It’s become clear that religious liberty is threatened across the globe. Right now, that is best evidenced by the genocide of the Uighur Muslims in China. What is the role of Christians in religious oppression, especially when the religion isn’t Christianity? Joining host Mae Elise Cannon is Ambassador Samuel Brownback, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

Mae Elise Cannon is joined by J. Nicole Morgan, author of Fat and Faithful: Learning to Love our Bodies, Our Neighbors, and Ourselves, to discuss the concept of Imago Dei as it pertains to the body positivity movement.

It isn't news that there are many social injustices going on in our world today. But how do we, as Christians, respond to these injustices? Mae Elise Cannon is joined by Shane Claiborne, founder of the Simple Way and Red Letter Ministries, to discuss Creative Confrontation and what it looks like to actually live out the words of Jesus.

In the coming days, Israel seeks to formally annex significant, valuable parts of land in the Palestinian controlled territory known as the West Bank.

If Israel succeeds, it would threaten the possibility of peace between Israelis and Palestinians, while fostering the potential for abuse of Palestinian human rights.

#Activism's hose, Mae Elise Cannon, is joined by Palestinian author and pastor, Munther Isaac, to discuss what Christians in the United States can do to support Christians in the Middle-East and help protect Palestinian human rights.

All 50 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, have erupted in protest against systemic racism and police brutality.

Meanwhile President Trump, calling protestors "weak" and "fools," used tear gas to clear a way for a photo-op in front of a church, holding a Bible but never opening it.

#Activism's host, Mae Elise Cannon, is joined by Presiding Bishop Curry of The Episcopal Church to discuss what Christians are called to do when the oppressed are attacked by the state.

In the wake of the brutal killing of Ahmaud Arberry, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III discusses systemic racism in United States. Recorded prior to the killing of George Floyd by police, Moss's words carry a sadly prophetic truth.

How do white christians stand with the oppressed in this time? Listen in as host Mae Elise Cannon searches for that answer alongside Rev. Dr. Moss III.

#RunwithMaud #JusticeforFloyd #BlackLivesMatter

As we all strive to care for those in our community who are the most at risk during the COVID-19 crisis, there is another population being forgotten: those imprisoned. According to PBS, over 70% of inmates have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Joining Mae on today’s episode is Dominique Gilliard, author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores. What can we do to help our brothers and sisters behind bars?

Guest for this episode:

Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice (LMDJ) initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) - Dominique Gilliard

Organizations:

Love Mercy Do Justice Initiative

Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC)

Books/ Articles:

Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice That Restores - book by Dominique Gilliard

Purchase at IVP and get a discount using code: PST4529 and expires on 8/22/20

Rethinking Incarceration - Small Group Study Guide - The Anastasis Center

Over 70 percent of tested inmates in federal prisons have COVID-19 - PBS

Film:

Just Mercy - The film is based upon the New York Times bestselling book, and it revolves around the faith-rooted activism of Bryan Stevenson (played by Michael B. Jordan) and the creation of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). Just Mercy recounts the tragic story of Walter McMillian (played by Jamie Foxx). McMillian (nicknamed Johnny D.), an African American who owned a lumber company in a small Alabama town, was framed for the murdering of Ronda Morrison—an eighteen-year-old white girl.

Just Mercy Discussion Guide - by Dominique Gillard

Join Mae Elise Cannon as she discusses the 70 year conflict between Palestine and Israel.

That’s where Combatants of Peace comes in - a group of Palestinians and Israelis, urging the region to seek peace. Mae talks with Sulaiman Khatib and Tuly Flint of Combatants of Peace about what those of us across the world can do to aid those most affected by this ongoing conflict.

RESOURCES:

Guests for the episode: 

Palestinian peace activist - Sulaiman (or Suli) Khatib

Israeli peace activist - Tuly Flint

Organizations:

Combatants for Peace (CFP) Memorial Day Information

CFP Twitter

CFP Facebook

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

Global Immersion Project

The Parents Circle - Families Forum (PCFF)

Background Information/Articles:

The Palestinian Faction Fatah: A Primer - NPR

Military Detention - Defense for Children International - Palestine

Second Lebanon War - Israeli Defense Forces

Timeline: Lebanon Conflict - Al Jazeera

Operation Protective Edge - Israeli Defense Forces

Gaza: The Last Picture - Al Jazeera

Gaza conflict 2014: 'War crimes by both sides' - UN - BBC News

Films/TV/Webinars:

Disturbing the Peace - The “Combatants for Peace,” a group of Palestinians and Israelis working together to promote human rights and peace for all, are the only bi-partisan, nonviolent activist group of enemy combatants working together in an ongoing armed conflict in the world today. They are an inspiring modern day example of the importance of using nonviolent solutions to our conflicts. 

Faith and Activism. Freedom or Oppression. A Pilgrimage to Peace (P2P) Event. - Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

Our Boys - Filmed in Israel, the HBO series, Our Boys is based on the true events which led to the outbreak of war in Gaza. The series follows the investigation of Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s murder and tells the story of all those involved, Jews and Arabs alike, whose lives were forever changed by these events.

Schindler’s List - Based on the true story of Oskar Schindler who managed to save about 1100 Jews from being gassed at the Auschwitz concentration camp. 

Just Vision

Increasing the power and reach of Palestinians and Israelis working to end the occupation and build a future of freedom, dignity, and equality for all. 

The Wanted 18 - In the award-winning documentary The Wanted 18, directors Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan bring to life a remarkable story of nonviolent resistance during the First Intifada.

After years of terrorism and war, many countries in the Middle East are ill-prepared for a global pandemic. Carla Khijoyan, the Programme Executive for the Middle East at the World Council of Churches, joins host Mae Elise Cannon to discuss how the Arab world is responding to the novel coronavirus, and provides insight for how Christians can help those in need on the other side of the globe.

Purchase Mae Elise Cannon's book, Beyond Hashtag Activism Here: https://www.ivpress.com/beyond-hashtag-activism

In this week's episode of #Activism, Mae Elise Cannon is joined by Paul Ackerman, CFO of Compassion International, to discuss the many ways in which COVID-19 will impact poor communities, as well as the global and local economic ramifications of this pandemic. What steps can we take to help those most effected in our communities?

Purchase Mae Elise Cannon's book, Beyond Hashtag Activism Here: https://www.ivpress.com/beyond-hashtag-activism

Articles and books for further study:

“Coronavirus and Poverty: A Mother Skips Meals So Her Children Can Eat” by Manny Fernandez, New York Times 

“Coronavirus: A visual guide to the economic impact” By Lora Jones, David Brown & Daniele Palumbo, BBC News

“Coronavirus is coming for the world's poor. Here are six ways to help” by Duncan Maru, World Economic Forum

“Covid-19 could devastate poor countries: It is in the rich world’s self-interest to help” The Economist

Covid 19: Implications for Business, McKinsey & Company

Financial well-being: Measuring Financial perceptions and experiences in low- and moderate- households by Stephen Roll, Olga Kondratjeva, and Michal Grinstein-Weiss

"Helping Out During The Coronavirus Crisis: Where, What & How To Donate" by Kelly Phillips, Forbes

“Here’s how you can help during the coronavirus crisis” By SANDRA EMERSON 

"How to Donate Hand-Sewn Face Masks" Vanderbilt University Medical Center

“Lockdowns are fine for the rich, but millions are too poor to shelter from coronavirus” By Linda Givetash and Luke Denne, NBC News