Posts in Society
Supreme Court Faces Confusion on Sexual ‘Conversion Therapy’

(ANALYSIS) With its pending case of Christian psychological counselor Kaley Chiles, the U.S. Supreme Court faces a potentially momentous choice between her claim of free speech during therapy, over against Colorado’s professional licensing standards that forbid so-called “conversion therapy” regarding homosexual orientation and transgender transitions. 

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Americans Say Religion Gaining Influence In Society — And Most Say It’s A Good Thing

American attitudes about religion’s role in public life are shifting as a growing share of adults saying religion is gaining influence in society — with most viewing that trend positively, according to a new study. The percentage of U.S. adults who believe religion is gaining influence in American life jumped from 18% to 31%.

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Rising Fears Of Antisemitic Violence As Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans Banned from UK Game

When fans of the soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were assaulted in the streets of Amsterdam after a game last November, the violence drew comparisons to pogroms. It even prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dispatch rescue planes to evacuate Israeli citizens. Once again there are fears of a repeat outbreak of violence, this time over a match in Birmingham, England.

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‘Islam: A New History’ Gives Sweeping Introduction To One Of The World’s Largest Religions

(REVIEW) Like most mainstream, organized religions, Islam is a big tent. Corralling the various ideologies, sects, divisions, major players and developments over the course of some fourteen hundred years into a digestible narrative is no easy job, and Tolan’s effort is both daunting and admirable.

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Arkansas Adopts Faith-Based 10:33 Project To Help Poorest Residents

The 10:33 Initiative is a faith-based initiative to help lift Arkansans out of poverty by connecting the poor with local faith and community partners who can assist them in moving from crisis to career. It has already assisted over 7,500 families by helping clients create a personalized plan with achievable steps across 13 different areas, such as housing, employment, transportation, and education.

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It’s About Time: Once Village Centerpieces, These Church Clocks Ring Again

Church clocks have long been an iconic part of United Kingdom life, perched high on church towers, visible across the countryside. Over time, many have fallen into disuse or broken. Recently, three ancient clocks — in Montacute, Somerset and in Winchester, Hampshire — have been returned to full working order — and their restoration projects turned up some unexpected discoveries.

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Nearly Quarter Of US Adults Claim Bible ‘Just Another Book’

Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults think the Bible is “just another book of teachings written by people,” the American Bible Society said in its latest release from the 2025 State of the Bible. More people are skeptical of the Bible’s teachings than those who think the Bible is “totally accurate in all the principles it presents,” ABS said in releasing the study’s seventh chapter focused on trust.

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Fading From The Pews: The Departure Of Older Church Members

(ANALYSIS) This overlooked exodus matters. In many congregations, senior adults are the backbone of weekly attendance. They are often the most faithful givers, the most consistent volunteers, and the most reliable prayer warriors. When they drift away, the church feels it in the offering plate, in the fellowship hall, and in the spirit of the congregation.

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Tribunal Hears Harrowing Testimonies From Afghan Women On Taliban Oppression

From Oct 8-10, the People’s Tribunal for Women of Afghanistan, part of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal, an international opinion tribunal competent to rule on any serious crime committed to the detriment of peoples and communities, held public hearings in Madrid.

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Interfaith Solidarity Offered Up Hope After Floods Devastated Pakistan

This year's floods in Pakistan damaged houses, disrupted livelihoods and displaced thousands of families. The National Disaster Management Authority reported that since June 26, over 1,000 people have died. In response, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs were among the volunteers who worked together to establish medical relief camps and provide safe drinking water.

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Faith Leaders Outraged As South Africa Lets Husbands Take Wives’ Surnames

The Constitutional Court in South Africa decided last month that husbands can adopt their wives’ surnames upon getting married, ruling that until now the law discriminated against men. While it is being celebrated as a progressive decision by some, the ruling has outraged many — with some religious and traditional leaders saying this is an assault on marriage.

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As Bolivia’s Elections Near, Why Socialism Is Out And The Catholic Church Might Be In

The defeat of socialism in the first round of Bolivia's presidential elections on Aug. 17 marked a turning point for the Catholic Church.  Bolivia has been governed by the Movement Toward Socialism party, known as MAS in Spanish, since 2006 — a period only interrupted by the interim government of Jeanine Áñez between November 2019 and November 2020.

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Not Taking The Bull By The Horns: Pope Leo Spurns Pleas To Condemn Bloody Pastime

Ignoring pleas from animal rights advocates to denounce bullfighting and its close ties with Spanish Catholicism, Pope Leo XIV is aligning himself with Spain’s bishops, who remain hesitant to condemn the cruelty of the popular bloodsport. Animal rights groups see a red flag, arguing that the practice, which dates back centuries, is barbaric.

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Serbian Church Under Fire For Backing Authoritarian Regime

(ANALYSIS) European lawmakers have criticized Serbia’s use of force against anti-government protesters. But the Serbian Orthodox Church — representing 85 percent of the country’s population — has been largely urged the student protestors to “go back to their classes” and not protest.

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🎬 ‘The Chosen’ Films The Crucifixion: How It’ll Be Different From Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion’ 🔌

Next year, a new feature-length presentation of the Crucifixion will hit the big screen. It’ll mark the culmination of the much-anticipated Season 6 of the worldwide phenomenon “The Chosen.” What should viewers expect? Will it be similar to — or different from — “The Passion” version?

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Gen Z and Millennial Men Driving New Church Attendance Trend

In the early 2000s, women were more regular churchgoers than men, and according to researchers, it is unclear whether this new shift “is a story of women stepping back or men stepping up.” 

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American Christianity Under Assault: Discrimination, Decline Or A Cultural Shift?

(ANALYSIS) The question of whether Christianity is under attack, especially in the United States, is a complex and deeply polarizing one. Is it discrimination? Is it part of an overall decline? Is it a cultural shift? It could very well be a combination of all three.

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Americans Split On What Role Religion Should Play In Public Schools

U.S. adults are nearly equally divided on how much of a role religion should play in public schools, according to a YouGov poll. A third (34 percent) say it doesn’t play enough of a role, a quarter (26 percent) say it’s involved about the right amount, and a quarter (26 percent) say religion plays too much of a role.

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