📊 Losing Their Religion: Latino Catholic Population On The Decline In US 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the latest research concerning the decline of Latino Catholics in the U.S. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Weekend Plug-In, Analysis, Religion, Religion News, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.April 14, 2023Bobby Ross Jr., Lationos, Latino Catholics, Pew Research Center, Pew Research, Hispanic churches, Religious right, The Covenant School, Nashville shooting

During This Orthodox Easter, Consider How The Cross Is About More Than Redemption

(OPINION) Quantum theory can widen how we imagine the cross of Christ. Jesus did redeem us on the cross. But wondrously beautiful things happened simultaneously to his blood being shed. For instance, Jesus married (betrothed) us. In Jewish tradition, a redeemer was a male relative responsible for caring for a deceased relative’s possessions, including the widow.

Opinion, Analysis, Christianity, Marriage, Orthodox, EvangelicalsMichael MetzgerApril 14, 2023Michael Metzger, Mike Metzger, The Clapham Institute, Christianity, Jesus, Cross, CrucifixionComment

Sweet Tea and Dragons: Uncovering Japan’s Fascinating Buddha Birthday Traditions

(PERSONAL ESSAY) Buddha’s birthday is celebrated as a more quiet holiday in Japan as opposed to other countries, where it tends to be a grander national celebration. Known as Hana Matsuri (flower festival) or Kanbutsu-e (literally “Buddha bathing party”) in Japan, this birthday commemoration for Shakyamuni Buddha became intertwined with traditions from ancient Japanese farmers.

Analysis, Asia, BuddhismBrianna JacobsApril 13, 2023Brianna Jacobs, Buddha, Buddhist, Siddhartha Guatama, Lumbini, Japan, Japanese Buddhism, Hana Matsuri, Kanbutsu-e, hanamido, Ama-cha, Lotus Sutra, Nanda, Upananda, Sagara, Vasuki, Takshaka, Anavatapta, Manasvin, Utpalaka, Recharge Comment

MLK’s Vision Of Social Justice Included Religious Pluralism — A House Of Many Faiths

(ANALYSIS) In an age of polarization, it is worth remembering that one of the pillars of King’s philosophy was pluralism: the idea of multiple communities engaging one another, acknowledging their differences and shared bonds, and striving to create what King called a “Beloved Community.”

AnalysisRoy WhitakerApril 13, 2023The Conversation, Roy Whitaker, Martin Luther King Jr., Civil rights movement, Religious pluralism, Interfaith, Black Lives Matter, RacismComment

Reading The Post-Pandemic Tea Leaves In Modern Church Pews

(OPINION) Surveys since 2020 show that a "steady share of Americans — about 40% — say they have participated in religious services in the prior month one way or the other," according to a Pew Research Center report. But other details are blurry, since the "share of U.S. adults who ... attend religious services once a month or more has dropped slightly, from 33% in 2019 to 30% in 2022."

Analysis, Christianity, Evangelicals, News, North America, Opinion, Religion, Religion News, TERRY MATTINGLYTerry MattinglyApril 12, 2023Terry Mattingly, religious decline, Thom Rainer, The Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism, The Southern Baptist Seminary, Pew Research Center, Sam RainerComment

A New Book Tells The Story Of The Other Merton — Thomas’ Brother

(REVIEW) Few if any 20th century Roman Catholics had a greater impact on Christian spirituality than Thomas Merton, the iconic Trappist monk, mystic and ecumenist. What’s lesser known is the remarkable life of his brother, John Paul, who was almost four years his junior — the subject of “Remembering the Forgotten Merton” William J. Meegan.

Review, Books, Christianity, AnalysisPaul PratherApril 11, 2023Paul Prather, Thomas Merton, John Paul Merton, Christianity, Catholic Church, Episcopal Church, Abbey of Gethsemani, Remembering the Forgotten Merton, William J. Meegan, BooksComment

New Probe Of Origins Of Islam's Quran Resembles 200 Years Of New Testament Conflict

(OPINION) “Creating the Quran” will certainly offend believers in the orthodox view that between 610 and his death in 632, Muhammad, guided by the angel Gabriel, received God’s verbatim words, memorized them, dictated them to scribes and confirmed the entirety of the Quran’s revelations as they exist today.

Opinion, Conflict, History, Islam, Analysis, BooksRichard OstlingApril 10, 2023The Religion Guy, Richard Ostling, Quran, Scriptures, Islam, Prophet Muhammad, Religious scholarship, Religious history, Abrahamic religions, Secondary feature, Books Comments

Are Religious Debates Fruitful?

(OPINION) For the last 40 years, I have engaged in scores of public debates on religious subjects, sometimes drawing passionate, standing-room-only crowds. But are the debates actually fruitful? Do they bring more heat than light? Do they really change anyone’s mind?

Opinion, Analysis, Christianity, Judaism, North AmericaDr. Michael BrownApril 8, 2023Dr. Michael Brown, Ask Dr. Brown, Debate, Messianic Jews, Christianity, Judaism, Enlightenment, Apologetics, Michael Brown, Dave Gettleman, Bernard StarrComment

Netflix Show ‘In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal’ Exposes Cults Thriving In South Korea

(REVIEW) The eight-episode series “In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” covered Jesus Morning Star, Five Oceans, The Baby Garden, and the God of Manmim cults. Comedian Esther Ku spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com about how the series unearthed an ecosystem of cults in Korea.

‘He Gets Us’ — But Do We ‘Get’ Those Ads?

(OPINION) The least remarkable thing about the “He Gets Us” campaign — at least the most tiresome thing — is the knee-jerk reactions from both extremes of the political-religious divide. Both sides have found much to hate.

Opinion, Analysis, Christianity, Culture, Entertainment, Evangelicals, North America, protestants, ReligionPaul PratherApril 7, 2023Paul Prather, He Gets Us, Hobby Lobby, Polarization, Christianity, Christian right, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Super BowlComment

Nigerian Elections Halt Flights: An Adventure Filled with Faith and Financial Woes

(PERSONAL ESSAY) It was as if I faced what we call in development economics a “false paradigm.” A few days before leaving my home country, every stop I took at a bank around my place of residence as well as at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, I felt I was wrongly advised by the forex department to not carry cash on hand for safety precautions. They, however, did not perceive the current naira scarcity saga that has affected millions of Nigerians — Christians, churches, nonbelievers, the rich and the poor.

Africa, Analysis, Christianity, Economy, NewsVicky AbrahamApril 6, 2023Nigeria, Vicky Abraham, Lagos, Naira, naira, bank transfers, Prayer City, Primary Feature, Primary feature Comments

Cardinal McElroy-EWTN Feud Reveals Catholicism’s Internal Cracks

(ANALYSIS) The Catholic press operates differently compared to mainstream media. Catholic media, depending where the publication or TV station falls on the doctrinal spectrum, aren’t governed by objectivity but by church teachings. This is where the conflict arises and when culture war battles within the church — and society — manifest themselves.

Analysis, Catholicism, North America, Politics, Religion, TechnologyClemente LisiApril 6, 2023Clemente Lisi, journalism, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Pope Francis, EWTN, politics, religion, politics and religion, Lent, EasterComment

How Muslim Women Are Reconciling Gender Justice And Islam

(ANALYSIS) As a Muslim-Pakistani woman who is also a journalist, I find myself unable to turn off from such news. In these cases, what set me off more is that unlike previous instances of violence against women where a certain amount of support and discussion helped me deal with the fear and anger that accompanies such news, Khan’s and Muhammad’s untimely deaths were met with silence.

Was Esau-Edom White? Demolishing Hebrew Israelite Lies (Part 1)

(OPINION) One of the most common (and pernicious) Hebrew Israelite lies is that Isaac and Rebekah’s son Esau, also known as Edom, was White and that Whites today are his descendants, vilified as “White Edomite Devils.”

Opinion, Analysis, Conflict, Middle East, North AmericaDr. Michael BrownApril 4, 2023Ask Dr. Brown, Michael Brown, Dr. Michael Brown, Esau, Edom, Jewish history, Black Hebrew Israelites, Hebrew Israelites, Racism, Judaism, Israel Comments

How Easter Eggs Represent Ukrainian Women's Power to Reclaim Religious Freedom

(ANALYSIS) Spiritual motherhood is brought to life through sacred, ancient myths like the Ukrainian women who co-create the world anew each morning through their perpetual creation of pysanky eggs. And particularly now, spiritual mothers like Zielyk are inviting each of us to step into our own individual and collective sacred stories through art, beauty and creativity.

Why So Much Hatred Against Jews?

(OPINION) Why is it that, “among all racial and religious groups, Jews remain the greatest hate crime target”? And why is it that Jews are targeted by both White supremacists and Black supremacists? I began documenting this more than 30 years ago. It is even worse today.

Opinion, Analysis, Jewish, Judaism, Latin America, Middle East, North AmericaDr. Michael BrownApril 3, 2023Dr. Michael Brown, Ask Dr. Brown, Antisemitism, Racism, Hebrew Israelites, Hate, Judaism, Israel, Ashkenazi Jews, Michael Brown Comments

Nazi Orders For Jews To Wear A Star Were Hateful, But Not Unique: The Long History Of Antisemitic Badges

(ANALYSIS) Although the yellow badge has come to symbolize Nazi cruelty, it was not an original idea. For many centuries, communities throughout Europe had forced Jewish residents to mark themselves.

AnalysisFlora CassenMarch 30, 2023The Conversation, Flora Cassen, Judaism, Holocaust, Star of David, Antisemitism, Secondary feature, Secondary FeatureComment

⛪️ Tears And Faith After The Covenant School Shooting In Nashville 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights coverage of the mass shooting at a Presbyterian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Weekend Plug-In, Analysis, Religion, Religion News, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.March 30, 2023Bobby Ross Jr., The Covenant School, Nashville, Nashville shooting, Nashville school shooting, God and guns, Presbyterian, Tennessee, School shooting

The Winner’s Chapel and The King’s College

(ANALYSIS) David Oyedepo founded a church in Nigeria in 1981 that has come to be called The Winner’s Chapel. It is now in about 150 countries and claims 6 million members. Meanwhile, it looks like the closure of The King’s College in New York City is all but inevitable, and that will be a huge loss for the city, and for American evangelicalism.

Analysis, North AmericaWarren Cole SmithMarch 29, 2023MinistryWatch, Warren Cole Smith, Editor's Notebook, The King's College, Culture War, Evangelicalism, Christian education, The Winner's Chapel, Nigerian ChristiansComment

Calls For A ‘Green’ Ramadan Revive Islam’s Long Tradition Of Sustainability And Care For The Planet

(ANALYSIS) For many Muslims breaking fast in mosques around the world this Ramadan, something will be missing: plastics. To encourage Muslims to be more mindful of the impact of Ramadan on the environment, mosques are increasingly dispensing of single-use items, with some banning the use of plastics altogether.

AnalysisNoorzehra ZaidiMarch 29, 2023Noorzehra Zaidi, The Conversation, Ramadan, Islam, Sustainability, Environmentalism, Single-use plastics, Muslim holidays, Secondary featureComment

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