(ANALYSIS) Research from Scheitle and Cornell found that there’s often a significant mismatch between what the clergy say that they are speaking about and what is actually received by the congregants. Are they receptive to politically charged messages from the pulpit?
Read MoreAs always, the annual U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report focused on trends in nations known for bitter religious conflicts and the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians. The list of offenders of “particular concern” included China, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and others. The commission pushed to add Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Vietnam to that list.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For many modern Christians, Sunday School is primarily seen as a children’s ministry – a place where kids are taught Bible stories while their parents attend the main worship service. Yet historically, Sunday Schools played a far greater role. They were not only centers of religious education but also powerful tools for evangelism and church planting.
Read MoreReligion Unplugged’s readers see Clemente Lisi’s stories all the time. Here are seven facts to help the audience get to know him better.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The bottom line: Religion events and trends draw intense news coverage when they are directly or indirectly linked to politics. This is especially true during tense elections.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Why empower a small group of unelected, perhaps unrepresentative, people from some religious communities with official privileged access to the governor? Why treat seven people as if they could speak for the millions of religious believers in Texas? Can a Baptist properly reflect Catholic concerns, or an Orthodox Jew reflect Muslim concerns?
Read More(ANALYSIS) While the Thai Buddhism depicted in “The White Lotus” is not completely realistic, there are several authentic ways to engage deeply with Buddhism, ranging from offering donations to short meditation retreats to ordination as a monastic. The series depicts an American woman who is interested in joining a yearlong meditation program at a temple, even though they do not offer such programs.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Presbyterian Church (USA) is nearing the latest turning point in its half-century struggle over same-sex clergy and marriage that could give liberals powerful new leverage against traditionalists — if they choose to exercise it. The coming clash would pit the liberals’ anti-discrimination principles against the evangelical minority's freedom of conscience claims.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There’s this inherent tension in doing survey research. We are trying to get people to explain their thinking about things. I don’t know if that’s always possible. Asking people to reflect on how they construct their worldview may be trying to quantify smoke in a box, but it’s definitely worth some exploration.
Read MoreIs it controversial for American cultural conservatives to build themselves a small community in the hills outside of Nashville? Yes it is, among critics to the left (sort of) of them. Is it controversial for Muslims to build themselves a large community near Dallas? Yes it is, among critics to the right (sort of) of them.
Read MoreReligion News Association members gathered this week just outside the nation’s capital for their annual meeting. They discussed topics ranging from AI to reporting on religion in small markets.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The bridge between Ash Wednesday and Easter is the penitential season of Lent. However, Lent is “not on the radar” for most Americans, according to a new Lifeway Research study focusing on Catholics, Protestants and the unchurched. Most who observe Lent find their own ways to mark the season, with some form of the “give up one thing for Lent” pattern as the norm.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The math is bright red: The “Snow White” reboot was a box-office bomb in week one and things went straight downhill in week two. It’s possible that, if Disney gets honest about the production and promotion costs, this movie could be the biggest and most painful elite Hollywood bust of all time.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As a medievalist, I appreciate Francis’ contrasting approach: A religious leader who embraces history and scholarship, and encourages others to do the same — even as book bans and threats to academic freedom mount.
Read More(ANALYSIS) When the National Urban Ministry Conference began in the 1990s, the focus was on starting churches and ministries that would reach the urban poor in the downtown areas of large cities. Yet, the city — speaking in a general sense — is constantly changing.
Read More(ANALYSIS) I wanted to try and do some more data work on what drives religious attendance. So, that’s the point of this post — it’s just a journey through me trying to figure out what demographic factors make someone more or less likely to show up for church this Sunday.
Read MoreWhile we were recording the podcast this week, I told Lutheran Public Radio listeners that I was well aware that much of the information I was sharing was rather complex, if not downright confusing. That was kind of the point. When it comes to statistical trends in religion, we live in a very, very confusing age.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Clergy need to grasp that smartphones are raising moral and spiritual questions they cannot avoid. Postponing complex and even controversial discussions of these digital dilemmas will not make the problems disappear.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Many have spent years studying and teaching Japanese anime, exploring how its narratives intertwine with cultural, philosophical and religious traditions. One of the most compelling aspects of Japanese anime is its ability to merge thrilling action with deep spiritual and ethical questions. It’s this mix of Buddhist and Shinto traditions that have helped make anime the very popular storytelling form it is today.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As a rule, I am not a fan of sequels — other than movies that complete a cycle of stories that exist in some existing form of literature (think “The Lord of the Rings”). I am also not a fan of live-action remakes of classic animated films.
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