Pope Francis' decree on sex abuse reporting ignores role of lay Catholics

(COMMENTARY) The attempt by Pope Francis to finally create some accountability and transparency is well intentioned, although misguided given that it largely ignores the role of laypeople and relies primarily on clergy self-policing.

After petition, Kenyan church's pro-life billboards removed

Eleven NGOs petitioned the Kenyan government and won to force a Kenyan church to remove billboards aimed at expecting mothers considering abortion.

Journalists often fail to see the 'outrage' in anti-Catholic comedy

(COMMENTARY) At a time when humor is struggling with political correctness and fallout from the #MeToo movement, there’s little material for late-night hosts and stand-up comedians to work with. However, the people you’re allowed to pick on (at least from the material you see on TV) are Christians across all denominations.

‘Why I’m Not a Terrorist’: Victim of Extreme Hate in Sri Lanka

“I had all the reasons and justifications to join a terrorist group because of what has happened to me,” said Raghu Balachandran, a Christian who witnessed the murder of his father and brother in Sri Lanka’s decades-long civil war between Tamil Hindus and Sinhalese Buddhists.

The Eurovision Song Contest is rocking Israel

(NEWS ANALYSIS) Palestinian jihadi militants in the Gaza Strip fired more than 700 rockets and mortars over the weekend, right as tens of thousands of musicians and fans are arriving to Tel Aviv for the 64th annual Eurovision festival. The move doesn’t make sense militarily, but likely aims instead to damage Israeli tourism.

Where two worlds Collide: How Gospel connects Hip-Hop and Country

(OPINION) Lil Nas X released his genre-busting song, Old Town Road. Things are happening between country and hip hop that all have to do with gospel music roots.

'Death is a part of life' Christian author Rachel Held Evans wrote before passing

Evans, known for her progressive take on the faith, was only 37 when an infection quickly turned fatal. Her last blog post, about Lent and before she announced any illness, was a reminder that we will all return to dust.

New evidence suggests Biblical King Balak existed

Scholars have deciphered lines of text on a partly broken and illegible tablet that most closely resemble the king’s name rather than the phrase “House of David,” adding historical credibility to the Book of Numbers.

Muslim families are suing Israel to bury their dead in a coveted cemetery

Jews, Christians and Muslims have buried their loved ones in Jerusalem’s Bab al-Rahma Cemetery for hundreds of years, but more recently Israel has banned burials, citing the need to protect Jewish antiquities. Now, Palestinian families who claim to own the land are suing Israel.

Do aliens need Jesus too? Scientists debate creation beyond Earth

At a recent event in New York City, a Christian astronomer and astrophysicist discussed the existence of aliens and how they fit into God’s plan as outlined in the Bible.

Why Joe Biden's history with Catholicism matters to voters

(COMMENTARY) The religion of presidential candidates and history with the dogma of their respective faiths — what they believe, why they believe it and, in some cases, when they changed their minds — is an issue many Americans care about.

Burkini-wearing SI model draws ire from across the political spectrum

There’s one thing people on the left and right can agree on in this contentious political climate: showcasing a Muslim woman in a hijab and burkini in the pages of Sports Illustrated can be a controversial concept.

Deep dive answers about Sri Lanka's Easter attacks

In the wake of the Easter terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, we spoke to Nishan De Mel, the executive director of Verité Research in Colombo, for a deeper analysis of who’s behind the attacks, what they may want, what they were targeting, and what this all means for South Asia and Sri Lanka’s religious groups and stability.

Many journalists fail to grasp religion's role in 'Alienated America'

(COMMENTARY) Timothy Carney’s book Alienated America highlights crucial figures about Trump’s election: that the more frequently a Republican reported going to church, the less likely he was to vote for Trump.

Easter attacks killed Nigerian Christians too

(NEWS ANALYSIS) Reports claim that more than 40 Nigerian Christians were killed in the week leading up to Easter, and many more remain missing. Nigeria’s president Muhammadu Buhari was quick to send condolences to Sri Lanka, but slower to respond to Islamist attacks on Christians in his country.

After Sri Lanka attacks, media should look at China

(COMMENTARY) It is 10 years since deadly riots in Xinjiang province provoked a major crackdown against Muslims; 20 years since China launched its effort to liquidate the Fulan Gong movement; and 60 years since Tibet’s young Dalai Lama fled Chinese occupiers’ harassment of Buddhists. All three campaigns persist.

Orthodox Easter: Crusader-era Holy Fire Ceremony lights up Jerusalem

Thousands of Eastern Orthodox pilgrims crowded in Jerusalem's Old City on Saturday for the Easter ceremony at Jesus’ burial and resurrection site. Some believe a flame miraculously comes from heaven into Jesus’ tomb.

Can the US choke Iran’s radical Islamist regime?

(COMMENTARY) Iran’s nefarious intentions and activities are being closely scrutinized by the Trump administration and have led to crippling sanctions on Iran’s oil exports. And now U.S. waivers – which permitted eight specific countries to purchase Iranian oil despite existing sanctions – will not be renewed in May 2019.

How to break an Easter fast like an Ethiopian

(COMMENTARY) Coptic Orthodox Ethiopians fast for 210 days of the year. Queen of Sheba, an Ethiopian restaurant in New York, serves up traditional injera and berbere, two secret weapons to keep an ultra-lean diet long-term.

In Israel, a family of Ethiopian Jews protest police violence through art

Ethiopian Jews make up only two percent of Israel’s population, but they account for 40 percent of the public discrimination complaints. The art show “The Color Line” draws inspiration from the Black Lives Matter movement and the African-American writer W.E.B. Du Bois.

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