Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Whenâs the best time to decorate for Christmas and start listening to holiday music? Is it after Halloween, when decor seems to appear in stores everywhere? After Thanksgiving? The beginning of December?
No matter your answer to the questions that have sparked a countless number of low-stakes holiday debates, Christmas celebrations are only just beginning for a majority of the world.
Thatâs not the case for the Philippines, whose Christmas is coming to a close after four months of consecutive celebration.
Known by Filipinos as the âBER-Months,â the celebrations can begin as early as September and make for the longest Christmas in the world. Cities are adorned in lights, and the time leading up to Christmas is marked with a series of church gatherings and a feast on Christmas Eve.
Contributor Jerico Joshua M. Kahulugan reports on the traditions from Manilla in todayâs top story. Donât miss it!
A Merry Marathon: Celebrating 4 Months Of Christmas In The Philippines
The 7,600-island nation of the Philippines â a country known for its warm hospitality and love for celebrations â hosts a unique and extraordinary tradition each year: The longest Christmas celebration in the world. Known by Filipinos as the âBER-Months,â the holiday celebrations start as early as September. by Jerico Joshua M. Kahulugan
Just a quick reminder! Until Dec. 31 of this year, Religion Unplugged is partnering with NewsMatch to double your donation. Journalists like Jerico directly benefit from the training and resources weâre able to provide as a result of your generosity. Thanks for your continued support!
What It Means To Be âSpiritualâ in America
Nearly 70% of U.S. adults call themselves "spiritual," or say they are "spiritual but not religious" or that "spirituality is very important in their lives," according to a new Pew Research study of spirituality. However, as vast as that tally sounds, no one knows if it signifies that spirituality is soaring â or simply being counted differently, and what people mean when they choose that label. by Cathy Lynn Grossman
Jews Increasingly Living In A Time Where Antisemitism Is Accepted
The Holocaust may have long passed, but amid the Israeli-Hamas fighting in Gaza, there is a creeping anti-Semitic bias going on in countries where Jews and Jewish communities are situated. For Israeli Ambassador to to the Philippines Ilan Fluss, and others Jewish officials, this is very concerning. by Baby Lyn Cacho Resulta
Inside The Crisis Faced By Thousands Of Mosques In India
(ANALYSIS) It was 31 years ago that a mob of nearly 150,000 Hindu extremists descended on the Babri Masjid, a 500-year old mosque in Indiaâs Ayodhya city. Leading The mob were politicians from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who rallied members of notorious Hindu nationalist paramilitary groups to participate in the violence and later replace the mosque with a Hindu temple. by Safa Ahmed
âThe Missionâ Is A Challenging Documentary Held Back By Its Own Blind Spots
(REVIEW) âThe Missionâ is a courageous and well-meaning attempt to wrestle with an important topic, held back by ânot knowing what they donât knowâ about their own biases much like some of the missionaries in ages past. Hopefully, the filmmakers and audience will use this film as a conversation starter rather than an ender. If they do, the world will be better for it. by Joseph Holmes
5 Books From 2023 That Every Pastor Should Read
(REVIEW) In 2023 there were several books released that can help ministers think through recent challenges. While the year was filled with many outstanding publications, I found these five particularly helpful for navigating this cultural moment, and all of these are worth the pastorâs time. by Stephen Presley
Spanish Catholics Recite Rosaries In Defiance Of Government Ban
Catholics across Spain and in some parts of the Spanish-speaking world used the annual Feast of the Immaculate Conception to pray the rosary in the streets to protest the governmentâs crackdown regarding expressions of faith in public. by Clemente Lisi
âThe Oathâ Shows Mormon Movies Still Have Growing To Do
(REVIEW) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a group known as Mormons) has its own, often overlooked, film industry within the subculture of Christian Films. While evangelicals and Catholics have produced such movies as âFireproof,â âI Can Only Imagineâ and âGodâs Not Dead,â Mormons have âThe Best Two Yearsâ and âThe Other Side of Heaven.â by Joseph Holmes
Confucianism And The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
(ANALYSIS) Dec. 10 marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the most widely agreed global standard for protecting rights and dignity. In practice it is, of course, widely ignored, but its power is shown in that even those who violate try to pretend that they are really respecting it. by Paul Marshall
Rare Holy Land Treasures Go On International Tour
âTreasures from Kings: Masterpieces from the Terra Sancta Museumâ will be on exhibit at Portugalâs most famous art museum through Feb. 26, then travels to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and to the Frick Collection in New York. From there, the international tour may include other key European cultural institutions before returning to Jerusalem. by Gil Zohar
How To Support Religion Unplugged During The Holidays
As we reach the end of 2023, weâre taking a moment to reflect on the stories that had the biggest impact this year on the world of religion. We are also counting on you to help our journalism grow. by Melissa Harrison
Pogues Frontman Shane MacGowan And His Sense Of The Supernatural
The fact that MacGowan even had any sense of the supernatural will come as a surprise to some. In all the potted obituaries written since his death, itâs often mentioned as a one-sentence afterthought, if at all. His struggles with substance abuse and regular fallings out with his bandmates get more column inches. by Maddy Fry
đ Amid Israel-Hamas War, Hanukkah 2023 Mixes Fears With Festivities đ
In this weekâs Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. looks at Hanukkah amid the Israel-Hamas war. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Donât forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobbyâs column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
At ReligionUnplugged, we cover the role of religion in public life and in peoples' lives. If you appreciate our journalism, become a sustaining monthly donor by clicking the button below.