Posts in Analysis
Why Hinduism Is Being Molded Into A Monotheistic Religion Like Islam And Christianity

(OPINION) Politically, rallying Hindus around one overarching religious figure has been a key component of the BJP’s strategy to create a new pan-Hindu identity that transcends its myriad traditions and caste hierarchies, which are considered a roadblock to Hindu political unity. 

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🏛️ #RNA2023: The News That Has Religion Writers' Attention This Week 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the Religion News Association’s annual meeting in Bethesda, Maryland. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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How A Faithful Catholic In Congress Turned Into A Heretic

(OPINION) During his 16 years in Congress, Rep. Daniel Lipinski voted with his party 90% of the time, and his convictions never changed, especially on economic and labor issues. Nevertheless, by 2018, New York magazine had floated this headline: "House Democratic Leaders Rally to Defend Their Illinois Heretic."

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It’s time Catholics (and all Americans) examine the role of news media in society

(OPINION) A two-day conference on the current state of journalism — co-sponsored by Catholic broadcaster EWTN and Franciscan University of Steubenville — examined why objectivity has disappeared, threats to freedom of speech and the hostility some in the mainstream have towards Catholics.

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‘Vengeance Is Mine’ Says The Lord, Not Ours — Or Trump’s

(OPINION) “I am your retribution,” former President Donald Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference. But rather than try to destroy our enemies or bring retribution on them, our goal should be their conversion and transformation. That is the radical Jesus way.

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‘The Mandalorian’ Third Season Begins With A Pilgrimage — And That’s Just The Beginning

(REVIEW) The first two seasons of the Star Wars spinoff show deal with Mandalorian Din Djarin’s strict beliefs that forbid him from removing his helmet in front of another being. Now that he’s removed his helmet, he’s been cut off from his people, and the only way he can find forgiveness is by visiting his destroyed homeworld.

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🇩🇪 At Least Six Dead, Plus Unborn Baby And Gunman, In Jehovah’s Witnesses Shooting In Germany 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in provides the latest details on a mass shooting at a Jehovah’s Witnesses hall in Germany. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland Testifies: What He Said Depends On Who You Read

(ANALYSIS) It’s almost always news when a public official testifies before a congressional committee. Such was the case when Attorney General Merrick Garland faced the Senate Judiciary Committee. As expected, it was an important, and often heated, four hours of testimony that was highlighted by the back-and-forth exchanges between Garland and Republican senators on the panel. You can read Garland’s opening remarks on the DOJ website. 

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Reflections On How Christianity Can Help China to Flourish

(ANALYSIS) There has been surprisingly little engagement among religious groups in China, and Christians could point to ways that shared efforts by religious groups — care for the aging, improving schools in rural areas, marriage counseling and the like — can benefit Chinese society.

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How Jimmy Carter Integrated His Evangelical Faith Into His Political Work, Despite Mockery And Misunderstanding

Jimmy Carter attempted to model the translation of Jesus’ love into action through his life of public service. His post-presidential commitments involved The Carter Center’s initiatives of fighting disease and seeking international peace and his private efforts of building homes for Habitat for Humanity and teaching Sunday school.

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🇺🇸 No Separation Of Church And State? New York City Mayor Sparks A Furor 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the controversy over New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ comments on the separation of church and state — or the lack thereof. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Lessons From The Old Jesus Revolution For The New Jesus Revolution

(OPINION) We cannot afford to repeat the errors of the Jesus revolution of the 1960s in the days ahead, as thousands (millions?) of young people (and others) from many different backgrounds begin to pour into our churches, looking for God, looking for hope, looking for meaning, looking for truth.

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Why Businessman Peter Chung Is Key Player In The Future Of The King’s College

(ANALYSIS) It would be smart for religion reporters, business reporters and education reporters to dig more into Canadian businessman Peter Chung and his involvement with King’s in the past two years as well as his other business ventures through Primacorp Ventures Inc. and the Emanata Group.

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From Catholicism To ‘Jew-ish’: How George Santos Pulled Off His Religiously Intersectional Fraud

(OPINION) Santos’ intersectionality worked perfectly in a congressional district that is itself exceedingly diverse and arguably somewhat tribal. I write from experience as I lived in that district for several years and understand the dynamics firsthand. 

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History Repeats: Could The Asbury Revival Last 100 Years Like The Moravian Revival in Germany?

(OPINION) As odd as all this might seem, spontaneous revivals in Christianity aren’t terribly unusual. On Feb. 3, 1970, a revival erupted at what was then Asbury College. That one, too, began at a morning chapel service. It lasted 185 hours nonstop. Intermittently, it continued for weeks. Ultimately it spread across the United States and to other countries.

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📰 Surprise! Spiritual Revival Is Big News, From New York Times to Christianity Today 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the spiritual revival that drew thousands to Asbury University, a small Christian college in Kentucky. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Native Hawaiians Believe Volcanoes Are Alive And Should Be Treated Like People, With Distinct Rights And Responsibilities

(ANALYSIS) Hawaii’s largest and oldest volcano, Mauna Loa, began erupting on Nov. 27, 2022, with lava flowing miles away downhill. The last eruption, which lasted three weeks, was nearly 40 years ago. It is not clear how long this eruption will last, but for many Native Hawaiians, it is a profound spiritual experience.

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Why You May Have Missed News About The FBI Memo Calling Out ‘Radical Traditionalist’ Catholics

(ANALYSIS) The politicization of American society has affected a great number of institutions. The FBI has also become politicized. This is a belief that picked up momentum during Donald Trump’s presidency, but continues to exist now. If journalism is the place that you believe should shed a light on this painful paradox, then you’d be sadly mistaken.

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5 Books About Lent That Will Help You Prepare For Easter

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts about six weeks, culminating with Easter Sunday. It is the day Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead. Ahead of the Lenten season, here are five books about this prayerful season that will prepare Christians for Easter.

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⛪︎ $50 Million Shrine Honors Catholic Farm Boy Who Became A Martyr 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the opening of the $50 million Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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