👣 March On Washington At 60: What The Anniversary Means For People Of Faith 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights religion angles at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

AI can improve how journalists report on matters of faith

(ANALYSIS) While machines have yet to replace all writers, the threat is real. This isn’t just limited to journalists. AI has impacted Hollywood (look at the current writers strike), education (from grade school to college) and the retail industry. And yes, journalism is up there to when it comes to an industry seen as under threat.

Analysis, NewsClemente LisiAugust 25, 2023Clemente Lisi, religion, journalism, Christianity, Pope Francis, Vatican, Catholic church, technology, Primary featureComment

Republican Presidential Contenders Make Faith And Family A Central Issue

(ANALYSIS) What emerged from the eight candidates (Trump did not attend) on stage at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee was an often-heated two-hour debate in which they weren’t afraid to bring up faith and family as a reason why Biden’s America has been a failure.

Why Pope Francis Has Become A Political Lightning Rod In Argentina

(ANALYSIS) While this pontiff has been a divisive figure in the Catholic Church (especially in the United States and Western Europe), Francis’ popularity in his homeland is also waning. It’s a departure from the fervor of a decade ago when Jorge Bergoglio, the cardinal of Buenos Aires, was elected pope. Much of the country celebrated. These days, Francis generates divided opinions.

Are Our Smartphones Killing Us And Our Ministries?

(ANALYSIS) Anyone who thinks mental health is not a key issue for churches and ministries is simply not paying attention. But could our smartphones really be responsible for all this carnage and suffering?

A Nonaffirming Catholic Couple Denied As Foster Parents and the ‘Big But’ Theory

(ANALYSIS) I hope Christians noted a ruling last week in Massachusetts. A Christian couple, Michael and Kitty Burke, was deemed unfit for a foster care license. Michael served in Iraq as a Marine; Kathy is a former paraprofessional for kids with special needs. They sought to adopt through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ foster care program.

The Legacy Of The Taliban: Human Rights Violations And Gender Apartheid

(ANALYSIS) On Aug. 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and took control of the country. Subsequent months have seen severe restrictions on the rights of women and girls, religious minorities and much more.

From Durer to TikTok: The Evolution of Self-Making

(REVIEW) How have we become like gods? Tracing the story from the Middle Ages, with its philosophical culmination in Nietzsche and modern manifestation in the transhumanist movement and the Kardashians, author Tara Isabella Burton explains how humanity has come to seek flourishing apart from God in her book “Self-Made.”

Today’s Complicated Politics: Are Evangelical Pews ‘Red’ While More Pulpits Are ‘Blue’?

(ANALYSIS) Like everybody else, American religion writers are caught in a politics-drenched environment that for Republicans gets hot with the first debates Aug. 23 and Sept. 27 and presumably wraps up with the Ohio primary March 19, if not before.

📝 Jesus Didn't Lie On His Resume, But This Top Southern Baptist Official Did 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in covers the resignation of a top Southern Baptist Convention official for lying on his resume. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Rising Intolerance In Pakistan And Misuse Of Blasphemy Laws

(ANALYSIS) Three influential cards have always played well in Pakistan’s political arena: Sunni Islam, the army and patriotism. Being a Sunni Muslim makes you powerful and provides a deep sense of being an extraordinary Pakistani.

Asia, AnalysisKiyya BalochAugust 17, 2023Kiyya Baloch, Pakistan, Christianity, Zenger, Zenger News, ZengerNews, Secondary feature, rechargeComment

British Government Officially Recognizes Daesh Genocide Against The Yazidis

(ANALYSIS) Starting this month, the British government has formally recognized the Islamic State group atrocities against the Yazidis as genocide. The announcement comes nine years after the atrocities and follows a determination of the atrocities as genocide by a German court.

AnalysisEwelina U. OchabAugust 16, 2023Ewelina U. Ochab, Yazidis, Daesh, Genocide, Religious minorities, Middle East, ForbesComment

Jesus and AI: A Chatbot Willing To Take On Questions Of All Kinds

(ANALYSIS) No one has called Jesus an internet guru — that is, until now. In his latest role as an “AI Jesus,” Jesus stands, rather awkwardly, as a white man, dressed in a hooded brown-and-white robe, available 24/7 to answer any and all questions on his Twitch channel.

Giving To Maui Disaster Relief And Who To Avoid

(ANALYSIS) The horrific scenes coming from Maui — and news that at least 90 people have died — have caused many of our readers to ask, “How can I help?” Here are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Maui relief efforts. We also have our assessment of some ministries that are raising funds to help.

Russell Moore on Christians who Are Switching Churches or Hitting Exit Doors

(ANALYSIS) “Book of the Month” is certainly an appropriate label for Russell Moore’s “Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America,” released July 25 by Sentinel. I am borrowing that label, of course, from that venerable subscription club and corporate partner during The Guy’s days working with the old Time Inc.

Analysis, BooksRichard OstlingAugust 14, 2023richard ostling, books, analysisComment

🔥 Prayers For Maui: Houses Of Worship Burned; People Of Faith Organize Help 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the devastating Maui wildfires. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Infrequent Church Attenders Were Trump's Base, Right?

(ANALYSIS) I can’t point to one specific instance of this, but it’s something I see in the online discourse: “It’s the folks who don’t go to church who put Trump in the White House.” “It’s the most religiously devout Republicans who are the ones driving the MAGA train” Which one is right? Both are. Which one is wrong? Both are.

Skipping doctrine at World Youth Day in favor of scandals and politics

(ANALYSIS) The concept of World Youth Day has been influenced by the Light-Life Movement that has existed in Poland since the 1960s, where Catholic teens celebrated a “day of community” during youth camp retreats. This has morphed into the five-day event that ended Sunday.

Religion, Analysis, NewsClemente LisiAugust 8, 2023Clemente Lisi, religion, Catholic church, World Youth Day, Pope Francis, recharge, RechargeComment

Exploring Without Clarity: A Review of ‘Walking With the Spiritual But Not Religious’

(REVIEW) This book is a valiant attempt to create an ethic of deep listening, empathy and guidelines for spiritual mentorship for those who find themselves marginalized by the religious community. At the same time, the Staffords’ lack of clarity exposes the groundwork to logical fallacies, self-refuting statements and logical circles.

Analysis, BooksRafa OliveiraAugust 8, 2023Rafa Oliveira, books, Christianity, book review Comments

How India’s ‘Elephant Whisperers’ Overlooked Deeper Issues

(ANALYSIS) The film missed the mark in looking at the socioeconomic conditions that many caretakers and mahouts undergo, the plight of the elephants outside of conservation efforts, and the history of this bond between humans and elephants in South Asia that dates back nearly 5,000 years.

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