Catholic news outlets lead the way on church vandalism trend

(OPINION) As national news outlets increasingly abandon objectivity and transition into advocacy, some very important stories and trends — like the recent cases of vandalism against Catholic churches — never get to readers.

Christians want power? Sioux Center pushes back on New York Times story

(OPINION) A recent New York Times story about evangelicals in Sioux Center, Iowa confirms stereotypes more than the more nuanced reality of a diverse Christian community that serves each other more than seeks power.

What Is ‘Jewish Privilege?’ Well, it's complicated.

(OPINION) The hashtag #JewishPrivilege was trending on Twitter in the month of July. But are Jews privileged? Many of them in America are white or white-passing, but others emphasize the effect of Anti-Semitism on Jewish communities.

Biden's faith becomes a campaign issue as anti-Catholic attacks rise

(OPINION) During this time of cultural reckoning, some have tried to lump Catholic saints like St. Damien into the same category as treasonous Confederate generals. That has forced Republicans to come out as defenders of traditional Christian values, while Democrats get dangerously closer to socialism.

'Racy picture' of Liberty's Jerry Falwell Jr. sparks curiosity and controversy

This week’s Weekend Plug-in summary explores the story behind a controversial selfie that Jerry Falwell Jr. posted on Instagram and then quickly deleted. Also, find links to the week’s best reads in the world of faith news.

A Generation's Big Global Issue: Can Centrists Win Islam's Ideological Civil War?

(OPINION) Islam is caught in an ideological civil war, irreconcilable visions of the faith on each side. Do Muslim centrists have a chance to overpower these views?

Post-Trump, How Will U.S. Evangelicals Deal With Internal Rifts And External Hostility?

(OPINION) White evangelicals have used Trump as a figurehead of internal division. What will they do when Trump is no longer in office?

Cornel West And Robert George Keep Asking Believers – Left And Right – To Be Tolerant

(OPINION) Cornel West of Harvard University and Robert George of Princeton are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, and remain both friends and intellectual rivals. They advocate for more understanding between liberals and conservatives.

Reporter's Notebook: Kashmir is more silenced than ever

(OPINION) A journalist on the ground reflects on how the Indian-administered lockdown on Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, has impacted the people one year after their semi-autonomy was stripped from the Indian Constitution. The lockdown has brought major job losses, disconnected Internet and phones, arbitrary detentions, house arrests of politicians, excessive force and more.

Asia, Opinion, PoliticsRiyaz WaniAugust 5, 2020Kashmir, India, Riyaz Wani, Islam, Hindu nationalist, Modi, jammu and kashmir, kashmir bleedsComment

Six Years Ago They Came To Destroy But Faced No Legal Consequences

(OPINION) Six years ago, members of the Daesh organization launched an attack against Yazidis in Iraq. They have yet to face legal consequences for these actions, and organizations are still attempting to capture the violence enacted against women and children.

After Rep. John Lewis, We Are Still In Search Of That “Beloved Community”

(OPINION) "John Lewis practiced the politics not of what we call bipartisan, John Lewis practiced the politics of We the People. The politics of the preamble of the constitution of the United States, ” Lawson said during his 21-minute message at the funeral where he added that while many books have been written about the Civil Rights period, most people get it ”wrong,” when it comes to telling the story of John Lewis.

Of dice and clergymen: SCOTUS needs to explain why churches, casinos have different COVID-19 rules

(OPINION) A 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Nevada limits churches in the state to 50 guests, while bars, casinos and other entertainment venues are permitted 50 percent capacity. Doing so sets churches at an unfair disadvantage.

Fact check: Did Tim Tebow kneeling for God on the field upset the NFL?

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores a viral tweet’s claim that Tim Tebow kneeling in prayer on the field upset the NFL.

A Human Rights Body Calls Upon States To Take Legal Actions Against China For Its Atrocities Against Uighur Muslims

(OPINION) A report published by the Bar Human Rights Committee in the UK will hold China accountable for genocides and other related violence against Uighur Muslims.

For America’s Reckoning, The Wisdom Of Tisha B’Av And Jewish Mourning

(OPINION) Tisha b’Av is a Jewish day of mourning to remember the destruction of Judaism’s First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. The way this mourning is completed provides valuable insight on how to handle the problems of our country today.

Joe Biden And Democratic Strategists Face Faith Issues In 2020 That Will Not Go Away

(OPINION) The way that Democrats handle faith in politics—particularly with issues of same-sex marriage—will play into the way Christian voters swing in the 2020 election.

A death in Los Angeles symbolizes the COVID-19 tragedy

(OPINION) A Jewish family mourns loss and pays tribute to a loved one who survived WWII and contracted the coronavirus in a California nursing home.

OpinionGil ZoharJuly 27, 2020COVID-19, Pandemic, faith, World War II, MarriageComment

John Lewis Knew Desegregation Wasn’t Enough

(OPINION) A simple removal of the “Whites Only” signs from water fountains, restrooms and waiting rooms missed the larger problem of segregation. The era of legalized racial segregation and discrimination was marked by the economic exploitation, political disfranchisement and social subordination of African Americans.

How Political Forces are Capitalizing on an Ethiopian Singer’s Murder

(OPINION) Forces in Ethiopia and abroad are currently capitalizing on the appalling murder of the musician and political activist Hachalu Hundessa, which led to violent ethnic-based clashes that killed nearly 200 people this month. Political groups in Africa’s second-most-populous country have consistently paraded distorted and, at times, wholly inaccurate narratives about the democratic values Hundessa stood for.