Posts tagged Christianity
Pulpit Turns Predator: Vicky Abraham Explores South Africa’s Church Abuse Crisis

South Africa faces a sexual abuse crisis, with assaults occurring in homes, streets, and increasingly, churches. Pastors have exploited trust, targeting victims of all ages and backgrounds. Investigative journalist Vicky Abraham details the challenges survivors face, the cycle of abuse and the urgent need for accountability.

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On LA’s Skid Row, Portraits Of The Unhoused Are Turned Into Sacred Art

A California artist walks the streets of Los Angeles, drawing portraits of and talking with unhoused people, producing moving art, and life-changing conversations about self-worth, dignity and resilience. Before his first semester at Biola University, Leith, a practicing Christian, prayed, asking whether he should do art or missions. The response was clear.

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Scandal-Plagued Truett McConnell University Taps Larry Lyon As President

Larry Lyon, a Southern Baptist educator who oversees the business side of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will become the next Truett McConnell University president, the school said Monday.  The appointment comes a little more than four months after Truett McConnell University (TMU) trustees fired longtime president Emir Caner.  

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Patriots vs. Seahawks: 3 Faith Storylines To Follow During Super Bowl LX

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, the focus is fixed on the New England Patriot and Seattle Seahawks. Beyond the game, the Super Bowl is a cultural touchpoint. Watched by millions, it remains the most-viewed event on American TV. While commercials and the halftime show are all big draws, faith once again plays a part in the biggest football game of the year.

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If You Want To Unlock The Mysteries Of Life, Turn To James Joyce’s ‘The Dead’

(OPINION) When winter streets freeze and night skies are black and snow swerves down against the glow of porch lights, my thoughts inevitably turn to one of the more powerful works of fiction I know, James Joyce’s story “The Dead,” which appeared in his 1914 collection “Dubliners.”

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Crossroads Podcast: Pope’s AI Warning Comes With A Harry Potter Quote

Pope Leo XIV cautioned against “overly affectionate” AI chatbots, warning they can manipulate emotions and blur lines between humans and machines. The discussion, covered by CNN and explored in the “Crossroads” podcast this week, raises broader questions about AI as quasi-divine. A “Harry Potter” quote underscores the perils of trust and unseen entities.

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Reformed Presbyterians Excommunicate ‘White Supremacist Minister’

Delegates from 17 congregations of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America heard five hours of argument in a church outside of Pittsburgh on Jan. 24. They determined Samuel Ketcham, a self-described “race realist” who says white supremacy is a historical fact, is guilty of “serious sin … and to the profession of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.”

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Why Ideology, Not Faith, Drives The Culture War

(ANALYSIS) Beyond the debate over who is polarized in the U.S., there’s an adjacent, and perhaps more critical, discussion I want to tackle today: What drives polarized views? There is ample reason to think that religiosity impacts views on topics like abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender identity.

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Amid Stunning Landscapes, A Monk, Zen Priest And Muslim Leader Feel At Home

(ESSAY) Flee the clamor of urban life, and take a drive through this beautiful desert and wilderness area. Meet three faith leaders who found the solitude and peace they were looking for — and who ultimately made this stunning landscape their home. Across New Mexico, religious communities locate themselves in remote areas in order to gain solitude and silence.

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Court Filing Shows Worshippers ‘Terrorized’ During Anti-ICE Protest

An affidavit describes how protesters disrupted a Jan. 18 service at Minneapolis’ Cities Church, frightening worshippers, blocking parents from children, and forcing families to flee. Federal agents say organizers targeted the church over alleged ICE ties, leading to arrests and civil rights conspiracy charges under an 1871 federal law statute.

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Maine Is One Of The Least Religious US States: What The Data Shows

When the Pew Research Center asked Mainers what religions they followed, the most common answer wasn’t Catholicism or Evangelical Protestantism. It was “nothing in particular.”  But there’s more to the story.

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Child Sexual Abuse Alleged In Assemblies Of God Royal Rangers Program

Travis Reger claims he was abused in 1984 at the age of 10 by a leader in the Royal Rangers at Albany First Assembly of God church in Oregon. Although he says his father confronted the pastor, Stan Baker, about the leader’s behavior, nothing happened. The leader was convicted in 1988 for abusing two other boys.

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Study Shows Discipleship Deficit Exists Among US Churchgoers

In the second half of the State of Discipleship study, Lifeway Research studied churchgoers’ levels of discipleship by asking dozens of questions related to Christian doctrine and practice. Analysis of their answers reveals eight characteristics that are consistently present in the lives of believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity.

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‘Bring Them Hope’: Christian Missionaries Use The Pigskin To Help Others In Belfast

It all began on a sunny day at a local park. missionaries Russell and Tori Minnick were watching their kids have fun on a playground when, at the far end of a field, a group of men were running routes and huddling over playbooks. Both men could tell they were practicing American football, so he made an inquiry.

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Why The Father Of Psychology Refused To Dismiss God’s Existence

(ANALYSIS) William James is remembered as the father of American psychology. But for many believers, he holds a different place altogether. He stands as one of the rare modern thinkers who refused to mock faith. He didn’t preach religion, and he certainly didn’t try to dress it up in academic jargon. Instead, he studied it with care, reverence and genuine respect.

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‘Faces, Not Numbers’: Interfaith Gathering In Prague Stands With Refugees

This past Dec. 18, on International Migrants Day, participants in an interfaith prayer group gathered at Winton’s statue with Jewish children. In freezing weather and amid the noise of passing trains, the refugees were remembered by the people who had helped them.

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Angel Tree Helps Churches Build Lasting Ministry Beyond Christmas

Churches across the U.S. use Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program to build lasting relationships with families of incarcerated parents. What began as a Christmas outreach expanded into year-round ministry, providing practical support, spiritual care, and community connections that strengthened churches, families and neighborhoods.

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Crossroads Podcast: A Lemon Of A News Report Or Just New Journalism?

During this tense moment in journalism, will Southern Baptist leaders return telephone calls from elite newsrooms or will they choose to speak to “conservative” and “religious” publications, alone?

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