For many years, Sotiris Skoufis operated his own business of wholesale fabrics in his native Athens. In 2015, he grew physically ill from back pain. At the same time, he went financially broke by the economic crisis in his homeland. Mentally exhausted, he traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic and his life would be forever changed.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There are lots of theories as to why the Christmas classic died. Perhaps it simply takes time to become a Christmas classic with culture-wide acceptance. And yet, that wasn’t true of the Christmas movies that came out in the 1990s and early 2000s. Perhaps streaming is to blame, where movies would become classics had they come out in theaters.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In November 2023, British media reported on the use of sexual violence in the recent wave of violence in Manipur, India. This follows a conflict that erupted in May 2023, described by the U.N. as a “community conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei and the predominantly Christian Kuki ethnic communities.”
Read MoreAs these young athletes continue to make strides, they not only bring honor to themselves but also shine a light on the indomitable spirit of Kashmir. In a region grappling with adversity, their rise signifies a hopeful chapter, illustrating how sports can be a catalyst for change.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Catholics are living in a post-Synod on Synodality church where the debates from the month-long meeting that took place at the Vatican last month continue to reverberate, even with the efforts by Pope Francis to put a lid on news coverage of the discussions and speeches that took place during that event. Europe, in particular, has been the epicenter of the action since that meeting of bishops wrapped up on Oct. 29.
Read MoreThanksgiving is behind us and most people are now focused on the start of the Christmas season. This Nov. 28 marks #GivingTuesday, which is built on the idea of spreading generosity amid all the splurging that comes with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The composition of never attenders has also changed as that group has grown so much larger. What I really wanted to do is help readers better conceptualize this group — especially when it comes to politics. One of my hobby horses recently has been trying to convince people that they need to stop thinking about Republicans as incredibly religiously active and Democrats as the ones who have nothing to do with religion.
Read MoreMetropolitan Job of Pisidia is an Orthodox bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He is the Permanent Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches and co-President of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic church and the Orthodox church. These significant posts make him a top diplomat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Read More(REVIEW) “Napoleon,” the latest historical war epic by the legendary Ridley Scott stars Joaquin Phoenix as the legendary French emperor and Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine. The movie details the the historic rise and fall of his empire and marriage. The film has opened to mixed reviews, but an unexpectedly impressive box office over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Read More(OPINION) Choosing a life of thanksgiving doesn’t mean living in denial or developing toxic positivity. Just venture online to watch a few minutes of the gruesome images coming out of Israel and Gaza. You’ll quickly be disabused of the idea that this is the best of all possible worlds.
Read More(REVIEW) Books about Christianity, morality and community are nothing new. While the world, especially the West like the United States and Europe, become more secular, there seems to be a cottage industry that continues to churn out books aimed at religious people. Three new titles out in time for the holidays aim to satisfy that audience and convince non-believers why faith should also matter to them.
Read MoreChristians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are seeing improved efforts by the government of the DRC to improve the security situation of their communities. As elsewhere in Africa, faith-based organizations provide much of the educational, health and other social opportunities. Yet, it is precisely for those reasons that Christian groups have often been targeted.
Read MoreAre memorials the best we can do in the face of injustice? When do laws need to change? These questions and more are what Allisa Charles-Findley has struggled with since 2018. The sister of Harding University alumnus Botham Jean, who was murdered in his apartment by an off-duty police officer, wrestled with the concept of forgiveness — and understanding where justice fits into the equation — after her brother’s death.
Read More(OPINION) Never assume that America’s third parties don’t matter. Especially in a topsy-turvy political season like this one. After all, some figure that Jill Stein’s 1% in three swing states produced Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, or that Ralph Nader’s 1.6% in Florida elected Bush 43 in 2000, or that Ross Perot’s 19% elected Clinton over incumbent Bush 41 in 1992.
Read MoreThe silence in the Black community about suicide goes beyond faith, Procter said. The history of oppression has made having resilience and mental strength — or at least being perceived to — a necessity for survival. “We don’t talk about mental health, we don’t talk about suicide,” said Procter. “If we’ve lost someone to suicide, we go, ‘The person passed away.’”
Read More(OPINION) William Peter Blatty was pounding out the first pages of "The Exorcist" when his telephone rang — bringing the news that his mother had died. The screenwriter was already digging into dark material by writing a fictional take on an exorcism case he heard discussed during his Georgetown University days.
Read More(REVIEW) Christians have always had a love-hate relationship with Disney since I can remember. Growing up in the Christian culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, all the Christian parents I knew loved watching Disney movies with their kids — but have always had an uncomfortable relationship with some of its messaging.
Read More(REVIEW) There’s a picture-perfect version of Thanksgiving that exists in cartoons of overflowing cornucopias and naively cheerful turkeys. It’s meant to celebrate a bountiful harvest, a good meal and time together with loved ones. The real Thanksgiving is a lot more complicated — and unpleasant. A new movie out now captures just that.
Read More(ANALYSIS) November is Native American Heritage Month, an interesting if not complex time to celebrate Indigenous people. Many Indigenous people complain about November being selected for the celebration — to many Native people, Thanksgiving is a reminder of the attempted genocide of many tribes by the settlers they helped, not to mention the theft of homelands and children stolen for boarding schools.
Read MoreEverything at the ribbon-cutting for Dolly Parton’s new exhibit was high fashion — including the ribbon. The country music legend grasped a large pair of scissors alongside Lipscomb University President Candice McQueen. They struggled just a bit to slice through the pink and gold sash, bedecked with butterflies.
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