(OPINION) “Weekend Plug-In” is a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. This week: In the wake of the deadly shooting at a Texas church, Bobby sought out top journalists’ advice for reporting responsibly on tragedies.
Read MoreThe Travels of Guðríður Símonardóttir tells the little-known story of an Icelandic woman in the 17th century who was captured by North African pirates. She was enslaved at a harem in Algiers until ransomed, then married Iceland’s most famous poet. His hymns, inspired by the couple’s suffering, are still sung in churches and at funerals.
Read More(OPINION) The media’s reaction to the slap, from social media to major news organizations, again showed the divide that continues to exist among Catholics around the world. Those who like Francis saw a man being grabbed and reacting like anyone would. His detractors saw a man with little patience for parishioners.
Read MoreHindu nationalists are trying to stop a Catholic parish’s proposed 114-feet-high granite Jesus statue atop a hill in rural South India, sparked by a large Christmas land donation from a Hindu politician. The archbishop of Bangalore sought the state chief minister’s intervention this week to continue the $1.5 million project.
Read MoreCrowds of Romanians gathered on the coast of the Black Sea to watch priests bless holy water and throw three crosses into the water, representing God in the trinity of father, son and holy spirit. Then the race in near-freezing water began to retrieve a cross, believed to bring its owner blessings in the new year.
Read More(OPINION) The mental health and lifestyle benefits of faith in adulthood are well-documented. A recent Harvard study suggests that kids are better off in many ways when raised in a religious tradition. As the media and grown-ups fret about the state of today’s youth, journalists should pay attention to what works.
Read More(OPINION) The Shiite General Soleimani's elimination may indicate a shift in U.S. strategy — from patience and refusal to treat Shia terrorists the same way it has been treating their Sunni counterparts since 2001 — to far less mercy.
Read MoreThe coalition backing President Donald Trump officially launched on Jan. 3 at El Rey Jesús, a Miami megachurch. The coalition was announced in the aftermath of a Christianity Today editorial that called for Trump’s removal from office.
Read MoreAmid rising attacks against American Jews, many Modern Orthodox synagogues in New York are grappling with how to ensure security within their houses of worship while remaining compliant with their religious laws.
Read MoreHundreds of mourners, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, paid tribute to volunteer security team member Richard White, who died Sunday in a shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ near Fort Worth, Texas.
Read More(OPINION) Introducing “Weekend Plug-In,” a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. This week: how Bobby was the only media allowed in to the Texas church that witnessed a shooting Sunday, top religion stories of the week, a new religion beat reporter hired at the New York Times and more.
Read MoreThousands gathered in the small Muslim neighborhood of Shaheen Bagh on the outskirts of India’s capital to protest against the new citizenship law that excludes Muslim migrants and a proposed citizenship register, calling Jan. 1 a “black day” rather than a holiday.
Read MoreThe Media Project staff, board and members worldwide submitted nominations for the best efforts in religion journalism that we admired most in 2019.
Read More(OPINION) This time of year brings with it pieces looking back on the biggest stories of the year. It’s also a time to look ahead. The coming year will certainly be a busy one once again for journalists who cover Catholicism, Pope Francis and the church’s hierarchy.
Read MorePreacher Britt Farmer lost his best friend in the Sunday shooting at a Church of Christ near Fort Worth. At the same time, the close-knit congregation 10 miles west of Fort Worth had beefed up its security team and trained members for a real-life nightmare such as this.
Read More(OPINION) A series of heightened attacks in recent weeks by terror groups in West Africa – Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger Republic and even at Nigeria’s border with Cameroon – gives credence to the theory that this region is targeted as the next formidable stronghold for ISIS.
Read MoreThe congregation of West Freeway Church of Christ, about 280 people, came together a day after a gunman killed two of their flock and an armed member fatally shot him.
Read MoreAmid a global trend of increasing anti-semitism, attacks have been reported on an almost daily basis throughout Hanukkah in New York City. Faith leaders there met to discuss what to do about it.
Read More(OPINION) France’s president said anti-Semitism is at its worst since WWII. My son will spend the next few months there, so we’re going to have the Jewish version of “the talk.”
Read MoreSince launching in February, the Religion Unplugged team has been thrilled with our readers’ responses. We’re also proud to have won an Editor & Publisher award in our first year for best culture and entertainment news for websites under 1 million monthly views. Thank you for reading!
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