Sightings Articles

A man carries a child holding a blue balloon decorated as the earth

ethics | climate change | parenthood | kinship

Sustaining Kin in the Climate Crisis: An Earth Day Reflection

As climate change deters more young adults from parenthood, some are finding creative and constructive ways to build relationships with children who are not biologically their own....

April 17, 2024
A collection of IVF fertility drugs on a bedspread

IVF | ethics | care

The Alabama IVF Decision is About Care Work

We must learn to see infertility treatment and queer family building as essential moments of care, and not as unintended casualties of a bigger debate on abortion....

April 11, 2024
Reflection of a black horse-drawn buggy passing a white farm house

Amish | Religion and media | politics | Technology

Today's Amish Are Plain, Not Simple

Comments by Stephen Colbert overlook the complexity of Amish culture in the 21st century....

April 4, 2024
ink landscape painting with mountains and gold flecks in the sky

Philosophy | multiculturalism | education

Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist Philosophy: Converting to Multiculturalism

Once we examine the roots of “Buddhaphobia” in philosophical education, we can get easily beyond it....

March 29, 2024
Headshot of Curtis Evans next to book cover of Theology of Brotherhood

Theology | Anti-Racism | Progressive Christianity

A Forgotten Story about Christian Anti-Racism

In "A Theology of Brotherhood," Curtis Evans traces progressive Christians’ work in the early twentieth century....

March 21, 2024
"The Exvangelicals" book cover and headshot of Sarah McCammon

Evangelicalism | politics | Religion and media

Leaving Evangelicalism Behind

"The Exvangelicals" is both timely and superb: It deals with the issues that will decide the 2024 elections and discusses them with sensitivity, sophistication, and bravery. 

March 14, 2024
"Remember Aaron Bushnell," written in red spray paint next to a spray painted flame illustration, in a white-walled underground tunnel.

Religion and law | Palestine | Aaron Bushnell

“. . . you’re doing it right now”: Aaron Bushnell and Legal Pluralism

What if we understand Aaron Bushnell’s action as opening onto a different legal order—and collectivity—one to which we all also belong?...

March 7, 2024
Black and white lithograph of Thomas Jefferson sitting at desk with books

Enlightenment | Thomas Jefferson | Christianity

Enlightenment Religion in the Private and Public Bibles of Thomas Jefferson

For Thomas Jefferson, the human being's responsibility was to extricate and celebrate good religion....

February 29, 2024
Two children in striped shirts look out the window at trees and a brick building.

ethics | environmentalism | anthropocentrism

In Short Measures Life May Perfect Be

If what makes human life sublime is complete, without the need for growth and endurance across time, this is exactly the sort of thinking our planet needs....

February 15, 2024
large square canvas with two rectangular swatches in purple and red

Religion and Art | Essentialism | Religious Experience

Smart Sightings | The Religious Experience of Mark Rothko

Can art and the experience of art be divine? Mark Rothko's "No. 2" offers alternative ways to think about religion....

February 8, 2024