(OPINION) The persecution and discrimination of the Hazaras group in Afghanistan continue, violently and deadly. This year, unlike other attacks, the international community has shown little interest in holding the perpetrators accountable and providing protection for the victims.
Read More(OPINION) Appeals to tradition entered a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring Texas to grant a convicted murderer his Baptist pastor's audible prayers and comforting touch during his execution.
Read More(OPINION) Egypt is a country of contrasts when it comes to all kinds of human rights, including religious freedom. Egyptian Christians attended Easter service boldly, in spite of the looming threat posed by extremists and problematic laws. Still, many Christians would argue that it’s the most free and peaceful time they’ve known.
Read MoreThe culture war skirmish between Walt Disney World and Florida lawmakers, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, leads this week’s Weekend Plug-in. Plus, catch up, as always, on the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Will more Americans — from the right and the left — untangle their bizarre fantasy with a misappropriating, rather cowardly, cult-like entertainment industrial complex? Has Disney going woke finally caused Americans to wake up from their slumber like Rip van Winkle? Mickey Mouse can’t have his cake and eat it too anymore.
Read More(ANALYSIS) It’s understandable that reviewers are entitled to their opinions. After all, that’s the job of a critic. But the coverage around “Father Stu,” however, has been framed in a certain way, offering up lopsided and negative takes among many mainstream news sites.
Read More(OPINION) American evangelicalism has invested most of its energy into creating a structure of “parallel institutions.” They parallel culture-shaping institutions but function below the level of these institutions’ radar, operating in an evangelical subculture of their own. But the results are often not very flattering.
Read MoreIn this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. reflects on a reporting trip to Alaska. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) A recent decision requiring Texas to grant a convicted murderer his Baptist pastor’s audible prayers and comforting touch during his execution was a rare moment in which activists on both sides of America’s culture wars cheered for “religious liberty” — a freedom that until recently didn’t require cynical “scare quotes” that suggest uncertainty.
Read More(OPINION) If Russian invaders continue their current aggression, how much of Ukraine will be turned to rubble, and how many innocent civilians will be dead by Aug. 31? That's opening day for the 11th Global Assembly in the 74-year history of the World Council of Churches planned to begin in August.
Read More(OPINION) Some could argue that since Siddhartha Gautama was a prince born into wealth before he became the enlightened one, a restaurant chain called Buddha-Bar should be no problem. But the issue here, for some, is that this restaurant is using “Buddha branding,” with no connection to the actual practice of Buddhism. This appropriation, or what some might deem appreciation, can be seen as disrespectful to practicing Buddhists.
Read More(OPINION) Moments after the Academy Awards slap, Will Smith huddled with Denzel Washington, another Best Actor nominee. When Washington offered quiet words of encouragement from offstage, Smith thanked him and added, “Denzel said to me, at the highest moment, be careful — that’s when the devil comes for you.” This was not ordinary Oscars God-talk.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in starts with the historic confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will become the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(ANALYSIS) The so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law continues to get media coverage for two reasons: first, Disney’s involvement, and second, the larger notion that DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, is “engaging in a culture war.” This remains a political story, a business story and a pop culture story. Is it also a religion story?
Read More(OPINION) Michael Metzger writes about the relationship of Jesus' offering of the living water for purification from sin and redemption in the Lenten season.
Read More(OPINION) Pope Francis’ two-day visit to the tiny European country of Malta, a strongly Catholic island just south of Sicily, in April put a spotlight on Malta’s complicated history and important contemporary concerns. Chief among these is the sharp increase in the number of asylum-seekers from Africa and the Middle East, and criticism of how Malta has treated them.
Read MoreThis week’s Weekend Plug-in reflects on debate over the use of the term “cult” in religion news stories. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Read More(OPINION) Michael Metzger analyzes the interpretation of the church as Christ's bride from the perspective of Jade Studdock's story, "Did we make Jesus' payment for sin the main thing on the cross?"
Read More(OPINION) New religions appear all the time — nowhere more than in the United States — but very few ever achieve prominence and permanence. Christianity is a rare and dramatic case of a faith that triumphed.
Read More(OPINION) As Russia’s invasion sought to erase Ukraine from the map, Moscow’s Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a key ally of dictator Vladimir Putin, met via video last week with Pope Francis. In the meeting, Francis said Christians should never justify war: “Wars are always unjust, since it is the people of God who pay.”
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