Ted Cruz Criticizes Baptist Pastor for Defense of Executing Gays
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz publicly criticized fellow prominent Southern Baptist Tom Ascol for defending legislation that includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.”
Uganda’s President Signs Into Law Anti-Gay Legislation With Death Penalty in Some Cases
LGBTQ+ rights campaigners say the new legislation is unnecessary in a country where homosexuality has long been illegal under a colonial-era law.
Clergy Urge Oklahoma to Save Life of Man Who’s Had 3 ‘Last Meals’ on Death Row
On Thursday, a diverse group of clergy spoke at a press conference at the Oklahoma Capitol to urge a stop to the planned execution of Richard Glossip.
Jeff Hood on Capital Punishment
In episode 90 of Dangerous Dogma, Jeff Hood, author of The Execution of God, talks about his advocacy against the death penalty. He also discusses his ministry to people on death row, including last month as he stood in a death chamber as Oklahoma executed Scott
Unsettling Ash Wednesdays
This issue of A Public Witness reports on three unconventional Ash Wednesday services focused on environmentalism, death penalty abolition, and slavery reparations. Each one serves as a glimpse into how this season of spiritual reflection can inspire public action.
Religious Leaders Fight Bill to Reinstate Iowa Death Penalty
Religious leaders with the Iowa Catholic Conference, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and United Church of Christ of Iowa, argued the death penalty is immoral in all circumstances and underlined that we can deter and prevent horrific crimes without ending a person’s
Latino Evangelicals Launch Campaign Against Florida Execution of Donald David Dillbeck
Latino Christian leaders, as part of their faith-led effort dubbed “Evangélicos for Justice,” are urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who signed Dillbeck’s death warrant on Jan. 23 — to consider his disability and to offer him clemency.
Denying Religious Freedom During an Execution
This issue of A Public Witness explores how Leonard “Raheem” Taylor was killed without a spiritual advisor at his side, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent record of requiring states to allow clergy in the death chamber, and the advocates who were pushing Missouri’s leaders to
Spiritual Advisers Offering Final Comfort in Execution Rooms
For decades, Missouri executions played out in similar fashion. But that is changing now as spiritual advisors are present in the room, like Rev. Darryl Gray in November and Rev. Lauren Bennett in January.
Praying in a Death Chamber
As Missouri plans another execution on Feb. 7 in a case with a strong innocence claim, Rev. Lauren Bennett’s story offers a look inside the execution chamber. Last month as she ministered deep in the valley of prison until the shadow of death passed over,