• Apply
  • Archives
  • NewsWatch
  • Classifieds
  • Multimedia
    • Ole Miss in Puerto Rico
    • Campus Protests
    • The Queen of Marks
    • Meet Aubrey Armstrong, a Real Champion and Local Celebrity
    • Mississippi voters passed Initiative 65. What’s next?
    • One year later: COVID-19 at Ole Miss
    • “It’s Just Not Fair”: One Woman’s Fight For Access to Community Water
    • A way with words
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
No Result
View All Result
The Daily Mississippian
  • News
    • All
    • Associated Student Body
    Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

    Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

    University cuts support for Oxford Pride

    University cuts support for Oxford Pride

    ASB expands legislative council, elects Wesley Templet president pro tempore

    ASB expands legislative council, elects Wesley Templet president pro tempore

    What goes into making Commencement happen for 5,500 graduates?

    What goes into making Commencement happen for 5,500 graduates?

    Stamps Impact Prize awarded to 15 students

    Stamps Impact Prize awarded to 15 students

    MPower sets on a new path amid low attendance

    MPower sets on a new path amid low attendance

  • Sports
    • All
    • Game Recap
    House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

    House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

    Ole Miss Softball takes series against Missouri

    Ole Miss Softball advances to World Series for first time in program history

    Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

    Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

    Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

    Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

    Ole Miss Softball dominates Rocket City Softball Showcase

    Ole Miss Softball battles through SEC Tournament

    Ole Miss softball falls to No. 1 Tennessee

    Ole Miss softball falls to No. 1 Tennessee

  • Arts & Culture
    Seniors cement their campus legacy with a brick

    Seniors cement their campus legacy with a brick

    Student photographers capture picture-perfect graduation moments

    Student photographers capture picture-perfect graduation moments

    Julien Baker & TORRES ‘send a prayer’ to Oxford

    Julien Baker & TORRES ‘send a prayer’ to Oxford

    Double Decker 28 rocks the Square

    Double Decker 28 rocks the Square

    Grove trees cared for by the Department of Landscaping Services. Photo courtesy: Jillian Russell

    An ode to campus trees and those who care for them

    ‘Sinners’ falls flat on first watch

    ‘Sinners’ falls flat on first watch

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Ask a Philosopher
    • Diary of a Black Girl
    • From The Editorial Board
    • Lavender Letters
    • Letters to the editor
    lavender letters graphic, a purple envelope with a purple letter, "lavender letters" is written in bold black font on the letter

    Lavender Letters: senior sign-off

    Diary of a Black Girl: senior sign-off

    Diary of a Black Girl: senior sign-off

    Opinion: How to avoid summertime sadness

    Opinion: How to avoid summertime sadness

    Ask a Philosopher: How do I quell my public speaking fears?

    Ask a Philosopher: Why do other people not understand me?

    A farewell from Opinion Editor Justice Rose

    A farewell from Opinion Editor Justice Rose

    Why evangelical Christians need to feel the heat on climate change

    Why evangelical Christians need to feel the heat on climate change

  • Special Projects
    • All
    • It's a Whole New Ball Game
    • Jordan Center Symposium
    • Rising Tides & Temperatures

    Jordan Center debuts with symposium addressing impact of social media, AI on democracy

    Richard Lui: News media must not make same mistakes with AI that it did with social media

    Elise Jordan: Artificial Intelligence will completely transform world

    Elise Jordan: Artificial Intelligence will completely transform world

    danah boyd: Journalism connects people in a healthy social fabric

    danah boyd: Journalism connects people in a healthy social fabric

    Meetali Jain holds Big Tech accountable

    Meetali Jain holds Big Tech accountable

    Dana Milbank asks, ‘Can free press survive the Trump era?’

    Dana Milbank asks, ‘Can free press survive the Trump era?’

  • Print / e-Editions
  • About Us
    • Applications
    • Advertise
      • Advertise with Us
      • Classifieds
    • Contact
    • Editorial Board
    • Policies
    • Daily Mississippian Staff 2025-26
  • News
    • All
    • Associated Student Body
    Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

    Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

    University cuts support for Oxford Pride

    University cuts support for Oxford Pride

    ASB expands legislative council, elects Wesley Templet president pro tempore

    ASB expands legislative council, elects Wesley Templet president pro tempore

    What goes into making Commencement happen for 5,500 graduates?

    What goes into making Commencement happen for 5,500 graduates?

    Stamps Impact Prize awarded to 15 students

    Stamps Impact Prize awarded to 15 students

    MPower sets on a new path amid low attendance

    MPower sets on a new path amid low attendance

  • Sports
    • All
    • Game Recap
    House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

    House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

    Ole Miss Softball takes series against Missouri

    Ole Miss Softball advances to World Series for first time in program history

    Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

    Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

    Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

    Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

    Ole Miss Softball dominates Rocket City Softball Showcase

    Ole Miss Softball battles through SEC Tournament

    Ole Miss softball falls to No. 1 Tennessee

    Ole Miss softball falls to No. 1 Tennessee

  • Arts & Culture
    Seniors cement their campus legacy with a brick

    Seniors cement their campus legacy with a brick

    Student photographers capture picture-perfect graduation moments

    Student photographers capture picture-perfect graduation moments

    Julien Baker & TORRES ‘send a prayer’ to Oxford

    Julien Baker & TORRES ‘send a prayer’ to Oxford

    Double Decker 28 rocks the Square

    Double Decker 28 rocks the Square

    Grove trees cared for by the Department of Landscaping Services. Photo courtesy: Jillian Russell

    An ode to campus trees and those who care for them

    ‘Sinners’ falls flat on first watch

    ‘Sinners’ falls flat on first watch

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Ask a Philosopher
    • Diary of a Black Girl
    • From The Editorial Board
    • Lavender Letters
    • Letters to the editor
    lavender letters graphic, a purple envelope with a purple letter, "lavender letters" is written in bold black font on the letter

    Lavender Letters: senior sign-off

    Diary of a Black Girl: senior sign-off

    Diary of a Black Girl: senior sign-off

    Opinion: How to avoid summertime sadness

    Opinion: How to avoid summertime sadness

    Ask a Philosopher: How do I quell my public speaking fears?

    Ask a Philosopher: Why do other people not understand me?

    A farewell from Opinion Editor Justice Rose

    A farewell from Opinion Editor Justice Rose

    Why evangelical Christians need to feel the heat on climate change

    Why evangelical Christians need to feel the heat on climate change

  • Special Projects
    • All
    • It's a Whole New Ball Game
    • Jordan Center Symposium
    • Rising Tides & Temperatures

    Jordan Center debuts with symposium addressing impact of social media, AI on democracy

    Richard Lui: News media must not make same mistakes with AI that it did with social media

    Elise Jordan: Artificial Intelligence will completely transform world

    Elise Jordan: Artificial Intelligence will completely transform world

    danah boyd: Journalism connects people in a healthy social fabric

    danah boyd: Journalism connects people in a healthy social fabric

    Meetali Jain holds Big Tech accountable

    Meetali Jain holds Big Tech accountable

    Dana Milbank asks, ‘Can free press survive the Trump era?’

    Dana Milbank asks, ‘Can free press survive the Trump era?’

  • Print / e-Editions
  • About Us
    • Applications
    • Advertise
      • Advertise with Us
      • Classifieds
    • Contact
    • Editorial Board
    • Policies
    • Daily Mississippian Staff 2025-26
No Result
View All Result
The Daily Mississippian
No Result
View All Result

Opinion: Reformation Day a reminder to keep reforming

Daniel PaynebyDaniel Payne
October 31, 2017
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Yesterday was Halloween, which meant parties, dressing up and some scares. It was a big deal for most of us in the United States.

It was also Reformation Day — more specifically, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s start of the Protestant Reformation. Most of us find this holiday a bit more boring. That doesn’t mean we should ignore it, though.

Reformation Day represents a significant moment in history. People from various backgrounds and beliefs came together to change injustices and corruption they saw in their religious communities.

Churches were very powerful parts of society at the time, with unchecked power in many situations. Inevitably, this power leads to injustice and exploitation. Poor members paid indulgences to better their chances in the afterlife, and this money was often used to support opulent lifestyles by high officials in the church. Dissenters that rose up against this system faced grave, even fatal consequences.

Still, reformers worked to change the injustices in their churches.

Ironically, those who claim the principles of the Reformation are now the ones in power. Nine out of 10 U.S. Senators are Christian, an overrepresentation of the 7 out of 10 Christian Americans. Most of them are Protestants. The church’s power isn’t as concerning as the parts of the church misusing that power. Injustice and corruption have found their way back into many Christian communities.

It doesn’t take much investigating to realize many churches have mimicked systems of power that marginalize certain groups of people.

The majority of Christians and the overwhelming majority of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, therefore signaling at least some approval of his morally repugnant policies that discriminate against differences, disregard the common man and ignore those dependent on the government to simply survive.

You don’t have to be a New Testament scholar to realize this isn’t in line with the philosophy of a biblical Jesus.

It isn’t just politically that some churches have lost the plot of Christianity. Christians with certain beliefs or identities have been told they are not welcome in some communities. From those who believe in evolution to members of the LGBTQ community, many have been excluded, whether a little or a lot.

This is not a victimless sin; LGBTQ people who are in cultures that do not affirm them can be up to 8 times more likely to attempt suicide.

These members, like everyone else, want to be part of a religious community without being degraded.

It doesn’t stop with the LGBTQ community or doubters, though. The Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest denominations in the United States, only barely passed a resolution to denounce white supremacy after a great deal of clamor and confusion. The roots of racism are alive and well in many churches, with few caring to mention the elephant in a white-washed room.

It shouldn’t surprise us that the same denomination and many others deny women positions of significant authority.

This isn’t to mention the ways some churches misuse the donations they receive. According to a review of evangelical ministries, some churches consistently use less than 20 percent of their income for the actual programs and ministries they run. This is well below the 33 percent standard set by Charity Navigator. The Catholic Church also finds itself in disgraceful spending, paying millions fighting sex abuse accountability, according to an article in The Guardian.

This isn’t an argument that all churches are bad, or an expectation that institutions must be perfect. It’s simply an invitation to look critically at the powers that are sometimes shielded from criticism.

Fostering healthy religious communities starts with asking questions, not avoiding them.

Ask the hard questions. Speak up about injustice and stand with the oppressed. It’s time to reform again.

Daniel Payne is a sophomore integrated marketing communications major from Collierville, Tennessee.

In Case You Missed It

House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

3 weeks ago
Ole Miss Softball takes series against Missouri

Ole Miss Softball advances to World Series for first time in program history

4 weeks ago
Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

1 month ago
Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

1 month ago
Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

1 month ago
Ole Miss Softball dominates Rocket City Softball Showcase

Ole Miss Softball battles through SEC Tournament

1 month ago

Opinion: Reformation Day a reminder to keep reforming

Daniel PaynebyDaniel Payne
October 31, 2017
Reading Time: 3 mins read

Yesterday was Halloween, which meant parties, dressing up and some scares. It was a big deal for most of us in the United States.

It was also Reformation Day — more specifically, the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s start of the Protestant Reformation. Most of us find this holiday a bit more boring. That doesn’t mean we should ignore it, though.

Reformation Day represents a significant moment in history. People from various backgrounds and beliefs came together to change injustices and corruption they saw in their religious communities.

Churches were very powerful parts of society at the time, with unchecked power in many situations. Inevitably, this power leads to injustice and exploitation. Poor members paid indulgences to better their chances in the afterlife, and this money was often used to support opulent lifestyles by high officials in the church. Dissenters that rose up against this system faced grave, even fatal consequences.

Still, reformers worked to change the injustices in their churches.

Ironically, those who claim the principles of the Reformation are now the ones in power. Nine out of 10 U.S. Senators are Christian, an overrepresentation of the 7 out of 10 Christian Americans. Most of them are Protestants. The church’s power isn’t as concerning as the parts of the church misusing that power. Injustice and corruption have found their way back into many Christian communities.

It doesn’t take much investigating to realize many churches have mimicked systems of power that marginalize certain groups of people.

The majority of Christians and the overwhelming majority of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, therefore signaling at least some approval of his morally repugnant policies that discriminate against differences, disregard the common man and ignore those dependent on the government to simply survive.

You don’t have to be a New Testament scholar to realize this isn’t in line with the philosophy of a biblical Jesus.

It isn’t just politically that some churches have lost the plot of Christianity. Christians with certain beliefs or identities have been told they are not welcome in some communities. From those who believe in evolution to members of the LGBTQ community, many have been excluded, whether a little or a lot.

This is not a victimless sin; LGBTQ people who are in cultures that do not affirm them can be up to 8 times more likely to attempt suicide.

These members, like everyone else, want to be part of a religious community without being degraded.

It doesn’t stop with the LGBTQ community or doubters, though. The Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest denominations in the United States, only barely passed a resolution to denounce white supremacy after a great deal of clamor and confusion. The roots of racism are alive and well in many churches, with few caring to mention the elephant in a white-washed room.

It shouldn’t surprise us that the same denomination and many others deny women positions of significant authority.

This isn’t to mention the ways some churches misuse the donations they receive. According to a review of evangelical ministries, some churches consistently use less than 20 percent of their income for the actual programs and ministries they run. This is well below the 33 percent standard set by Charity Navigator. The Catholic Church also finds itself in disgraceful spending, paying millions fighting sex abuse accountability, according to an article in The Guardian.

This isn’t an argument that all churches are bad, or an expectation that institutions must be perfect. It’s simply an invitation to look critically at the powers that are sometimes shielded from criticism.

Fostering healthy religious communities starts with asking questions, not avoiding them.

Ask the hard questions. Speak up about injustice and stand with the oppressed. It’s time to reform again.

Daniel Payne is a sophomore integrated marketing communications major from Collierville, Tennessee.

In Case You Missed It

House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

House v. NCAA settlements gets approved, universities can now directly pay athletes

3 weeks ago
Ole Miss Softball takes series against Missouri

Ole Miss Softball advances to World Series for first time in program history

4 weeks ago
Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

Ole Miss Baseball wins big at home against UT Martin

1 month ago
Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

Is the university getting closer to a cap on admissions?

1 month ago
Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

Ole Miss Baseball falters on the road against in-state rival

1 month ago
Ole Miss Softball dominates Rocket City Softball Showcase

Ole Miss Softball battles through SEC Tournament

1 month ago

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Mississippi Press Association
Sign up for our weekly newsletter!
  • News
  • Sports
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Special Projects
  • Print / e-Editions
  • About Us
    • Applications
    • Advertise
      • Advertise with Us
      • Classifieds
    • Contact
    • Editorial Board
    • Policies
    • Daily Mississippian Staff 2025-26

All Rights Reserved to S. Gale Denley Student Media Center 2019

Republish this article

Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Unless otherwise noted, you can republish most of The Daily Mississippian’s stories for free under a Creative Commons license.

For digital publications:
Look for the "Republish This Story" button underneath each story. To republish online, simply click the button, copy the HTML code and paste it into your Content Management System (CMS).
Editorial cartoons and photo essays are not included under the Creative Commons license and therefore do not have the "Republish This Story" button option. To learn more about our cartoon syndication services, click here.
You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style.
You can’t sell or syndicate our stories.
Any website our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization.
If you share our stories on social media, please tag us in your posts using @thedailymississippian on Facebook and @thedm_news on X (formerly Twitter).

For print publications:
You have to credit The Daily Mississippian. We prefer “Author Name, The Daily Mississippian” in the byline. If you’re not able to add the byline, please include a line at the top of the story that reads: “This story was originally published by The Daily Mississippian” and include our website, thedmonline.com.
You can’t edit our stories, except to reflect relative changes in time, location and editorial style.
You cannot republish our editorial cartoons, photographs, illustrations or graphics without specific permission (contact our managing editor Michael Guidry for more information). To learn more about our cartoon syndication services, click here.
Our stories may appear on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories.
You can’t sell or syndicate our stories.
You can only publish select stories individually — not as a collection.
Any website our stories appear on must include a contact for your organization.
If you have any other questions, contact the Student Media Center at Ole Miss.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Sports
  • Arts & Culture
  • Opinion
  • Special Projects
  • Print / e-Editions
  • About Us
    • Applications
    • Advertise
      • Advertise with Us
      • Classifieds
    • Contact
    • Editorial Board
    • Policies
    • Daily Mississippian Staff 2025-26

All Rights Reserved to S. Gale Denley Student Media Center 2019

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00