Posts in Christianity
Crossroads Podcast: What Was The Big Idea Of This Year’s March for Life?

The bottom line: Next year, more journalists need to attend some of the worship services linked to the March for Life. They will hear plenty of voices, young and old, stressing that the sanctity of human life is too complex to be discussed in political terms, alone.

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Hispanic Clergy Say Loss Of ‘Sensitive Locations’ Rule In ICE Raids Hurts Church

The loss of a rule that prevented officials from entering churches to arrest immigrants accused of being in the U.S. illegally has hurt the Church’s witness, the National Hispanic Baptist Network said on Jan. 29 in calling for the rule’s reinstatement.

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On Religion: March For Life Opens Up Complex Questions In Changing Times

(ANALYSIS) The questions at the 2025 March for Life were familiar ones for D.C. Beltway insiders: Would major politicians show up, and what would they say?

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How Religious Institutions Can Tackle The Rising Costs Of Health Insurance

(OPINION) Churches, temples and other religious organizations often employ experienced, highly skilled people — talented employees who could otherwise find work in the private sector but are called to service by their faith and belief in their community’s mission and values. These employees will often compromise on salary to do meaningful work, but they do expect adequate benefits and health care. For church leaders — often under pressure to keep a close eye on expenses — finding and paying for health care can be the most stressful part of the job. 

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Reviving The Art Of Margam Kali: The Journey Of Syrian Christians In Southern India

Traditionally performed barefoot in a circle, Margam Kali narrates the life and missionary work of St. Thomas, the apostle believed to have brought Christianity to India. Over the centuries, this ancient dance form has evolved while retaining its devotional essence, while also embodying the spiritual and cultural identity of the Syrian Christian community.

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US Has Low Levels Of ‘Religious Nationalism,’ But Its Impact Stands Out

The United States has a “relatively low level of religious nationalism” compared to other countries, but its impact on politics and society is particularly notable among high-income nations. The Pew Research Study released on Tuesday examined the role of religion worldwide by surveying people across 36 countries.

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Amid LA Wildfires, Houses Of Worship Serve Communities Devastated By Destruction

As flames continue to sweep across Los Angeles, the impact on local faith communities has been profound. Yet, it has also highlighted the spirit of generosity and solidarity among Angelenos. Many congregants, displaced by the fires, have found refuge in the homes of fellow members, while others have offered their properties at cost to help those who’ve lost everything.

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SMU Breaks From United Methodist Church, But Can It Retain Its ‘Methodist’ Identity?

(ANALYSIS) A Texas Supreme Court hearing marked the climax of a significant six-year legal battle. SMU has declared its independence from the United Methodist Church, ending a 114-year connection while planning to retain its “Methodist” name. Regardless of the decision, one question remains: In what respects is SMU a “Methodist” or a “Christian” university beyond acknowledging its heritage?

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Trump Pardons 23 Abortion Protestors Convicted Under The FACE Act

Trump signed an executive order Jan. 23 pardoning 23 pro-lifers convicted of federal crimes for blocking entrances to abortion clinics before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some of whom were serving prison sentences. “They should not have been prosecuted. Many of them are elderly people,” Trump said at the signing ceremony. “This is a great honor to sign this.”

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The Religion And Politics Of Students Who Were Homeschooled

(ANALYSIS) Homeschooled kids constitute a population group that I’ve always wanted to try to understand better, but it’s a super hard methodological problem. There’s no central database that tracks them.

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‘The Familiar Stranger’ Reintroduces A Familiar Debate About The Holy Spirit

(REVIEW) Pastor Tyler Staton’s new book makes a compelling case for placing the Holy Spirit at the center of Christian life. Unfortunately, much of what it says also validates the fears of those skeptical about Spirit-filled theology. In times of perceived decline, people search for answers on how to reverse it. Many in the church and the Western world view Christianity and Western civilization as being in cultural retreat. One of the proposed solutions is "re-enchantment.”

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UK Cathedrals Using Illuminations To Draw New Visitors

Cathedrals across Britain are discovering that light installations are attracting visitors of all faiths — and many who have none and in some cases have never entered a Christian house of worship before. These immersive light spectacles have become increasingly common across the country during the dark winter months.

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‘We Believe In The Man Upstairs’: Why Many NFL Quarterbacks Are Practicing Christians

The high number of practicing Christian quarterbacks in the NFL is a multifaceted phenomenon rooted in cultural, social and personal factors. Christianity offers these men a foundation for moral guidance, mental fortitude and a sense of community — all of which are essential to the demanding life of an NFL quarterback and win a Super Bowl.

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‘Protecting Life’: Thousands Descend On DC For Annual Anti-Abortion March

This year’s March for Life, which is understood to be the world’s largest annual human rights demonstration, marks the third time the event has been held since the historic overturning of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which returned abortion legislation to the states.

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Why African Governments Are Seeking To Repeal Tax Exemptions For Churches

In November, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced that starting this month, churches in the country would be expected to pay taxes. The announcement caused apprehension among religious leaders, prompting the country’s tax agency, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, to clarify that the new tax would apply only to churches’ trading income, not tithes and offerings.

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Elon Musk’s Inauguration Salute Just Another Distracting Meme

(OPINION) I have one bit of advice for all those people fuming over Elon Musk’s hand gestures: Stop. I know it’s tough to resist the temptation to go into full outrage mode over the apparent Nazi gesture Musk made during an Inauguration Day speech at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena. A lot of energy has gone into parsing Musk’s gesture, and attacking those who don’t see it your way.

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Houses Of Worship Tackle ‘The Challenge Of The Empty Church’

Shrinking church attendance. Closing congregations. Minister shortages. Post-COVID upheaval. All those factors contributed to the strong interest in the dialogue organized by Heritage21, which partners with churches to — as the ministry puts it — “renew, repurpose and replant God’s kingdom in these challenging times.”

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