The imperative for faith-informed response

In the early days of this second Trump presidency, I'm reminded that religious leaders often speak of hope, but now we must do so with urgency and clarity.

-  F. Willis Johnson, Tribune News Service

What we're witnessing isn’t just political transition — it’s moral regression dressed in the garments of restoration. When a president speaks of a “golden age” on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we must name the idolatry in such rhetoric.

Golden ages, historically, have always been golden for some at the expense of many. Dr. King didn’t dream of a return to any past era; he envisioned a future yet unrealised. Recently, I've consulted with leaders across the religious spectrum. All voiced similar concerns about their respective constituencies’ growing sense of unease. Lamenting their faithful who have begun concealing outward symbols of their faith, while others report feeling increasingly isolated from the broader community. These shared experiences of anxiety and disconnection point to deeper tensions within our democratic fabric.

Trump's executive orders aren't mere policy shifts; they're moral earthquakes that shake the very foundation of our interfaith commitment to human dignity. When government policies separate families, marginalise minorities, and dismiss environmental stewardship as optional, they don't just challenge our political preferences — they assault our core religious convictions.