Laura Alexander
@laura-e-alex.bsky.social
Religion and human rights researcher, focusing on migration, sovereignty, and religious liberty. Recent textbook, Religion and Human Rights: An Introduction. Currently working on theological & qualitative study of perceptions and receptions of migrants.
I wrote a review of Ross Kane's The Good News of Church Politics for the Christian Century. It's an accessible read, and good for church folks who are trying to live together well in a moment that feels overwhelming.
“Ross Kane asserts that the work of my church council is politics and assures me that it is both necessary and a source of good news—for our congregation and the world.”
– review by @laura-e-alex.bsky.social
@eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
www.christiancentury.org/books/reclai...
– review by @laura-e-alex.bsky.social
@eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
www.christiancentury.org/books/reclai...
Reclaiming “church politics”
Ross Kane argues that politics is about congregational life and governance—not just...
www.christiancentury.org
October 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I wrote a review of Ross Kane's The Good News of Church Politics for the Christian Century. It's an accessible read, and good for church folks who are trying to live together well in a moment that feels overwhelming.
Denial of religious freedom - certainly not the first time this has happened in detention centers, but always a problem.
People in Alligator Auschwitz describe the inhumane conditions in the concentration camp—insufficient water, scarce and unsanitary food, lack of medicine, denial of religious rights, etc.
“They're not respecting our human rights. We're human beings—we're not dogs. We're like rats in an experiment."
“They're not respecting our human rights. We're human beings—we're not dogs. We're like rats in an experiment."
Alligator Alcatraz detainees allege inhumane conditions at immigration detention center
Detainees claim they are enduring inhumane conditions, including lack of access to water, inadequate food and denial of religious rights.
www.cbsnews.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Denial of religious freedom - certainly not the first time this has happened in detention centers, but always a problem.
Reposted by Laura Alexander
1/ We're hiring! Dr. @laura-e-alex.bsky.social & I have 3 year #postdoc position for project on #ReligiousThought & #Migration at Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha. More information: unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/23329 & below.
@asamigration.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @jlkucinskas.bsky.social
@asamigration.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @jlkucinskas.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Religious Thought and Migration Project
The Religious Studies department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha invites applications for a postdoctoral research fellow. This fellow will serve in an integral role on a team of faculty and stu...
unomaha.peopleadmin.com
March 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
1/ We're hiring! Dr. @laura-e-alex.bsky.social & I have 3 year #postdoc position for project on #ReligiousThought & #Migration at Univ. of Nebraska at Omaha. More information: unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/23329 & below.
@asamigration.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @jlkucinskas.bsky.social
@asamigration.bsky.social @asanews.bsky.social @jlkucinskas.bsky.social
I wrote about Christian ethical thought on responsibilities to different neighbors, and how treatment of migrants fits in that tradition. To be sure, Vance and Trump do not approach this issue with any kind of Christian principle. But the moral debate actual ethicists have is worth talking about.
VP JD Vance clashes with# Catholic bishops over #immigration—raids, rhetoric, and the Church’s role. A religious studies professor explores the deep tensions in Christian views on migrant care. https://buff.ly/40OfAmO
@laura-e-alex.bsky.social @ University of Nebraska Omaha
@laura-e-alex.bsky.social @ University of Nebraska Omaha
Whether Christians should prioritize care for migrants as much as for fellow citizens has been debated for centuries
A scholar of religion and migration writes about the long-standing tensions among Christians regarding their moral obligations to those more or less closely connected to them.
buff.ly
February 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM
I wrote about Christian ethical thought on responsibilities to different neighbors, and how treatment of migrants fits in that tradition. To be sure, Vance and Trump do not approach this issue with any kind of Christian principle. But the moral debate actual ethicists have is worth talking about.
Reposted by Laura Alexander
Noting that Elon Musk attacked the Lutheran Church's work providing services, and that JD Vance attacked Catholic Bishops for their work with immigrants. Fair to say that this administration is one of the most hostile to religion and religious freedom that we have seen in recent memory.
February 2, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Noting that Elon Musk attacked the Lutheran Church's work providing services, and that JD Vance attacked Catholic Bishops for their work with immigrants. Fair to say that this administration is one of the most hostile to religion and religious freedom that we have seen in recent memory.
Reposted by Laura Alexander
The United States will need nearly 8 million new caregivers over the next decade, and rural economies, facing aging workforces and declining populations, have relied on migrant labor to fill such labor shortages.
When Will the U.S. Start Competing for Immigrants? Sooner Than You Think
Is the nation about to see the magnetic poles of this conversation reverse? It may seem unlikely in the short term, given Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Immigration formed a major talking…
buff.ly
January 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The United States will need nearly 8 million new caregivers over the next decade, and rural economies, facing aging workforces and declining populations, have relied on migrant labor to fill such labor shortages.
Reposted by Laura Alexander
I just received a stop-work order from HUD on the grant we won at Urban Institute to support our Housing Market Forecaster.
This work is designed to identify land-use reform strategies that can assist cities in adding housing supply and improve housing affordability.
www.urban.org/projects/hou...
This work is designed to identify land-use reform strategies that can assist cities in adding housing supply and improve housing affordability.
www.urban.org/projects/hou...
Housing Market Forecaster
www.urban.org
January 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I just received a stop-work order from HUD on the grant we won at Urban Institute to support our Housing Market Forecaster.
This work is designed to identify land-use reform strategies that can assist cities in adding housing supply and improve housing affordability.
www.urban.org/projects/hou...
This work is designed to identify land-use reform strategies that can assist cities in adding housing supply and improve housing affordability.
www.urban.org/projects/hou...
Reposted by Laura Alexander
I want to make this clear: diversity is extremely popular. THAT is what they’re furious about. They lost that battle in the culture and want to reverse it by force.
January 24, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I want to make this clear: diversity is extremely popular. THAT is what they’re furious about. They lost that battle in the culture and want to reverse it by force.
Okay I have to complain about this somewhere. I go in to do my annual review of my work, and the system my university uses (Watermark, for those who care) has started pulling articles it thinks *might* be mine and asking me to edit or reject them. NONE of them are mine./1
January 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Okay I have to complain about this somewhere. I go in to do my annual review of my work, and the system my university uses (Watermark, for those who care) has started pulling articles it thinks *might* be mine and asking me to edit or reject them. NONE of them are mine./1
Hee hee
Opinion | America is being overrun by immigrants who have no understanding of American culture and values.
by David Sacks and Elon Musk
by David Sacks and Elon Musk
December 11, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Hee hee
Reposted by Laura Alexander
Immigrants are not economic burdens.
The research is clear: immigrants play pivotal roles in driving innovation, enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth in their adopted countries #immigration
The research is clear: immigrants play pivotal roles in driving innovation, enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth in their adopted countries #immigration
Immigrants are unsung heroes of global trade and value creation
Migrants play a crucial role in global trade networks.
buff.ly
December 5, 2024 at 12:16 PM
Immigrants are not economic burdens.
The research is clear: immigrants play pivotal roles in driving innovation, enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth in their adopted countries #immigration
The research is clear: immigrants play pivotal roles in driving innovation, enhancing productivity and fostering economic growth in their adopted countries #immigration
Reposted by Laura Alexander
Trump has called for “mass deportations,” though the infrastructure to detain immigrants didn’t start with Trump.
What questions do you have about the history of immigration detention in the U.S.? Let us know, and historian Brianna Nofil will answer:
boltsmag.org/ask-bolts/
What questions do you have about the history of immigration detention in the U.S.? Let us know, and historian Brianna Nofil will answer:
boltsmag.org/ask-bolts/
Ask Bolts: The Past and Present of Immigrant Detention | Bolts
Send us your questions about the history and politics of incarcerating immigrants in the U.S.
boltsmag.org
December 4, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Trump has called for “mass deportations,” though the infrastructure to detain immigrants didn’t start with Trump.
What questions do you have about the history of immigration detention in the U.S.? Let us know, and historian Brianna Nofil will answer:
boltsmag.org/ask-bolts/
What questions do you have about the history of immigration detention in the U.S.? Let us know, and historian Brianna Nofil will answer:
boltsmag.org/ask-bolts/
Shout-out to #aarsbl friends and colleagues, you've made this a great conference. Lots of talk of building communities of mutual support. I hope we can carry the work forward!
November 26, 2024 at 12:11 AM
Shout-out to #aarsbl friends and colleagues, you've made this a great conference. Lots of talk of building communities of mutual support. I hope we can carry the work forward!
Once again, this is unconstitutional, & also if it makes it into any classrooms I would love to see some malicious compliance where students learn the actual teachings of Jesus & the Bible about overturning social hierarchies, rich people giving their wealth to the poor, welcoming the stranger, etc
Breaking News: Texas has approved Bible-infused lessons in public schools in an initial vote. The curriculum could become a model for other states under the Trump administration.
Texas Education Board Backs Bible-Infused Lessons in Public Schools
School districts serving more than two million elementary school children would be able to adopt a curriculum that draws on the Bible.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Once again, this is unconstitutional, & also if it makes it into any classrooms I would love to see some malicious compliance where students learn the actual teachings of Jesus & the Bible about overturning social hierarchies, rich people giving their wealth to the poor, welcoming the stranger, etc
@jayirwin.bsky.social do you have insight on this? Btw you and Rebecca would get along, I think. Two good friends, both of whom I admire.
I posted a question about this a few days ago, but thought I'd try again: Wife and I would like to give somewhat substantial gift to a gender affirming care access fund. With some looking around I found this. Anyone know if they're solid and/or have other fund suggestions?
Point of Pride | Life-changing healthcare access for trans folks
Point of Pride provides financial aid and direct support to transgender and non-binary folks in need of health and wellness care.
www.pointofpride.org
November 18, 2024 at 6:31 PM
@jayirwin.bsky.social do you have insight on this? Btw you and Rebecca would get along, I think. Two good friends, both of whom I admire.
Reposted by Laura Alexander
PRRI finds that more than 7 in 10 Americans support various efforts to tell the truth about slavery and discrimination (90%), create more inclusive public spaces (79%), or repair past damage done by violence or discrimination (72%).
Read more in @latimes.com.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Read more in @latimes.com.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Palm Springs to pay $5.9 million to Black and Latino families over razed homes
The Palm Springs City Council has approved a $5.9-million settlement with Black and Latino families whose homes were torn down decades ago.
www.latimes.com
November 18, 2024 at 4:05 PM
PRRI finds that more than 7 in 10 Americans support various efforts to tell the truth about slavery and discrimination (90%), create more inclusive public spaces (79%), or repair past damage done by violence or discrimination (72%).
Read more in @latimes.com.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Read more in @latimes.com.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Laura Alexander
In his final hours, Keith Gavin’s request for a halal final meal was denied by Alabama prison officials. "I’m a Muslim, I’m supposed to be eating halal food,” he told Bolts shortly before his execution. “There’s nothing else to eat but junk food.” boltsmag.org/alabama-exec...
Before Executing a Muslim Man, Alabama Denied Many of His Final Religious Requests
Keith Gavin made a number of requests about his final moments, all stemming from his Islamic faith. But the prison largely ignored them, as it has with Muslim prisoners in the past.
boltsmag.org
November 17, 2024 at 4:52 PM
In his final hours, Keith Gavin’s request for a halal final meal was denied by Alabama prison officials. "I’m a Muslim, I’m supposed to be eating halal food,” he told Bolts shortly before his execution. “There’s nothing else to eat but junk food.” boltsmag.org/alabama-exec...
Well, duh, but notable nevertheless. So basically Trump is going to copy Obama on immigration. Which, to be clear, is still not good. "Criminal" covers a lot of things, many of which most Americans think are no big deal.
Notable - Mike Johnson on CNN walks back Trump's promise to deport as many as 20m people, saying "I'm not sure that's what's gonna happen. I think what the president is talking about is beginning w/the dangerous persons that we know are here. There are criminals, known criminals"
November 17, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Well, duh, but notable nevertheless. So basically Trump is going to copy Obama on immigration. Which, to be clear, is still not good. "Criminal" covers a lot of things, many of which most Americans think are no big deal.
Most of my life is about theological ethics, but here in NE I've been involved in keeping public dollars in public schools and advocating for support for ALL students and education that's constitutionally appropriate. What's happening in OK would be funny if it weren't harming students.
Oklahoma schools have gone from 7th in the nation to 49th in the nation in the ~12 years Republicans have controlled the school system.
November 16, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Most of my life is about theological ethics, but here in NE I've been involved in keeping public dollars in public schools and advocating for support for ALL students and education that's constitutionally appropriate. What's happening in OK would be funny if it weren't harming students.
A judge has ruled that the Louisiana law mandating putting Ten Commandment in public school classrooms is unconstitutional. Of course this is true, but I also sometimes dream about the ways these sorts of laws enable malicious compliance.../1
apnews.com/article/ten-...
apnews.com/article/ten-...
Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill says the state will ask a federal appeals court to quickly stay a lower court's order declaring unconstitutional a law requiring that the Ten Commandments ...
apnews.com
November 15, 2024 at 3:57 PM
A judge has ruled that the Louisiana law mandating putting Ten Commandment in public school classrooms is unconstitutional. Of course this is true, but I also sometimes dream about the ways these sorts of laws enable malicious compliance.../1
apnews.com/article/ten-...
apnews.com/article/ten-...
First post! Wanted to say hi and that I'm very excited about my upcoming courses this spring. I don't think any of it will be easy, but I love hearing students' perspectives. Religion and Human Rights; War, Religion, and Human Rights; and an independent study with a student interested in theology.
November 12, 2024 at 6:12 PM
First post! Wanted to say hi and that I'm very excited about my upcoming courses this spring. I don't think any of it will be easy, but I love hearing students' perspectives. Religion and Human Rights; War, Religion, and Human Rights; and an independent study with a student interested in theology.