Posts in Opinion
A journalist's faith: New memoir tells how justice prevailed in civil rights era murders

(OPINION) “Race Against Time,” which hits bookstores Tuesday, reflects the deep Christian faith of veteran Mississippi journalist Jerry Mitchell, whose stories have helped put four Klansmen and a serial killer behind bars. (“Weekend Plug-In” is a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith.)

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Two Cheers for Trumpism: R.R. Reno's 'Return of the Strong Gods'

(REVIEW) R.R. Reno is one of America’s most prominent Roman Catholic public intellectuals. In his new book, he writes an  eloquent but unAmerican defense of American populism. 

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Africa’s Young Christians Face Danger from Islamic Extremism

(OPINION) An ongoing Islamic extremist project to exterminate Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is even more brutal and more consequential for the Church than it is in the Middle East. Is anyone paying attention?

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The fight over gay rights is playing out in a Supreme Court case

(OPINION) Traditional religious institutions are defending their policies on sexuality in two notable cases. One is the lawsuit that is the first of its kind, and the other will see the Supreme Court rule on whether federal prohibitions against sex discrimination can be applied to sexual orientation and gender identity.

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The church as a creative minority

(OPINION) There’s an ongoing debate between historians. Can civilizations be restored? Or do they invariably die? Oswald Spengler, a German historian, said all civilizations are born, grow, and then age, decline and die. No exceptions. Arnold Toynbee disagreed. Civilizations have a spiritual dimension. They can be restored. But only a creative minority can do it.

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Ignoring Kobe Bryant's Catholic faith results in incomplete look at his life

(OPINION) All but forgotten — as well as underreported by the news media since Sunday’s tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., that killed Bryant, his daughter and seven others — was his Catholic faith and how getting closer to it made him a better person.

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Collective Action Against Anti-Semitism Still Needed 75 Years After Auschwitz

(OPINION) This year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day aims to reflect the “continued importance of collective action against antisemitism and other forms of bias to ensure respect for the dignity and human rights of all people everywhere.”

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'Holy Silence' tries to get into the mind of Pope Pius XII during World War II

(REVIEW) Seventy-five years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the film Holy Silence focuses on the pontificate of Pius XII and whether the pope did enough to help Jews from Nazi persecution during World War II.

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Secular-Only School Choice Is No Real Choice For Parents

(OPINION) A recent Supreme Court case highlights an unconstitutional ban on Montana state funding, rooted in anti-Catholic bias in the 1800’s, to religious schools that otherwise meet requirements for scholarships.

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How the SBC sex abuse scandal turned a city hall reporter into a full-time religion writer

(OPINION) Come April, Downen’s work on the “Abuse of Faith” project could earn him and his colleagues a Pulitzer Prize. For now, it has resulted in a new gig for the former City Hall reporter. (“Weekend Plug-In” is a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith.)

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Pro-life activism extends to issues beyond abortion

(OPINION) Human trafficking, immigration and poverty are all linked to unplanned pregnancy. Sermons are necessary methods of communication to explain what those links are and how members of the church can help.

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Examining Rudy Giuliani's complicated Catholicism

(OPINION) President Donald Trump’s impeachment is underway in the U.S. Senate, something that has dominated news coverage in recent days and will continue to do so. While Trump is at the center of the Senate trial, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is a key figure in all of this as well.

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Among society's exiled Christians are leaders of the next revivals

(OPINION) To bring Christianity out of exile in American culture, we should look for innovators among the small percentage of Evangelical Protestants who are both active and influential. Only a few are needed to launch fresh movements that can energize the faith.

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HBO's 'The New Pope' serves up plenty of sin, but no substance

(REVIEW) There is a Hollywood fascination with all that’s morbid about religion. It has traditionally had a profane approach when it comes to the Catholic church. That it loves to dramatize reality into what can sometimes be an ugly trope, this is exactly what we get with HBO’s new TV mini-series.

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Pachamama debate a lingering point of contention

(OPINION) Arguments got heated and continued at a slow burn. One commentator even wrote to the Vatican requesting information about a ceremonial plant in a bowl.

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(Who is Alex Trebek?) Game show host with cancer touts prayer, but faith story is complicated

(OPINION) “Weekend Plug-In” is a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. This week: Longtime “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek has touted the value of prayer in his cancer fight, but details about his specific faith are complicated.

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Nonprofit journalism on the rise: What about religion news?

(OPINION) News organizations are increasingly turning to non-profit models and partnerships in the quest for sustainability. Several recent developments have implications for religion coverage.

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What the clergy celibacy feud means for Catholicism

Retired Pope Benedict XVI issued a strongly-worded defense for priestly celibacy — countering his successor Pope Francis who’s been considering allowing married men to be ordained in the Amazon to deal with a shortage in that part of the world.

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