🌎 Religious Freedom Summit Covers Mental Health, Antisemitism, Persecution 🔌
Weekend Plug-in 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com.
(ANALYSIS) Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers!
Thank you for all the kind comments about my piece last week on how I got my start on the Godbeat: covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis.
I was particularly pleased to hear from Patricia Rice Hellmuth, who was then the religion editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Steve Mamanella, who served as communications director of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Read their reflections.
This is our weekly roundup of the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith. We start with coverage of the International Religious Freedom Summit.
What To Know: The Big Story
Religion and mental health: “Decades of data gathered in a single study released last fall shows that a relationship with God improves mental health and well-being, the study’s creators said Wednesday during the fourth annual International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.”
That’s the lede from the Deseret News’ Tad Walch.
More from Walch’s story
Gallup and the Radiant Foundation sifted through decades of Gallup surveys of tens of thousands of people in 140 countries as well as more than 400 validated research studies. They found measurable proof that religion and spirituality provide positive benefits.
“Our relationship with God heals,” Radiant Foundation executive director Angela Redding said. “Every study that we’ve seen suggests that with a relationship with God, suicide rates go down, depression goes down, anxiety goes down.”
The IRF Summit’s organizers say the event is designed to grow a human rights movement in support of international religious freedom. Redding and other speakers told the summit that data shows there is a worldwide connection between spirituality and well-being.
Also at the summit, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Louisiana, both raised concerns about rising antisemitism at home and abroad, according to Walch and RealClearPolitics’ Susan Crabtree.
Persecuted women: “Tens of millions of women worldwide are persecuted for their religious beliefs or nonbeliefs, advocates at the International Religious Freedom Summit 2024 say, but their stories often go untold because of their gender.”
The Washington Times’ Mark A. Kellner reports that news.
Check out all of Kellner’s stories from the summit, including how lunch with a concentration camp survivor made Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, a human rights champion.
More on persecution: A Nicaraguan priest described at the summit how he was “arrested, insulted, beaten (and) imprisoned” by the regime of President Daniel Ortega, according to Catholic News Agency’s Tyler Arnold.
Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads
1. From Mennonite farmer to drug lord: “As an ex-Mennonite who investigates drug trafficking in Mexico for a living, I've never felt more qualified to do a story than this one: Franz Kauenhofen, deeply in debt, and excommunicated for owning a smartphone, becomes a ruthless drug trafficker.”
So tweets Steve Fisher about his in-depth Los Angeles Times piece from Las Flores, Mexico.
2. “The Chosen” hits theaters: Season 4 of the popular Jesus show, which arrived in theaters Thursday, “takes a turn for the serious,” according to Peter T. Chattaway, writing for Christianity Today.
In a ReligionUnplugged.com review, Joseph Holmes declares the Season 4 premiere “a gutsy winner” and “easily the strongest … the show has had since its first.”
3. Five Love Languages: A new study looks at the real reason Gary Chapman’s bestselling book on love and relationships is a success.
Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana reports on the findings.
More Top Reads
A Southern Baptist retirement agency's investing reveals tension over conservative values, according to The Tennessean’s Liam Adams. … What happens when America's largest Episcopal church loses its minister? The Houston Chronicle’s Eric Killelea explains. … Who was St. Brigid, and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death? The Associated Press’ Peter Smith provides the answers. … A woman’s historic sermon at a joint Black Baptist meeting drew cheers and controversy, Religion News Service’s Adelle M. Banks reports. … “‘How Great Thou Art” gets a new verse in a Matt Redman collaboration, as Christianity Today’s Kelsey Kramer McGinnis details. … Focusing on the case of Paul Pressler, the New York Times’ David French offers his opinion on what happens “when the right ignores its sex scandals.”
Inside The Godbeat
In the last two months, Frank E. Lockwood, religion editor for the Religion News Service, has filed 22 stories on a sex abuse case involving a Baptist church in Little Rock.
Lockwood’s reporting prowess and tenacity have helped bring important facts to light.
Kudos to my friend and fellow religion writer!
Charging Station: ICYMI
Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.
“The Feb. 11 Super Bowl showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers may be contested at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas — known as Sin City — but it will feature two very pious quarterbacks.”
Read the faith profile of the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy by Clemente Lisi.
The Final Plug
I spent time in West Texas this week reporting on the debate at Abilene Christian University over traditional vs. affirming views on same-sex relationships.
My Christian Chronicle story features interviews with ACU’s president as well as students and alumni.
Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.
Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.