Why Ethiopia's Orthodox Synod Called Media, U.S. Sanctions On Tigray Conflict ‘Indirect Colonialism’

(OPINION) A viral video of His Holiness Abuna Mathias, a Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC), describing barbaric killings of civilians in Tigray has prompted heightened concern in the international community about human rights abuses, while many Ethiopians remain cautious and skeptical about whether disinformation campaigns driven by anti-government activists, geopolitical forces, “Ethiopia analysts” and media outlets are influencing Western communities and governments.

What's Going on with Faith Trends in American Judaism, Nationally and in your Locale?

(OPINION) The media has neglected to portray the cultural and demographic challenges facing Judaism, the nation's second-largest religion behind Christianity. Jewish news coverage in the mainstream press tends to focus on Democratic Party politics, trends in anti-Semitism and attitudes toward Israel and the unending Mideast mess. A new Pew Research Study demonstrates much more.

Opinion, Jewish, JudaismRichard OstlingJune 2, 2021Richard Ostling, Opinion, Judaism, Jewish Comment

European Parliament Condemns Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws

(OPINION) n April 28, 2021, the European Parliament adopted a joint motion for a resolution on the blasphemy laws in Pakistan calling for more comprehensive approaches to address the abuses of blasphemy laws in Pakistan in response to a Christian Pakistani couple convicted of blasphemy in 2013. Blasphemy laws have always been problematic since they rely on the notion of causing offense, which is subjective and vague and usually directed towards religious minorities.

Opinion, PoliticsEwelina U. OchabJune 2, 2021Opinion, Ewelina U. Ochab, Pakistan, ChristianComment

At Tulsa Massacre's centennial, the role of repentance, reconciliation and reparations

Monday marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the role of religion at the centennial. Plus, catch up on all the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Bob Dylan at 80: Still telling tales about divine judgment in a broken, fallen world

(OPINION) Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday is worthy of introspection, and a look back on a career of music influenced greatly by spiritual and religious influences.

Why We’re Glad Our Publisher Isn’t Backing The ‘God Bless The USA’ Bible

(OPINION) Best-selling authors at Zondervan write why they’re glad the publisher and its parent company HarperCollins Christian Publishing decided not to back the “God Bless the USA” Bible and why Christians should be wary of nationalism.

In defense of Mother Teresa: Why she is a saint, not a 'cult leader'

(OPINION) Was Mother Teresa the head of a cult? It depends on who you ask, but the truth is she dedicated her life to helping the “poorest of the poor” and that should be celebrated.

What 'Never Trumper' Russell Moore's departure from ERLC means for SBC

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights Russell Moore’s departure as president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Plus, catch up on all the week’s top headlines and best reads in the world of faith.

Biden doesn't speak at Notre Dame's graduation: Is it still a news story?

(OPINION) For journalists, graduations have long served as easy news stories. Above all, the graduation speaker is what makes these ceremonies news. Is it still news if an invitation is declined? In the case of President Biden it certainly is, especially when that invite comes from Notre Dame.

How Should Evangelicals Respond To The Israel-Palestine Conflict?

(OPINION) Should evangelical Christians #StandWithIsrael? Or must we #StandWithPalestine? Truth be told – if we, as citizens of Christ’s kingdom, think about political theology from a “binary choice” perspective, we are already losing.

U.S. bishops wrestle with 'Eucharistic coherence,' a topic that mixes politics and doctrine

(OPINION) Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone, the head of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, speaks on whether public leaders who support abortion rights in politics should receive the Eucharist.

As the Palestinian minority takes to the streets, Israel is having its own Black Lives Matter moment

(OPINION) Many believed the Abraham Accords of 2020 and other peace agreements would permanently ease the conflict between Israel and Palestine. A scholar of the Middle East says otherwise.

Mourning two amazing people and journalists: Rachel Zoll and Amy Raymond

This week’s Weekend Plug-in mourns the loss of two incredible people and journalists: Rachel Zoll and Amy Raymond. Plus, catch up on all the week’s best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Did Mainstream Media Distort America's Religion-and-Politics Divide? Is this Still Happening?

(OPINION) While culling files from decades of religion-beat work, I have come across a forgotten and seminal article from 2002 that contended the media were distorting public understanding of American politics. It said "religious right" Republicans were blanketed with coverage and turned the tables, contending that "the true origins" of cultural conflict were found in increased "secularist" influence in the Democratic Party.

OpinionRichard OstlingMay 13, 2021Opinion, Richard Ostling, Mainstream Media, religion and politicsComment

Liberty University after 14 years: Watching my Alma Mater Spawn Evangelical Trumpism

(OPINION) A “Liberty Girl” reflects on her years as an undergraduate, master’s student and then track coach at the influential evangelical university that’s been undergoing tumultuous changes for the past decade.

What Is The Progress With Bringing Daesh To Justice?

(OPINION) The seventh anniversary of the atrocities committed against the Yazidis in Sinjar, Iraq by the members of the terror organization Daesh (commonly referred to as Islamic State or ISIL) is quickly approaching. There are certain questions regarding the responses to the atrocities that continue to cause concerns. Among them is the question of justice: what is the progress with bringing Daesh to justice?

OpinionEwelina U. OchabMay 12, 2021Ewelina U. Ochab, Opinion, Daesh, Islam, MuslimComment

A civilian clings to hope in Jerusalem

(OPINION) An Israeli reflects on the recent violence in Jerusalem that has killed at least 30 people, set off when thousands of flag-waving Jewish youth celebrating Israel’s victory over Arabs in the 1967 Six Day War marched down an alley where Muslim activists had arrived during Ramadan to pray at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews.

Are Christians In China Next In Line For ‘Re-Education’?

(OPINION) As news releases about growing Christian prosecution cases in China by the Communist Party, Ochab questions its similarity to the Uyghur crisis. On January 13, 2021, Open Doors, an international NGO advocating on behalf of persecuted Christians, released their annual World Watch List which assesses 50 countries where Christians face the most severe types of persecution. China is in the top 20.

OpinionEwelina U. OchabMay 11, 2021Opinion, Christian, China Christian Comment

Pressures on Clergy have zoomed to a whole new level

(OPINION) Clergy need – somehow – to find "personal" time, along with face-to-face contact with loved ones. That challenge became more difficult in the age of smartphones, texting and emails. Then came the COVID-19 lockdowns and the pressures on clergy zoomed to a whole new level.

OpinionTerry MattinglyMay 10, 2021Opinion, Clergy, Christianity, COVID-19, Terry MattinglyComment

Ethiopia’s Twin Challenges: Misinformation and Water Politics

(OPINION) As a nation, Ethiopia is facing twin challenges. First, the impact of misleading and negative information about the nation following the war in Tigray; and second, the long-standing imbalance in the international water politics of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The aim of this article is to call for veracity, justice and compassion.

Africa, OpinionGirma BekeleMay 10, 2021Girma Bekele, Ethiopia crisis, Ethiopia massacre, TPLF, EPRDF, RechargeComment

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