🎉 Year In Review: Religion Unplugged’s Top 10 Most Popular Articles Of 2025 🔌

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Weekend Plug-in 🔌

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Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr.

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Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers!

Last week, we highlighted the best religion journalism of 2025 as picked by nearly 60 of the nation’s top Godbeat pros.

For today’s special year-end edition, we count down Religion Unplugged’s Top 10 most popular articles of the year.

It’s time to count down Religion Unplugged’s Top 10 most popular articles of 2025. (Shutterstock photo)

Top 10 Most Popular Reads

10. Memory, Melody And Meaning: The Rock Star Who Refused To Hide His Faith (by John Mac Ghlionn)

For him, Scripture wasn’t wallpaper. It was fuel. A living, breathing thing he carried into the chaos of fame and never put down.  https://t.co/sIo60Q4WV5
The Rock Star Who Refused To Hide His Faith pic.twitter.com/BcOPBxYWWr

— Joseph W. Handley (@jwhandley) July 5, 2025

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9. ‘The Life of Chuck’ Beautifully Shows The Meaning Of Life – But With No Afterlife (by Joseph Holmes) 

#TheLifeOfChuck affirms the value of life while denying the existence of an afterlife. And it's truly beautiful, even if you don't think it works logically. https://t.co/33Jd1gU4S3

— Joseph Holmes (@NormalGuy8) June 9, 2025

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8. The Hidden Meaning And Tradition Behind Papal Names (by Clemente Lisi)

What’s in a name?

One of the first official acts of a new pope is to choose a name — for Pope Francis’ successor, Leo XIV. Deeply symbolic, the name often reflects the pope's values or spiritual inspirations.https://t.co/XGA36RJsqT

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) May 9, 2025

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7. Frontrunners To Succeed Francis: 6 Cardinals Who Could Be The Next Pope (by Clemente Lisi)

The Catholic Church’s next leader will likely be chosen from a group of cardinals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in both spiritual and organizational capacities. Here are six men who could be among the most likely candidates.https://t.co/jMQkkwwD8X

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) April 21, 2025

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6. ‘The Last Supper’ Has Its Moments, But A Reminder Why Faith-Based Films Need Criticism  (by Joseph Holmes) 

Every once in a while, a Christian film comes around that reminds you how bad Christian films used to be. And that makes you grateful for all the Christians for the past 20 years who refused to settle and kept holding the industry to a higher standard. https://t.co/X7IsAa3gr9

— Joseph Holmes (@NormalGuy8) March 14, 2025

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5. ‘The Chosen: The Last Supper’ Finale Achieves Cinematic And Spiritual Greatness (by Joseph Holmes) 

#TheChosen did it: they stuck the landing and gave us probably their best season yet. Some of it almost rises to the level of religious art. I explain more in my review for @ReligionMag here: https://t.co/VXkP2UEkGF @thechosentv #thechosenlastsupper

— Joseph Holmes (@NormalGuy8) April 12, 2025

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4. Tyler Perry’s ‘Ruth & Boaz’ A Bold, But Flawed Faith-Based Romance (By Joseoph Holmes)

Wrote about the Tyler Perry produced Netflix movie "Ruth & Boaz" for @ReligionMag . As part of that I explore how this subculture of faith-based films is different from the one we normally think of. (With its own strengths and weaknesses.) https://t.co/C3OfA1QhVy

— Joseph Holmes (@NormalGuy8) September 29, 2025

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3. Why Iranians Are Rejecting Islam And Embracing Christianity (By John MacGhlionn

(ANALYSIS/@ghlionn) Across the world, Christianity is under attack. Despite the persecution, bloodshed, silence of world leaders — Christianity is not dying. In fact, in some of the most hostile places on earth, it's thriving. Even places like Iran.https://t.co/JRYzUvvlrH

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) April 14, 2025

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2. How The Movie ‘Sinners’ Subverts Christianity In Vampire Mythology (By Joseoph Holmes)

(REVIEW/@NormalGuy8) The most powerful and creative moments of “Sinners” come when Ryan Coogler combines the music and dancing to a time-hopping spiritual experience. But the main artistic flaw is the film’s predictability. https://t.co/krRxrsuQsy

— Religion Unplugged (@ReligionMag) April 15, 2025

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1. After Years Of Decline, Share Of U.S. Christians Stabilizes (By Clemente Lisi)

After years of decline, Christianity’s growth in the U.S. remains stable https://t.co/NdG18ykK3G

— Clemente Lisi (@ClementeLisi) February 26, 2025

The Final Plug

I’m taking off next week to celebrate the new year, but please look for Plug-in to return in two weeks.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

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Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for Religion Unplugged 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 20 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.