(OPINION) America today is a paradox: A land of both freedom and fear. For some, the journey is from fear to freedom; for others, from freedom to fear. “My way or no way” has become a mantra.
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(ANALYSIS) Until the 1960s, Quebec was the most religious part of North America. Now it is home to an aggressive secularist government that, on Nov. 27, introduced a proposed law, Bill 9, that would outlaw public prayer. For several centuries, religious minorities faced discrimination and, until the 1960s, Jehovah's Witnesses were still being arrested for their refusal to salute the flag.
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(ANALYSIS) The 2025 Story of the Year in religion is obviously the surprise May 8 election of the first Pope from the United States, Leo XIV. The second-place story, less publicized but important, is the Oct. 16 proclamation of a planned split among the world’s 97 million Anglican Christians over their anguishing dispute on the Bible and sexual morality.
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Sadly, Richard died on Nov. 26. He left behind a wonderful wife, Caroline, and four children and many grandchildren. The most acute loss is undoubtedly theirs. He had countless friends, too, all of which are grieving his loss. He had just retired and assumed the title of director emeritus of CEME and was on the verge of enjoying a well-earned retirement filled with only the things he wanted to do when a surprise cancer diagnosis cut those plans short.
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(ANALYSIS) I can pretty much pinpoint the moment I got the inspiration for this post. I was riding my spin bike in the basement, watching a series on my phone called “Band of Brothers.” I know, I know — I should have watched it multiple times by now.
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In just under seven months, the new pontiff has curated a jersey collection worthy of a sports museum or a Windy City man cave. Each of these jerseys, often delivered by dignitaries or guests from the U.S., reveals something about Leo XIV’s identity as both a clergyman and a fan.
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(ANALYSIS) After several years of conversations while traveling nationwide, Father Andrew Stephen Damick is convinced these ancient prayers are painfully relevant to many converts surging into the small, but now growing, Eastern Church in America. It is no longer unusual to meet converts who have worshipped other gods and spirits.
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The hit series “Stranger Things” has become one of the biggest shows ever streamed on Netflix. The series, featuring a nostalgic mix of 1980s pop culture, government conspiracies and creatures from another dimension, have captivated millions. “Stranger Things” is not a religious series, but reminds viewers faith can take many forms.
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(ANALYSIS) I keep a little list in the notes app on my phone — just a running log of potential ideas for the newsletter. Most of them are only a few words, just enough to remind me to poke around in the data when I get back to my computer. If I’m being honest, about 75% of those ideas go nowhere. Either the data doesn’t tell a compelling story, or that “great dataset” someone mentioned turns out to be nothing like they described.
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In a small Santa Clara classroom at Mission City Church in Northern California, a group of students huddle together, their voices rising in harmony. Leading them stands Makayla Hannah, their vocal coach for Youth Utilizing Power and Praise. Hannah is teaching more than pitch and breath control. She believes hope is not lost in a generation often dismissed.
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(ANALYSIS) Reading these living picture books aloud at Thanksgiving allows children to meet the story in its full shape — its beauty, its failures, its moments of generosity, and its deep contradictions. They see people whose faith guided them across an ocean, and people whose spiritual practices had been rooted in this land for generations.
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(ANALYSIS) One of the most important questions we are trying to answer in The Nones Project is: Do non-religious people have feelings of self-worth and satisfaction that are similar to traditionally religious Americans? In many ways, this may be the most important issue to address when talking about the rising share of nones in the United States.
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(ANALYSIS) Nine in 10 Americans gather around a table to share food on Thanksgiving. At this polarizing moment, anything that promises to bring Americans together warrants our attention. The emphasis on the Pilgrims’ 1620 landing and 1621 feast erased a great deal of religious history and narrowed conceptions of who belongs in America — at times excluding groups such as Native Americans, Catholics and Jews.
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Benevolence ministry never slows down, but it picks up during the holidays. For it to truly be successful, benevolence must also be ongoing. It may begin with a phone call, but it doesn’t stop there.
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Over the course of about 20 years, Clint Massie had, according to court documents and by his own admission, sexually abused children within the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minn. His abuse was such an open secret among the tight-knit congregation that mothers warned their daughters to stay away from him.
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A federal judge ordered 14 Texas school districts to remove Ten Commandments displays from classrooms by Dec. 1, ruling unconstitutional a new state law that has required the displays since September.
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Conflicts like these are not common, but they can happen. I moved them into present tense for reasons that will become obvious, as I connect them to news coverage we discussed in this week’s “Crossroads” podcast, focusing on tensions between a few Christian schools and Turning Point USA.
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The heads of OU Kosher, Star-K and OK Kosher — three of the five major certification agencies — announced this month that all beer will soon require certification to be considered kosher, attributing the change to the increased use of flavoring and other additives in craft beers.
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(ANALYSIS) For Orthodox Christians in America, the 20th century was shaped by waves of believers fleeing wars, revolutions and persecution in lands such as Greece, Syria, Russia and Romania. These days, the catechumenate class numbers are staggering. While some Orthodox parishes are shrinking, many clergy are struggling to handle congregations that have doubled or tripled in size.
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(ANALYSIS) Students’ sense of religious and spiritual belonging comes from everyday relationships — authentic connections and conversations that faculty and staff can help foster. I believe universities can create an environment where all students, including religious minorities, feel seen, accepted and appreciated.
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