Why an American Catholic doctor stayed put in Sudan's civil war
Plus a conversation with the director of Netflix's horrifying new docuseries
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Tom Catena has been a doctor for 14 years in the the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, a desolate, rebel-held area that was bombed repeatedly from 2011 until 2018 — and he has an important distinction to make between joy and happiness.
He talked to ReligionUnplugged about that distinction and more, including his challenging schedule at the hospital and how his faith encourages him to care for people daily.
“I’m a Catholic missionary, so for us the role is fairly simple and straightforward. Christ said, ‘Go and take care of the least of my brothers and sisters,’ and that’s what I see myself doing,” he said.
Docuseries “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” is among Netflix’s top 10 shows currently, and it’s easy to see why. Compelling and horrifying, it chronicles the rise of Warren Jeffs in the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter-day Saints. Jeffs was put on trial in 2006 for several sex crimes, including having sex with girls as young as 12.
The documentary raises important questions about fundamentalism. More importantly, it strays from sensationalist coverage to center the stories of women who left the FLDS Church and began new lives. Director Rachel Dretzin shared why she made that choice and talked about the greater implications of the show with ReligionUnplugged this week. You won’t want to miss her valuable insight.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
Choosing Joy Over Happiness: Why An American Catholic Doctor Stayed Put In Sudan’s Civil War
Ex-FLDS Women Describe Horrific Loss Of Freedom, Eventual Escape In ‘Keep Sweet’ by Jillian Cheney
“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” tells the story of Warren Jeffs’ rise in the FLDS Church after the death of his father Rulon and the way women were treated as property under the practice of polygamy. ReligionUnplugged talked to director Rachel Dretzin about the series and why she focused on the heart-wrenching stories of women who left the church.
The Ordination Of The First Female Rabbi 50 Years Ago Has Brought Many Changes — And Some Challenges by Carole B. Balin
(ANALYSIS) Fifty years ago, on June 3, 1972, as Sally J. Priesand became the first woman ordained a rabbi by a Jewish seminary, her 35 male classmates spontaneously rose to their feet to acknowledge her historic feat.
Lutheran Church Charities 'Comfort Dogs' Travel To Sites Of Pain And Horror by Steve Rabey
When tragedies strike and people are hurting, Lutheran Church Charities’ K-9 ministry deploys its teams of cute and cuddly comfort dogs to relieve stress and get people talking about their trauma.
Faith Helps Drive Steph Curry And The Golden State Warriors In NBA Title Quest by Clemente Lisi
In a sport in which scoring three-pointers, avoiding turnovers and getting to the free-throw line frequently are all keys to a successful season, it’s the Golden State Warriors’ commitment to Christ and faith that has become a major driver for the success of this team.
Canada Awaits Pope Francis Visit As Pontiff Aims At Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples by Clemente Lisi
Pope Francis’ trip to Canada next month will have a rather dour feel. The pope will make the transatlantic trip so he can apologize in person for past abuses suffered by Indigenous people at the hands of the Catholic Church. The pope will be in Canada from July 24 to 29 with stops in Edmonton, Quebec City and the small town of Iqaluit, where nearly half the population of 8,000 is Inuit.
Fake Miracle Spree In Kenya Leads To Pentecostal Oversight by Dr. Robert Carle
In Kenya, an especially noxious scandal involved “pastors” making robocalls to people promising miracles in exchange for donations. The harder the miracle, the larger the donation. In 2014, in the wake of a fake miracle spree, the government of Kenya tried to sharply curtail the freedom of fake pastors to operate.
Pro-Abortion Rights Protesters Interrupt Joel Osteen Church Service by Anne Stych
Three activists with a Texas pro-abortion rights group interrupted a service at Joel Osteen’s Houston megachurch last weekend by stripping to their underwear and shouting, “My body, my choice,” “Overturn Roe,” “Hell no” and other epithet-laced slogans.
Southern Baptist Leaders Respond To Guidepost Solutions Pride Tweet After Abuse Investigation by Kim Roberts
Guidepost Solutions, the firm leading the Southern Baptist Convention investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, tweeted support for the LGBTQ movement June 6 as part of Pride Month. Several SBC leaders have responded with criticism, calling for the church to cut ties with the firm.
Former Administrator At California Church Charged With Embezzling $360,000 by Anne Stych
An Oklahoma City woman has been charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly embezzling more than $360,000 from the California church where she was an administrator for five years.
After Yet Another Mass Shooting, Church Grieves, Reflects: Is There A Solution? by Bobby Ross Jr.
On the heels of a May 14 supermarket barrage in which 10 people died in Buffalo, New York, and a May 24 school massacre that claimed 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, a gunman opened fire last week in a medical office in Oklahoma’s second-largest city. How do Christians respond?
Opinion
God And Guns: People Of Faith Debate Solutions To America's String Of Mass Shootings
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. opens with God and guns — and the debate among religious people over firearms. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column early on Fridays for only $5 a month. Click the button below to subscribe!
Surging Violence Against Nigeria’s Christians Demands White House Action by Lela Gilbert
Clash Of The Acronyms? Finding The Right FoRBula In The Fight For Religious Freedom by Miles P.J. Windsor
As We Await SCOTUS Decision On Abortion, Press Avoids News About Church Vandalism by Clemente Lisi
Secretary Blinken: The Rights Of Religious Minorities Are Under Threat In Communities Around The World by Ewelina U. Ochab
Journalists Might Ask: Did Fundamentalists Actually Win Their Debate With Modernists? by Richard Ostling
Overflowing Cups Of Joy: Discovering Pathways Leading To The Fullness Of Salvation by Michael Metzger
Don’t miss our latest podcast
African Pentecostalism vs. "Fake Pastors"
Religion Unplugged Contributor Robert Carle talks to Bishop Mudenyo, who oversees a fellowship of fifty-six East African Pentecostal churches, about Kenya's 2014 regulations to crack down on scam miracles and fake pastors. These regulations failed because they sharply curtailed the freedom of real pastors and religious leaders to serve their congregants. Mudenyo instead proposes new methods of self-regulation in Pan-African Christianity. For Pentecostals, it has been challenging to build a system of accountability inside a network of churches that were founded on the principle of freedom of the Spirit to operate unhindered by denominational structures. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
The Body Of Christ Is Betrayed: Reflections On Sexual Abuse In The SBC by Karen Swallow Prior
(PROSE-POEM) Karen Swallow Prior, a professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, reflects on recent findings from an independent investigation that Southern Baptist leaders have systematically ignored, belittled and intimidated survivors of sexual abuse for the past two decades while protecting the legal interests of churches accused of harboring abusers.
‘He’s Just A Salesman’: Former Morningside Band Director Talks Bakker’s Ministry Tactics by Jillian Cheney
Mark Dowdy was a band director at Morningside, the community where televangelist Jim Bakker broadcasts tapings of his show, in 2011. When he began, he hoped he would be able to do good through Bakker’s ministry — but his view quickly changed. He talked to ReligionUnplugged about his time at Morningside and what he thinks of Bakker.
Thanks again for reading!
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