Kashmiri Hindus mark 31 years in exile from their homeland

On Jan. 19, Kashmiri Pandits marked 31 years since their migration. In the 90’s, an estimated 300,000 Kashmiri Hindus fled for their lives and settled outside Kashmir. Many still live in migrant camps today and are eager to return to Kashmir, but their path there is uncertain.

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Mike Lindell Falsely Claims New Election Fraud ‘Proof’ on the Eric Metaxas Show

Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO and now-popular Trump supporter, appeared on the Eric Metaxas Radio Show to discuss more “proof” he’d discovered about widespread election fraud. “God’s got his hand in all of this,” he said.

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The first virtual MLK Day aims to renew hope in America 

Faith leaders around the country are participating in virtual events to commemorate the life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. after a violent attack on the nation’s Capitol Building and just days before Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration. King's words and legacy are giving them renewed hope.

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How A Self-Taught Artist Became A Hit In Christian Indian Circles

(OPINION) Never having had any formal training in drawing and painting, Coreen was entirely self-taught. Over the years, she developed her skill to the point where her works found acceptance in many parts of the country. Her first love was depicting flowers, believing that God has created this colorful tapestry for us to enjoy and so in the early years she focused on nature and landscapes.

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Flags, Faith and Fury: Christian Nationalism On Display In U.S. Capitol Riot

As thousands rallied in Washington to support President Donald Trump’s unproven claim of a stolen election — a protest that turned deadly as an insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol — many carried signs and flags linking the Republican political leader to their Christian faith.

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Are Egypt's Christians persecuted? Why some Copts say no

(ANALYSIS) The religious freedom of and even the number of Christians in Egypt is highly contested, but there are a number of important reasons why the Coptic pope declines to call discrimination against Christians “persecution.” A recent webinar by In Defense of Christians discussed the topic.

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African evangelicals, some who prophesied Trump’s victory, are deeply divided

Just like their American counterparts, many Kenyan and other African Pentecostals are convinced that Donald Trump won the election and that he was rigged in a major conspiracy of the Deep State, anti-Christians, Democrats, Big Tech, pharmaceutical lobbies and a host of other dark forces opposed to God’s Kingdom. Others are calling for Christians to remain neutral and seek God’s voice earnestly.

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Christians and the conspiracy theories that helped fuel the Capitol mob

This week’s Weekend Plug-in explores why Christians seem so susceptible to conspiracy theories. Plus, as always, check out the best reads in the world of faith news.

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EU hypocrisy? Factory Farming Continues, but Kosher and Halal Traditions Nixed

(OPINION) Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are growing threats in Europe. The EU outlawed certain kosher protocols that also follow halal guidelines — expressing implicit bias towards animals over devout religious people. Though, they may need to prioritize cruelty during the animal’s life over cruelty during the animal’s death.

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The History Behind That Strange Animal Horn At Political Rallies

Of the many Christian flags, insignia and sacred objects seen outside the Capitol Building Jan. 6, there is one that deserves more attention— the shofar, an ancient Jewish instrument traditionally made from a ram’s horn. The shofar has become a common protest tool in some circles, framing political battles as spiritual battles.

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Religious Freedom Lately: Open Doors Report, Booze On Planes And Title IX

This week while much of the media dissected why some Christians were drawn to QAnon, investigated pastors’ links to the rioters, and examined the Christian symbols present in photos from the protest, smaller but important stories slipped through the cracks.

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Religious freedom is central to the Epiphany (and condemns the Capitol violence)

(OPINION) This season of Epiphany, which we are now in, affords us the opportunity to honor Christ’s manifestation and ministry in the world. Epiphanytide invites us to reflect on the role of religious freedom and religious literacy in Christ’s manifestation to the world. This is perhaps even more relevant in light of the Capitol violence last week.

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One In Eight Christians Worldwide Live In Countries Where They May Face Persecution

The World Watch List 2021, a list compiled by Open Doors, an international NGO advocating on behalf of persecuted Christians, paints a concerning picture of the situation Christians face around the world. The most likely and violent place for Christians to be located is in North Korea, though the list grows daily as countries shift towards religious persecution.

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A mansion built by Jerusalem’s most notorious mufti slated to become a synagogue

The landmark mansion built 88 years ago by Hajj Amin al-Husseini, the notorious mufti of Jerusalem who spent much of World War II in Berlin as a Nazi collaborator and war criminal, is slated to become a synagogue in a future 56-apartment Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem. The Israeli settler organization Ateret Cohanim is backing the project.

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Pope Francis changes canon law: What it means for the Catholic Mass

(ANALYSIS) The move — in the wake of a decades-old priest shortage — will grant women the chance to serve as lectors, read Scripture and serve as eucharistic ministers. The changes, however, will continue to forbid women from being made deacons or priests.

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Televangelist Bob Rodgers ‘Curses’ Those Who Voted on the ‘Wrong Side’ in ‘Stolen Election’

Louisville televangelist Bob Rodgers cursed those who voted on the “wrong side” of the “stolen election” at his service this past week, condemning them to poor health and poverty. Members of the church cheered at the curses— affirming his notion that those who voted on the “wrong side” deserve punishment.

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The Solution to Christian Nationalism? Better Theology

(OPINION) To combat a plague of Christian nationalism, seen on display in the recent Capitol violence, Christian leaders should teach the right Christian theology: that Christians should never seek to have the government privilege one religious group over another, God gives good ideas to all people, not only Christians, and our advocacy in the public square should not pretend everyone believes the Bible.

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Q&A with Rev. Paul Abernathy, an Orthodox priest combatting vaccine skepticism

Antioch Orthodox priest Rev. Paul Abernathy is on a mission to provide resources to skeptics in his Pittsburgh, Pa. parish and community—skeptics of the COVID-19 vaccine. For months, Abernathy has visited majority Black communities door to door, discussing their views on the COVID-19 vaccine, answering questions and even ushering in a Moderna vaccine trial. Religion Unplugged spoke with him about his work, the role of faith-based organizations in the pandemic and how a spiritual life fuels a medical mission.

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