(ANALYSIS) When England walk onto the field to face Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals, thousands of St. George’s flags will wave inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Millions more will adorn pubs and homes across England. For many fans, the flag — which from the Late Middle Ages has been associated with Saint George — remains inseparable from soccer itself.
Read MoreAntisemitism spans the political spectrum. On the far right, antisemites may support a vision of America under white supremacy. On the far left, antisemites may consider Jews oppressors and white colonialists.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Throughout its history, Daoism never lost touch with the local traditions. Local gods and even vengeful ghosts come to be incorporated into Daoist pantheons, where they now serve to keep troublesome spirits from upsetting the community. As a result, Daoism continues to be an integral part of everyday life.
Read More(ANALYSIS) A culture that laughs off the parting of the Red Sea will nod along when a man declares himself a woman. A culture that calls the Jesus’ resurrection absurd will assure you civilization can thrive after dismantling family, faith and biology. Walking on water is preposterous. Walking away from every inherited moral guardrail is sophisticated.
Read MoreThe United States had its 250th birthday last week. And, in the last few episodes we have tried to understand the role of Christianity in America’s founding. But what kinds of Christians were the first Americans? And what role did Catholics, Jews and Atheists play in the Revolution? Were there muslims or Hindus on U.S. soil in 1776?
Read More(REVIEW) At a time when religious differences are frequently portrayed as sources of division, a new book — featuring a collection of pieces from various authors — provides a thoughtful and hopeful alternative grounded in education, justice and, more importantly, mutual respect.
Read More(REVIEW) The faith-based film industry is shifting from family-friendly dramas toward male-focused, patriotic stories for conservative Christian audiences. “Young Washington” reflects that evolution with strong action, but ultimately weakens its emotional impact by oversimplifying George Washington’s ambition and spiritual transformation, limiting its cultural and thematic potential.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Did the founders of the United States intend to create a Christian nation? Political leaders who addressed a prayer rally on the National Mall on May 17 seem to think so: House Speaker Mike Johnson led the crowd in rededicating) the United States of America as “one nation under God.”
Read More(ANALYSIS) In 1526, books appeared in England that no one had seen before: printed New Testaments in the English language. The public snapped them up. For the first time, people read now-common phrases such as “the powers that be” and “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” But religious authorities condemned the English Bible and burned the copies they could find.
Read MoreAs Independence Day approaches, this week’s Religion Unplugged podcast episode features culture critic Joseph Holmes and his investigation into the faith of our first president.
Read MoreAs colonists and Native nations navigated war, alliances, disease, displacement and competing claims to land, Christian missions became intertwined with politics and survival. Some Indigenous people rejected Christianity, others adapted it to their own traditions, revealing a complex history shaped by both faith and colonial expansion in early America.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For decades after Supreme Court rulings barred school-sponsored prayer and Bible reading, faith remained present in public schools through student-led religious expression and community culture. Now, a series of new state laws mandating displays like the Ten Commandments are testing long-standing church-state boundaries and reigniting debate.
Read More(OPINION) In their legitimate efforts to oppose tyranny, many Iranian Christians are dangerously mixing politics, nationalism and their Christian faith. Christian leaders present Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the best, or even the divinely appointed, option for Iran’s transition and churches are displaying the Iranian flag during worship services.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Whether cities or villages, many communities across Europe spend the day and night of June 24 celebrating Midsummer. Congregating around bonfires, or sometimes maypoles, sporting handwoven wreaths of wildflowers or oak leaves, they’ll sing, jump, dance, eat, drink, catch up and celebrate the arrival of the longest day of the year.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As Canada marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, the often-overlooked partnership between evangelicals and Indigenous leaders deserves recognition. From Elijah Harper’s Sacred Assembly to ongoing reconciliation efforts, Canadian evangelicals have helped advance healing, Indigenous rights and renewed relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Memorable goals are generally linked to the players who scored them. Few can be recalled without mention of the individual — or even the team — involved. Yet, two goals in one game 40 years ago have attained that status. One is known universally as the “Hand of God,” and the other is widely acknowledged as the “Goal of the Century.” Both were scored by Diego Maradona.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In Judaism, this distinctly-human urge — or as Immanuel Kant puts it, “self-imposed immaturity” — separates humanity from God. Immaturity, however, implies the concept of a future maturation process, induced by palpable experience and excluding any computational rigging or other attempt to authentically possess it.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Blaise Pascal, born in 1623, showed that being intelligent doesn’t solve the problem of being human. He was a great scientist and mathematician. Yet he knew neither discipline could explain purpose, meaning or death.
Read More(ESSAY) As an anthropologist who studies social bonding during times of crisis, I now understand how cultural religious traditions — even when they seem different — can create unexpected connections. Many years after my military service, during the final days of my father’s life, my large family kept vigil beside him. Sitting with my siblings, mother and dozens of nieces and nephews, I told them this story.
Read MoreA new Pew Research Center study found religious hostilities increased sharply around the world in 2023, driven by harassment of religious minorities and fallout from the Israel-Hamas war. Government restrictions on religion remained near record highs, an issue affecting billions of people across dozens of countries.
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