Olasky’s Books For April: Christian Nationalism Fuels Revenues

(REVIEW) How big a threat is “Christian nationalism?” Fear of Donald Trump increased the revenues of big media companies in 2016, and fear of “Christian nationalism” in 2024 is helping the sale of books screaming about it.

Crossroads Podcast: What’s The Story A Year After The Covenant School Shooting?

In the year since the Covenant School shootings, authorities — think FBI — have said they cannot release the manifesto and diaries of shooter Audrey (Aiden) Hale because they are relevant to ongoing investigations. If that is the case, then it’s safe to assume that these investigations are real. If they are not real, then that’s a stunning fact in an of itself.

On Religion: And Now, A Bible Study With Country Music Star Oliver Anthony

(ANALYSIS) At this stage in his country music career, Oliver Anthony is still reaching his fans by propping his smartphone in a tour bus window and recording social media videos. Seven months ago, of course, he didn't have a career, didn’t have a tour bus and didn't have fans.

Analysis, ReligionTerry MattinglyMarch 27, 2024religion, opinion, analysis, country music, Oliver Anthony, Terry MattinglyComment

How Many Atheists Are There In Your State?

(ANALYSIS) Most “nones” are not atheists. I do, however, believe that atheists are crucial for the future of American society and politics. As I’ve previously written, they are among the most politically active groups in the United States. But how many are there? The Cooperative Election Study can help us with an estimate.

AnalysisRyan BurgeMarch 27, 2024Ryan Burge, Graphs About Religion, Religion data, Atheism, Agnosticism, Religious nones, atheistsComment

Behold: A World-Class Novelist Wrestles Anew With Biblical Genesis

(ANALYSIS) The American novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson has accumulated numerous literary prizes, among them the 2005 Pulitzer, but also honors in religion. Her new non-fiction book “Reading Genesis” wrestles with the grand themes and thorny issues raised in the Bible’s first book. It’s a climactic testament at the twilight of a distinguished life and career.

Analysis, Christianity, Judaism, Religion, BooksRichard OstlingMarch 26, 2024Dick Ostling, Bible, Genesis, book, Judaism, Christianity, news, Richard OstlingComment

Israeli Army Exemption For The Ultra-Orthodox Part Of A Bigger Challenge

(ANALYSIS) Ultra-Orthodox resistance to conscription is nothing new. But the forcefulness of this declaration is new, especially coming in the midst of a war. And Yosef is not any random rabbi. He is the son of Ovadia Yosef, who was the spiritual leader of the Shas Party: an important partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious governing coalition.

📊 Is America Losing Its Religion? 4 Intriguing Stats From A New National Survey 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights four takeaways from a new national survey on religion in public life. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Which Cities Are The Least Religious And Why?

(ANALYSIS) Here’s a fun fact, the United States Census Bureau is prohibited from asking questions about religion on the decennial census. That’s the big data collection effort that is conducted every decade to get an accurate headcount of the United States for purposes of apportionment.

Analysis, ReligionRyan BurgeMarch 21, 2024Ryan Burge, Religion data, Religion in America, U.S. Census Bureau, religion, analysisComment

What The ‘Dune’ Sequel Doesn’t Understand About Religious People

“Dune: Part Two” has been a massive hit at the box office, making back the first movie’s entire ticket take on its opening weekend and narrowly beating the opening of “Oppenheimer.” And with a Rotten Tomatoes critical and audience score over 90%, many are already calling it one of the best sequels of all time. Here’s what the movie says about religion and those who practice it.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Decision Truncates Religion

This decision, Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, might at first glance seem to be yet another boring administrative matter. That’s far from being the case. In fact, the outcome raises the bar for all religions to show that their charity arms deserve such exemptions in the state.

🏆 Hello, Adelle: Longtime RNS Journalist To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights Adelle M. Banks’ selection as the Religion News Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Crossroads Podcast: Some Catholic Bishops Met Secretly With Trans Activists

On this week’s “Crossroads” podcast, we focus on a top-secret meeting of Catholic bishops and trans Catholics, their families and some LGBTQ+ activists. You probably didn’t read about this newsy meeting because the mainstream press didn’t cover it (unless I have missed something).

Analysis, Catholicism, ChristianityTerry MattinglyMarch 15, 2024Crossroads podcast, Catholic church, Catholicism, trans, LGBTQ, Terry MattinglyComment

‘Arthur the King’ A Sweet, But Shallow, Drama

(REVIEW) Based on the book “Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home,” the movie version follows the true-life story of the comeback of professional adventure racer Michael Light, played by Mark Wahlberg, who is trying to win his first race after a humiliating previous attempt. What results is a movie that’s wholesome and sweet, yet ultimately shallow and formulaic.

Tattooing Has Held A Long Tradition Dating Back To Jesus’ Crucifixion

(ANALYSIS) Holy Week and Easter are perhaps the most important days in the Christian calendar. Many associate those celebrations with church services, processions, candles, incense, fasting and penances. However, there is another tradition that many Christians follow — that of tattooing.

If You’re A Girl In Afghanistan, The Taliban Has Decided Your Future For You

(ANALYSIS) An inquiry was convened to respond to the ever-growing marginalization of women and girls in Afghanistan and Iran, which closely resembles segregation. Women and girls in those countries are treated as second-class citizens, deprived of their freedoms and forced to adhere to strict dress codes under the threat of severe punishments.

A Popeless Cause: Why Hasn’t There Ever Been An Irish Pontiff?

(ANALYSIS) Remember that time Ireland had a pope? You probably don't. Because it never happened. Despite Ireland's rich monastic and missionary traditions — along with its hard-fought struggle to maintain the Catholic religion — there has never been an Irish pope. Italy, of course, has had hundreds of popes. France has had 15 and the Germans half a dozen.

On Religion: ‘Good Men’ vs. ‘Real Men’ A Major Problem For Churches

(ANALYSIS) Often, these “nominal Christian men” internalize the “real-man script” while defending their behavior by “pinning Christian language” on abusive beliefs.

Are Liberal Christians More Politically Engaged Than Conservative Ones?

But I wanted to test this liberal Christian versus conservative Christian in a much more narrow way — by looking at which group is more politically engaged. Conservative Christians seem convinced that progressive Christians are the ones who are going to marches and working for candidates. Meanwhile, a lot of left of center folks seem convinced that White evangelicals punch way above their weight in the political arena. So, who is right?

Book Excerpt: Marvin Olasky’s ‘Pivot Points’

(EXCERPT) Whenever we pivot in life, freedom from fear requires either a colossal ego or a colossal God. Ego leads us to grab what is not ours. The path to contentment starts with faith in God. In this sequel to “Lament for a Father,” Marvin Olasky first describes his journey from Judaism to atheism to Marxism to Christ and then his adventures in evangelical, conservative, compassionate, and journalistic circles.

Analysis, Christianity, BooksMarvin OlaskyMarch 13, 2024Marvin Olasky, book, communism, Christianity, religion, politics, Pivot Points, booksComment

Haiti On The Brink: Did Evangelicals Break The Caribbean Nation?

(ANALYSIS) The news coming from Haiti is not good. It’s not been good for years, for decades, but today it’s even worse. Gangs now control much of the country. It is essentially a failed state, with the lowest per capita income of any country in the Western Hemisphere and among the lowest on the planet. These are hard realities, but evangelicals need to face a hard reality of our own when it comes to Haiti.

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