Global South Anglicans are experiencing a "volcano of growth" and remain "at loggerheads" with the shrinking churches of the United Kingdom, North America and other Western nations. While most Global South bishops serve growing flocks — roughly 75% of active worshippers in the 77-million-member Anglican Communion — many Western bishops lead what Goodhew called "micro-dioceses" with under 1,000 active members or "mini-dioceses" with fewer than 5,000.
Read More(REVIEW) Valentina Pedicini’s documentary “Faith” spends time in a sect of Christianity called the Warriors of Light, composed of former martial arts champions who live ascetic lives and train daily to fight in a coming spiritual battle. The documentary focuses on why people have faith and what sustains it.
Read MoreWith the advent of small-batch clothing lines launched easily and cheaply through websites and social media feeds rather than brick-and-mortar retail stores, many fashion entrepreneurs like Floryn C. Ajuzie are creating new clothing brands, products and strategies driven by their personal faith and beliefs. Their success raises questions about branding strategy as well as ethics of retail.
Read MoreWhen fans aren’t packing stadiums to watch soccer matches, another thing that will get a lot of attention will be Qatar’s Islamic art and culture. As is the case with any country that plays World Cup host, visitors will get a real chance to see things in person they may not otherwise ever see anywhere else. Among those things will be the Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque in the capital city, Doha.
Read MoreIn July, after five years of work, Father Francesco Patton inaugurated the multimedia exhibition “The Experience of Resurrection,” housed at the Franciscans’ Christian Information Center located inside the Old City of Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate. The 656-square-foot installation, spread over six rooms, takes 40 minutes to view.
Read MoreAmid increased attacks against migrants, faith-based groups around South Africa are launching several projects to counter xenophobia. The interfaith community has developed a national Hate Crimes Working group that is speaking out against violent attacks and providing practical help to victims.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As late as 1970, according to figures from the Cremation Association of America, only about 5% of American chose cremation over burial. But in 2020, more than 56% Americans opted for it. And by 2035, the he National Funeral Directors Association predicts nearly 80% of Americans will opt for cremation.
Read MoreChristine Eddy spent the last three years of her life fine-tuning the story she had kept secret most of her days. She had been married to, and raised a family with, a white supremacist. Her Catholic faith kept her fighting for her marriage and for her husband.
Read More(REVIEW) A new book by historian Randall Balmer called “Passion Plays: How Religion Shaped Sports in North America” explores the relationship between sports and religion. Specifically, he writes that the book “examines how the history of religion across North America connects in fascinating ways to the emergence of modern team sports.”
Read More(OPINION) Jesus said God’s commandments were love God with all your heart, and love other people as much as yourself. That’s it. So why do Christians so routinely miss it? Why do nearly all of us fail to obey the gospel’s very foundation?
Read More(REVIEW) Leonard Cohen’s life and musical legacy are explored in a thoroughly engaging new documentary through the lens of his famous song “Hallelujah.” The documentary explores Cohen’s inner turmoil regarding his Jewish faith and his humanity and how that influenced his music. It also proves the massive influence of the song on music history by making “Hallelujah” accessible to everyone.
Read More(OPINION) Grand Rapids, as much as any northern town a symbolic buckle on an established Bible (especially Calvinist) Belt outside of the South, is divided this election season. Underscoring hopes to flip the Michigan seat, House Democrats’ campaign arm horrified some party stalwarts by spending $435,000 on ads to boost John Gibbs’s name recognition, while undercutting Peter Meijer as the far stronger November opponent.
Read More(ANALYSIS) About one-fifth of current French prisoners were convicted for drug offenses, according to the French Ministry of Justice — a rate comparable to that of the United States. Nearly all of them are men. There is no demographic breakdown of this population, because the French credo of “absolute equality” among citizens has made it illegal since 1978 to collect statistics based on race, ethnicity or religion.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in details the latest on the fatal shootings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Crystals aren’t just eye-catching stones. Quartz is used in electronics because it possesses piezoelectric properties that cause it to release an electric charge when compressed. But, as skeptics are quick to point out, there is no evidence crystals can bring health, prosperity or any of the other properties that crystal enthusiasts may attribute to them.
Read MoreFrom the beginning of their journey into the Orthodox faith, Meghan and Michael Jones were metaphysically connected to Alaska. But their sense of calling to spread the gospel, expand the church and launch socially redemptive initiatives eventually led the couple and their four children to Fiji.
Read MoreThere has been an increase in crimes committed against houses of worship across North America, predominantly aimed at Catholic churches, since last year. Many of these incidents have taken place in the weeks prior and after the Supreme Court decision to roll back federal abortion rights.
Read More(OPINION) While Canterbury is urging Anglicans to keep “walking together,” the 2022 Lambeth Conference demonstrated that many of the Anglican Communion’s bishops can no longer even receive the Eucharist together because of conflicts over sexuality.
Read MoreOrthodox Christians in North America and around the world already are venerating the Alaskan matriarch for her care and concern for abused women.
Read MoreLike many others, 66-year-old Mayan Rosalina Tuyuc has been scarred by Guatemala’s decades-long civil conflict that officially ended in 1996, but from which the country has yet to recover. Raised Catholic, she has now learned to also look to her ancestors’ Indigenous spirituality for healing and answers.
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