Pope Francis' new book: Don't rely on news coverage for what's in it

(OPINION) That Pope Francis would put his name on a book — written by a British author — criticizing the United States, its media and politics without understanding the First Amendment is a major shortfall of the project. There is also more to this book that the mainstream secular press did not highlight — like the pope’s staunch opposition to abortion.

In a crazy year, a reason to give thanks — plus the week's top religion reads

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores Thanksgiving in the age of COVID-19. As always, we also check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Weekend Plug-In, Analysis, Religion, Religion News, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.November 20, 2020Bobby Ross Jr.

Ethiopia’s Increasing Vulnerability to Islamic Extremism and What That Means for the Horn of Africa

(ANALYSIS) External forces from the Middle East are exploiting ethnic tensions and threatening peace between Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia.

Who's to blame for McCarrick depends on what news sources you read

(OPINION) A week after the Vatican released its much-anticipated investigation of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, there remain many unanswered questions. Whether journalists will delve deeply into these unanswered questions remains to be seen.

Lies, damned lies, statistics: For Biden, religious vote was crucial — maybe

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores whether religious voters were important to President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Plus, check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Biden elected second Catholic U.S. president in history: What does it mean for a divided nation?

(ANALYSIS) Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Catholicism often helped shape his politics as did a family tragedy earlier in his life. Biden promises unity post-Trump, but how he governs could ultimately result in an even bigger political split in the U.S. over the next four years.

Faith and foster care: 5 key numbers as SCOTUS case pits religion vs. gay rights

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the latest Supreme Court case pitting religious freedom vs. gay rights, while running down the key religion news that emerged from Election Day.

5 things we learned about faith voters this election cycle

(ANALYSIS) From exit poll results to the outcome of several ballot measures, here’s how religious denominations impacted the U.S. elections.

Inside Florida’s evangelical vote split along racial identity

(ANALYSIS) While 80% of White evangelicals support President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, 90% of Black Protestants support Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Perhaps no where is the division more pronounced than the swing state of Florida.

Faith and politics: 5 revealing questions to ask on Election Night

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights seven questions that smart religion journalists will be asking on Election Night. Also, catch up on the week’s top reads and headlines in the world of religion news.

Pope Francis' civil union media storm unleashes doctrinal infighting

(OPINION) The pope — as head of the church — had in three sentences changed Catholicism forever. Not so fast, said numerous on-the-record voices in the world of Catholicism.

Will U.S. Catholics split their vote this year?

(OPINION) Trying to gauge voter enthusiasm is difficult. While Trump voters do seem generally more energized — especially among evangelicals and church-going Catholics — compared to Biden supporters, the events of the past few weeks in Washington may have shifted priorities.

No anti-Catholic sequel: Democrats avoid the dogma at Barrett's hearings

At the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats steered clear of Barrett’s religion, even as Republicans focused on it. This week’s Weekend Plug-in has that news, plus all the top headlines and best reads from the world of faith.

News media ignores church vandalism, but can't get enough of ACB's faith

(OPINION) Vandalism against Catholic churches is a news story. Period. Where is the coverage?

The spiritual ramifications of the fly that landed on Mike Pence's head

This week’s Weekend Plug-in may bug you a little bit. We’re going to talk about the fly that landed on Mike Pence’s head during Wednesday’s night vice presidential debate. And as always, we’ll highlight the week’s top religion headlines and best reads.

Do Christians care what Trump says about them behind closed doors?

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores whether religious supporters of President Donald Trump care what he says about them behind closed doors. Plus, our roundup of the top religion headlines and best reads of the last week.

'Catholic questions' ahead of the Biden-Trump presidential debate

(OPINION) The election season goes into hyperdrive with the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden that will take place Tuesday in Cleveland.

Double standard? Religion figures differently in news of Ginsburg and Barrett

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights religion-related news coverage of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died last week, vs. that of her potential successor, Amy Coney Barrett.

Trump wants to allow churches to endorse political candidates: Why that’s a legal conundrum

(ANALYSIS) The repeal of the Johnson Amendment has become a cause celebre among the Christian right and President Trump campaigned on a promise to overturn it, but it’s more complicated than a simple executive order. And left-leaning religious groups are more likely to be politically involved than their right-leaning counterparts.

Catholics could be energized for Trump should he nominate Barrett to SCOTUS

(ANALYSIS) The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has prompted President Donald Trump to pledge a nominee this week. Frontrunner Amy Coney Barrett, a Catholic, has a record of being anti-abortion and will certainly inflame those on the political left who fear an overturning of Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.

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