Thursday, February 12, 2026

SojoMail - In which we talk about Valentines and nukes

By Betsy Shirley
Editor in Chief, Sojourners

Here’s a weird little valentine to start us off: Roses are red/ more nukes spell doom/ here’s a faith-fueled success tale/ to cut through the gloom.

Let me back up: Last week, the final nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and the U.S. expired. The news barely made headlines, but it’s a big deal: “Thus begins a new acceleration of the nuclear arms race,” David Cortright and William D. Hartung proclaim.

But before you start doom spiraling: As veterans of the ‘80s anti-nuclear movement, Cortright and Hartung write to remind us of a forgotten story in faith-and-justice history—one with clear insight for today’s movements against nukes, ICE, authoritarianism, and immoral budget cuts.

Ok, if you really want apocalyptic doom, try Fallout on Amazon Prime Video, a surprisingly funny and politically insightful show about “billionaires nuking the world to high heaven” and others trying to live out the Golden Rule. Though as Josiah R. Daniels points out, there’s a sad irony to a mega corp like Amazon profiting off a show with such anti-capitalist themes.

Elsewhere this week: Resisting the erosion of our moral attention, let’s hear it for Bad Bunny’s joyful halftime, and Lenten devotionals we would actually use.

People of Faith Helped Stop Nukes Once; Let’s Do It Again (by David Cortright and William D. Hartung)

Trump is calling for renewed nuclear testing. We know how to stop it.

Read the full article

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The Golden Rule Would Survive Nuclear ‘Fallout’ (by Josiah R. Daniels)

The retro-futuristic, darkly absurd, post-apocalyptic TV series shows that the path of the Golden Rule is scattered with crucifixions.

God Bless Bad Bunny’s America (by Amar D. Peterman)

Benito’s halftime performance was a display of the gospel truth that love will overcome hatred.

10 Lent Devotionals and Books That Inspire Faith and Justice (by Betsy Shirley)

Lent can be intimidating, but these resources offer guidance.

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