How do today's woes on the mainstream religion beat compare with 1983 and 1994?

(OPINION) Coverage today suffers partly because religion news has been deemed low-priority by uninterested editors. That mistake is still being made.

Opinion, ReligionRichard OstlingSeptember 18, 2019Media Bias, Stephen Bates, Forbes, The Quill, Time, Newsweek, Charles C. Camosy, Richard Ostling, Muslims, Southern Baptist Convention, Catholic bishops

Kenyans are debating whether cremation is anti-Christian and un-African

As funeral costs rise, the deaths and cremations of three high-profile Kenyans have sparked a nationwide discussion over the spiritual merits and harms of non-traditional burial methods.

A progressive parent grapples with the price of 'progress'

(OPINION) A recent piece in The Atlantic examines how the excesses of progressive politics affect kids. It contains insights into how journalists can better cover the culture war’s religious implications.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglySeptember 17, 2019Trans, Terry Mattingly, Surveys & polls, Social Issues, Religious Liberty, Politics, Nones, Marriage & Family, LGBTQ, Godbeat, Education, Christianity, ObamaComment

Yazidi journalists, still In peril, seek international spotlight

A group of Yazidi journalists visited the Religion Unplugged offices in New York, hosted by the U.S. State Department, to talk about the current state of affairs in Iraq for the persecuted people group.

Journalists can't ignore McCarrick scandal when reporting on schism

(OPINION) To say that the Catholic church is at a crossroads isn’t an exaggeration. But fierce arguments between the doctrinal left and right on a host of issues — from Pope Francis’ recent choice of cardinals to how clergy address social issues — are as intense as ever.

North America, Politics, Religion, OpinionClemente LisiSeptember 17, 2019Clemente Lisi, Catholic Church, schism, Vatican, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Christinaity, journalism, Opinion, Christianity, SchismComment

This Eritrean Orthodox community is filling an empty church in Germany

Germany’s influx of refugees since 2015 tends to spark discussions about how the country will change. Overlooked is the number of Christian immigrants, like many Eritreans. A group of Eritrean Orthodox Christians are borrowing an empty church for their services and helping orient the latest arrivals to their new lives in Germany.

Maradona documentary packs plenty of Catholic imagery to go with its soccer

(FILM REVIEW) A new documentary illustrates the magnitude with which the Argentine-born star impacted the game throughout the 1980s and how soccer’s biggest deity went from heaven to a dramatic fall from grace.

Entertainment, Film & TV, Religion, Society, Sports, Culture, South AmericaClemente LisiSeptember 13, 2019Clemente Lisi, sports, Diego Maradona, soccer, Catholic church, Catholic, Soccer, Christianity, RechargeComment

Christian Zionism isn't really about theology

(OPINION) A new book is critical of critiques of Christian Zionism. But it doesn’t address what Christian Zionism is really about - not theology, but culture.

Opinion, Books, Culture, Religion, North AmericaIra RifkinSeptember 12, 2019Christian Zionism, Zionism, Ira Rifkin, The Forward, Daniel G. Hummel, missionaries, Donald Trump, Christianity, Liberal Jews, Anti-Semitism

For many South Korean Christians, reunification with the North is a religious goal

(OPINION) When Communists in the North banned Christianity, the faith surged in popularity in the South. Many South Koreans see parallels with Confucianism’s strong gender roles, support for traditional families and respect for authority and want what America has: wealth, freedom and “divine blessings.”

Asia, Analysis, Opinion, Politics, ReligionDiane WinstonSeptember 12, 2019North Korea, South Korea, Korean Christian, Moon jae-in, Kim Jong-un, Seoul, Asia, Diane Winston, Christianity, reunification

Faith-based colleges should support, not fear, student journalists

(OPINION) Liberty University’s administrators should reevaluate their control over the campus newspaper. Their academic integrity and reputation, and their students, would be better for it.

Opinion, North America, ReligionTerry MattinglySeptember 12, 2019LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, STUDENT JOURNALISM, THE WASHINGTON POST, PRIVACY LAWS, WILL YOUNG, DONALD TRUMP, Liberty University, Terry Mattingly, Donald trump, Christianity, Journalism Professors

Faith and Religion Search For Post-Communist Footing in Bulgaria

Paying for prayers, bishops with ties to the Kremlin and communist structures built around ancient churches — the society ruled by the Byzantines, then the Ottomans and then the Soviets is now reckoning with finding faith on its own.

The only 9/11 survivor from the impact zone became a pastor

The anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center is always a busy time for Stanley Praimnath. He has found purpose in talking about his experience that day, and he wants to share it with anyone willing to listen.

Kashmiri families grieve for missing, arrested young sons

Thousands of Kashmiri youth have been arrested on vague charges under a law that allows detentions up to two years before a trial. We spoke to their families.

Asia, Conflict, News, Politics, Primary Feature, ReligionTaha ZahoorSeptember 10, 2019Taha Zahoor, Kashmir, Kashmir conflict, Srinagar, India, Pulwama, Anantnog, Primary Feature, Hindu, Muslim, Hinudism, Secondary Feature, IslamComment

From ‘monumental’ to unimpressed, Christians react to latest ‘gay gene’ research

A study that found there’s no single gene linked to homosexual behavior has been largely met with praise by some Christian leaders and shrugs by others.

Americans are exiling church from their lives

(OPINION) Follow the New York Times’ “Sunday Routine” column for a few weeks and you might notice a conspicuous absence: going to church. More Americans are making choices that traditionally involved church, like weddings and Sunday mornings, without it.

Opinion, North America, ReligionMichael MetzgerSeptember 8, 2019Mike Metzger, Sunday services, Christianity in exile, Christian weddings, Christianity, church, Michael Metzger

Q&A with Marilia Cesar, the Brazilian journalist challenging the status quo in churches

Her next book examines domestic violence in evangelicals’ marriages and how church leaders can respond better. Listen to our podcast for the full interview or read the text summary.

Women, South America, Religion, News, InterviewPaul GladerSeptember 6, 2019Paul Glader, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marilia cesar, domestic violence, church abuse, sexual abuse, church too, Primary Feature, Secondary Feature, Christianity

Check the Associated Press Stylebook for the definition of fundamentalism

(OPINION) Journalists should consult AP guidelines before using the term fundamentalist. Its meaning is often misunderstood and misused.

Opinion, Religion, North AmericaRichard OstlingSeptember 6, 2019Richard Ostling, fundamentalism, fundamentalist, Billy Graham, International Congress on World Evangelization, Lausanne Covenant, Associated Press Stylebook, Jehovah's Witnesses, The New York Times Book Review, Harvard Divinity School, Christianity

Sexual abuse survivor's memoir is an important religion story

(OPINION) Christian and former USA gymnast Rachael Denhollander has written a memoir of her sexual abuse and healing, including grappling with the reality of good and evil, and God.

Hong Kong 'cyberchurch' equipping Christians to push for democracy

Umbrella City Cyberchurch leaders are not satisfied after Hong Kong’s chief executive announced this week that the extradition bill will be withdrawn. They are pushing for more democratic reform for security against China’s reach.

Back to School: Don't forget Catholicism and education coverage

(OPINION) It’s back to school time, but media coverage of Catholic schools — unless there’s a scandal — is lacking. Given that some Catholic schools in low-income neighborhoods outperforming public schools, private religious schools deserve more coverage.

North America, Opinion, Politics, Religion, Religion News, SocietyClemente LisiSeptember 5, 2019Catholic, Christianity, Catholic schools, Clemente Lisi, religion, religion reporting, religious liberty, witches, homosexuality, Clergy sex abuse Comments

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