💔 ‘Heavy Hearts That Can Only Be Healed By The Grace Of God’ 🔌
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) It seems appropriate that Weekend Plug-in should be “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
That’s especially true this week as Bon Jovi’s classic single topped 1 billion views on YouTube. As Christianity Today’s Kate Shellnutt put it, “Oo-oo he's all the way there.”
Enjoy the music as we get down to business, reviewing the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.
What To Know: The Big Story
Tyre Nichols: In Memphis, Tennessee, loved ones celebrated the 29-year-old police beating victim’s life — and called for reforms — Wednesday at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.
“We have come with heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God, full transparency, accountability and comprehensive legislative reform,” the Rev. J. Lawrence Turner said, as reported by the Commercial Appeal’s Lucas Finton, Katherine Burgess and Laura Testino.
The funeral featured messages of faith from Vice President Kamala Harris and the Rev. Al Sharpton, Religion News Service’s Adelle M. Banks notes.
Grief and goals: RNS’ Banks talks to faith leaders about Nichols’ death.
At Christianity Today, Russell Moore writes that “Scriptures denounce officials who abuse their authority to harm rather than protect the people they serve.”
‘No excuse’: As a teen, longtime Memphis minister and politician John DeBerry Jr. witnessed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech before his 1968 assassination.
I interviewed DeBerry about Nichols’ death:
“I think it is a systemic issue and that it is not a new issue. While we focus on violations of law and protocol and civil rights, and we especially focus on it when it crosses racial lines, this is especially concerning to a lot of us because all five of these officers (charged with murder) are Black.
“We’re concerned about the level of violence, the level of malice. They tased him and pepper-sprayed him and then beat him to death. There is just no excuse for it.”
Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads
1. Faith and fraud: “An alleged $500 million Ponzi scheme preyed on Mormons. It ended with FBI gunfire.”
With this story, the Washington Post’s Lizzie Johnson finishes what slain Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German started.
“It was an honor to do this reporting — to honor Jeff German and complete his work,” Johnson says. “I'm proud that his story lives on.”
2. Nikki Haley for president: South Carolina’s former governor, who served as President Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, will challenge her former boss for the GOP nomination.
Religion figures heavily in an in-depth profile of Haley by the Post and Courier’s Jennifer Berry Hawes, Avery G. Wilks and Caitlyn Byrd:
As a child, Haley felt the stares when her family walked into the area’s restaurants, her father wearing a turban, her mother in colorful saris.
When other families flocked to First Baptist and Trinity Methodist churches, the Randhawas were not part of the strong social networks that Sunday worship provides, especially in South Carolina’s small towns. The family practiced the Sikh faith; they had a room in their house for worship.
People in Bamberg didn’t know what to make of the strange new arrivals.
3. ‘Groundhog Day’: Thirty years have passed since the 1993 release of the classic film starring Bill Murray.
Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana writes that the movie’s “Buddhist-infused message … still holds spiritual power.”
Switching from the film to the Feb. 2 holiday, Tablet’s Maggie Phillips explores “Groundhog Day’s Christian — and pre-Christian — roots.”
More Top Reads
Psychedelic churches in the U.S. are pushing the boundaries of religion, according to The Associated Press’ Michael Casey. … Churches supporting former Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt are under inquiry by SBC oversight group, The Tennessean’s Liam Adams reports. … Busted pipes and busted budgets: Church Law & Tax’s Matthew J. Branaugh explains how houses of worship can fight back against winter’s hidden risks. … For the Jewish News Syndicate, Menachem Wecker details how a Jewish football coach helped merit chip away at Harvard’s elite social status. … New Jersey abuse survivors say the Catholic Church has failed to disclose hundreds of cases, NewJersey.com’s Deena Yellin and Abbott Koloff report. … The Washington Times’ Mark A. Kellner has produced multiple stories from this week’s International Religious Freedom Summit. … Finally, the National Catholic Reporter’s Vatican correspondent, Christopher White, is covering Pope Francis’ six-day trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Inside The Godbeat
Hayden Royster profiles former World magazine editor Marvin Olasky for Religion & Politics.
One thing hasn’t changed, as Royster explains: Olasky “still wants to make journalism biblically objective.”
Charging Station: ICYMI
Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.
“What may be the most important development in American religion and politics over the last few decades is the growing emergence of the ‘God gap’ — the contrasting religiosity between Republican and Democrat voters. This reflects how the parties have seemingly polarized on matters of religion.”
That’s the intriguing peg for a think piece by Ryan Burge.
Not everyone endorses Burge’s take: Religion News Service’s Jack Jenkins complained on Twitter about the characterization of his book, “American Prophets.”
The Final Plug
As we close, a reminder that there’s always a religion angle — even when two emperor tamarin monkeys go missing from the Dallas Zoo.
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.