Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Jun 4

This account has been my account for work related to PD and I will be shutting it down. You can follow me here moving forward: @chriscrawfordstuff.bsky.social

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Jun 4

Today is my last full day at @protectdemocracy.org. Thank you, PD, for everything! And thank you to all of the amazing patriotic people across the country who have partnered with us during my time here. I've learned so much from you.

New adventures ahead! More soon!

1 1 3

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 24

I asked Chat GPT to provide a fact check and analysis of two separate pieces of writing today, and twice it confirmed that it has no idea that Pope Leo exists.

1

Reposted by Chris Crawford

Jewish Council for Public Affairs @thejcpa.bsky.social · May 22

We are horrified, angry, and heartbroken over the murders of two Israeli Embassy staff members in DC last night. Antisemitic hate inevitably leads to antisemitic violence and everyone has an obligation to speak out.

41 48 150

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 20

In the early days of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has shown a strong emphasis on unity, and his framework for unity is so rich.

"Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges."

www.osvnews.com/pope-leos-ad...

Pope Leo’s address to representatives of other churches and religions: Full text - OSV News

(OSV News) -- This is the full text of the address given by Pope Leo XIV May 19, 2025 to the representatives of other churches and ecclesial communities and of other religions who had gathered in Rome...

www.osvnews.com

2

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 17

"Not a Homily", 5th Sunday of Easter: As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

medium.com/@chriscrawfo...

Not a Homily: 5th Sunday of Easter; May 18, 2025

Link to Readings

medium.com

Reposted by Chris Crawford

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · May 15

We just released two new #FaithfulFight toolkits providing inspirational stories and concrete ways that faith communities can take action to counter authoritarianism.
1️⃣ Practicing noncooperation and civil disobedience - protdem.org/noncoop
2️⃣ Protecting government of the people - protdem.org/people

1 11 25

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 15

Read @interfaithalliance.org's Maggie Siddiqi, as she discusses her own work for the federal government and what can be done to ensure that government can deliver for all of the people it represents. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Protecting government of the people

Government is supposed to serve all the people. Faith communities can help ensure that it does.

protectdemocracy.org

1

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 15

Read Rev. Green and @mariajstephan.bsky.social as they share inspirational stories from faith communities around the world and lay out how we can engage these tools to create positive change and counter authoritarianism here & now! protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight: Practicing noncooperation and civil disobedience

Religious leaders have a rich history of engaging in civil disobedience to counter authoritarian systems. They can take similar actions today.

protectdemocracy.org

1

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 15

Today @protectdemocracy.org is releasing TWO #FaithfulFight toolkits!

🟢 Maggie Siddiqi of @interfaithalliance.org on how to protect government of the people.

🟢 @mariajstephan.bsky.social and Rev. Stephen Green on noncooperation and civil disobedience.

protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight: Toolkits for countering authoritarianism - Protect Democracy

The Faithful Fight brings together strategies from religious leaders across denominations to help communities mobilize against authoritarian actions.

protectdemocracy.org

1 6 15

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 15

Due to ICE enforcement in Nashville, "no Catholic is obligated to attend Mass on Sunday if doing so puts their safety at risk."

www.nashvillecatholic.org/news/posts/s...

Statement in Response to Immigration Enforcement Activities in Nashville

The Diocese of Nashville released a statement in response to the immigration enforcement activities in Nashville.

www.nashvillecatholic.org

1 2

Reposted by Chris Crawford

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · May 1

NEW TODAY: Two toolkits out as part of our #FaithfulFight series.
1️⃣ Providing and advocating for mutual aid by @shaillybarnes.bsky.social of @kairoscenter.org
protdem.org/mutual

2️⃣ Welcoming the Stranger, protecting immigrants & refugees by Tamara Upfal of @the-rac.bsky.social
protdem.org/welcome

Providing and advocating for mutual aid by Shailly Gupta Barnes

2 8 16

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 1

In ANOTHER (!) Faithful Fight toolkit from @protectdemocracy.org and Horizons Project @mariajstephan.bsky.social , @shaillybarnes.bsky.social of @kairoscenter.org writes how to provide for unmet needs and build power. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Providing and advocating for mutual aid - Protect Democracy

To counter authoritarian actions, faith-based organizations can build networks of mutual aid and support. This toolkit shows how.

protectdemocracy.org

1 1

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · May 1

NEW TOOLKIT from @protectdemocracy.org and Horizons Project: Welcoming the Stranger!

Faith leaders can respond by advocating, speaking out, working with local leaders, & providing moral leadership. @the-rac.bsky.social provides a toolkit on how to take action. protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Welcoming the Stranger - Protect Democracy

The frequency and intensity of attacks on immigrants are designed to overwhelm us and make us feel powerless. But we are not powerless. We are pushing back – and protecting our neighbors.

protectdemocracy.org

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 30

Love this.

"And I enjoy the city, above and below, the streets, piazzas, taverns, and a pizza eaten on an outside table, which has quite a different flavor from the one that's delivered to you: I'm a citizen at heart."

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 25

Thank you!

1 2

Reposted by Chris Crawford

Protect Democracy @protectdemocracy.org · Apr 25

In this week’s Faithful Fight toolkit from, Rev. Deth Im of @Faithinaction.bsky.social writes how to organize faith communities for collective action. protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

Graphic with a quote about the nature of faith, emphasizing it as both a noun and a verb, encouraging community and sharing experiences. Includes a call to read more at ProtectDemocracy.org.

1 3 17

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 25

One thing that is always difficult is what sort of term we can use to represent the broadest group of religious traditions. If "people of faith" or "faith-based" is not a helpful term to describe Abrahamic faiths and Buddhists, do you have a recommendation for a term that works better?

1 1

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 24

I really appreciate this input. It is always hard to pick the right language to be as inclusive as possible and to have meaning for a wide range of audiences. If terms such as "faith" and references to God do not resonate, what are some terms you'd recommend writers use in their place?

1 1

Reposted by Chris Crawford

Deth @dethim.bsky.social · Apr 23

I wrote a piece about how we organize and train for collective action in this moment @protectdemocracy.org @chriscrawford.bsky.social @mariajstephan.bsky.social @fianational.bsky.social

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Organizing and training for collective action protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Organizing and training for collective action - Protect Democracy

President Trump’s administration acts like he was elected to be a monarch. Each day of his term has felt like a daily assault on vulnerable people. It’s clear the administration’s plan was to overwhel...

protectdemocracy.org

5 14

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 23

Join me in receiving a new #FaithfulFight toolkit in your inbox each week by signing up for updates here: protectdemocracy.org/work/the-fai...

The Faithful Fight: Toolkits for countering authoritarianism - Protect Democracy

The Faithful Fight brings together strategies from religious leaders across denominations to help communities mobilize against authoritarian actions.

protectdemocracy.org

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 23

Here's what you can do:

Find your people.
Join a Faith in Action federation.
Speak up to those in power.
Join an economic protest.

1 1

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 23

In today's #FaithfulFight toolkit, @protectdemocracy.org
features Rev. Deth Im of Faith in Action. He outlines the ways that faith-based organizing and training can help communities respond to authoritarian tactics.

protectdemocracy.org/work/organiz...

The Faithful Fight Toolkit: Organizing and training for collective action - Protect Democracy

President Trump’s administration acts like he was elected to be a monarch. Each day of his term has felt like a daily assault on vulnerable people. It’s clear the administration’s plan was to overwhel...

protectdemocracy.org

1 7 13

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 23

I am begging you.

2

Chris Crawford @crawfordstuff.bsky.social · Apr 23

Pope Francis's hospital stay and death had me feeling similarly to when my own grandparents were near the end of their lives. I wrote a reflection on this feeling - and the legacy of Pope Francis - for @sojo.net. sojo.net/articles/opi...

Francis, the Pope for Everyone

In an era of creeping exclusivity and inequality, his vision for the church was radically simple: everyone belongs.

sojo.net