Crossroads Podcast: Inside Dallas’ Methodist Church Wars

It’s a big news story — at the denominational and local levels — when one of America’s biggest, richest, most powerful and most strategic United Methodist congregations votes to remove the word “United” from its name. Imagine this: What if a dozen members of the Highland Park flock, next to Southern Methodist University, released a manifesto explaining why 90% of the voters in the Dallas pews backed that decision? And what if one prominent Highland Park member — President George W. Bush — agreed to sign? Would that affect coverage?

🗳️ 5 Religion Questions To Watch In The Midterm Election 🔌

Religion will play a role in Tuesday’s midterm election, from mobilizing participation to seeking precinct integrity to influencing voter decisions. Here are five faith-related questions to watch.

Rising Wedding Costs Drive Ugandan Men Away From Marriage

The rising price of weddings are discouraging men in Uganda from marrying, raising significant concern among religious and political leaders. Leaders said they worry the trend may undermine family stability. A Ugandan Demographics and Health Survey report from 2011 found that 38% of men ages 15 to 49 have never been married, compared with 24% of women in the same age group. The report noted that men tend to marry at much older ages than women.

Election Fraud Claims Should Meet The Standard We’d Demand In Court

(OPINION) If our own freedom were at stake, we would insist on a fair weighing of the facts. Our neighbors deserve that same standard. So does the democracy we share.

Not So Holy Ghost: Tour The UK’s Spookiest Churches And Sacred Sites

From ghostly monks and spectral nuns to unexplained footsteps and phantom screams, Britain’s ancient religious sites are steeped in supernatural folklore. Discover how centuries of faith, conflict, burial traditions and architectural grandeur have inspired haunting legends that continue to captivate ghost hunters and Halloween enthusiasts alike.

AI Companions Offer Comfort, But Risk Deepening Loneliness

(ANALYSIS) A 2025 Vantage Point Counseling Services study found that 28% of adults say they have had an intimate AI interaction or relationship. The same study said 54% of Americans mentioned AI friends, colleagues or confidants.

US Religious Attendance Holds Steady, With Mixed Results For Young Adults

Religious participation in the United States is showing signs of stability following years of decline, but new research from Pew also suggests that reports of a religious revival among young adults may tell only part of the story. For now, these latest findings point to a recovery in religious attendance alongside continued long-term uncertainty about faith in America.

Israel’s Opposition Has The Numbers To Oust Netanyahu: What Happens Next?

(ANALYSIS) In almost any other parliamentary democracy, such a result would be understood as a decisive victory for the forces seeking a change of government. Yet Israel may be heading toward the extraordinary spectacle of an opposition that wins a commanding majority and nevertheless allows the incumbent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies, to remain in power.

How Religion Collided With Politics In Brazil’s Presidential Election

(ANALYSIS) Lula’s victory this past Sunday is just one more example of how race intersects all facets of Brazilian society, including religion. Experts said these durable divisions will mark Brazil’s political and religious landscape for the foreseeable future.

Confessions And Defenses Of A 17th Century Witch Hunter

In 1647, England’s Witchfinder General published a pamphlet to address criticisms he had received for his methods. He responded to each critique in turn, revealing the secrets of his complicated, misunderstood and undeniably cruel profession. 

Before Posting A Snarky Comment, Pause To Consider The Eighth Commandment

(OPINION) Never damage another person’s reputation simply for sport or to build your own social currency. Don't assume the worst about people; instead, try to assume the best. If you say something harmful that turns out to be untrue, make every effort to set the record straight.

On Many College Campuses, Some Students Are Turning to Catholicism

Over the last few years, young educated adults are finding Catholicism more attractive than other forms of Christianity. Even at secular universities, these young men and women have settled on the Catholic Church, drawn in by its 2000-year-old intellectual tradition and beauty. Data from the prayer app Hallow shows that colleges saw students involved with Catholicism jump 115%.

Israel’s Future: What Will Change If Netanyahu Loses?

(ANALYSIS) Israel’s election on Tuesday could mark a turning point for a country battered by war, political turmoil and growing international isolation. If the opposition manages to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the consequences could extend far beyond a change of leadership.

Ohio Pastor Announces Second Wife, Embraces Polygamy As Biblical

A Cleveland-area pastor publicly introduced a second wife to the world last Sunday, saying the widely held Christian teaching that a man should have only one wife is “unbiblical.” Israel Ford, founder of LifeWorks Church, posted a video of the announcement on Oct. 25. His first wife and fellow pastor, Lydia Ford, introduced Minister Shakayla Talley Ford to congregants who gave the threesome a standing ovation.

What Do Horror Movies Reveal About Gen Z’s Spirituality And Beliefs?

This week, Religion Unplugged’s culture writers Joseph Holmes and Jillian Cheney sat down before Halloween to explore how Gen Z thinking is changing the horror genre.

‘Brotherhood’ Reminds Us Why Faith-Based Movies Shouldn’t Be Preachy

(REVIEW) “Brotherhood” is a new film that seems to agree with the second viewpoint. It’s a Christian musical focused on the American immigration debate. Its constant sermonizing in nearly every line of dialogue and song lyric is a good reminder that preachiness undermines good filmmaking, regardless of the message.

Upending The Box Office: Conservative Christian Movies Coming For Hollywood

(ANALYSIS) Movie studios have struggled through the pandemic and the streaming era, both of which have tanked box office receipts, leaving the field open for movies from offbeat production studios. In addition to The Daily Wire, there has been a whole ream of Christian movies attempting to shift the stereotype of bible movies to something more prestigious — or at least profitable.

‘Christianity At A Crossroads’ Shows Churches Closing (And Growing) At Once

(REVIEW) Filmed on location across the country, it holds grief and vitality side by side: the final service at Belding United Methodist Church in Michigan; a Minnesota farm-country Lutheran congregation; growing Hispanic, Korean-American and historic Black churches; house churches; new church plants; and even worship in virtual reality.

The Math On Orthodox Christian Growth Doesn’t Add Up (Yet)

(ANALYSIS) Let’s actually dig into the widely held belief that American Orthodox Christianity is experiencing a huge surge in converts post-pandemic. The short answer: That’s a really hard claim to test with survey data, for a simple reason. There just aren’t that many Orthodox Christians in the U.S. to begin with.

‘Knowledge, Self-Discipline And Virtue’: The Spiritual Cost That Comes With Convenience

(REVIEW) Gabe Bullard’s new book “Against Convenience” addresses some of these problems and argues “not against an easier path, but against the idea that the paths in front of us are truly any easier.”

Address

Contact

Information