(ANALYSIS) This week’s Weekend Plug-in covers the latest concerning religion’s role in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Plus, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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(OPINION) For a variety of reasons, many African Americans face barriers to mental health care. But as a sociologist who focuses on community-based organizations, Brad Fulton finds that strengthening relationships between churches and mental health providers can be one way to increase access to needed services.
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(OPINION) It remains true to this day that “money is a root of all kinds of evil” — as Paul said, writing in 1 Timothy 6:10 — which is why greed can corrupt the best of us if we are not careful. And that’s why it shouldn’t surprise us if Big Pharma, along with the abortion industry, has been influenced by greed. Why should they be exempt?
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(OPINION) Oct. 11 is the International Day of the Girl Child, a day to empower empower young girls and promise them a better future. In August 2021, all these promises, plans, dreams and hopes came crashing down one by one until there was nothing left. Afghan girls have watched as every piece of the country was taken over by the Taliban.
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(OPINION) As utterly despicable as it is to sexually abuse a child, it is even more despicable to so do in the name of God. And religion. And the church. What could be a greater profanation of the name of the Lord? And what could do more lasting damage to an innocent child?
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(OPINION) An older campaign by feminists — including those working in the world of liturgy — sought to shun male pronouns, particularly when either gender is meant, in favor of plural they-them-their usage with singular antecedents. As you would expect, references to God himself — or is that "themself"? — is now part of this debate.
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This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the winners of the Religion News Association’s annual journalism contest. Plus, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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(OPINION) By the time of Spong’s death at the age of 90, many of his once-heretical beliefs — especially on sex and marriage — had become normalized in most Episcopal pulpits and institutions. However, his post-theistic doctrinal approach was too blunt for many in the mainline establishment.
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(REVIEW) Entering the main gallery is a religious experience of sorts — the sequences of tableaux that punctuate all four sides of the space serve as stations for reflection. Büttner leaves us with a restorative vision of the future, encouraging us to earnestly consider the meaning of faith, hope and love.
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(OPINION) Conflict over abortion will likely only increase as courts release opinions on a Mississippi “heartbeat’ law and consider overturning Roe v. Wade. Here’s how pro-life Christians should respond.
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(OPINION) Pro-abortion rights activists — including the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the Unitarian Universalist Association and major non-Orthodox Jewish organizations — have filed their briefs for the Supreme Court hearing on Mississippi’s abortion law. But Protestant denominations are notably missing.
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(ANALYSIS) Italy’s national airline — known for its near-impeccable safety record and sometimes-appalling customer service — will officially shut down on Oct. 15. The announcement, made this past summer, marks the end of an era for an airline founded in 1946 that became the pontiff’s official airline.
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(OPINION) The big question: Where does the Afghanistan story go next, and frankly, will elite American media cover the religion elements of this story? That question was at the heart of a recent Religion Unplugged podcast discussion.
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(OPINION) A new bill Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced in California would allow children access, without parental consent or knowledge, to sex-change operations, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and abortions through their family’s insurance plan.
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This week’s Weekend Plug-in summary highlights the controversy over the Southern Baptist Convention executive committee’s handling of a sexual abuse investigation. Plus, catch up on all the week’s best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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(OPINION) Comedian Norm Macdonald — who died on Sept. 14 after a secret nine-year fight with cancer — wasn't a typical funny man. He openly identified as a Christian, while making it clear that he didn't consider himself a very good one.
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(OPINION) Celebrating the culmination of Sukkot, thousands of ultra-Orthodox, Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn held hands and danced in the streets this week with yellow flags proclaiming “the Rebbe” as the Messiah and blue flags proclaiming “Trump 2024.”
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(ANALYSIS) As the Taliban and the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate are taking over the country, the International Criminal Court says it will investigate crimes as they happen for better monitoring and evidence collection. The move may also trigger quicker action and response from international actors after atrocities happen.
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(OPINION) What if anything at this point, can religious leaders and religion beat journalists do to call attention to the crisis?
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(REVIEW) “Midnight Mass,” a Netflix horror miniseries from creator Mike Flanagan, brings viewers to a small island town visited by a mysterious and charismatic priest and his accompanying “angel.” The show explores the enchanting power of miracles and asks Christians to be careful where they direct their worship.
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