Guest Voices: Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite


Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 12/24/2012

Twenty new little stars: Christmas and the vulnerability of children
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
God’s vulnerability reveals what we need to know when tragedy strikes: you are not alone, says theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  11:22 AM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  President Obama; gun; guns; gun control; gun control; massacre; Newton; Connecticut; shoot; shooting; shootings; shooter; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Sandy Hook Elementary School; politics; christmas; Jesus

Posted at 02:46 PM ET, 12/17/2012

Obama gives voice to the new national determination on gun control
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Many are calling out the immorality of lax gun laws and what that says about the nation, says theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  02:46 PM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  God; gun; guns; gun control; gun control; massacre; Newton, Conn.; shoot; shooting; shootings; shooter; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 04:21 PM ET, 12/14/2012

God weeps: 27 children, staff killed in Conn. school shooting
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Chicago theologian challenges anyone who says now isn’t the right time to talk about guns.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  04:21 PM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Conn. school shooting; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; school shooting; sandy hook elementary school; sandy hook; sandy hook elementary; connecticut shooting; connecticut school shooting; Newtown; connecticut; gun control; elementary school shooting; deadly shooting; gun control; children; faith; President Obama

Posted at 01:01 PM ET, 12/10/2012

A holy impatience: Supreme Court must right a great wrong on marriage
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Now is the time for the court to act, not wait when it takes up same-sex marriage cases, says theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  01:01 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Advent; Christmas; same-sex marriage; gay marriage; Supreme Court; marriage equality; gay; lesbian; bisexual; transgender

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 12/07/2012

Hate mail over Muslim conference provides opportunity for Christian witness
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Chicago theologian says it’s a teachable moment on how fearmongers attempt to thwart interfaith work.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  11:39 AM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  All Saints Church; Pasadena, Calif.; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Muslim event; Muslim conference; Episcopal Church

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 12/04/2012

Scrooges on Capitol Hill: Republicans hold middle-class tax cuts hostage
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
GOP counter offer is reminiscent of the Charles Dickens classic, says a Chicago theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  03:57 PM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Scrooges: GOP holds middle-class tax cuts hostage; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Bob Cratchit; Scrooge; Scrooges; Christmas; fiscal cliff; fiscal cliff 2013; what is the fiscal cliff; tax cuts; sequester; supercommittee; super committee; bush tax cuts expire; when do bush tax cuts expire; deficit; automatic cuts; automatic spending cuts; obama tax cuts; default; debt ceiling; credit rating downgrade; social program cuts; defense spending cuts; defense program cuts; defense contractor cuts; us deficit; us budget; warren buffett; deficit reduction committee; middle class; middle-class Americans; sluggish economy; Congress; President Obama; Obama; President Barack Obama; Republicans; GOP; tax cuts for the wealthy; tax cuts; Ebenezer Scrooge; Charles Dickens; A Christmas Carol; Bob Cratchet; OccupytheBible

Posted at 12:18 PM ET, 11/26/2012

The return of pharaoh? The ‘power grab’ by Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Let us hope a nonviolent way can be found for the president, in a new Egypt, says a Chicago theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  12:18 PM ET, 11/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  The return of pharaoh? The ‘power grab’ by Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi; Morsi; Egypt’s president; Mohamed Morsi; Mohammed Morsi; Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite;

Posted at 01:03 PM ET, 11/21/2012

Thanks and giving: Why Wal-Mart “Black Friday” strikes are important
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Being able to rest from your labors and give thanks with loved ones is crucial in this treadmill economy.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  01:03 PM ET, 11/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Retail; retailer; economy; economics; sale; sales; discount; discounts; Wal-Mart; Wal-Mart workers; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Occupy the Bible; Thanksgiving; holiday; retail; stores; shopping; family; holiday; holidays; worker; working; rest; respect; families

Posted at 03:42 PM ET, 11/15/2012

How does a ‘Jubilee’ roll? Jesus explains.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
What Jesus thought needed to be done about debt in the first century is also what needs to happen for indebted Americans in the 21st century, says a theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  03:42 PM ET, 11/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Occupy; Jesus; #OccupytheBible; money; power; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; economic issues; economic plan; Jubilee; jubilee; debt forgiveness; first century; indebted Americans; Center for American Progress; Rolling Jubilee; Occupy Wall Street; 21st century; Occupy movement; debt collectors; consumer debt; economic system; Congressional Budget Office chart; CBO chart; Christians; Christianity; Gospels; Occupy; Jesus; #OccupytheBible; money; power; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; economic issues; economic plan; Jubilee; jubilee; debt forgiveness

Posted at 06:19 PM ET, 11/05/2012

Election 2012: Sex, lies and videotape
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
To the writer, the most important theological questions were: Are women fully human or not? Does lying matter and why? Is there one nation, or are there 47 percent of Americans who don’t matter?

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  06:19 PM ET, 11/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; faith and politics; war on women; election 2012; campaign 2012; politics; presidential race

Posted at 06:41 PM ET, 11/01/2012

‘Let them eat canned goods’: Romney’s clueless storm response
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
The writer says the Republican presidential nominee displayed a pile of goods and no effective relief.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  06:41 PM ET, 11/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; canned goods; Hurricane Sandy; super storm; super-storm; Romney; 2012 election; 2012 campaign; disaster relief

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 10/29/2012

‘Frankenstorm’: Why climate change will not be denied in this election
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
The “sin” of refusing to see effects of violent climate change is what should be called “global weirding.”

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  04:44 PM ET, 10/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Frankenstorm; Hurricane Sandy; Monster Storm; Perfect Storm; climate change; presidential debates; politics; faith and politics; global warming; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 10/24/2012

Pregnancy from rape is not ‘God’s will’
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Mourdock’s comments contribute to the hurt and self-blaming of women and girls who have already been violated, says a theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  11:29 AM ET, 10/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sin; crime; rape; pregancy by rape; Richard Mourdock; faith and politics; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 02:11 PM ET, 10/23/2012

Mitt Romney’s unconscionable flip-flop on war and foreign policy
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
It is unconscionable to say peace when you mean use of force is your first choice, says theologian.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  02:11 PM ET, 10/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  third presidential debate; final presidential debate; Obama; Romney; foreign policy; Middle East; peace; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; election 2012; campaign 2012; grid

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 10/17/2012

Why we need feminist theology: Romney and ‘binders full of women’
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
The Republican presidential nominee’s seemingly off-hand remark sparked outrage.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  12:30 PM ET, 10/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  second presidential debate; binder full of women; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Romney; Obama; feminist theology

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 10/04/2012

Lie to me, please: Truth was the real loser of first presidential debate
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
We have entered the age of “post-truth” and our political process has degenerated as a result.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  01:23 PM ET, 10/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  presidential election; debate; @FiredBigBird; Big Bird; Jim Lehrer; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 10:41 PM ET, 09/24/2012

Shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded world: What blasphemy law debate can mask
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
This week, at the United Nations, deliberation will be revived over laws about “religious defamation.”

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  10:41 PM ET, 09/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  religious defamation; blasphemy laws; United Nations; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 02:28 PM ET, 09/17/2012

Occupy Wall Street protesters: Protect them, recognize human rights begin at home
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Police crackdown on movement undermines core American values of freedom in the eyes of the world.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  02:28 PM ET, 09/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Occupy Wall Street; Zuccotti Park; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; #OWS; #OccupyWallStreet

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 09/12/2012

Religion as pretext or cause in attacks in Cairo, Egypt and Libya
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Use and abuse of religion in an effort to gain power is inevitable when there’s a political vacuum.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  12:23 PM ET, 09/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  John Christopher Stevens, attacks on U.S. embassies, Prophet Muhammad, Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 11:17 AM ET, 09/09/2012

Democrats’ altar call in Charlotte
By Susan Brooks Thistlethewaite
Democrats aren’t “godless” because biblical theology was alive and well at their convention.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethewaite  |  11:17 AM ET, 09/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democratic National Convention; DNC: DNClive; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Democrats and religion; God language

Posted at 03:58 PM ET, 09/05/2012

‘God’ not a political wedge, Ryan
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Minister believes Ryan is implying that the Democratic Party is anti-God because of its platform.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  03:58 PM ET, 09/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  God; Democratic National Platform; DNClive; DNC Charlotte; Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite; Paul Ryan

Posted at 08:34 PM ET, 08/28/2012

A woman’s life is a human life: a theological error in the GOP platform?
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Some in the party may indeed consider women human, but they are not the people crafting policy.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  08:34 PM ET, 08/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, RNC, Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, war on women, GOP Platform; RNClive

Posted at 05:43 PM ET, 08/23/2012

Pluralism and prejudice: How conflicts over religious pluralism reveal America’s new ‘Sacred Ground’
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
Now is the time for all who believe in the promise of America, to do their best work, says a new book.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  05:43 PM ET, 08/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Eboo Patel, Sacred Ground, Interfaith Youth Core, Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, religious pluralism

Posted at 02:27 PM ET, 08/12/2012

The Icemen Cometh: Romney-Ryan and the future of compassion in America
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
This national election has now become a referendum on whether we will choose the value of selfishness or of compassion.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  02:27 PM ET, 08/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Romney-Ryan, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite

Posted at 07:39 PM ET, 07/22/2012

Do Americans trust guns more than God?
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite
The politics of gun control will not change until we get a lot clearer that the American trust in guns is a failure of trust in God.

By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite  |  07:39 PM ET, 07/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Aurora shootings, Dark Knight Rises, James Holmes, Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, gun violence