(OPINION) A recent decision requiring Texas to grant a convicted murderer his Baptist pastor’s audible prayers and comforting touch during his execution was a rare moment in which activists on both sides of America’s culture wars cheered for “religious liberty” — a freedom that until recently didn’t require cynical “scare quotes” that suggest uncertainty.
Read More(OPINION) If Russian invaders continue their current aggression, how much of Ukraine will be turned to rubble, and how many innocent civilians will be dead by Aug. 31? That's opening day for the 11th Global Assembly in the 74-year history of the World Council of Churches planned to begin in August.
Read More(OPINION) Some could argue that since Siddhartha Gautama was a prince born into wealth before he became the enlightened one, a restaurant chain called Buddha-Bar should be no problem. But the issue here, for some, is that this restaurant is using “Buddha branding,” with no connection to the actual practice of Buddhism. This appropriation, or what some might deem appreciation, can be seen as disrespectful to practicing Buddhists.
Read More(OPINION) Moments after the Academy Awards slap, Will Smith huddled with Denzel Washington, another Best Actor nominee. When Washington offered quiet words of encouragement from offstage, Smith thanked him and added, “Denzel said to me, at the highest moment, be careful — that’s when the devil comes for you.” This was not ordinary Oscars God-talk.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in starts with the historic confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will become the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law continues to get media coverage for two reasons: first, Disney’s involvement, and second, the larger notion that DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, is “engaging in a culture war.” This remains a political story, a business story and a pop culture story. Is it also a religion story?
Read More(OPINION) Michael Metzger writes about the relationship of Jesus' offering of the living water for purification from sin and redemption in the Lenten season.
Read More(OPINION) Pope Francis’ two-day visit to the tiny European country of Malta, a strongly Catholic island just south of Sicily, in April put a spotlight on Malta’s complicated history and important contemporary concerns. Chief among these is the sharp increase in the number of asylum-seekers from Africa and the Middle East, and criticism of how Malta has treated them.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in reflects on debate over the use of the term “cult” in religion news stories. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Michael Metzger analyzes the interpretation of the church as Christ's bride from the perspective of Jade Studdock's story, "Did we make Jesus' payment for sin the main thing on the cross?"
Read More(OPINION) New religions appear all the time — nowhere more than in the United States — but very few ever achieve prominence and permanence. Christianity is a rare and dramatic case of a faith that triumphed.
Read More(OPINION) As Russia’s invasion sought to erase Ukraine from the map, Moscow’s Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a key ally of dictator Vladimir Putin, met via video last week with Pope Francis. In the meeting, Francis said Christians should never justify war: “Wars are always unjust, since it is the people of God who pay.”
Read More(OPINION) In his third text on the meaning of Lent, Michael Metzger connects the church as the bride of Christ to his encounter with the Samaritan woman.
Read More(OPINION) Women make up the majority of Christians today. One of the most common refrains about the church in Africa is that it is majority female. But more precise data about African women’s contributions and religious identities is lacking.
Read More(OPINION) Years after Martin Luther King Jr., Southern Baptists are still divided based on skin color within the church. The Rev. Fred Luter says, "This is spiritual warfare of the enemy. ... As blood-washed, born-again, baptized believers in Jesus Christ, (we must) come together, realizing that the separation we have because of our skin color is an attack of the enemy."
Read More(OPINION) St. Peter’s crashed out of the NCAA Tournament following a defeat to No. 8 North Carolina — but they will forever be remembered as one of the greatest Cinderella teams at the men’s basketball tournament. The Catholic school had made history on Friday, downing Purdue to become the first No. 15 seed in tournament history to advance to the Elite 8.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in comes to you from Bethesda, Maryland, site of the Religion News Association’s 2022 annual meeting. As always, Plug-in highlights the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) For weeks, a shocked world has been transfixed by Russia’s murderous invasion of Ukraine. Yet, at the same time in another part of the world, brutal violence against similar innocents has not only continued for years but has dramatically increased in the past few months.
Read More(OPINION) A hero to the right and bogeyman to the left, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis has received plenty of mainstream news coverage because of his use of so-called culture war issues to push legislation. But while the Catholicism of President Joe Biden is lauded in some media circles and debated in others, DeSantis’ faith is hardly mentioned.
Read More(OPINION) Russia's invasion of Ukraine has potential to be "the most transformational" European conflict since World War II. Will it be transformational for Christianity?
Read More
