More than 31 million people in the United States claim Irish ancestry — nearly six times the population of Ireland itself. When St. Patrick’s Day — a Catholic feast day originally honoring Saint Patrick, a missionary who brought the Gospel to the island in the 5th century, but is now more widely celebrated with parades and pints of beer — rolls around, Americans go hard.
Read MoreWhile churchgoers may be praying about ways to tell others about Jesus, many aren’t doing much to make that happen. According to Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship, U.S. Protestant churchgoers often struggle to grow in their own discipleship. The latest findings indicate they also frequently miss opportunities to make new disciples by not sharing their faith with others.
Read More(ANALYSIS) John M. Perkins rose from orphaned sharecropper roots in Mississippi to become a leading Christian evangelist, civil rights activist, and advocate of racial reconciliation. Founder of the Christian Community Development movement, he preached “Jesus and a job,” combining faith, community and reconciliation throughout a remarkable lifetime of service.
Read MoreMuslims in French Guiana are a small minority, making up roughly 0.9% of the population, which equates to about 2,070 people. However, asylum applications from Muslim communities are surging and the small Muslim community that does exist are finding a way to observe their religious traditions.
Read MoreMoody Bible Institute will be allowed to participate in Chicago Public Schools’ student teaching program after the college alleged religious freedom violations in being excluded. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) first said Moody couldn’t participate in the student-teacher internship unless the institute abandoned its religious-based hiring practices, but agreed to drop the requirement after Moody filed a federal lawsuit.
Read MoreYoung men in America are redefining adulthood, prioritizing personal responsibility and financial independence over traditional milestones like marriage and parenthood. Many face economic uncertainty, mental health struggles and doubts about college’s value — yet remain hopeful about meaningful work and family. Trade careers are gaining appeal as paths to stability and adulthood.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates about religious freedom continue to occupy the center of American public life.
Read MoreLegal experts said that the rise in divorce filings cannot be understood solely through a moral or religious lens. Zimbabwe’s prolonged economic challenges, labor migration and shifts in gender dynamics have also played significant roles. At the same time, many women have long faced persistent abuse within their own homes or at the hands of a partner.
Read More(ANALYSIS) It’s Oscars season and some of Hollywood’s most notable films about religion — from “Ben-Hur” to “A Man for All Seasons” — were made many decades ago. Why do explicitly faith-centered films appear less often in mainstream Hollywood today? How does spirituality continue to shape storytelling in different ways? We answer all these questions and more.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For millions of Iranians — especially religious minorities — the central political question is no longer simply whether the Islamic Republic can reform itself. After decades of repression, including the criminalization of peaceful religious expression and the systematic restriction of independent faith communities, the deeper question is what kind of political future could realistically secure freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all Iranians.
Read More(REVIEW) “Midwinter Break” is a film that, from its synopsis, seems quaint and charming, but beneath this charm, the tensions and conflicts run deep. It’s a meditative movie on the nature of faith and relationships that’s sure to have an impact — particularly for those who believe their lives need a major change.
Read More(ANALYSIS) One thing I am always probing the edges of is how deeply religion is embedded in each one of us. There’s a saying that bounces around the sociology of religion: “you may be done with religion but religion is not done with you.”
Read MoreWhat can news consumers learn from this complicated drama? Surely it is a commentary on the age in which we live that many Americans laughed when they read the early New York Times headline about the terrorist attack that fizzled near the New York home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Read MoreInevitably, international reporting trips produce a memorable moment, be it frightening, frantic or funny. Sometimes, the notable occurrence relates to the actual story. Other times, an indelible personal experience stands out.
Read MoreSports gambling doesn’t have a specific season, but certain times of the year are considered to be its Super Bowl or March Madness. Crowning the National Football League champion remains the biggest single-game bet among Americans. The next few weeks, however, bring a tsunami of gambling due not only to March Madness’ popularity, but also the sheer number of games on which to wager.
Read More(ANALYSIS) “KPop Demon Hunters,” a global hit, has sparked debate among Christians over whether its themes are spiritually dangerous. The controversy reflects deeper cultural shifts in Korea and the U.S., where declining organized religion and rising spirituality are widening divides between traditional beliefs and a newer ethos.
Read More(ANALYSIS) As the American and Israeli war with Iran unfolds, some American Christians are speaking of the conflict in biblical terms — mapping end-time prophecies on to current events in the Middle East. In a sermon on March 1, for example, John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, described the war as part of a divine plan.
Read More(ANALYSIS) During the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 5, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser to the White House Office of Faith, introduced President Donald Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch.” Taking the podium after her, Trump declared, “I’ve done more for religion than any other president.”
Read MoreEvery morning begins the same for Paul Ridlon, who also goes by Magnus de Rhuddlan. No matter the weather, he steps out of the round yurt where he lives in Portland, Maine, and lights incense at his southern altar, a tree stump topped with two crane statues and a figurine of the Egyptian god Horus.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Political scientist Ryan Burge warns the aging Episcopal Church faces steep membership decline, with two-thirds of members over 60 and few young adults joining. Leaders acknowledge shrinking numbers but reject predictions of institutional collapse, urging renewal and outreach as part of a broader decline among America’s mainline Protestant denominations.
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