Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, has created a political firestorm after announcing plans to base its rule on Christian values in the event it wins power in this month’s elections.
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This week’s Weekend Plug-in covers the resignation of a top Southern Baptist Convention official for lying on his resume. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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The book invites readers to shift their perspective on anxiety from something to be eschewed or suppressed to an occasion for spiritual development and renewal. Chang presents a vision of anxiety grounded in scripture: particularly in the life of Jesus. Chang shows us how we can engage with anxiety as an invitation for growth, rather than as an occasion to perpetuate fear and shame.
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There were 200 synagogues in Latvia before World War II. Peitav-Shul is the only synagogue building to have survived both the Nazi and the Soviet occupations of Riga. The bright blue interior, built in 1905, is decorated with Egyptian and Assyrian-Babylonian geometric patterns. The Aron Kodesh (the Holy Ark), where the Torah scrolls are kept, faces Jerusalem. A marble pulpit faces the congregation.
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In the latest wave of departures from the United Methodist Church, the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church voted last week to approve the disaffiliation of another 46 churches. It was the conference’s second such vote this year.
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Authorities arrested Robert Dell, 56, and four other associates for stealing merchandise worth more than $1.4 million from several of The Home Depot stores and then selling the merchandise on eBay under the name “Anointed Liquidator.” The virtual store has 100% approval rating and has registered more than 35,000 items sold over the past decade, according to its page on the online retailer’s website.
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(VIDEO) Kuki-Zo leaders are demanding an investigation into their allegations that attacks on civilians and village volunteers — a term used for ordinary youth guarding their villages with guns against purported regular assaults by Meitei extremist groups — are being carried out by state forces in northeastern India.
Read More(OPINION) Many modern churches may be weak when it comes to architecture and sacred art, but they almost always have concert-level lighting, sound and multimedia technology. But in a few sanctuaries linked to ancient traditions, worship leaders are trying something different. In some Eucharistic services, they are offering worshippers with autism an atmosphere that is more calm and less intense.
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(ANALYSIS) Three influential cards have always played well in Pakistan’s political arena: Sunni Islam, the army and patriotism. Being a Sunni Muslim makes you powerful and provides a deep sense of being an extraordinary Pakistani.
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Faith nights at MLB ballparks across the nation feature Christian music, player testimonials and prayers. The theme events are part of marketing efforts to boost baseball’s ticket sales.
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(OPINION) I recently attended a funeral for a friend’s mother. I hadn’t met her, but I knew she was important to my friend. And I’d be a crummy friend if I didn’t go and show my support. Right away, there was something different. The family started handing cannabis joints/pre-rolls and lighters to each guest when they entered.
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(REVIEW) Netflix wastes its brilliant premise and ending twist with “The Chosen One” on a shallow treatment of religion that actually makes one grateful that the faith-based film industry alternative exists. The six-part series is based on the first graphic novel in the trilogy, titled “Chosen,” and follows a 12-year-old boy named Jodie.
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(OPINION) Ask the average person what comes to mind when they think of a funeral, and I doubt they would use words like “encouraging” or “joyful.” Yet the memorial service for the Rev. Timothy Keller’s in New York could easily be called just that. The service was never one of pure grief.
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(ANALYSIS) Starting this month, the British government has formally recognized the Islamic State group atrocities against the Yazidis as genocide. The announcement comes nine years after the atrocities and follows a determination of the atrocities as genocide by a German court.
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(ANALYSIS) No one has called Jesus an internet guru — that is, until now. In his latest role as an “AI Jesus,” Jesus stands, rather awkwardly, as a white man, dressed in a hooded brown-and-white robe, available 24/7 to answer any and all questions on his Twitch channel.
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(REVIEW) “While We Watched” is a 94-minute tell-all documentary that shines a light on the sorry state of Indian media through the lens of a veteran independent journalist, Ravish Kumar, who now runs a YouTube channel with 6.73 million subscribers.
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The first cohort of 44 medical doctors trained by the Anglican Church of Uganda in its history spanning over 140 years has graduated, marking a milestone in the church’s history of training medical experts in the country. The doctors trained by Uganda Christian University graduated earlier this summer during a colorful ceremony.
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(ANALYSIS) The horrific scenes coming from Maui — and news that at least 90 people have died — have caused many of our readers to ask, “How can I help?” Here are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Maui relief efforts. We also have our assessment of some ministries that are raising funds to help.
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Religion Unplugged contributor Kenneth Ethan Frantz interviewed Schiess about her new book, the role the Bible played in the past and present in American politics, and what it all means ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
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The Rev. Evans Omollo has been installed as the provost of Kenya’s oldest Anglican house of worship. As the new head of All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi, the 45 year old takes over from the Rev. Sammy Wainaina, who is moving to the global Anglican Church headquarters in the United Kingdom as an advisor.
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