Christian, Jewish, Muslim, atheist and other community members gathered Monday night in the sanctuary of White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, and applauded Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker — just two days after the rabbi and three others were held hostage in Congregation Beth Israel in neighboring Colleyville.
Read MorePastor Jeremy Foster’s resignation from Hope City Church in Houston, Texas, due to an adulterous affair is the latest in a series of scandals linked to the Association of Related Churches, one of the largest church planting organizations in North America.
Read MoreIn advance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this week’s Weekend Plug-in looks at a fascinating piece on the last full year of the Baptist pastor’s life. Plus, catch up, as always, on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read MoreThe 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago has ruled in favor of a Roman Catholic church that was sued by a former employee fired for his same-sex marriage, saying churches and religious groups have the right to hire and supervise staff according to their beliefs — without government intrusion.
Read More(OPINION) Interviews are forever the linchpin of all original reporting. The key to getting a good interview: preparation. You've probably heard the preacher's rule of one hour of work in the study per one minute in the pulpit. The reporter’s rule is more modest: at least 10 minutes of research per one minute of interviewing.
Read MoreAs health care professionals assess the lessons of the COVID-19 global pandemic, one unexpected message may be the importance of including spirituality in overall patient care. A pioneer in that movement is Dr. Christina Puchalski, founder and executive director of George Washington University’s Institute for Spirituality and Health.
Read MoreWhile Uncle Sam grants Americans tax deductions for charitable giving, the government prohibits deductions for donations to political groups. But a growing number of donors on the left and the right have used “dark money” to exploit a simple work-around.
Read More“Autobiography of a Yogi,” published in 1946, popularized Eastern religious concepts like “cosmic consciousness” and practices like yoga and meditation in the West. Brother Jayananada, who became a monk after reading the book over 40 years ago, spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com about its 75th anniversary and its lasting impact.
Read More(REVIEW) Coming of age film “The Hand of God” intertwines the life of a young Italian boy in the midst of tragedy and famed soccer player Diego Maradona. Both create mystical stories of hope tied to faith and strange miracles.
Read More(OPINION) Jan. 6 means different things to people. This year, the date became a polarizing remembrance of the U.S. Capitol insurrection, riots or whatever else one calls it. For Clemente, this Jan. 6 marked a special anniversary — the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking Boston Globe “Spotlight” team’s investigation into predator priests.
Read More(ANALYSIS) After the mismanagement of a Jewish festival in Meron, Israel in which 45 pious Jews were crushed to death in a stampede and tens of thousands more exposed to COVID-19, there was only one reasonable course for the government to follow in advance of last week’s planned Baba Sali celebration – cancel it. And then flip-flop.
Read MoreIn the 1970s and 80s, Bill Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles’ week-long seminars filled arenas. But in recent years, the nondenominational ministry has seen a decline from its once-influential and well-connected source of resources and community for like-minded Christians after allegations of sexual harassment dating back decades.
Colorado officials are investigating claims that a small fire in December on a rural property of the “Jesus People” group Twelve Tribes jump-started two major fires south of Boulder, which, fanned by 100 mph winds, destroyed more than 900 homes and forced the evacuation of 35,000 people.
Read More(OPINION) Recent years have seen a crackdown on human rights and democracy in Hong Kong. Within a few months, three pro-democracy outlets disappeared from Hong Kong. Nonetheless, Hong Kong authorities have rejected claims of a crackdown and denied targeting the media.
Read MoreHindu extremists groups are disrupting Muslim prayers in an Indian city and threatening Hindus and Sikhs who help their Muslim neighbors find worship space.
Read MoreWhat stories will be religion reporters be chasing in 2022? This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights a few leading candidates. Plus, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There are three flagpoles outside Boston City Hall. One flies the United States flag. Another flies the Massachusetts state flag. What can – and can’t – fly from the third is an issue being taken up by the Supreme Court.
(OPINION) One year after ReligionUnplugged senior contributor Hamil R. Harris reported from the Capitol rally turned into a siege, he reflects on what’s needed for America to heal deep political and racial divisions.
Read More(OPINION) According to the script of “FBI: Most Wanted,” Jan. 6, 2021, was most certainly an insurrection. And even though this particular group of fanatics represented a small minority of Americans, they were depicted as the very image of the insurrection itself. But there is another side to this story.
Read MorePew Research said that while it is more difficult to measure long-term trends regarding the share of U.S. adults who say religion is an important part of their lives, “the available data indicates that Americans are growing less religious by this measure, too.”
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