In Africa, there are deep-seated traditional beliefs that life-threatening illnesses originate from a generational curse, witchcraft or as a punishment from God, and that seeps into some church teachings too. Kenyans with terminal illnesses talk to Religion Unplugged about how they’ve sought solace for themselves, and pastors and a psychiatrist weigh in.
Read More(OPINION) A filmmaker writes that none of the films he made had cursing, they didn’t have sex scenes, they didn’t have endings where everything wasn’t tied up nicely with a happy ending bow— not because he didn’t want to put them in his movies, or thought he could tell a better story without them, but instead because he knew if he did include mature content or unanswered questions in his films, they wouldn’t sell.
Read MoreIn this week’s Weekend Plug-in, top religion journalists analyze Catholic bishops’ conflicting and sometimes confusing statements on Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Plus, find links to all the week’s top religion news and best reads.
Read MoreBeyond being one of Mahatma Gandhi’s — or Ghandiji’s — granddaughters, Ela Gandhi has become a symbol of social justice in her own right, living a life of quiet — and not so quiet — resistance over the last 80 years. A new book by Easterbooks, “My Time with Ela Gandhi,” chronicles the lessons learned and stories told by Gandhi throughout their friendship.
Read More(REVIEW) Unlike any pope of the modern era, no one has been as controversial and polarizing as Francis. This new book tries to delve into what motivates this pontiff and his mission.
Read More(OPINION) Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Iraq begins on March 5, 2021. This first-ever papal visit to Iraq aims to provide moral support to Christian minorities in Iraq and the region while facilitating the Vatican’s goal of building bridges with the Muslim world. The visit comes close to seven years after religious minorities in the region, including Christians and Yazidis, have been targeted for annihilation by Daesh.
Read More(OPINION) A new survey finds that 1 in 3 young people ages 13-25 don’t trust people of other religions “very much” or “at all.”
Read MoreThe pandemic has upended and reinvented the form and shape of ministry as Churches of Christ have learned to be virtual, socially distant and masked. But perhaps no aspect of congregational life has been called to creativity more urgently than children’s ministry.
Read More(REVIEW) New true crime series “Murder Among the Mormons” tells the story of 1985 Salt Lake City bombings connected to the LDS Church.
Read MoreAfter its celebrity pastor Carl Lentz’s marital affair became public, Hillsong Church is quietly rebuilding and resetting their global mission to keep reaching more people searching for meaning in their lives and create community and worship music. Critics say the church needs greater accountability for its leadership. Rumors of Lentz, who is married, acting inappropriately with women circulated as early as 2017.
Read More(OPINION) The majority in the new 2-1 decision in Indiana regarding Christmas decor in front of the Lion’s Club argued that the "nativity scene is constitutional because it fits within a long national tradition of using the nativity scene in broader holiday displays to celebrate the origins of Christmas." This post-Christmas decision in the heartland may have been a turning point in the ‘reindeer laws’ debate.
Read More(OPINION) Ravi Zacharias was perhaps the world’s most famous apologist for Christianity until his death last year, but now the most memorable part of his legacy is the apologetics challenge he has left behind for the rest of us. Here’s why we shouldn’t dismiss his arguments even after the revelation of his sexual abuses.
Read MoreEarlier this month, talk show host Eric Metaxas and the US-based non-profit Christian Solidarity International (CSI) issued a startling press release that stated they had “partnered together” with a goal of freeing at least 350 Sudan slaves before Christmas. The statement also said that CSI had freed 600 Christian and non-Muslim people from slavery in Sudan. This action has raised much suspicion and controversy since its release.
Read More(OPINION) What definition of “religion” is the right definition to use in American society? How does that definition of religion relate to the insurrectionist riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6?
Read MoreIn an effort to stifle widespread protests against new farm laws, many led by Sikhs, India’s government has launched a new set of regulations to censor online content and is leveraging a colonial-era sedition law to arrest anyone the government deems as critics.
Read More(ANALYSIS) German bishops have brought what they call reforms back to the forefront over the past few weeks with a series of moves that could forever change Roman Catholicism.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in revisits a famous quote by the famous theologian Karl Barth on reading both the Bible and the newspaper. Plus, check out the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.
Read MoreIn 2017, Catherine Mardon and her husband were surprised with memberships into the Catholic Church’s Order of St. Sylvester for their work with disability advocacy and management of several activism campaigns.
Read More(ANALYSIS) On Feb. 26, Jews celebrate Purim with feasts, carnivals and charity. A historian of American Judaism points to Purim as an important holiday that increased Jews’ visibility in the United States in the 19th century.
Read MoreA photo released this week depicting popular comic book villain the Joker dressed as Jesus Christ is circulating social media. Fans speculate on what it means for the soon-to-be-released Justice League and reflect on the director’s past work — which heavily uses religious symbolism.
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