Posts in Religion
No Single Understanding Of God Captures The Whole Truth

(OPINION) God is so great none of us can comprehend all that he is. Ten of us — or 10 denominations, even — can’t grasp the full mystery. Thus we ought to approach other pilgrims with open minds and open hearts, looking for what we can impart to them and also what we can receive from them.

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Cardinal Pell’s Death Puts A Spotlight On The Catholic Church’s Future

(ANALYSIS) The Catholic Church recently lost a giant. The recent death of Cardinal George Pell at age of 81 was the literal loss of a giant — he stood at a towering 6 feet, 6 inches. But he was also a man who attracted both controversy and consternation. Now his final words regarding what he thought about Pope Francis and the direction of the church have come into fuller view since his death.

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🍼 March For Life Coincides With 50th Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the state of the anti-abortion movement 50 years after Roe v. Wade — and seven months after Roe’s overturning. Plus, as always, catch up on all the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

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🕎 At The Anniversary Of Texas Synagogue Hostage Crisis, A New Report On Antisemitism 🔌

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights a new report on rising antisemitism in the U.S. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

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Will Pope Francis Resign Now That Benedict XVI Has Died?

(ANALYSIS) One of my five things to watch for in 2023 included media speculation over Pope Francis’ health and speculation over his possible retirement. Within three days of that post — and prompted by the death on Dec. 31 of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95 — speculation increased once again.

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🚀 Launching The New And Improved Weekend Plug-in 🔌

This week we launch a new and improved version of Weekend Plug-in, the best roundup of religion news you’ll find anywhere. The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is our big story.

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Tens Of Thousands Mourn Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI At Vatican Funeral Mass

Pope Francis joined tens of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday at a funeral Mass for Benedict XVI, an unusual gathering for a dead pontiff presided by a living one. The Vatican, enveloped in a thick fog, featured heads of state and bishops from around the world who came to Rome to mourn Benedict’s death and remember his papacy.

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NFL Players Turn To Prayer After Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin Suffers Cardiac Arrest During Game

When Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills suffered a cardiac arrest Monday night on the football field, many of his teammates and NFL players at the stadium — some of the toughest men on the planet — broke into a prayer meeting and tears on live TV. The expression of emotion, spiritual care and request for prayer rippled across Twitter and other platforms, igniting both debate and intrigue.

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Retired Pope Benedict XVI, First Pontiff To Resign Papacy In Six Centuries, Dies At 95

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who served as head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until his surprise resignation in 2013, was a theologian known for his writings and defense of traditional values to counter the increased secularization of the West.

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The Best Of Religion Unplugged 2022: Our Top Stories Of The Year

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights ReligionUnplugged.com’s best stories and projects of 2022, as selected by the senior editors. Plus, check out the Top 10 most-shared editions of Plug-in from this past. year.

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5 Catholic Storylines You Need To Follow Closely In 2023

(ANALYSIS) There are only a few days left to go in 2022. It was a busy news year for the Catholic Church — loaded with stories with strong religion angles. As we prepare to ring in 2023, here are five big storylines and trends to watch for over the next 12 months.

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Lionel Messi Thanks God For Success In Epic World Cup Win

The soccer star, a practicing Catholic, didn’t hide his feelings after Argentina’s World Cup victory on Sunday at the 89,000-seat Lusail Stadium outside Qatar’s capital Doha. It was a final loaded with ups and downs. Argentina twice squandered a lead — but triumphed in the end on penalties after the game ended 3-3.

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Morocco’s World Cup Soccer Team Used Prayer To Win Games And Crowds

The team, nicknamed the Atlas Lions, became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinals in the tournament’s 92-year history. Not only did Morocco represent the African continent, but over the past four weeks was a team that galvanized the Arab world behind it.  

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Qatar’s Museum Of Islamic Art Highlights Religious Artifacts Spanning 14 Centuries

The Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, a limestone building in the style of old Arab structures, houses many masterpieces connected to Islam. From ceramics to manuscripts, the museum is the Arab world’s artistic jewel and a repository like no other. It is the only one of its kind to highlight art and culture from the Arab world.

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From Churches In Qatar To Brazil’s Evangelicals: Religion Storylines At The FIFA World Cup

(ANALYSIS) The World Cup in Qatar continues to roll along into the semifinals. So far, the premier soccer tournament — and arguably the planet’s biggest sporting event — has showcased skill, drama and even some upsets. Aside from all that, what the World Cup has also generated are plenty of different kinds of storylines to focus on.

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Catholic Churches Across The US Lift Pandemic Restrictions In Time For Advent

The start of the pandemic in March 2020 forced churches across the world to shut their doors. Catholic churches followed suit and Masses were streamed via Zoom and Facebook. Nearly three years later and churches are trying to return to normal.

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