Posts in Christianity
Why Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Remains A Risky Narrative

(ANALYSIS) In international law, territorial integrity would mean a country’s right to “sovereignty” over its entire territory, prohibiting external interference or attempts to alter its borders. In Manipur, the term refers to preserving the territory of the state as it existed at the end of the British Raj in 1947. Protecting a state’s “territorial integrity” is largely a political concern with little constitutional basis.

Read More
On Religion: Why Those ‘He Gets Us’ Ads Keep Triggering Arguments

(ANALYSIS) Many of the ad's photographs are easy to interpret, such as a man removing “GO BACK” graffiti from a home, a woman helping a weeping man in a grocery store, a firefighter hard at work and a young football player comforting a defeated opponent. But the John 3:16 hat raised the theological stakes in the pride photograph.

Read More
NC Supreme Court Upholds ‘Look Back’ Window of SAFE Child Act

The North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision means that cases filled by other child sexual abuse survivors, like Stuart Griffin’s case involving Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church and Charlotte Christian School, during the look back window will continue.

Read More
How NBA Great Dikembe Mutombo’s Legacy As A Christian And Humanitarian Lives On

Dikembe Mutombo’s towering presence on the basketball court made him a household name. With his signature finger wag and shot-blocking ability, he dominated the NBA for nearly two decades. But it’s his legacy off the court that set him apart as an icon of compassion and service. His parents, both Baptists, instilled in him values of kindness, humility and service to others. These principles would shape Mutombo’s identity as a man and player.

Read More
Following Quran Burnings, Will Sweden Stumble Into Anti-Blasphemy Laws?

(ANALYSIS) Freedom of religion means that religious beliefs, or irreligious ones, can be criticized, even mocked, as happens frequently in Sweden to, for example, Christian sentiments. In an open society, people of different faiths — Christians, Muslims, Jews, agnostics and secular humanists — must be able to live side by side in freedom and security. But they may be critically scrutinized, even ridiculed.

Read More
50 Christians killed, dozens kidnapped in Nigeria since late January

About 50 Christians were killed, dozens kidnapped and homes destroyed since late January in several attacks spanning southern to northern Nigeria, Christian persecution watchdog groups said. At least three pastors were killed in attacks in Kaduna in north-central Nigeria and Gombe in northeastern Nigeria.

Read More
‘Money, Lies and God’: Christian Nationalism And Threats To Democracy During Trump 2.0

(REVIEW) Author of “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism,” author Katherine Stewart picks up where that 2020 book left off in her new work “Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy.” In it, she surveys a horizon that has only grown darker. It is a landscape overshadowed by a well-organized, well-funded consortium of oligarchs and billionaires and others.

Read More
‘Being A Blessing’: Departing Megachurch Leader Says Love Has Been His Motivation

In January, Jon Weece, the senior pastor (official title: “lead follower”) at Central Kentucky’s Southland Christian Church, announced he’ll step down from his position in January 2026 to become just a regular member of the church.

Read More
Exclusive: Plight Of Nuns In Sudan Highlights Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Last year, a handful of Salesian nuns worked to keep a small school and religious center in Khartoum open. As siege-like conditions worsened, they coordinated with Sudanese officials for an escape. An investigation by Religion Unplugged has revealed new details about the operation that were previously undisclosed.

Read More
How Pastors Can Cast A Vision To Develop ‘Culture Of Prayer’

(ANALYSIS) Everyone in your church can pray. From older saints to younger children, we all learn to pray by praying. Work, therefore, to create more meaningful times for prayer in all existing services, and schedule more dynamic prayer meetings. Any pastor anywhere can cast a vision to create a culture of prayer. You have the tools. Start where you are.

Read More
Crossroads Podcast: Peter Thiel And Silicon Valley’s Spiritual Seekers

I’m not suggesting that the New York Times team that produced this recent feature — “Seeking God, or Peter Thiel, in Silicon Valley” — needed to dig into the works of this Orthodox monk. This business-desk feature was the hook for this week’s “Crossroads” podcast.

Read More
Evangelicals’ Uneasy History With The Government Trough

(ANALYSIS) Conservatives, Christian conservatives in particular, have always had a troubled and inconsistent relationship with the idea of government funding flowing to nonprofits. Now, Donald Trump has reengaged the fight to reduce the size of government with DOGE, though he is going about it in strange ways.

Read More
On Religion: NFL Sideline Sermons During An Intense Time For America

(ANALYSIS) Moments after the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, quarterback Jalen Hurts offered a familiar word of testimony: “God is good. He is greater than all of the highs and lows.” If those words sounded familiar, it's because Hurts — the MVP — shared them earlier on press day, along with several other times when he was in the spotlight: “My faith has always been a part of me.”

Read More
Survivors Of Evangelical Leader Mike Bickle’s Abuse Seek Truth And Justice

The highlight of a two-day Restore Conference in Chandler, Arizona, organized by The Roys Report, was Saturday morning’s all-female panel that was devoted to sexual abuse at the International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC).

Read More
‘Conclave’: Is It Anti-Catholic Propaganda Or An Oscar-Worthy Film?

(ANALYSIS) Easily the biggest religious controversy at this year’s Academy Awards is with the movie “Conclave.” The film, based on the best-selling novel by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow, follows a cardinal named Lawrence who’s been tasked with running the selection of a new pope. But Lawrence’s faith is challenged when he uncovers secrets at the Vatican.

Read More
Can An Apology For LGBTQ Inclusion In The Church Be A Testament Of God’s Mercy?

(REVIEW) More progressive critics have said Hays doesn’t go far enough. Perhaps it’s not so much that God’s mind has changed on homosexuality or slavery, but God was always pro-LGBTQ and against slavery. The early Christians weren’t ready for the concept of individual human rights. Instead, one could say God was so merciful and patient, he allowed the human church to catch up with God’s gracious understanding of such issues.

Read More
Amid Ongoing USAID Controversy, Samaritan’s Purse Dodges Trump’s Freeze

As Christian ministries scramble to discern and communicate the impact of President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on foreign aid, Samaritan’s Purse wants to assure donors its global poverty-relief and disaster response efforts are secure.

Read More
America’s Religious Heritage And Trump’s New Transgender Agenda

(ANALYSIS) With the transgender policies among President Trump’s blizzard of new executive orders, further explanation is needed on the cultural reality of deep-seated religious concepts. In particular, the resolutely “binary” Bible depicts humans as either male or female and underlies 2,000 years of Jewish and Christian teaching. Similarly with the Quran and Muslims. How should that heritage affect secular society and policy? 

Read More
Chief Minister Of Violence-Hit Indian State Resigns: What Happens Next?

(ANALYSIS) The Feb. 9 resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which conveys little remorse or admission of failure, must at least be followed by swift and constitutionally sound action from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to ensure that this potential first step toward resolving the prolonged conflict is somewhat effective.

Read More
Christians And Muslims Join Forces, Serve Children Orphaned By Terrorism

Many of the 500-plus wards of the Center for Nutrition and Education of Children Foundation were orphaned by Boko Haram killings in northern Nigeria. Others were sent to this northeastern town by relatives to escape ongoing violence. Some came from vulnerable situations in the surrounding villages.

Read More