Ben Affleck's New Film Introduces Religion To The Conversation on Addiction

Ben Affleck’s new film, The Way Back, takes a classic trope and exploits the old cliche for a slightly new take on an old tale: the film focuses less on the redemption of the team and more on the redemption of the coach.

How a cold unleashed click-bait headlines about the pope having coronavirus

(OPINION) Here’s a fact: Pope Francis, a day after shaking hands with the faithful on Ash Wednesday, did not get coronavirus, something the Vatican later confirmed. That didn’t stop some news outlets from speculating on whether the pope had been infected by the deadly virus.

Analysis, Europe, Health, Opinion, ReligionClemente LisiMarch 4, 2020Clemente Lisi, Christianity, Catholic chuch, religion, journalism, coronavirusComment

A History Of Impunity In Nigeria Has Led To Increased Christian Persecution

(OPINION) In December 2019, news began to filter out of Nigeria that a Daesh affiliated terror group has been responsible for the brutal murder of several Christians. The new wave of killings does not come as a surprise.

Religion, Middle East, Conflict, Africa, Analysis, OpinionEwelina U. OchabMarch 3, 2020Ewelina U. Ochab, persecution, sex abuse, Boko Haram, daesh, Christians, Nigeria, Nigerian Christians, Christianity Comment

Orson Bean found faith later in life: That received little in coverage of his death

(OPINION) The late actor’s tragic death could have been an occasion to examine where his story ended - with the sort of faith he had avoided for much of his long life.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglyMarch 2, 2020Hollywood, media bias, Orson Bean, Broadway, Los Angeles Times, Andrew Breitbart, Terry Mattingly, Christianity Comments

Democrats talk faith ahead of South Carolina and Super Tuesday voting

(OPINION) Americans don’t consider Democratic presidential candidates to be particularly religious, a new study reveals. But at the end of this past Tuesday night’s two-hour debate in Charleston, S.C., guess what? Faith took center stage.

The increase of religion 'nones' in the U.S. may be stalling

(OPINION) A new study appears to show that the number of young people departing from religious affiliation is holding steady. This is big news if true, but it’s too soon to say.

Opinion, North AmericaRichard OstlingFebruary 26, 2020nones, religious nones, Ryan Burge, Melissa Deckman, Paul Djupe, Religion in Public, Public Religion Research Institute, Christianity, Islam, Muslim, Judiasm, Richard OstlingComment

Collaboration is key for Holocaust educators

(OPINION) In Georgia, several publicly-funded Holocaust education initiatives face budget cuts. As Americans’ knowledge about this history declines, these programs should work together to find creative ways to survive and expand their reach.

Opinion, North AmericaDave SchechterFebruary 25, 2020Holocaust, Anti-Defamation League, Georgia Commission on the Holocaust, ADL, William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Pew Research Center, Dave Schechter, JudaismComment

The mother still campaigning for her daughter's rescue from Boko Haram

(OPINION) Leah Sharibu was just 14 when Boko Haram militants burst into her school in Northeastern Nigeria, two years ago this week and seized 109 Muslim girls and her, the only Christian. Five girls died, and 104 were later released. Her mother continues to campaign for government officials to find her daughter and bring her home.

Did a prophet predict Rick Perry's future? The theology matters!

(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: a focus on the intersection between politics and religion in the news.

Why Pope Francis ruled against married priests in the Amazon

(OPINION) Pope Francis — a week after the dust settled from his decision not to create an Amazonian rite that would have allowed married men to serve as priests and women as deacons — continues to garner news coverage as Catholic progressives and traditionalists debate what it all means.

Was President Trump disagreeing with Brooks or Jesus at the National Prayer Breakfast?

(OPINION) Religious conservatives debated Trump’s remarks for a week after the traditionally bipartisan event. Some have gone as far as suggesting he should not attend the next one, or it should not be held at all.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglyFebruary 19, 2020National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump, Trump, Arthur Brooks, Cal Thomas, Christianity, Terry MattinglyComment

Is Europe Christian? That depends on what you mean by 'Christian'

(OPINION) Traditional expressions of Christianity are decreasing all over Europe, although Christian identity is stronger for reasons not related to church doctrine or theology.

Opinion, EuropeRichard OstlingFebruary 18, 2020Europe, Christianity, Olivier Roy, European University Institute, Pew Research Center, Richard OstlingComment

‘The West fiddles’ while West Africa burns

(OPINION) An expert on global terrorism says the West is “weak on Africa” – despite it being the “new frontline” against terror.

Opinion, AfricaDr. Jenny TaylorFebruary 18, 2020Jenny Taylor, Dr. Jenny Taylor, terrorism in Africa, West Africa, ISIS, Al Qaeda, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, World Watch Monitor, Christian persecution, Christianity, Terror, TerrorismComment

The U.K. breached its Genocide Convention duties without consequences

The Oxford Forum for International Development, the largest student-run International Development conference in Europe, recently hosted discussions on preventing and punishing genocide of religious minorities, among other topics.

Middle East, OpinionEwelina U. OchabFebruary 17, 2020Middle East, persecution, Persecution, opinion, religious minority, United Nations, genocide, Ewelina U. Ochab, Genocide, Religious Minorities, Christianity, Judaism, JewsComment

LDS leaders are poised for a major rollback of secrecy

(OPINION) For the first time, the authoritative Mormon rules guidebook will be available to the public. It will be a historic breakthrough.

Opinion, North America, ReligionRichard OstlingFebruary 14, 2020Religion News Service, Jana Riess, Mormons, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS, LDS Church, Mitt Romney, transparency, financial transparency for religions, Salt Lake Tribune, Richard Ostling, ChristianityComment

Treating congregations like families is one response to the #ChurchToo era

(OPINION) Shifting gender roles and expectations mixed with revelations about sexual misconduct in church communities make relationships in congregations a complicated matter. Adjusting how we divide people in church may help them navigate life better.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglyFebruary 14, 2020marriage, Marriage & Family, family, Family Life, Bronwyn Lea, sex, fidelity, infidelity, #ChurchToo, Terry Mattingly, Christianity, Gender RolesComment

This veteran religion journalist likes to sing spirituals — but not when she's working

(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: veteran religion writer Adelle M. Banks reflects on her 25 years with Religion News Service.

Weekend Plug-In, Religion, The State of Journalism, OpinionBobby Ross Jr.February 14, 2020Bobby Ross Jr., Adelle Banks, RNS, Religion reporting, West Freeway Church of Christ, Sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, Primary Feature, Christianity, Texas Church Shooting, GunsComment

'Accept the Call' shows Somali father wrestling with his American son's radicalization

The 2019 documentary, now airing on PBS, follows a Somali father’s quest to understand why his American-born son tried to join ISIS in Syria.

Middle East, North America, Religion, Africa, Film & TV, Culture, OpinionDr. Robert CarleFebruary 13, 2020Accept the Call, PBS, Islam, Islamic State, ISIS, radicalization, extremism, terrorism, Somalia, Sufism, Salafi, Primary Feature, movies, film, Robert Carle, Dr. Robert CarleComment

Pope Francis dampens progressive hopes by refusing to ordain married men in the Amazon

(OPINION) In a surprise move, Francis rejected a proposal on Wednesday that had called for married men in remote areas of the Amazon to serve as priests, a decision widely seen as a victory for conservative Catholics who feared such an exception would eventually lift the celibacy requirement of clergy around the world.

Myanmar's internet shutdowns threaten its Muslim minority's human rights

(OPINION) Denying internet access is becoming more common as a tool for suppressing dissent and violating human rights. It puts entire communities in real danger, as is the case for Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.

Opinion, AsiaEwelina U. OchabFebruary 7, 2020Rohingya, Muslims, Myanmar, Human Rights Watch, Access Now, Telenor Group, Islam, Human RightsComment

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