115 Quotes by Jim Wallis

Involuntary servitude was banned by the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, but nothing was done to confront the ideology of white supremacy. Slavery didn’t end in 1865; it just evolved.

Racism is rooted in sin – or evil, as nonreligious people might prefer – which goes deeper than politics, pointing fingers, partisan maneuvers, blaming, or name calling. We can get to a better place only if we go to that morally deeper place. There will be no superficial or merely political overcoming of our racial sins – that will take a spiritual and moral transformation as well. Sin must be named, exposed, and understood before it can be repented of.

As I have talked with black friends about this book, especially with black parents, the line that has elicited the most response is this one: “If white Christians acted more Christian than white, black parents would have less to fear for their children.

If the president is going to use so much language of theology and the Bible, then let’s use that language for a serious discussion about the war in Iraq. And that was never done.

Pastors should preach truth from the pulpit. Teachers and parents should clearly point out when the president is lying and teach children what the truth is. We can all use social media to confront lies with facts. The truth will indeed set us free, but the unwillingness of the faith community to speak truth to power could push us toward political bondage.

Cynicism really comes out of despair, but the antidote to cynicism is not optimism but action.

What is my calling? What am I supposed to do? I think running for office, public office, can be a divine calling. I mean, I've wrestled with that very question myself.