(OPINION) Something truly magical happens by the end when Charlie Brown asks what the true meaning of Christmas is. Instead of more commercialism, Linus sets his friend — and everyone else — straight and delivers a truly important message.
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(OPINION) That Pope Francis would put his name on a book — written by a British author — criticizing the United States, its media and politics without understanding the First Amendment is a major shortfall of the project. There is also more to this book that the mainstream secular press did not highlight — like the pope’s staunch opposition to abortion.
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Patriarch Irinej contracted COVID-19 after presiding over a funeral of a bishop in Montenegro, where thousands of attendees did not wear masks or socially distance. He was known for his pro-Russian stance in Orthodoxy, his close relationship to the Serbian government and president, and for overseeing completion of one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, St. Sava Cathedral.
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(ANALYSIS) Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Catholicism often helped shape his politics as did a family tragedy earlier in his life. Biden promises unity post-Trump, but how he governs could ultimately result in an even bigger political split in the U.S. over the next four years.
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Americans cast their votes Tuesday to decide between giving President Trump another four-year term or whether to elect challenger Joe Biden.
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(OPINION) Tanzania’s president has ignored science in battling COVID-19, opting for prayer instead. He is strongly criticized by his challenger in Oct. 28 presidential elections.
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(OPINION) Jewish ritual purity baths have become a flashpoint in Israel’s struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are continuing to go and not wearing masks in the process.
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During Yom Kippur, on Sept. 27 this year, Rabbi Ellie Bachman and students part of his campus ministry prepared meals with holy food for students in self-quarantine who couldn’t leave their rooms. He’s one of many campus ministry leaders forced to adapt and think of ways to safely encourage students off of Zoom as student athletes wait to see how and when they can resume their games.
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This week’s Weekend Plug-in summary highlights discussions over a possible new name for the Southern Baptist Convention as well as one group dropping the term “evangelicals” from its name. Plus, find our usual roundup of the top reads from the world of faith.
Read MoreIn Kenya, vital Islamic pre-burial rituals are prohibited during the coronavirus pandemic. Muslim scholars say such restrictions are justified, but that doesn’t make the pandemic easier.
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(OPINION) The coronavirus pandemic has required many churches to continue virtual worship. It’s sparked debates in the Anglican church about the validity of a “virtual Eucharist.”
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While most California churches remain closed after a spike in COVID-19 cases and a reversal of reopening plans, most beaches remain open with few restrictions. Saddleback Church, an evangelical megachurch, remains closed to in-person services, but its “surfer ministry” resumed operations at the beginning of August largely unhindered.
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(OPINION) In France, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian hate crimes continue to bring suffering to religious people. Similar persecution is happening in the U.S., where protests have often brought violence and vandalism to Christians and churches.
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A new Pew Research survey says a majority of Americans believe churches should follow the same restrictions as other businesses in their local area.
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(OPINION) During this time of cultural reckoning, some have tried to lump Catholic saints like St. Damien into the same category as treasonous Confederate generals. That has forced Republicans to come out as defenders of traditional Christian values, while Democrats get dangerously closer to socialism.
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COVID-19 lockdown measures have tightened in Zimbabwe, limiting gatherings, including for religious services. This brought to a complete halt some small Christian churches that had started to gather again for faith and worship activities after an earlier loosening of restrictions.
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(OPINION) A 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Nevada limits churches in the state to 50 guests, while bars, casinos and other entertainment venues are permitted 50 percent capacity. Doing so sets churches at an unfair disadvantage.
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Like many other religious gatherings, the Islamic pilgrimage Hajj has been altered due to coronavirus concerns. This year, Hajj will only be open to residents of Saudi Arabia. Check out the best five ways to experience a virtual Hajj.
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Churches in Kenya are slowly reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, though some church leaders think their religious freedom is coming under fire with restrictions, including a limit of one hour for a worship service and a ban on adults 58 and older and youth younger than 18.
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The Navajo Nation is seeing an abrupt change to their way of life. Burial rituals are changing. Food insecurity is growing. Traditional ceremonies and religious services are cancelled, and without Internet (and without electricity in some homes), no virtual experiences can even attempt to break the isolation.
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