“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" - Frederick Douglass

This week we talk with Guerline Jozef, co-founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, and discuss how Christian values demand welcoming immigrants. We talk about Haiti's history and how U.S. foreign policy has contributed to gang violence and instability there. She calls on senators to support Senate Bill S.4814 to protect Haitian communities and offers ways to get involved. Connect with Guerline Guerline on Instagram Gureline on Facebook Haitian Bridge Alliance Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Shane Claiborne talks with theologian Dr. Ruth Valerio about her work promoting creation care in churches through the EcoChurch. They discuss the climate crisis, UK activism around Gaza, and Valerio's book "How to Survive a World in Crisis," which shares practical ways to stay hopeful and engaged while caring for others and the planet.   Connect Ruth on Instagram Ruth’s site EcoChurch Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane Claiborne welcomes back his wife, Katie Jo Brotherton, for a wide-ranging, humorous conversation sparked by her high school answer to her favorite part of the Bible. They discuss favorite Bible passages and stories, whether everything in the Bible happened (including Jonah and Lot’s wife), different voices within scripture, and a fascination with the Apocrypha. --- Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane interviews Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., a Disciples of Christ minister and former Ohio Council of Churches leader. Sullivan has fought against the death penalty since the 1980s, deepening his commitment to restorative justice after his sister's murder in 1997. He advocates for nonviolent conflict resolution and the church's role in supporting vulnerable communities.   Connect with Jack Jack on Facebook Jack’s site Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Shane Claiborne hosts a special Red Letter Christians morning prayer episode featuring leaders from the newly launched National Peacemaker Association. Timed with the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the episode pairs Scripture, prayer, and worship with urgent calls to nonviolence. Guest leaders—including Rev. Jack Sullivan Jr. and Rev. Sharon Risher—share powerful personal testimonies on gun violence prevention, conscientious objection, and the NPA Peacemaker Pledge, inspiring listeners to pair active faith with peacemaking. Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Shane announces the National Peacemaker Association (NPA), a global movement uniting activists against war, gun violence, and state-sanctioned violence. From building out nonviolence certifications and political accountability to the Peacemaker Pledge, discover how NPA is organizing for peace. Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

Shane reflects on 50 years of the modern U.S. death penalty, tracing his journey from defender to opponent on moral and Christian grounds. Exposing its roots in poverty, racial bias, and historical lynching, he highlights abolitionist activism—from prayer vigils to powerful stories of exonerees and former wardens haunted by botched executions. Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

This week, we talk to Scotty Utz from RAWtools South and discuss transforming firearms into garden tools and designing faith-informed, survivor-centered rituals around gun destruction. We cover RAWTools' efforts to promote nonviolence through certification programs and their Gun Violence Awareness Month events, including the Blacksmith-a-Marathon, which honors all victims of gun violence.   Connect with Scotty Scotty’s site RAWTool South RAWTools South IG Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne 

We speak with longtime Red Letter Christian supporter and author Terry Webb about her 94 years of life, how she's grown her faith, and her new book, "Christian Citizenship Endangered in America.” A response to Trumpism and the rise of Christian nationalism shaping U.S. policy. Connect with Terry Terry on LinkedIn email:[email protected] Terry on X: @TrustingTerry Terry on Instagram: Terry’s site Terry’s Substack Terry on Facebook Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne   

Originally recorded and published on the RLC Blog on July 3, 2021. One-hundred and seventy-four years ago, abolitionist, writer, and statesman Frederick Douglass gave a speech to the 600 members of the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society entitled “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” On July 3, 2021, Christian leaders from around the country gathered virtually with Red Letter Christians to read this powerful piece together. Read along here:  ---- Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter: @RedLetterXians  Instagram: @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram: @shane.claiborne  Twitter: @ShaneClaiborne