Teaching at a Baltic-based university offers sanctuary for the battered and best

An American professor reflects on his work with students at a Christian liberal arts university in Lithuania, many of whom come from war-torn countries.

Europe, News, ReligionMichael Ray SmithNovember 18, 2019Michael Ray Smith, Lithuania, LCC, Baltics, Christian colleges, LCC International, liberal artss, Primary Feature, Christianity, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature Comments

The Plight of Children Detained in Kashmir

Young boys in Muslim-majority Kashmir say Indian police are arresting them without cause. “There is lawlessness in Kashmir,” one of their lawyers says.

How a fight over religion tore apart the Women's March organization

Three march founders were removed after having come under fire over the past year for supporting Louis Farrakhan, a minister respected in the black community and reviled in Jewish circles for his anti-Semitic remarks.

As Brexit Continues To Divide Britain, A New Genocide Response Initiative Aims To Unite

On November 4, a few British Parliamentarians and experts have launched a new venture to address the issue of genocide. The Coalition for Genocide Response is a new initiative that aims to unite politicians, scholars, and civil society representatives in the common aim to provide a comprehensive response to genocide.

Middle East, Justice, Conflict, OpinionEwelina U. OchabNovember 14, 2019Middle East, Muslims, Genocide, Brexit, Burmese, Daesh, Syria, Myanmar, UN, UN Security Council, Ewelina U. Ochab, IslamComment

The history behind the changing definition of who is Evangelical

(OPINION) The definition of evangelicals as white and Republican is a fairly recent phenomenon in American history.

Opinion, North America, Books, ReligionThomas KiddNovember 13, 2019evangelical, Evangelical Christians, Donald Trump, white evangelicals, Republican, Thomas Kidd, Primary Feature, Christianity

Bolivian president Evo Morales Resigns Amid Protests Driven By Politics And Religion

The Mexican government has granted political asylum to the resigning Bolivian president Evo Morales as violent protests spread throughout the South American nation in response to accusations of electoral fraud. The overthrow had elements of both politics and religion.

'Uncle Ted' McCarrick's accusers still want accountability

(OPINION) A group calling themselves “the Nathans” are calling for a thorough accounting of the former archbishop’s abuse allegations, as the biblical Nathan called on King David to confess his sins.

Opinion, North AmericaTerry MattinglyNovember 11, 2019Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Catholic, Kansas, Ruth Graham, Cathedral of the Plains, Slate, Terry Mattingly, McCarrick, Christianity

Ancient Christian Communities Caught in Syria’s Crossfire Need Shelter This Winter

(OPINION) After Turkey’s invasion that bombed and killed civilians, Syrian Christians, Kurds and Arabs fled their homes and are in need of shelter and winter supplies. On a recent visit to the U.S, we talked to Syriac Christian Elizabeth Kourie about the geopolitical conflict and the needs of the community.

Middle East, Opinion, PoliticsLela GilbertNovember 11, 2019Lela Gilbert, ISIS, Syria, Syrian Christians, Christians in the Middle East, Syrian Kurds, Turkey, Syriac Christians, Donald Trump, NATO, Erdogan, Primary Feature, Christianity

Muslim Americans are increasingly running for office, report shows

The trend picked up after the 2016 election. Nearly half of the 31 Muslim candidates who won an office are women.

News, Politics, North AmericaMicah DanneyNovember 9, 2019elections, politics, Ghazala Hashmi, Muslim, Primary Feature, Islam, Muslims, Micah Danney, Musli, Muslim Americans Comment

White Catholics are the demographic reporters forget about, mistakenly

(OPINION) An important shift has occurred among white Catholics in recent decades. How important will they be in the next election? That could depend on how important the President thinks they are. In any case, journalists shouldn’t discount them.

Opinion, North AmericaRichard OstlingNovember 8, 2019Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service, Donald Trump, Catholic Vote, Public Religion Research Institute, RNS, Ryan Burge, Terry Mattingly, Christianity, Richard OstlingComment

Protests in Lebanon are testing unity among faiths and sects

Nearly three weeks of protests in Lebanon has united people across sectarian religious groups and signaled hopes of a new political system that could redefine how religious affiliation is lived in society.

Archeology with implications for biblical narratives is a big story

(OPINION) A major new archeological dig in the holy land is producing discoveries that relate to biblical history. Journalists should pay attention.

Opinion, Middle EastRichard OstlingNovember 7, 2019Israel, En Esur, Biblical Archeology Review, Biblical Archaeology, Robert Cargill, Hershel Shanks, Itai Elad, Yitzhak Paz Dina Shalem, Israel Antiquities Authority, Judaism, Richard Ostling, ChristianityComment

Celebrating Prophet Muhammad's Birthday in Indonesia

(OPINION) A trip to the Sekaten festival reveals a colorful Islamic tradition that is scorned in some Sunni regions, but celebrated with much ado in Indonesia.

Asia, Analysis, Travel, OpinionPaul MarshallNovember 7, 2019Paul Marshall, Indonesia, Indonesian Muslims, Wahhabi Islam, Islam, Muhammad birthday, Prophet Muhammed, Primary Feature, islamophobia, MuslimComment

All the pope's PR men: What's happened to the Vatican press office?

(OPINION) Let’s start with a loaded question. But it’s a questions that journalists really need to ask, because of trends during recent events in Catholic life. Is the Vatican’s press office helping to push a progressive agenda that could forever change the Catholic church?

The Christian roots of journalism are only now being studied

(OPINION) Most people think the Church suppressed freedom of thought until the Enlightenment, and that journalism emerged as the Church lost its power. But researchers have never studied in detail how exactly newspapers emerged from a Christian culture long before other societies, until now.

Analysis, Opinion, ReligionDr. Jenny TaylorNovember 6, 2019Dr. Jenny Taylor, journalism history, christendom, western journalism, christian journalism, fake news, disinformation, truth, Primary Feature, Christianity Comments

Taxing churches a political minefield for Democratic presidential hopefuls

(OPINION) Beto O’Rourke made a statement that excites secular progressives but sends shockwaves through religious communities. How well will the remaining candidates navigate these subjects?

Opinion, North America, PoliticsTerry MattinglyNovember 5, 2019election, Democrats, Beto O'Rourke, Pete Buttigieg, Mayor Pete, orthodox christians, black churches, John Inazu, The Dispatch, LGBTQ, Terry Mattingly, Christianity, Democratic Comment

Ugandan pastors reject policy requiring official training to start a church

A proposed policy to require pastors to pass through training before opening church is creating controversy in Uganda. The policy is meant to increase financial accountability in religious institutions, but critics say it’s unconstitutional and could spell trouble for religious freedom.

Africa, NewsJohn SemakulaNovember 5, 2019John Semakula, Museveni, Uganda, National Policy on Religious and Faith-Based Organization, evangelicals in Africa, Africa, Primary Feature, Christianity, Secondary Feature Comment

The persistent campaign against U.S. police training in Israel

A progressive Jewish activist group is working to end programs that send U.S. police to Israel for training, citing concerns about racial profiling and invasive surveillance techniques. The Anti-Defamation League, one of the most prominent Jewish groups fighting discrimination in the U.S, funds these programs.