Posts in Religion
How Will The New Archbishop of Canterbury Be Chosen?

(ANALYSIS) The Archbishop of Canterbury, whose position has a 1,427-year history, is a major figure in world Christianity as head of the Church of England and, because of that, in modern times is also the spiritual leader of the international Anglican Communion. This branch of Christianity encompasses some 85 million members in churches across the world.

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šŸ‡ŗšŸ‡¦ Faith And Friendship: Behind The Scenes Of A Ukrainian/American Thanksgiving šŸ”Œ

David Duncan isnā€™t just a source for our Weekend Plug-in columnist. Heā€™s a dear friend. Catch up on the inside details.

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Why Feeling Thankful Is Not Always Enough

(OPINION) Have you ever considered that we could be thankful and never give thanks? Imagine having a heart full of gratitude but never expressing your thankfulness. A search of the New Testament for the words ā€œthanks,ā€ ā€œthanksgivingā€ and ā€œthankfulā€ reveals some interesting finds.

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Whatā€™s Wrong With Angel Studios and Its ā€˜Bonhoefferā€™ Biopic About The German Pastor?

(ANALYSIS) Angel Studios canā€™t seem to catch a break from controversy. Its first big hit, the film ā€œSound of Freedom,ā€ was heavily criticized by sex-trafficking survivors for its deceptive portrayal of the issue. Theyā€™ve also faced allegations of unsavory business practices and for partnering with a conservative media company for distribution.

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How Abortion Ballot Initiatives Impacted The Election

(ANALYSIS) The 2024 election faced a situation that echoes the circumstances of 2004. In the Dobbs decision, the Supreme Court essentially turned the question of abortion regulation back to the states. That means that the ballot initiative/referendum has become the instrument through which states can set limits (or not) on abortion access.

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The Meaning Behind Trump Cabinet Pick Pete Hegsethā€™s Christian Tattoos

Pete Hegseth wears his Christian pride on his sleeve ā€” literally. The Minnesota National Guard veteran, TV host and now nominee for U.S. secretary of defense has a slew of religiously inspired tattoos that have drawn attention as Hegseth's public vetting for a senior position in President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet has begun.

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On Religion: Why Are Clergy So Timid When It Comes To The Smartphone Crisis?

(ANALYSIS) As the star of the scathing documentary "Religulous" ā€” "religious" plus "ridiculous" ā€” Bill Maher has never hidden his agnostic views about faith. But that doesn't mean the stand-up comic doubts the reality of evil. Consider his blistering comment on smartphones, drawn from his ā€œReal Timeā€ talk show earlier this year.

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Jordan Petersonā€™s New Book On The Bible Fails To Wrestle With God Enough

(REVIEW) ā€œWe Who Wrestle with Godā€ is a solid compilation of Petersonā€™s views on the continuity between biblical testimony and the human condition. If heā€™d been more disciplined with his prose, the good in his work would have been more readable. And if heā€™d taken more seriously wrestling with the text itself, there would have been a lot more good to read.

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A Jewish Snowman Movie Would Have Made More Sense Than Netflixā€™s ā€˜Hot Frostyā€™

(REVIEW) Christmas may not be a Jewish holiday and ā€œHot Frostyā€ is entirely devoid of even the slightest hint of Hanukkah happening in the background. What Iā€™m saying is this: Jews are way better at holiday magic. And since Christians get so many holiday movies, we are the ones who deserve the hot snowman golem movie.

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Another Holy See: Visiting The Center Of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam

Caodaist beliefs and practices are a similar blend ā€” although these seem to be skewed more towards traditionally Asian spiritualities. Reincarnation, karma, ancestor worship and divination are all central elements, while the most apparent contribution of the Abrahamic religions is monotheism.

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In Time For #RedWednesday, New Report Details Christian Persecution In Europe

(ANALYSIS) In 2023, 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes were documented in 35 European countries. This included 232 personal attacks, such as harassment, threats and physical violence. At least 2,000 Christian places of worship were damaged. Attacks took place throughout the continent, including Germany, the United Kingdom and especially France.

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There Is A Better Way To Lose Weight Than Using Ozempic

(OPINION) As someone who battled unhealthy eating habits the first 59 years of my life, I am the last one to criticize someone for trying almost anything to lose weight. These are difficult battles, and many of us will take a lifeline wherever we find it. So, to repeat, I am the last one to criticize.

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Trump And The Faith Vote: What People Have Been Contending Since Election Day

(ANALYSIS) Turnout! Due to the stay-at-home factor, Democratic votes for president fell by some nine million from 2020, causing political scientist James Galbraith to say the party had committed ā€œsuicide.ā€ Kamala Harris and the Democrats had a problem with men. Donald Trumpā€™s Republicans had a big problem with women (though Harris did a bit worse with them than the male Joe Biden had).

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From Greed To Lust: Here Are The ā€˜Most Sinfulā€™ Cities In The United States

It turns out what happens in Vegas doesnā€™t necessarily stay there. In fact, sin is everywhere ā€” from beer-loving Milwaukee to decadent New Orleans ā€” meaning that the U.S. is filled with people behaving badly, a new study finds. The report compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 37 key indicators and seven sinful behaviors, including greed, lust, vanity and laziness.

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Ancient Holy Land Mosaic Helps Mark Museum Of The Bibleā€™s ā€˜Specialā€™ 7th Anniversary

What does a Roman centurion and an artist have in common with an ancient mosaic from the Holy Land more than 1,800 years ago? All are featured in the Megiddo Mosaic on display at the Museum of the Bible in an exhibit considered to be the oldest display of Christian faith in the world. The museum opened seven years ago this month.

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What Buddhism Can Teach Us In This Moment Of Deep Divisions

(ANALYSIS) Democracy depends upon using words wisely. With the right words, citizens can live and work together, even in disagreement ā€“ and resolve conflicts peacefully. A lesson from Buddhism seems particularly apt in this moment of enemyship: Treat the people you disagree with as mistaken rather than evil.

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And Now This Word To America: Peace And Be Still!

(OPINION) So what are we to do? Wring our hands and swallow nerve pills like theyā€™re Pez? Stay hopping mad at those on the other side of our political barricades? Thatā€™s sure no way to spend the next four years. Thatā€™s a recipe for madness, both personal and societal.

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Mediha: A Yazidi Survivor Fights For A New Life After Enslavement

(ANALYSIS) Now, thanks to a brave young Yazidi woman, Mediha Ibrahim Alhamad, the struggle to reestablish life after years of enslavement is brought to the surface, with a documentary from director Hasan Oswald and executive producer Emma Thompson.

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