In the run-up to the inaugural, President-elect Obama said he would continue the practice, whatever its origins. But several atheist groups filed a suit to remove the words from the oath on the grounds that it violates the separation of church and state. They were also joined by prominent atheist and activist Michael Newdow, who lost a […]

Read a transcript of Pastor Rick Warren’s opening prayer, posted at ChristianityToday.com.

Read a transcript of President Obama’s inaugural address, posted at The Washington Post site. The speech was replete with religious and scriptural references and images.

Read the 2007 report by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency about the differing treatment of juvenile offenders according to race.

The African-American Juvenile Justice Project assists African-American children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It aims to hold “both the system and the African-American community accountable for the lives of our children.” Attorney Sherri Jefferson founded the project. Contact via her website.

How can a religion writer get more religion news stories into the paper or on air? By Michael Paulson The Boston Globe* In my experience, editors are always hungry for good stories about any subject, and religion is no exception. To get more religion stories into the paper, apply the same rigorous reporting and writing […]

The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society’s most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children and elderly adults. Contact Mary Mahon or Bethanne Fox.

What role should religious demographics play and what are the best sources for such demographics? By Jeffrey Weiss The Dallas Morning News To answer this question, you need to start by considering two others: What do my readers want to know? What do they need to know? What do they want to know? Most people […]

Craig Hickman is a representative in the Maine House of Representatives. He is also a poet, actor, dancer, activist and educator.