(ANALYSIS) As both parties begin positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential election, faith could become one of the defining factors in determining which candidates connect with voters. The lesson from the midterms is that religious voters should no longer be viewed as a single political constituency.
Read MoreFaith emerged as one of the defining storylines of this election, influencing how candidates presented themselves, how voters understood issues and how young people connected their personal beliefs with their political choices. From James Talarico’s progressive interpretation of Christianity to Abdul El-Sayed, a practicing Muslim, religion became more than personal identity.
Read More(ANALYSIS) A new conservative Presbyterian denomination has broken from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church over whether men experiencing same-sex attraction may be ordained, even if celibate. The dispute coincides with renewed Catholic debate over clergy suitability, following a Notre Dame report supporting restrictions on candidates with deep-seated homosexual tendencies.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Muslim population of England and Wales is roughly 6.5 percent. Inside the prison system, that number shoots up to 18 percent. A huge slice of the prison demographic shifts toward Mecca the second the iron gates slam shut. The disparity is striking. What explains it?
Read MoreIt’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?
Read More(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.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Military service is mandatory for most groups in Israel, although Muslim and Christian Arab citizens are exempted. Jewish Israelis see conscription as a unifying experience and a demonstration of commitment to the state. Starting at 18, most women serve two years and men serve almost three. For decades, however, Haredi men received de facto exemptions.
Read MoreChristians make up roughly 1% of Japan’s population, and churches are increasingly multicultural, welcoming immigrants from neighboring countries. However, national politics have taken a decidedly nationalistic turn in recent years — worrying Christians that they will once again be ostracized and even face persecution.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Political shamelessness threatens democracy by weakening leaders’ respect for ethical principles and the rule of law. Drawing on Plato’s Laws, this article explores reverence as a virtue that encourages humility, self-restraint and recognition of human limitations, arguing that responsible leadership requires accountability and respect for principles beyond personal interests.
Read MoreThere used to be only a few regionalized mainline churches to choose from and husbands were once in total control of family decisions. When the African continent started to rapidly urbanize, family dynamics changed and it has become common for marriages to form across different church denominations, sparking a trend called “two-church families.”
Read MoreThe Houthis are both an armed political movement and a governing authority in parts of Yemen, as well as an organization designated as terrorist by the United States. Understanding these different dimensions is essential to assessing the movement and its impact on the Middle East. This weekend’s attack on Saudi Arabia sheds a spotlight on the militant group terrorizing the region.
Read MoreParents struggling with abusive and rebellious children are finding hope through “Rising Stars Generations,” a South African Christian camp founded by Prince Motlou. Grounded in Bible-based teaching and military-style discipline, the camp aims to restore respect, strengthen families and steer troubled youth away from crime, drugs and violence.
Read MoreThe highest peak in Zimbabwe, standing at 2,592 meters above sea level, has been the source of local intrigue for decades: People have gone missing, strange natural phenomena have created inexplicable mystical experiences, and now, some are even claiming the mountain is home to UFOs. Whatever the case, it has attracted curious travelers from around the world.
Read MoreThe U.S. recently completed its military withdrawal from Iraq after a 12-year mission against ISIS. Iraq is more stable but remains shaped by powerful Shia parties, Iranian influence, armed militias, Sunni political recovery, Kurdish autonomy and lingering ISIS activity — raising questions about the country’s future.
Read More(OPINION) Once we start using this lexicon, we have been successfully “groomed” into a new discourse we might not quite “get” — but which we begin to accept as normal. No, I’m not a signed up conspiracy theorist, and yes, language evolution is part of the dynamic of a lively society whose moods and modes it carries. But is that all it is?
Read More(REVIEW) Unfortunately, whatever merits the idea or intention behind "Infidels,” its failures in both entertainment and religious commentary show that some political conservatives still have a very long way to go to actually contribute meaningfully to cultural discourse through narrative entertainment.
Read MoreExperts said that the Taliban is using women’s own Muslim faith to “dehumanize” them. “The very religion that gives them strength is being used against them,” one expert said. In a country where only Sunni Muslims are considered citizens, religious minorities increasingly face danger, imprisonment and even death.
Read MoreSpeak for the voiceless and marginalized: Support fairness and equal rights for everyone in society. Fight your indifferentism! Be different/holy!
Read MoreActivist Malala Yousafzai returned to New York this week to discuss the paperback release of her memoir “Finding My Way” — but the conversation moved beyond her story of attending college and growing up. At the center was the issue that has defined much of Yousafzai’s public life: The Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls and its use of religion to justify restrictions on their rights.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Haverford, a small liberal arts college, has become the latest school to settle a lawsuit over how it handled antisemitism. Its president wrote that “students including those who identify as Jewish, and/or Israeli, and those who support Zionism: That is, the right of the Jewish people to self-determination and statehood in the land of Israel, are welcome and enjoy equal access to the College and all of its educational programs and activities.”
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