In India, The Catholic Church Becomes An Unlikely Sanctuary For Trans People

The Chennai office and other programs are carefully presented in the language of human dignity and spiritual accompaniment, not rights advocacy. But the effect, in the current political moment, is inherently political. For trans Catholics who seek out these spaces, carrying both faith and the experience of rejection, the distinction may matter less than the fact of welcome itself.

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How Evangelicals Helped Shape Indigenous Reconciliation In Canada

(ANALYSIS) As Canada marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, the often-overlooked partnership between evangelicals and Indigenous leaders deserves recognition. From Elijah Harper’s Sacred Assembly to ongoing reconciliation efforts, Canadian evangelicals have helped advance healing, Indigenous rights and renewed relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

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‘Hand Of God’ Goal 40 Years Later: Should It Be Celebrated?

(ANALYSIS) Memorable goals are generally linked to the players who scored them. Few can be recalled without mention of the individual — or even the team — involved. Yet, two goals in one game 40 years ago have attained that status. One is known universally as the “Hand of God,” and the other is widely acknowledged as the “Goal of the Century.” Both were scored by Diego Maradona.

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Faith And Voting: How Trump’s Approval Is Trailing The 2024 Share

(ANALYSIS) It’s the “cry more, libs” approach for Republicans. A Democrat will demonize or mischaracterize the other side of the argument because this helps them justify their own voting choices. It really goes both ways. But now that we have data from the 2025 Cooperative Election Study, we can actually dig into how vote choices are relating to approval ratings of Donald Trump.

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65 Years Later, My Childhood Baseball Glove Still Catches Memories Of My Dad

(OPINION) Like many guys my age, I credit my dad for a love of the game that punctuated my formative years and beyond. It is because of his influence that I have successfully passed on an appreciation for baseball to my adult children and my grandchildren. While I’m grateful for that success, what matters to me more is helping them catch my love for their Creator.

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Seeing Pope Leo XIV’s AI Encyclical Through A Jewish Lens

(ANALYSIS) In Judaism, this distinctly-human urge — or as Immanuel Kant puts it, “self-imposed immaturity” — separates humanity from God. Immaturity, however, implies the concept of a future maturation process, induced by palpable experience and excluding any computational rigging or other attempt to authentically possess it.

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⚾️ Church Helps Homeless Son Of Late Yankees TV Cameraman 🔌

When Maurice Costabile first showed up at a Houston church a few years ago, members had no clue his late father, Duilio, was a beloved TV cameraman dubbed the “Mayor of Yankee Stadium.” They just knew he looked homeless — and desperately needed a bath.

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Crossroads Podcast: Bible Rainbow Vs. Pride Rainbow

Please rise, for the hymn of the day: “Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd; Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don’t care if I never get back. Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don’t win, it’s a shame. For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, At the old ball game.”

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Chris Pratt’s Countercultural Message: Faith Matters More Than Fame

(ANALYSIS) Actor Chris Pratt says his faith has guided him through personal struggles, Hollywood pressures and family life. Reflecting on fame, success and public scrutiny, Pratt also argues that lasting joy comes from God — not wealth, power, celebrity or cultural influence.

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Oklahoma Pastor Ends Congressional Bid After Texting Scandal

Jackson Lahmeyer, the Tulsa pastor endorsed by President Donald Trump in the race for an open Oklahoma congressional seat, suspended his campaign Wednesday shortly after losing the president’s backing.

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Pascal’s Wager: The Greatest Gamble in History, Dumbed Down For Modern Times

(ANALYSIS) Blaise Pascal, born in 1623, showed that being intelligent doesn’t solve the problem of being human. He was a great scientist and mathematician. Yet he knew neither discipline could explain purpose, meaning or death.

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New Study Reveals Americans Want A Religiously Diverse Nation

The multicultural excitement around soccer’s World Cup feels palpable in host cities across the nation and a recent survey shows that most Americans want the U.S. to be multicultural. But the celebrations at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey stand in stark contrast with the alleged inhumane conditions at the ICE facility just a few miles away.

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50% Of Pastors Support Special Church Observances For America 250

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, half of Protestant pastors say their churches should mark the occasion with special celebrations, according to Lifeway Research. While support for patriotic elements in worship continues to decline, most churches still recognize veterans, military families, or America’s heritage around Independence Day.

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‘SNL’ Alum Victoria Jackson Is Not Dead … Yet!

To understand what it’s like to be a Christian while approaching death, Culture Critic Joseph Holmes spoke with actor and writer Victoria Jackson. Jackson suffers from terminal breast cancer, and, with the knowledge that her life is going to end, she recently wrote “Not Dead Yet,” which tells the story of her life, her faith and how she is dealing with dying.

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A Shared Mourning Ritual Helped A US Soldier And Iraqi Find Common Ground

(ESSAY) As an anthropologist who studies social bonding during times of crisis, I now understand how cultural religious traditions — even when they seem different — can create unexpected connections. Many years after my military service, during the final days of my father’s life, my large family kept vigil beside him. Sitting with my siblings, mother and dozens of nieces and nephews, I told them this story.

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Baroque Master Zurbarán’s Masterpieces Illuminate Both Faith And Flesh

(REVIEW) More than 40 masterpieces in this major National Gallery retrospective reveal Francisco de Zurbarán’s extraordinary ability to make spiritual visions feel tangible. From haunting crucifixions and contemplative saints to luminous still lifes, the exhibition showcases the full range of Spain’s great master of religious painting.

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As Talarico Eyes Senate Bid, Religion Becomes A Texas Battleground

(ANALYSIS) Democrats hope Texas state legislator and Presbyterian seminarian James Talarico can win a U.S. Senate seat by appealing to religious voters. Republicans are highlighting his progressive positions on gender, sexuality, abortion, and church-state issues as evidence he is out of step with Texas conservatives.

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Chinese Police Raid Early Rain Covenant Church During Sunday Worship

Authorities in southwestern China launched a large-scale raid against Early Rain Covenant Church during its Sunday worship service on June 14, detaining dozens of believers, according to reports received by ChinaAid and a subsequent church statement.

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Amy Goodman’s Relentless Pursuit of Power, Accountability And Truth

One of America’s greatest and fearless investigative journalists, Amy Goodman, seeks the truth and reports it. Religion Unplugged sat down with her to discuss how her Jewish upbringing and its influences on her career and reporting.

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Prayers Continue For Centuries-Old Kievan Lavra In Kyiv

(ANALYSIS) I am back home, writing at my desk in the Southern Highlands after two weeks visiting Scotland, Ireland, Wales and thereabouts. I remain a bit jet-lagged, as is common for folks of my age, but there is work to be done.

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