(ANALYSIS) Jan. 5 marked 336 years since the death of an extraordinary woman you have probably never heard of: Catarina de San Juan. Her life reads like an epic. Born in South Asia during the early 17th century, she was captured by the Portuguese at age eight and sold to Spaniards in the Philippines.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Why did the Bible accept slavery? There’s been intense discussion of this never-ending issue in 2023, as we’ll see. In essence, defenders of the Bible explain that slave-holding was a fundamental aspect of society as far back as the earliest written annals we have, well before biblical times.
Read MoreSoul food, dancing and laughter are the makings of any memorable Black get-together. But this weekend, African Americans around the nation are gathering for more than just another fun summer cookout — it’s Juneteenth. This vibrant celebration, considered the longest-running African American holiday, honors the liberation of enslaved ancestors.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in summary explores the story behind a controversial selfie that Jerry Falwell Jr. posted on Instagram and then quickly deleted. Also, find links to the week’s best reads in the world of faith news.
Read MoreFirst Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in America. The church released a statement against racism, and will remove the names of former pro-slavery pastors from its buildings.
Read MoreJeromyah Jones’ father was a painter, but his parents taught him more about the Bible than anything else, with the belief that a foundation in Scripture would allow him to be successful in any career he decided to pursue. This spiritual background helped Jones find his calling: to focus on the intersection of the Bible and black history, from the beginning of slavery in Africa to racial injustice in modern America.
Read MoreThe Travels of Guðríður Símonardóttir tells the little-known story of an Icelandic woman in the 17th century who was captured by North African pirates. She was enslaved at a harem in Algiers until ransomed, then married Iceland’s most famous poet. His hymns, inspired by the couple’s suffering, are still sung in churches and at funerals.
Read MoreWith its postmodern skyline and first world reputation, Singapore seems to be the perfect place for many migrants to pursue fortune. But, in his wildest dreams, one man from Bangladesh could never have imagined that his dream job opportunity would lead him to become a “modern day slave”.
Read More
