This Just In: Traditional Religion In The US Now ‘Obsolete’

(ANALYSIS) “Americans have lost faith in traditional religion,” announces the sweeping first sentence of a contentious book published during Holy Week: “Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America.”

📝 ‘We Will Never Forget’: How Covering The Biggest Story Of My Life Changed Me 🔌

On the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, our columnist reflects on how covering the biggest story of his life changed him.

On Religion: What Counts As An ‘Easter Movie’ On American TV?

(ANALYSIS) For more than 50 years ABC — with very few exceptions — has offered “The Ten Commandments” as the network's featured film for Holy Week. In fact, nothing says “Easter” like a showdown between Moses, the 13th century BCE Hebrew prophet, and the pharaoh Ramses the Great and the gods of Egypt.

Jesus Christ Box Office Superstar: Why Faith-Based Films Are Dominating

(ANALYSIS) People might disagree whether Jesus is King, but he certainly is ruling the box office this Easter season. America loves movies and it loves Jesus. As a result, it’s s safe to say both will be with us for a very long time. You might say it’s Jesus’ world, we’re just living in it. That’s true to Christians at all times. But for now it’s also true when it comes to dominating the U.S. box office.

Black Americans More Likely Than Others To Express Their Faith At Work

(ANALYSIS) Nearly 40% of Black workers feel comfortable talking about their faith with people at work, the highest of any U.S. racial group, our two recent studies found. But they also risk facing religious discrimination.

🚊 Meet Clemente Lisi, Religion Unplugged’s Executive Editor: 7 Things To Know 🔌

Religion Unplugged’s readers see Clemente Lisi’s stories all the time. Here are seven facts to help the audience get to know him better.

RNA Inspires New Voices, Echoing My Own Beginnings

(OPINION) At a professor’s nudge, I first attended a conference in the early 2000s. I don’t remember what city it was in, or even the exact year. I do remember how awkward it felt. I stood shyly by myself — away from the religion reporters I admired so much — when I should have been networking.

Opinion, Religion, Religion NewsTracy SimmonsApril 10, 2025tracy simmons, rna, religion news association, religion, journalism, news, opinion, rechargeComment

Study Finds New York (Yes, New York) Top US City For ‘Christian Engagement’

Attempting to determine which American city is the “most Christian” is no easy task. The outcome of a new study came with some surprises. The survey, out in time for Easter, has determined that the urban center with the highest religious engagement for Christians, using a variety of metrics and factors, is New York.

On Religion: Understanding There’s More To Religion News Than Politics

(ANALYSIS) The bottom line: Religion events and trends draw intense news coverage when they are directly or indirectly linked to politics. This is especially true during tense elections.

🤖 #RNA2025: What The Nation's Top Religion Writers — And AI — Are Talking About 🔌

Religion News Association members gathered this week just outside the nation’s capital for their annual meeting. They discussed topics ranging from AI to reporting on religion in small markets.

🔥 After Monster Storm, The Story Can’t Be Told Without Recognizing Faith 🔌

When covering a tragedy, faith almost always emerges as a part of the story. That was the case again this past weekend when a monster storm system struck the Deep South and the Plains.

😷 ‘That Escalated Quickly’: 5 Years Ago, COVID Turned The World Upside Down 🔌

This week marks the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown. Mostly, life has returned to normal. But in some ways we still seem to be struggling, our columnist notes.

⛪️ $171 Million For Better Sermons: National Program Blesses Preachers 🔌

In a California meeting, Compelling Preaching Initiative participants enjoyed how-to sessions on the content, crafting and delivery of sermons as well as one-on-one coaching and fellowship with other men — and women — of God.

😲 Surprise! What We Learned (And Didn’t) From A Big New Study on Religion In America 🔌

Some of the nation’s top religion writers offer insights on what they found surprising — and not surprising — in the Pew Research Center’s massive Religious Landscape Study.

😷 COVID Miracle: At The Pandemic’s 5-Year Anniversary, It’s Time To Tell The Story 🔌

At the five-year anniversary of COVID-19, our columnist reflects on his brother-in-law’s near-death battle with the contagious virus.

🔥 Faith, Hope And LA: The Positive Side Of Reporting On Way Too Many Disasters 🔌

Our columnist witnesses a whole lot of despair, but he always looks for a measure of hope. He explains why — and how — as he reports from the scene of Southern California’s deadly wildfires.

On Religion: NFL Sideline Sermons During An Intense Time For America

(ANALYSIS) Moments after the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, quarterback Jalen Hurts offered a familiar word of testimony: “God is good. He is greater than all of the highs and lows.” If those words sounded familiar, it's because Hurts — the MVP — shared them earlier on press day, along with several other times when he was in the spotlight: “My faith has always been a part of me.”

🏈 ‘Like A Religion’: Why Super Bowl Sunday Means So Much To The Football Faithful 🔌

For the most fervent of the football faithful, the Super Bowl — which last year drew a record 123.7 million U.S. viewers — brings rituals and traditions with a quasi-religious feel. But at least one Christian scholar has concerns.

🤣 A Preacher And A Stand-Up Comedian Walk Into A Christian Youth Conference … 🔌

Hoss Ridgeway mixes preaching and stand-up comedy. The Indiana minister says he knows when it’s appropriate to be funny — and when the situation calls for a serious approach.