What James Madison Can Teach Americans About Religious Freedom Today

(ANALYSIS) As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates about religious freedom continue to occupy the center of American public life.

Faith And The Oscars: What Happened To Hollywood’s Great Religious Films?

(ANALYSIS) It’s Oscars season and some of Hollywood’s most notable films about religion — from “Ben-Hur” to “A Man for All Seasons” — were made many decades ago. Why do explicitly faith-centered films appear less often in mainstream Hollywood today? How does spirituality continue to shape storytelling in different ways? We answer all these questions and more.

Iran’s Future And The Test Of Freedom

(ANALYSIS) For millions of Iranians — especially religious minorities — the central political question is no longer simply whether the Islamic Republic can reform itself. After decades of repression, including the criminalization of peaceful religious expression and the systematic restriction of independent faith communities, the deeper question is what kind of political future could realistically secure freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all Iranians.

Lessons Learned After the Bomb Thrown Outside Mamdani’s Home

What can news consumers learn from this complicated drama? Surely it is a commentary on the age in which we live that many Americans laughed when they read the early New York Times headline about the terrorist attack that fizzled near the New York home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

🌎 Godbeat Globetrotting: 5 Memorable Moments In World Religion Reporting 🔌

Inevitably, international reporting trips produce a memorable moment, be it frightening, frantic or funny. Sometimes, the notable occurrence relates to the actual story. Other times, an indelible personal experience stands out.

March Madness Fuels Surge In Betting — And Concerns For Young Gamblers

Sports gambling doesn’t have a specific season, but certain times of the year are considered to be its Super Bowl or March Madness. Crowning the National Football League champion remains the biggest single-game bet among Americans. The next few weeks, however, bring a tsunami of gambling due not only to March Madness’ popularity, but also the sheer number of games on which to wager.

As Iran War Expands, Some Christians See The Conflict Through Biblical Prophecies

(ANALYSIS) As the American and Israeli war with Iran unfolds, some American Christians are speaking of the conflict in biblical terms — mapping end-time prophecies on to current events in the Middle East. In a sermon on March 1, for example, John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, described the war as part of a divine plan.

Medieval Europe’s Ideas About ‘Christendom’ And Power Were Not So Simple

(ANALYSIS) During the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Office of Faith, introduced President Donald Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch.” Taking the podium after her, Trump declared, “I’ve done more for religion than any other president.”

Church Leaders Call For Christians To Protest Trump

(ANALYSIS) Our polarized era features unique and quasi-religious devotion toward President Donald Trump from his MAGA base, set against profound hostility from foes of his words and deeds. Church leaders in that second camp, mostly mainline and liberal Protestants, have issued a new plea worth noting for the extent of its supporters and a markedly fierce denunciation of America’s “cruel and oppressive government.”

A New Supreme Leader: What Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Means For Iran

(ANALYSIS) The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader on Sunday marks a pivotal moment for the country’s political and religious future — and for the religious minorities who have long lived under the constraints of the Islamic Republic’s theocratic government. As the war rages on, it remains to be seen what his elevation means for Iran and the region.

‘Send Me’: Jesse Jackson’s Legacy And The Courage To Answer The Call

Barack Obama honored civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, praising his lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and hope. From confronting segregation to building the Rainbow Coalition and running for president, Jackson answered the call to serve. Obama credited him with inspiring generations and expanding American democracy, urging others to follow Jackson’s example and say, “Send me.”

From Bethlehem To Breaking News, Conspiracies Rewrite The Story

(OPINION) As a journalist, I’ve met thousands of people over more than three decades, and heard a lot of … interesting theories about life, spirituality, current events and so forth.

Inside Iran’s Secretive Race To Replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

(ANALYSIS) Following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country has begun a rare leadership transition overseen by an interim council and the Assembly of Experts. As clerics consider successors such as Mojtaba Khamenei and Alireza Arafi, the process highlights how political loyalty often outweighs religious credentials in selecting Iran’s supreme leader.

🇨🇺 Feeding Bodies And Souls: Faith Sustains Cuban Farmer During Time Of Crisis 🔌

It’s a tough time for Christian farmer Jorge Sanchez. A U.S. blockade on oil shipments to this Caribbean island nation has spurred Cuba’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

Supreme Court Decision On California Gender Policy Highlights Media Divide

Coverage of a Supreme Court decision blocking a California policy on student gender identity reveals starkly different media frames. Some outlets emphasize protecting transgender students from being “outed,” while others stress parental rights and religious liberty. The contrasting headlines highlight how newsrooms shape public understanding of contentious legal and cultural debates.

Most Americans Think Their Fellow Citizens Are ‘Morally Bad’

The Pew Research Center surveyed thousands of adults in 25 countries and found that 53 percent of Americans said their fellow countrymen had “somewhat bad” or “very bad” morals. Those findings broke with the international trend: In every other country surveyed, the majority said that others in their country have “somewhat good” or “very good” morals.

South Korea’s ‘Peace Island’ Christians Stand With Palestinians

The residents of Jeju Island remember what it is like to resist imperialism and outside interests. Groups that were formed to protest the U.S. naval base construction have now shifted their focus to seek peace in Palestine following the year-long Israel-Gaza war.

South Carolina Honors Jackson As 3 Former Presidents To Attend Funeral

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was honored at the South Carolina Statehouse as national leaders, civil rights veterans and family members paid tribute to his life and legacy. Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden were invited to attend his funeral on Friday in Chicago, an event billed as “The People’s Celebration.”

Women At Malta Summit Urge New Conversations On Iran’s Future

The summit unfolded against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tension, coinciding with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the prospect of regime change in a country gripped by Shi’a rule for nearly 50 years. For many of the attendees who flew to Malta, regime change in Iran is the start of a new era.

The Sunni-Shi’a Muslim Divide: Why It Matters In The Iran War

(ANALYSIS) Understanding this distinction can help get past oversimplified narratives. The Middle East’s conflicts are not simply ancient religious feuds. They are modern political struggles shaped by history, identity and political interests. Here’s what you need to know about Sunni and Shia Islam — and how it impacts Iran and the current situation there.

Address

Contact

Information