White Supremacists And QAnon Enthusiasts Are Obsessed – But Wrong – About The Byzantine Empire

(ANALYSIS) Medieval imagery has been on display repeatedly at far-right rallies and riots. Conspiracy theorists may love to use the symbols, but they fundamentally misunderstand the Byzantine Empire.

Beth Moore, Southern Baptists and the story behind the scoop that broke the internet

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the story behind Religion News Service’s big scoop on Beth Moore declaring she is “no longer a Southern Baptist.” Plus, find links to all the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Biden's Catholic 'safe spaces': Does the president need them to practice his faith?

(OPINION) Are some Washington, D.C., parishes “safe” while others are risky when it comes to where President Joe Biden can attend Mass on Sundays?

Is Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 shot morally compromised? It's complicated

In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, top religion journalists analyze Catholic bishops’ conflicting and sometimes confusing statements on Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, find links to all the week’s top religion news and best reads.

Weekend Plug-In, Analysis, Religion, Religion News, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.March 5, 2021Bobby Ross Jr.

New book 'Church, Interrupted' heralds Pope Francis as agent of change

(REVIEW) Unlike any pope of the modern era, no one has been as controversial and polarizing as Francis. This new book tries to delve into what motivates this pontiff and his mission.

Analysis, Catholicism, Books, ReligionClemente LisiMarch 5, 2021Clemente Lisi, Pope Francis, Church, Catholic church, Vatican, books, religionComment

Germany's Catholic bishops aim to rewrite the catechism, igniting a potential schism

(ANALYSIS) German bishops have brought what they call reforms back to the forefront over the past few weeks with a series of moves that could forever change Roman Catholicism.

Bible in one hand, newspaper in the other: Tips for stressed-out preachers

This week’s Weekend Plug-in revisits a famous quote by the famous theologian Karl Barth on reading both the Bible and the newspaper. Plus, check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

How New York’s 19th century Jews turned Purim into an American party

(ANALYSIS) On Feb. 26, Jews celebrate Purim with feasts, carnivals and charity. A historian of American Judaism points to Purim as an important holiday that increased Jews’ visibility in the United States in the 19th century.

Faith in numbers: Behind the gender difference of nonreligious Americans

(ANALYSIS) Surveys taken before the 2020 election show that women are more likely to identify as religious than their male counterparts.

Analysis, NewsRyan BurgeFebruary 25, 2021Ryan Burge, religious nones, Nones, atheists, gender, millennials, Gen Z, The Conversation, data, Americans, life cycle effect, Secondary FeatureComment

Coronavirus news coverage: Is there room for both science and Catholic voices?

(OPINION) What does the phrase “follow the science” mean for journalism and particularly the impact of Catholic voices in news stories? That Catholics, and traditional religious believers in general, are seen as anti-science puts them in direct contradiction with what these politicians say and want.

Analysis, Catholicism, Opinion, Politics, Religion, ScienceClemente LisiFebruary 25, 2021Clemente Lisi, science, pandemic, coronavirus, COVID-19, journalism, science and faith, opinion, politicsComment

Israel faces criticism for not including Palestinians in vaccine success

(ANALYSIS) Israel is the top country for vaccinating its population. It now possibly faces legal obligations — and calls from the United Nations — to prioritize vaccinating Palestinians.

As storm cripples Texas' energy grid, people of faith rally to help

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the religion angles related to the winter storm that left millions without power in Texas. Plus, catch up on all the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Can government ban singing in worship? U.S. Supreme Court weighs in

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores the U.S. Supreme Court’s order stopping California’s ban on indoor worship in most of the state, while allowing a 25 percent capacity limit and a prohibition on singing and chanting. Plus, catch up on all the top reads in the week’s religion headlines.

Were some Catholic news sites duped by Trump?

(OPINION) What has been the result of some Catholic news websites giving Trump any form of editorial support? Catholic news sites across the doctrinal spectrum should have done a better job calling out both sides — something the mainstream press no longer does, especially on moral, cultural and religious issues.

The military coup in Myanmar presents opportunities to Buddhist nationalists

(ANALYSIS) Myanmar’s military has held a prominent political position in the country for decades. For almost 50 years, the country was under successive military regimes. These regimes displayed an ambivalent attitude to the country’s main religion, Buddhism – Buddhist movements, which were on the whole in opposition to military rule, were severely repressed.

Inside the Supreme Court order reversing California’s indoor worship ban

(ANALYSIS) The Supreme Court recently reversed California’s discriminatory ban on indoor worship in a case brought by two churches against Governor Gavin Newsom. Here’s what the justices had to say, and what rules houses of worship must comply with during the pandemic.

President Biden is a fan of Pope Francis, but is Francis a fan of Biden?

This week’s Weekend Plug-in asks whether it’s accurate to say that Pope Francis is a “fan” of President Joe Biden, America’s second Catholic president. Plus, find links to all the week’s top religion reads.

Can 'Super Mario' and Catholic Social Teaching rescue Italy's faltering economy?

(ANALYISIS) Italian economist Mario Draghi is forming a new government at the president’s request after a collapse of the ruling coalition over its handling of the pandemic. How will Catholic Social Teaching factor in helping lockdown-weary Italians — from business owners to the unemployed — achieve economic stability? The answer can be found in a 2013 speech.

The National Prayer Breakfast Has Become A Chance For Presidents And Faith Leaders To Push Political Agendas

(ANALYSIS) President Joe Biden’s remarks during his address at the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 4 give insight on his view of faith and politics during his presidency.

Can An Employee Object To Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines on Religious Grounds?

(ANALYSIS) Vaccines are beginning to be rolled out across the U.S., bringing questions for employees and their businesses. Can employers require their employees to take the vaccine? Can religious exemptions apply to the vaccine?

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