(OPINION) Ten months of Putin’s war in Ukraine have seen a litany of atrocities including summary executions, unlawful confinement, torture, ill-treatment, rape and other sexual violence, forced displacement of people, removal of children and illegal adoptions, among others. Over recent months, yet another aspect of the atrocities came into the spotlight, the issue of the so-called filtration camps.
Read More(OPINION) As Iran protests persist, what women’s clothing does Islam require? There’s always been vigorous discussion of the complexities about exactly what attire is properly modest and thus faithful to Islam.
Read More(OPINION) Disney’s motto “Discover the Magic” reminds us that we live in a post-Christian age. It reminds me of C.S. Lewis saying there are two equal and opposite errors regarding devils. One is to have an unhealthy interest in them. The other is to see nothing beyond the natural world.
Read More(OPINION) After the historically brief leadership of Britain's Liz Truss, Conservative Party members of Parliament this week agreed on Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, to succeed her as prime minister at a moment of severe economic and political turmoil.
Read More(OPINION) The generations come and go, thrive and suffer and die out. Ultimately they’re forgotten, except for names on tombstones or signatures on ancient deeds and wills. Who they were, what they thought, who they loved, what they feared — it all vanishes into the ether. And nobody but God knows what it all means.
Read More(OPINION) A ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month served as an urgent reminder that Congress must do far more to meet this calling. On Oct. 5, a federal judge affirmed a lower court’s decision that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is unlawful. While current DACA recipients can still apply for renewal, this protective program is now in deep peril.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the winners of the Religion News Association’s 2022 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) While battles over sexuality make headlines, along with years of lawsuits over church properties and trust funds, the Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison said the dividing lines among Episcopalians and Anglicans are usually linked to a single controversial word — “sin.”
Read More(OPINION) It may sound contrived to say one song you listened to 35 years ago changed you. But hearing “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” I realized you could be from places such as Loretta and I were from and cherish them as gifts, not curse them as barriers. You didn’t have to fix the way you talked — it made you different, but not inferior.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights five finalists for the Religion News Association’s Story of the Year honor. Plus as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Lynn vowed to tell the truth about both sides of her life. She loved to sing hymns and gospel music, while critics hailed the rhinestone feminism of her hits such as “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “The Pill,” “Rated ‘X’” and “You’re Lookin’ at Country.”
Read More(OPINION) When evangelicals of all people fail to live up to the the New Testament’s commandments, our failure is far more glaring. It smacks of hypocrisy. Here, then, I offer six virtues the New Testament requires of all pilgrims who would be disciples of Jesus Christ:
Read MoreIn a busy week for religion news, this week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights nine names to know. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Young people in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are often told to get married because marriage is wonderful and family life is at the heart of the faith. The problem is that church leaders haven’t grasped the power of cultural trends in technology, education and economics that are fueling sharp declines in statistics linked to dating, marriage and fertility,
Read More(OPINION) On Aug. 31, the U.N. concluded that “serious human rights violations” against the Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim communities have been committed in Xinjiang. China continues to deny the allegations and brands them as propaganda.
Read More(OPINION) I have received more texts than usual the past two weeks. Most of them were about a rather unusual subject — Italy’s national elections. I say unusual subject because it’s not every day that this subject is discussed among my American friends. The reason? The politics and faith of politician Giorgia Meloni.
Read More(OPINION) Prohibition, as you’ve probably heard it, was the age of insanity, when a bunch of sanctimonious busybodies briefly cast the country into chaos, thirst and violence by trying to ban liquor … and fun itself. But there’s a big problem with that trope: as Schrad establishes, hardly any of the conventional wisdom is true.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in opens with the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian and faith-based groups’ plans for disaster relief in Florida and beyond. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) A Pew Research Center study found that most single U.S. adults were depressed about dating and building relationships. This past February, 70% of those surveyed said “their dating lives are not going well.” These trends should be of special concern to clergy, since religious faith plays a pivotal role in deciding who gets married and who does not.
Read More(OPINION) In Michael Gerson’s piece titled “Trump should fill Christians with rage,” he asks “where’s the rage over Trump?” I can think of one reason: ritual prostitution.
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