Cover Story: ‘Love, Loss and Endurance’ shows how 9/11 extremism evolved to 1/6—and how we can ‘unplug extremism’

Click this cover image to read the story about Bill Tammeus.

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A Prophetic New Book Helps Us ‘Unplug Extremism’

UNDERSTANDING THE BRIGHT RED LINE FROM 9/11 to 1/6

COVER STORY—The first thing you need to know about author Bill Tammeus’s new book, Love, Loss and Endurance, is that it’s more than a “good read.” This is a prophetic book from one of the nation’s top journalists about how 9/11 extremism, 20 years ago, sprang from the same kinds of extreme, “monochromatic” thinking that produced the attack on the U.S. Capitol on 1/6. At the end of this dramatic story of real-life families, Bill gives us 16 pages of important lessons we can use—as individuals, families, congregations and communities—to “unplug extremism.” Please, read our Cover Story this week, order a copy of Bill’s new book—and share this news with friends.

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Bill Tammeus Is not Alone

OUR PUBLISHING HOUSE is releasing a whole series of books in early 2021 that will make our world a little better place, both in your reading and in the sharing of these stories with others. Read Susan Stitt’s overview of 10 upcoming books that will engage, inspire and provide practical new resources you can use right away. Yes, Bill’s book is the first one Susan covers in her column—then she previews nine more books you’ll want to consider, as well. Need something to lift your spirits in the midst of this dark winter? This lineup of new books is overflowing with hope.

Want to learn about another author in that lineup? Please enjoy the following news item …

A Breakthrough in Inclusion: Jets Hire Saleh

NFL WELCOMES ITS FIRST MUSLIM HEAD COACH

EVEN IN THE WAKE OF 1/6 EXTREMISM, opportunities for inclusion continue to expand in America. Just as we were going to press this week, we got an email from journalist and author Martin Davis—who will publish 30 Days with America’s High School Coaches this spring. He was celebrating the breaking news that Robert Saleh becomes the first Muslim to become a coach in the NFL. In sending along his newsy story, Martin wrote to us: “This column really is about two things: First, America as a nation needs our immigrants—they make us the strong nation that we are. It’s a message we desperately need to be reminded of. Then, second, this column reflects on one of the dominant themes of my book: the role of high school coaches in building communities. You see it in the story of Saleh and Stergalas. You hear it Abe Ahmad’s words.” Please, enjoy this breaking news as a hopeful antidote to all the other somber headlines coming our way this week.

When you do enjoy this column by Martin Davis, you will discover that it ends with a powerful quote from Abe Lincoln. And that’s a great transition to the next news item this week …

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WHAT A FASCINATING PORTRAIT OF COOPERATION! In 2010, President Obama met with the bipartisan co-chairs of  the new national council to reform U.S. financial planning. At left is Democrat Erskine Bowles. In the center is former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson. Above Simpson on the wall of the Oval Office is another famous Republican.

Larry Buxton: Simpson on Integrity

VISIT OUR AUTHOR LARRY BUXTON’S website for a 4-minute Leading with Spirit video about a couple of the values that millions of Americans seem to have forgotten in recent years. And, yes, as indicated in the photo above, Larry recommends some classic wisdom from Alan Simpson. Larry’s videos are easy to share with friends. Perhaps you could share this week’s video with a note on social media: “Remember when Republicans were sources of universal wisdom?”

Duncan Newcomer: Lincoln on Inauguration

DUNCAN’S QUIET FIRE COLUMN reminds us of another Republican sage as he shares Lincoln’s thoughts about the sacred nature of the inauguration and the transfer of power in the United States—certainly a very timely story.

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Learning from Dr. King

‘Anybody Can Serve’

ALL WEEK LONG, Stephanie Fenton writes, let’s remember the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Stephanie not only reminds us of King’s wisdom, she packs her column with newsy links, including: links to volunteer programs where you can serve your community, even if you can’t leave your home, plus resources for children from Scholastic, plus a stirring new documentary MLK/FBI, which is streaming online right now. And, yes, of course Stephanie included that link readers love to the recipe for Dr. King’s favorite sweet potato pie. Please, enjoy this column and share it with friends.

AND—OUR 2021 INTERFAITH CALENDAR

PLAN AHEAD—For the new year, we have a new format, which makes it easier for readers to make connections between great books—and the holidays, milestones and special seasons of the year. It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just visit  InterfaithHolidays.com

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Click on this image to read Ed McNulty’s review of the documentary A Thousand Cuts.

FAITH & FILM 

Click on this cover image to find out more about the January 2021 issue of Visual Parables Journal.

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Among Ed’s free reviews and columns:

  1. A THOUSAND CUTS—Ed writes, “The fate of Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa is chronicled in Ramona S. Diaz’s engrossing PBS documentary. One of the four “Guardians” (Jamal Khashoggi being another) to be named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2018, she proves to be a fearless and calm advocate for democracy in a land sliding toward dictatorial rule.”
  2. Click this image from the film to read Ed McNulty’s review, which ends with a link to watch this haunting, 7-minute documentary online now.

    A NIGHT AT THE GARDEN—”This short documentary is as chilling as you are likely to see, chronicling a public event taking place in 1939 at NYC’s Madison Square Gardens, and yet strikingly contemporary, because it reminds us that the spirit of fascism lives on. It was nominated for a Short Documentary at the 2019 Oscars.”

  3. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI—”Actress Regina King’s first feature film is based on scriptwriter Kemp Powers’ 2013 play about the night when Cassius Clay won the World Heavy Weight Boxing title over Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964. I want to say up front that it is a “must see” film, bringing together a number of strands of the systemic racism that I have been urging readers to examine through various films.”
  4. A DANGEROUS LIFEEd begins this week by reaching back to 1988 to recommend a gripping documentary about events surrounding the 1986 Philippine People Power Revolution. His review includes a direct link to watch the entire film on YouTube.
  5. GUN AND A HOTEL BIBLE—Ed writes, “This is a delightful blend of fantasy and religion of which I think the author of The Screwtape Letters would approve. How often have you noticed or paid attention, during your stay overs at a hotel or motel, to one of those black-bound books on a table or in the drawer with stationery and tourist information? Imagine if one of those Bibles could talk about its effect on one of the occupants of the room—and you have this film, based on the play by Bradley Gosnell and Daniel Floren.”
  6. MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM—Ed writes, “In this adaptation of an August Wilson play, Denzel Washington (who in 2016 directed and starred in Fences), remains behind the camera this time as executive producer. But, his Fences co-star Viola Davis is very much front and center as the title character, a real life Blues singer, one of the first Black women to cut a record in the early 20th Century. The film is also outstanding because not only does her co-star Chadwick Boseman rise to her superb level of performance, it will forever be known as his last screen appearance. Even setting aside the film’s social significance, this is a film not to be missed!”
  7. THE LAST CHAMPION—Ed writes, “The Last Champion is truly a family film at both ends, from inception to viewing. Families will enjoy its coming of age aspect, sports thrills, and redemptive arc.
  8. NEWS OF THE WORLD—Ed writes, “Like Unforgiven, Paul Greengrass’ News of the World is an unconventional Western. Oh, there is are sections of violent gun play, but these are secondary to other themes, such as human relationships, the need for belonging, and the importance of “news” for connection to a world larger than our own narrow existence. Adapted by director and Luke Davies from the 2016 novel by Paulette Jiles, the film provides Tom Hanks with a great opportunity to display his acting ability, an opportunity of which he takes full advantage! It also introduces many of us to a delightful young German actress Helena Zengel.”
  9. THE MAN WITHOUT GRAVITY—”The Man Without Gravity is an Italian magical-realist tale from first-time narrative filmmaker Marco Bonfanti. In the film, he whimsically tells the story of Oscar (Elio Germano) from his incredible birth, through childhood, and ultimate reunion with his childhood sweetheart Agata. This delightful escapist film about an outsider has plenty of flaws but none that ought to spoil your enjoyment.”
  10. THE CROODS: A NEW AGE—”Director Joel Crawford’s film, the second in the series about a Stone Age family, is an amusing tale of culture clash and the need for solidarity. Just as I loved the first film almost seven years ago, The Croods, I recommend this one too. It provides both escapist fare for the whole family and, like the first film, teaches some worthy life lessons.”

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