🎉 Year In Review: Religion Unplugged's Top 10 Most Popular Articles Of 2023 🔌

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Weekend Plug-in 🔌

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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!

Last week, we highlighted the best religion journalism of 2023 as picked by more than 60 of the nation’s top Godbeat pros.

🚨🚨🚨WEEKEND PLUG-IN 🔌🔌🔌

1. The best religion journalism of 2023

A special year-end edition of my weekly @ReligionMag column/newsletter https://t.co/3CF8n7tFBZ #Godbeat #bestreads #YearinReview2023

— Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) December 22, 2023

For today’s special year-end edition, we count down ReligionUnplugged.com’s Top 10 most popular articles of 2023.

Power Up: The Year’s Top Reads

10. Super Bowl Quarterbacks Jalen Hurts And Patrick Mahomes Both Playing For Christ (by Clemente Lisi)

The @Chiefs’ @PatrickMahomes taking on the @Eagles’ @JalenHurts in Super Bowl LVII Feb. 12 will mark the first time both starting quarterbacks are Black. They’re also practicing Christians unafraid to publicly talk about their faith. https://t.co/RbMpfu7pqQ #SuperBowlLVII

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) February 3, 2023

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9. Why Businessman Peter Chung Is Key Player In The Future Of The King’s College (by Paul Glader) 

Why Canadian Businessman Peter Chung Is a Key Player In The Future of The King’s College in NYC https://t.co/3rbbOXg909 The college where I’ve worked for a decade is seeking a way out of a financial crisis. Here’s my take on key factors. @alissamarie @drantbradley @Dru_Johnson

— Paul Glader (@PaulGlader) February 28, 2023

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8. An Indonesian Tradition Of Digging Up Dead Relatives For A Spirited Afterlife Ritual (by Vishal Arora)

In the unusual tradition of Ma’nene in South Sulawesi of Indonesia's Toraja region, families lovingly clean, dress up and even put cigarettes in the mouths of the exhumed bodies of their dead relatives. Our exclusive photo essay:https://t.co/DNDCSXDe7q

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) February 13, 2023

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7. Martin Scorsese’s Faith Shines In ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ (by Joseph Holmes)

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) Martin Scorsese’s Catholic faith shines in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’: Martin Scorsese’s latest film may be among his greatest, and also, fittingly, his most Christian.https://t.co/8tehUdy0yU #Catholic

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) October 16, 2023

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6. Jelly Roll’s Raw And Honest Path To Redemption (by Princess Jones) 

(REVIEW) @JellyRoll615, a musician with an unusual name, featured in the @hulu documentary “Save Me” shows a redemption journey still in progress. The doc gives fans a look into a troubled person that has chosen to walk a path of grace through music. https://t.co/iEsGj8ADe5

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) June 14, 2023

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5. New Religious Horror Films Showdown Over Demonic Possession (by Joseph Holmes) 

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) Lovers of religious horror films are eating well this year. Just this past weekend, two demon possession movies hit theaters: Hollywood film #ThePopesExorcist and indie faith-based film #Nefarious.https://t.co/w7HOwHBHpj @popes_exorcist @NefariousMovie_

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) April 18, 2023

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4. ‘Jesus Revolution’: A Revival Movie That Struggles To Be Inspiring And Truthful (by Joseph Holmes)

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) “Jesus Revolution” is well intentioned, but its storytelling is too weak and its message too dishonest to inspire a true vision on how to start or maintain a Christian revival in the modern world.https://t.co/OyksZko2Iz #Jesusmovement #Erwinbrothers #review

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) February 23, 2023

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3. Premiere Of ‘The Chosen’ Season 3 Is A Triumphant Mixed Bag (by Joseph Holmes) 

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) There is a deep need for the Jesus that is being presented in “The Chosen,” and that need being met makes the world a better place. So while I might grumble, I continue to cheer it on. Season Three begins streaming Dec. 11.https://t.co/Bcxm7TZMKu #TheChosen

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) December 8, 2022

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2. Whistleblower Details New Allegations About $100 Billion LDS Fund (by Paul Glader )

Former Employee of Ensign Peak Advisors Submits Document to U.S. Senate Finance Committee With New Allegations About $100 Billion LDS-Controlled Investment Firm https://t.co/NBkbDKQSJM My latest report @ReligionMag about a whistleblower’s ongoing campaign.

— Paul Glader (@PaulGlader) February 8, 2023

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1. ‘Sound of Freedom’ Is A Preachy Action Film That Will Put You To Sleep (by Joseph Holmes) 

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) Angel Studios’ “Sound Of Freedom” tries hard to raise awareness about the very real evils of sex trafficking, a worthy goal, but in the process creators forgot to also make a good movie.https://t.co/HkrYcfW0C9

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) June 29, 2023

The Final Plug

Next week we’ll return with our regular roundup of the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the holiday weekend.

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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.