them reading stories to him

Children who read books to a local barber have received a free haircut as part of a community event in Dubuque to help families prepare for the upcoming school year.

Barber Courtney Holmes traded the tales for trims on Saturday during the second annual Back to School Bash in Comiskey Park.

Tayshawn Kirby, 9, of Dubuque, read from "Fats, Oils and Sweets," by Carol Parenzan Smalley, informing Holmes that the average person eats 150 pounds of sugar each year. Before Tayshawn's 10-year-old brother, Titan Feeney, took his turn in the barber chair, he told his brother the new look was great.

"I just want to support kids reading," Holmes said.