SojoMail - Who counts as persecuted?

View this email in your browser By Betsy Shirley Editor in Chief, Sojourners There are 1,753 articles in the Sojourners archives that reference Isaiah 58:8 and for good reason: The verse offers a succinct summary of the biblical call to social justice. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Jesus himself quotes the verse in his first sermon. But who exactly are “the oppressed” that need liberating? Two recent stories offer different views. Last month, a Trump-created task force released a 565-page report on what it described as the “anti-Christian bias” perpetuated by the Biden administration. Alleged examples of this bias included the fact that the Transgender Day of Remembrance fell on Easter Sunday in 2024. For some, the report confirmed that the Christian faith in the U.S.—or at least a particular version of it—has been persecuted by the federal government. Meanwhile, Sojourners opinion columnist Yanan Rahim Navarez Melo traces “the afterlife of U.S. colonial rule” that has killed, displaced, and deprived people of self-determination from the Philippines to Palestine. Quoting Filippino theologian Karl Gaspar, Melo says that “Jesus always sides with those who, under empire, suffer ‘in the collage…of blood and tears.’” It’s a sobering contrast to what’s documented in Trump’s task force. Elsewhere this week: Our authors examine how Christians can offer more persuasive alternatives to war and be patriotic in all the right ways. And in the latest Sojourners cover story, Josina Guess offers a beautiful meditation on her mother-in-law’s dementia in light of a different verse in Isaiah: “Can a woman forget her nursing child […] Even these might forget, yet I will not forget you.” The DOJ’s Report on Anti-Christian Bias Mistakes Policy for Persecution, Advocates Say (by Ken Chitwood) The government alleges a crisis for Christians' religious freedom. But critics say “religious freedom only exists when it is enjoyed by everyone.” Read the full article Advertisement Our Latest Stories Decolonizing Faith From Palestine to the Philippines (by Yanan Melo) When faced with colonization, the proper Christian response is to translate our theology of liberation into radical political action. Read more How Christians Can Offer Persuasive Alternatives to War (by Eli S. McCarthy) Politicians are comfortable debating if a war meets their criteria for legitimacy. But there’s a better framework for moral action. Read more Celebrating the People Who Are Patriotic in All the Right Ways (by Liuan Huska) The US hasn’t lived up to its ideals, but there is one “American Christian value” that I still pursue. Read more From the Magazine: Even If These Forget (by Josina Guess) Living with my late mother-in-law through her dementia diagnosis taught me these lessons about God’s love. Read more Advertisements Action Alert: No War With Iran! Contact Congress now to demand peace and an end to the war with Iran. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid bloodshed. Instead of recklessly pursuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Spirituality and Activism Justice work demands more than urgency—it requires sustainable practices that fuel long-term resistance. Light for the Way shows how contemplation, sabbath rest, and community care aren't distractions from activism but essential tools for it. Donate Subscribe Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #342, Washington, DC 20003 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842