Posts in North America
Why Some Religious People Still Refuse to Celebrate Halloween

Halloween came to America in the early 19th Century, but gained popularity when the Irish immigrated to America during the Potato Famine. They brought along their Halloween traditions of dressing up and trick-or-treating. Today, the holiday has evolved quite a bit.

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Don’t vote Trump for religious liberty

(OPINION) Many Christians are rightfully concerned that religious groups committed to a traditional, biblical ethic of marriage will be increasingly marginalized and restricted. In response to these anxieties, many conservative religious people turn to a perceived strongman who will keep their institutions safe. Here’s why they shouldn’t.

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COVID-19 Is Fueling A New Jesus Movement

After touring the country for months holding worship events, charismatic Christian worship leader Sean Feucht is hosting prayer and revival events in Washington, D.C. this weekend that are expected to draw 15,000 people. Many charismatic groups believe this year of hardships is creating an opportunity for ministry, to bring healing and peace, and are rallying against what they see as unfair restrictions during the pandemic.

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Joy & Color: Revisit Works of Henri Matisse in New York’s MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art was one of the first New York museums to reopen to in-person visitors on Aug. 27. The work of Catholic and Fauve artist Henri Matisse offers a look into his joyful spirituality.

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Investigation Into Liberty University Now Open

The investigation on Liberty University during the tenure of Jerry Falwell Jr. has officially opened, as the school announced forensic accounting firm Baker Tilly US will head the investigation. Additionally, the school has launched a website which can be used to report misconduct to the team.

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Catholic Leaders React To Francis' Support For Same-Sex Unions

(ANALYSIS) The disoriented juxtaposition of Catholic Church teaching on marriage with the comments of Pope Francis on civil unions of same-sex couples was not lost on Catholic leaders worldwide, who expressed concern, confusion and anger in response.

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Evangelical Colleges Handling COVID-19 Much Like Secular Schools

As evangelical colleges grapple with partial reopenings this fall, reports indicate their COVID-19 infection rates remain low or in line with secular colleges and universities, despite concerns of religious gatherings indoors during the pandemic.

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Will U.S. Catholics split their vote this year?

(OPINION) Trying to gauge voter enthusiasm is difficult. While Trump voters do seem generally more energized — especially among evangelicals and church-going Catholics — compared to Biden supporters, the events of the past few weeks in Washington may have shifted priorities.

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Christian care homes struggle to be the family their residents can’t see

Nursing homes and independent living facilities are forced to make the best out of tough COVID-19 restrictions to protect their residents from the virus that’s swept through similar facilities. But many of the residents are fighting loneliness and isolation from their families that is just as foreboding.

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Religious Freedom Lately: Chilean churches set on fire, Native American petition denied and more

Why a federal court has denied petitions from a Native American tribe to stop construction on land they claim their ancestors are buried, how two Chilean churches were set ablaze during protests against inequality and the latest world leader to demand a UN investigation of China’s abuses against Uighurs.

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The Widest Story Ever Told: How the Modern Christian's View of Sin Restricts Faith

(OPINION) Modern Christianity tends to focus on sin — how if we believe in God and have faith that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, we will defeat death and have eternal life. In a more “spousal” reading of scripture, Metzger finds that the concepts in the Bible can be much wider.

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The Third Party Fishing For Dissatisfied Christians

American third parties like the American Solidarity Party are enjoying a wave of interest this election as voters become more frustrated by the two-party system and choosing between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In a political climate where Christians often find it impossible to cast a vote without compromising at least a few of their religious convictions, the ASP hopes to convince them that they can be the answer.

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Ensuring An Equal Future For Girls Around The World

(OPINION) The United Nation’s International Day of the Girl Child uplifts young girls in countries where they are historically oppressed, many of them as religious minorities, to rise above gender-based violence, harmful practices and HIV and AIDS. This turns them away from harmful practices like child marriage.

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What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About the News Media

(OPINION) Sure, we make mistakes. We have blind spots and faulty assumptions. But many of the criticisms are off the mark: they misunderstand what journalism is about; they feed a growing sense that there is no agreed upon reality and set of facts to which we can all refer; and, as a Christian I fear they reflect poorly on people who say they love the truth.

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White Christians Favor Trump, Other Religious Groups Lean Toward Biden

Many are tracking the way religious voters will vote in the upcoming election. Pew Research has published new data and analysis of these groups, noting that White Christians still lean toward Trump. They also offer analysis of the way religion has impacted past voting and approval ratings of President Trump.

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New Super PAC Begs Christians Not To Vote For Trump

Dubbed Not Our Faith, the PAC’s leaders include Billy Graham’s granddaughter Jerushah Duford and former aides and advisors from both sides of the aisle. The leaders of the PAC argued Thursday that Trump has denigrated the Christian faith and harmed migrants and refugees.

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