Posts in Religion
Dropping Native American Religious Code Hides Military Needs

(ANALYSIS) The military's decision to eliminate a distinct religious code for Native American service members has sparked concern that their unique spiritual traditions and accommodation needs will become harder to identify, potentially undermining religious liberty protections, access to appropriate support and accurate representation within the armed forces.

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⛰️ 75-Year-Old Program Blends ‘Mountains And Ministry, Rivers And Reverence’ 🔌

What could feel more like summer than a bonfire after worship service? From Denali in Alaska to the Everglades in Florida, a ministry works to share Jesus in national parks across the U.S. and Canada.

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Crossroads Podcast: Faith At The World Cup Is Not All Smiles And Hugs

The World Cup is Planet Earth’s most-watched sporting and cultural event. No one should be surprised that it receives waves of news coverage and that religious beliefs and customs affect some of the drama and tensions. Thus, this week’s “Crossroads” podcast focused on religion news at the 2026 tournament — what was covered and what was not.

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How Soccer Is Bringing Singapore’s Churches Together

(ANALYSIS) Singapore’s national soccer team made it to the second round of qualifiers, but fell short of making it to the FIFA World Cup again this year. Nonetheless, the spirit of the game still very runs strong through the help of church congregations. Many parishes and congregations organize games and leagues open to their members, friends and the wider public.

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Mahmoud Khalil Sues Feds, Alleges Conspiracy With Pro-Israel Groups

The complaint alleges there had been a “conspiracy” among private pro-Israel entities, including the Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission and Betar USA, and senior Trump administration officials to target and prosecute pro-Palestinian activists. The lawsuit names Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, former DHS secretary Kristi Noem and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

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A Christian Educator’s Final Warnings About Hiring Faculty

Months before his death, Houston Christian University President Robert B. Sloan Jr. gave one final, impactful charge to leaders of Christian institutions: Hire professors and staff who are fully committed to your Christian mission.

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Political Identity Drove Americans Away From Christianity — And Why It’s No Longer True

(ANALYSIS) The share of Americans who indicate that their current religious tradition is the one in which they were raised is 66%. Most people living in the United States will die with the same faith into which they were born, and that’s been true for decades. But how people switch and why they switch may be changing.

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Christian Artist Languishes In Chinese Prison As Friends Rally For His Release

A 70-year-old Christian artist is facing another day apart from his family and without necessary medical care after almost two years in a Chinese prison, his friends and advocates said. Gao Zhen, part of the famous artistic duo called the Gao brothers, was detained in mid-2024 for “slandering heroes and martyrs,” according to the International Federation for Human Rights.

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Yazidi Survivors Turn to New Truth Commission As Justice Stalls

(ANALYSIS) A new international Community-Based Truth Commission will examine the failure to deliver justice for Yazidis after the genocide of 2014. Scheduled for hearings in Berlin this year, it will hear survivor testimony and propose pathways to accountability, including universal jurisdiction and possible international tribunal mechanisms.

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Why Conservative Commentators Changed Their Views On Islam

The way right-wing commentators talk about Islam has changed in the last few years. The same pundits who once criticized Islam are now defending it. To find out why, Matthew Peterson spoke with journalist Matthew Schmitz.

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Brazil’s Latest World Cup Collapse Revives Debate Over Faith and Soccer

Brazil’s World Cup elimination has fueled a national debate over whether the country’s rapid growth in evangelical Christianity has altered its soccer culture. While critics reject any link, the discussion reflects broader questions about Brazil’s changing identity, faith and the future of its once-dominant national team.

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Is The Archdiocese Of Detroit Built For A Church That No Longer Exists?

(ANALYSIS) Sometimes the doom scrolling really does pay off. I hate to admit it, but flicking through thousands of social media posts a week is a way that I can find interesting stories to write about for Graphs about Religion.

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Texas’ Bible Curriculum Revives Debate Over Religion In Public Schools

A recent Texas State Board of Education decision requires all public school literature classes in grades 1 through 12 to learn about 10 Old Testament and five New Testament passages.

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A Religious Freedom Martyr Took Risks. A Book About Him Should, Too.

(REVIEW) Shahbaz Bhatti united religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan to bring about greater equality in the nation — until he was assassinated for his work. A new graphic novel about him is tragic and moving, but it also lacks narrative depth and character development.

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Religious Schools That Get Public Funds Must Follow Anti-Discrimination Laws

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston came after two schools — Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn and Bangor Christian Schools, run by Crosspoint Church — asked for exemptions from the Maine Human Rights Act so they wouldn’t be required to enforce policies that contradicted their religious beliefs, such as admitting students who were openly gay or transgender, for instance, or requiring teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns.

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In Muslim-Majority Pakistan, Some Schools Now Have A Hindu Curriculum

A controversial educational program will be offered for some Hindu students in Pakistan, providing them with structured learning opportunities designed to support their academic development, but is it compatible with their faith? Nationwide, more than 95% of residents are Muslim, and Islamic studies have been a regularly required course for most students at government-run schools.

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🏥 My Friend’s Cancer Battle: ‘This Is Going To Be One Really Cool Obituary’ 🔌

It’s a call you never want to receive. “I’ve got cancer,” your loved one says. Not only that, but it’s pancreatic cancer — often a death sentence. Immediately, your brain goes into a fog.

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Myths Aren’t Lies: Why The Bible’s Power Lives In Metaphor, Not Literalism

(OPINION) I invite you to see biblical stories more metaphorically, mythically — guilt-free even. You may discover surprising, more expansive visions of how God works with humans — and through humans — to expand our understanding of our place in the world God is still creating.

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Parents Expect Answers To Moral Questions About Smartphones

(ANALYSIS) A pediatrician recently asked one of Emily Harrison’s kids a logical question during pre-exam paperwork: Do you have a smartphone? Doctors often ask children practical questions, such as whether they’re getting enough sleep, have seen changes in their appetites or have started playing sports. These days, they may ask about anxiety or depression.

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