Are Christians Disappearing Across The Middle East?

(ANALYSIS) It is entirely accurate to say that Christianity continues to thrive as an international religion, spanning vast regions across the world. But it is also necessary to acknowledge that the global Christian community is not without its travails. And it is increasingly necessary to take a careful look at the “world’s largest religious group,” revealing not only thriving communities across several continents, but also increasing numbers of endangered religious believers who continue to face real threats to their survival.

How Religious Freedom Caselaw is Shaping the Legal Landscape for Ministries

Following the expanded Free Exercise protections under these decisions, ADF continues to litigate cases on behalf of Christian ministries, arguing for the continued expansion of these protections in different contexts.

2024 Election Post-Mortem: Religion And The Gender Gap

(ANALYSIS) When you teach certain classes at the college level, you just know you are going to have to cover certain subjects. Any introductory biology course should touch on photosynthesis, a class on philosophy should cover logical fallacies, and any course on American history has to spend way too much time talking about the constitutional convention.

Analysis, election, News, North America, Politics, Religion, Society, Women, womenRyan BurgeSeptember 13, 2025Ryan Burge, news, election, gender gap, analysis, religion, men, women, Trump, Religion and politicsComment

⚾️ Home Runs Are Nice, But These MLB Players Pursue A Higher Calling 🔌

For years, MLB teams such as the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres have boosted ticket sales by appealing to evangelical Christians. Sunday’s Faith and Family Night marked a first for the Rangers — at least in several years — as Texas joined the growing trend of franchises organizing such events.

Crossroads Podcast: Sainthood And The Struggle To Translate Faith

After 40-plus years on the Godbeat, let me offer this observation: It’s extremely difficult to write about ancient, complex, often mysterious religious beliefs and doctrines in language that is both accurate and easily understandable in the mainstream media.

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Success Highlights Growing Power Of Religious Audiences

(ANALYSIS) “The Exorcist” may be the most famous exorcism film ever made. But “The Conjuring” is easily the most successful exorcism franchise. Starting with “The Conjuring” in 2013, the franchise follows Ed and Lorainne Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively) as they, with the blessing of the Catholic Church, help families who claim to be haunted by demons.

From Provocateur To Martyr: What Charlie Kirk’s Life And Death Says About Politics

(ANALYSIS) The fatal shooting of Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University has drawn condemnation and renewed attention to the climate of political violence in the United States. He was one of the most visible leaders of the young conservative movement.

Sacred Texts And ‘Little Bells’: The Building Blocks Of Arvo Pärt’s Masterpieces

(ANALYSIS) Any sounding music is not silent and, in human terms, silence is largely metaphorical, since we cannot escape sound. But Pärt’s silence is different. It is spiritual stillness communicated through his musical formulas but made sensible through the action of human performers. It is a composer’s silence as he gets out of the way of a sacred text’s musicality to communicate its truth.

On Religion: What Is Considered ‘Success’ For Pastors In A Stressful World?

(ANALYSIS) Every decade or so, it's common to see news reports about pastors leaving pulpits in search of less stressful work. Consider the 2024 Hartford Institute for Religion Research poll in which more than half said they have considered quitting. According to 2022 polling by the Barna Institute, the main causes for anxiety were strong job stress (56%), followed by feeling isolated (43%).

These 3 States Are Pushing To Put The Ten Commandments In School

(ANALYSIS) As disputes rage on over religion’s place in public schools, the Ten Commandments have become a focal point. At least a dozen states have considered proposals that would require classrooms to post the biblical laws, while three recently passed laws mandating their display starting this year.

How Leo Tolstoy Grappled With Both God And The Fear Of Meaning

(ANALYSIS) Leo Tolstoy spent half a century avoiding arguably the most essential truth of them all: Everything comes to an end. If that’s true, which it is, what’s the point? He’d conquered every peak the world could name. “War and Peace” made him immortal. “Anna Karenina” made him rich. Critics worshipped him in tongues he didn’t even speak. Russian aristocrats name-dropped him like Scripture.

Is The Jerusalem Terror Attack The Start Of A Third Intifada?

(ANALYSIS) For now, it would be premature to declare that that moment has arrived. Yet it would be incautious, too, to ignore the warning signs. The latest terrorism in Jerusalem may not be the turning point. But unless the trajectory changes — unless there is a serious Israeli effort to address Palestinian grievances, rather than inflame them — the explosion everyone fears may soon become impossible to prevent.

The Enduring Value — And Vanishing Presence — Of America’s Newspapers

(ANALYSIS) Despite some major differences, newspapers and religion share notable similarities in their societal roles, including defining norms, creating a sense of a shared community, while maintaining rituals. These parallels are often rooted in the human need to make sense of a complex world. Over the years, Hollywood has immortalized their importance with a series of movies.

Clergy Protest ICE and National Guard Presence Near DC Churches

(ANALYSIS) In Washington, D.C., recent events have pushed some Christian leaders to become vocal against the Trump administration. As clergy argue that federal law enforcement agencies increasingly encroach upon church property and community spaces, the result has been a growing movement of men and women who argue that enough is enough.

How Amanda Knox Forgave A Prosecutor Who Wrongly Sent Her To Prison

(ANALYSIS) One thing I consider part of my job as a columnist is pointing you to opinions that are better-expressed and more revelatory that what I’d normally produce on my own. That’s the case here.

Analysis, Europe, News, ReligionPaul PratherSeptember 8, 2025paul prather, Paul Prather, news, analysis, Amanda Knox, forgiveness, religion, ItalyComment

Not Just Another ‘Murderbot’: How A Screen-Obsessed SecUnit Found Its Moral Core

(ANALYSIS) “Murderbot” has options, but only a few. Kill all the stupid humans and flee, which likely means another SecUnit would stop him and then the company would melt him down as scrap. Or play along, pretending to do the job you’ve always done but hope no one notices when you’re not all there because — you’re bingeing thousands of hours of “content” — human/bot/AI entertainment.

Carlo Acutis Canonized: A New Saint And ‘Influencer’ For The Modern Church

(ANALYSIS) History was made on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square. Pope Leo XIV declared Carlo Acutis — the 15-year-old tech prodigy known as “God’s Influencer” — the first Millennial saint. Before 80,000 pilgrims, many of them young families and digital natives, this wasn’t just a canonization. It was a prophetic moment for the Catholic Church as it grapples with its place in the 21st century.

Is Canada ‘Killing Itself’ With Doctor-Assisted Suicide?

(ANALYSIS) This is a landmark year for what’s variously labeled “medical assistance in dying” (MAID), “doctor-assisted suicide,” death by choice,” “death with dignity,” “the right to die,” “euthanasia” or “mercy killing.” As this is written, Great Britain is on the brink of joining the West European nations that allow suicide under specified conditions.

Who Embraces Diversity in America — And Who Doesn’t

(ANALYSIS) Is there a more loaded word in American discourse right now than “diversity”?

Analysis, Society, Religion, PoliticsRyan BurgeSeptember 6, 2025Ryan Burge, religion, diversity, analysis, politics and religion, Trump, MAGAComment

Faith, Family And The Law: Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett Opens Up In New Memoir

The Catholic justice said what motivated her to write a book is to shed a light on the Supreme Court’s inner workings and give a behind-the-scenes look at what the justices do. She added that while the Supreme Court may not always “get it right” in every case, she does “think Americans should trust that the court is trying to get it right.”

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