What James Madison Can Teach Americans About Religious Freedom Today

(ANALYSIS) As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates about religious freedom continue to occupy the center of American public life.

Divorce Rates In Zimbabwe Are Forcing Churches To Adapt

Legal experts said that the rise in divorce filings cannot be understood solely through a moral or religious lens. Zimbabwe’s prolonged economic challenges, labor migration and shifts in gender dynamics have also played significant roles. At the same time, many women have long faced persistent abuse within their own homes or at the hands of a partner.

As Iran War Expands, Some Christians See The Conflict Through Biblical Prophecies

(ANALYSIS) As the American and Israeli war with Iran unfolds, some American Christians are speaking of the conflict in biblical terms — mapping end-time prophecies on to current events in the Middle East. In a sermon on March 1, for example, John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, described the war as part of a divine plan.

Medieval Europe’s Ideas About ‘Christendom’ And Power Were Not So Simple

(ANALYSIS) During the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Office of Faith, introduced President Donald Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch.” Taking the podium after her, Trump declared, “I’ve done more for religion than any other president.”

As Paganism Grows, Leaders Come Together Around An Often Solitary Practice

Every morning begins the same for Paul Ridlon, who also goes by Magnus de Rhuddlan. No matter the weather, he steps out of the round yurt where he lives in Portland, Maine, and lights incense at his southern altar, a tree stump topped with two crane statues and a figurine of the Egyptian god Horus.

From Shock To Ritual: Inside Iran’s 40 Days Of Mourning After Khamenei’s Killing

As you approach Iranian houses of worship, you’ll hear it: Locals striking their chests and rhythmically chanting laments to grieve the recent death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death. Each movement carries a dual meaning — expressing both personal grief while signaling loyalty to both a religious leader and a totalitarian state.

Conservative Anglicans Reshape Church Leadership At Historic Gathering

It’s a rupture that may not be reversible. Conservative Anglicans from around the world voted to part ways with the church’s leadership in England. When Sarah Mullally — the first woman chosen as the Archbishop of Canterbury — is formally installed later this month, she will be inheriting a church already reorganizing itself without her.

Rich Irony: How A Marxist Philosopher Discovered The Limits Of Godlessness

(ANALYSIS) Alasdair MacIntyre’s journey from Marxism to Catholicism wasn’t a retreat from critique but its completion. He concluded that moral language collapsed without God, that virtue needs tradition and that societies survive only when they share a vision of what human life is ultimately for.

In Order to Maintain Aging Monasteries, Spanish Nuns Are Becoming Entrepreneurs

It’s a modern solution to an age-old issue. Many centuries-old monasteries are turning to Etsy-style e-commerce and renovating their convents to appeal to the growing Airbnb crowd. Like other religious establishments in Spain, Catholic nuns have had to think of new ways to generate income in the face of skyrocketing maintenance costs.

Churchgoers Aim To Serve In And Out Of Church

Serving God and others is one of eight key signposts measuring distinct characteristics for believers progressing in their spiritual maturity, according to the Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study. The average U.S. Protestant churchgoer scores 73.1 out of 100 in serving God and others, placing it third among the signposts.

Lawsuit Claims Laurie’s Church Covered Up Sexual Misconduct

These stories tumbled into public view in a court filing in a lawsuit against Laurie and Harvest. The filing consolidated the 23 lawsuits filed by survivors of alleged childhood sexual abuse by another former Harvest pastor, Paul Havsgaard. As reported previously by The Roys Report, the men and women who grew up in church-funded homes in Romania accuse Laurie and Harvest of covering up years of sexual abuse.

DNA Tests Uncover Hidden Trauma As Africa Grapples With Widespread Abuse

Until recently, DNA technology was not widely available in most African countries. However, in the past few years, it has not only become widely available but also increasingly affordable for many. At the same time, various social media platforms are abuzz with cases of ‘paternity fraud’, creating increased demand for these tests.

Anglican Leader Sues Breakaway Rival For Defamation

The interim head of the Anglican Church in North America has filed a defamation suit against the leader of the breakaway Anglican Reformed Catholic Church. Bishop Julian Dobbs, who was appointed acting archbishop of the ACNA in November while Archbishop Steve Wood is under investigation, says accusations he misappropriated $47,862 are false and malicious.

USCIRF’s Religious Freedom Report Sparks Dispute Over US Policy Critique

The report critiqued other branches of the U.S. government that have undercut protections for religious freedom. It criticized, for example, cuts to USAID programs, since many of those programs were specifically aimed at protecting religious freedom.

A New Supreme Leader: What Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Means For Iran

(ANALYSIS) The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader on Sunday marks a pivotal moment for the country’s political and religious future — and for the religious minorities who have long lived under the constraints of the Islamic Republic’s theocratic government. As the war rages on, it remains to be seen what his elevation means for Iran and the region.

Most Americans Think Their Fellow Citizens Are ‘Morally Bad’

The Pew Research Center surveyed thousands of adults in 25 countries and found that 53 percent of Americans said their fellow countrymen had “somewhat bad” or “very bad” morals. Those findings broke with the international trend: In every other country surveyed, the majority said that others in their country have “somewhat good” or “very good” morals.

South Korea’s ‘Peace Island’ Christians Stand With Palestinians

The residents of Jeju Island remember what it is like to resist imperialism and outside interests. Groups that were formed to protest the U.S. naval base construction have now shifted their focus to seek peace in Palestine following the year-long Israel-Gaza war.

Women At Malta Summit Urge New Conversations On Iran’s Future

The summit unfolded against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tension, coinciding with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the prospect of regime change in a country gripped by Shi’a rule for nearly 50 years. For many of the attendees who flew to Malta, regime change in Iran is the start of a new era.

Why Loki, Thor And Other Norse Gods Are Making A Comeback

Over 1,000 years ago, Norse gods like Odin, Loki, Thor and Freya were worshipped across Scandinavia. Now there are indications that Norse Paganism is becoming a significant force once again. The number of believers is steadily rising, with new temples and dedicated cemeteries appearing across northern Europe.

The Sunni-Shi’a Muslim Divide: Why It Matters In The Iran War

(ANALYSIS) Understanding this distinction can help get past oversimplified narratives. The Middle East’s conflicts are not simply ancient religious feuds. They are modern political struggles shaped by history, identity and political interests. Here’s what you need to know about Sunni and Shia Islam — and how it impacts Iran and the current situation there.

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