Mientras el presidente Nicolás Maduro es trasladado a Nueva York para enfrentar un juicio por delitos de narcotráfico y terrorismo, tras haber sido capturado en horas de la madrugada por fuerzas estadounidenses por orden del presidente Donald Trump, una serie de llamados a la oración han sido emitidos por líderes evangélicos y organizaciones eclesiales ante la situación que vive el país.
Read MoreThe final months of 2025 brought another dimension to the ongoing discussion about AI among church leaders as a music “artist” named Solomon Ray climbed the charts. It came as another AI artist, Breaking Rust, did the same on the country digital charts. AI can help generate ideas, it cannot be a final source for the music sung during worship
Read MoreThe First Circuit Court of Appeals has sided with the Trump Administration in allowing the defunding of abortion providers to continue while lawsuits are ongoing. Multiple states and abortion providers filed lawsuits in the wake of Congress’ “Big Beautiful Bill,” which President Trump signed last July 4.
Read MoreAn Anglican bishop who called an investigation into his alleged abuse of power “a witch hunt” announced the formation of a new denomination on Christmas eve: The Anglican Reformed Catholic Church. “We seek to provide a stable church home,” the new denomination’s website says, “characterized by clear leadership accountability.”
Read MoreThe elliptical machine in 69-year-old Bob Stephens’ home gym is stretching its handlebars to hang three coats. A recumbent bike, various weights and a stationary rowing machine complete the 20-by-20-foot room.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” has consistently woven religious symbolism into its supernatural horror storytelling. Nowhere is this more striking than in the way the villain Vecna functions as a dark, inverted reflection of Jesus — especially in the show’s fifth and final season.
Read MoreZohran Mamdani’s swearing-in at City Hall highlighted the full diversity of New York City and included a striking display of Jewish presence and pride during a historic change in leadership. In a scene rich with symbolism, Sen. Bernie Sanders administered the oath of office to the city’s first Muslim mayor as Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran.
Read More(ANALYSIS) With 2025 now behind us, it was a year filled with significant developments in religion, faith and spirituality — and 2026 is likely to be just as eventful. Here are five key religion-related issues and trends to watch for over the next 12 months in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For members of the Religion News Association, this was the kind of dramatic appeal that made the Chicago native the top Religion Newsmaker of 2025. The runner-up was Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, who was elected as New York City's first Muslim mayor. The assassinated evangelical activist Charlie Kirk placed third.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Regular mindfulness practice has been linked to many positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep and quicker healing after injury and illness. Mindfulness can help us to be present in a distracted world, especially as we start a new year, and to feel more at home in our bodies and in our lives.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Many characteristics of Shaker life and belief set them apart from other Protestants, but their name derives from one of the most obvious. Early Shakers manifested the holy spirit they believed dwelled within them by shaking violently in worship. The film “The Testament of Ann Lee” brings this movement to life for modern audiences.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Boy, do I have a treat for you all today! Do you ever wonder how the partisanship of people who work for religious organizations varies compared to folks who work in other industries?
Read MoreThe Dec. 25 attack may have been more a shot across the bow, according to a PBS interview with J. Peter Pham, the U.S. special envoy to the Sahel region during the first Trump administration. The places hit by U.S. military, he said, were not where the genocide against Christians is taking place.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Faith and politics collided as a U.S.-born pope emerged, Donald Trump returned to power, immigration crackdowns intensified across the U.S. and churches faced violence. At the same time, a Muslim mayoral win stirred debate, while antisemitic attacks surged. Here’s a recap of the past 12 months.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The U.S. airstrikes against ISIS militants in Nigeria on Christmas Day represents an escalation in an insurgency that their military has struggled to contain for more than a decade. The political and strategic significance is hard to miss: Washington appears willing to take a more direct role in a conflict once treated largely as a regional problem.
Read MoreIn a special year-end edition, Weekend Plug-in counts down the Top 10 most popular Religion Unplugged stories from the past 12 months.
Read More(ANALYSIS) There’s no doubt that faith-based films blew up in 2025. Whether that’s in the faith-based film industry putting out record-breaking theatrical releases of “The Chosen” and other Jesus movies or Hollywood exploring religion with a newfound earnestness in the horror genre or blockbusters, faith was everywhere this year.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Because questions about a Christmas Eve service come up every year, here are my thoughts to consider if your church is planning a Christmas Eve service this year. I published many of these thoughts last year but have added a few for this year.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For the first time since 2022, a giant Christmas tree glows over Bethlehem. Its red, green and yellow lights shimmer above Manger Square, casting warm light on the West Bank city. As thousands flood the area this time of year, the scene looks like a return to normality. The last time Bethlehem held a public Christmas celebration was before the 10/7 attacks.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Why do I think Christian families should have a “Christmas movie” tradition in which there are a few (very few) wonderful flicks that they watch as part of its “traditional” (small “t”) festivities linked to Christmas?
Read More
