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The rise of Christian rap in India

Hi Religion Unplugged readers,

“Christian rap in India is not just about music, it’s also about resistance,” writes contributor Rishabh Jain. Even so, it may seem strange to combine rap and the Gospel — but with persecution against Christians on the rise in India, it’s more important than ever.

Today’s top story features the growing rap career of Varsha and Shein, who have been performing for the last decade. Check out one of their songs below, and read more about their journey and the future of Christian rap in India.

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The Rise of Christian Rap in India: A New Voice for Faith and Protest

When Varsha and Shein first discovered rap, they were teenagers inspired by mainstream artists like India artists Honey Singh and Raftaar. Their classmates loved their performances of secular rap. As daughters of a pastor, they soon felt a calling to use their musical talents differently. "In 2012, our rap journey started,” Shein said. “We performed at school events, local meetings and in churches, and people loved it.” by Rishabh Jain

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New York Times Columnist Ross Douthat’s Remarkable Case For Religious Faith

An original aspect of “Believe” is Douthat’s suggestions about how to pick a path among so many faith options. He proposes that quests focus on tried-and-true religions that attract the most adherents, in order of size Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. (Judaism, far smaller, broadly fits the Christian outlook). That’s a notably open-minded approach coming from Zondervan, an evangelical publisher. by Richard Ostling

Is Elon Musk Exploiting Christianity For Personal Gain?

(ANALYSIS) If Musk is anything, it’s audience-savvy. To get to the position he now finds himself in, aligning with Christian values wasn’t just wise, it was necessary. With the MAGA base increasingly rallying against progressive secularism, Musk’s newfound faith acts as a bridge to this vital demographic. Cynical? Absolutely. But the wealthiest man in the world didn’t build his empire by ignoring optics. by John Mac Ghlionn

Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Journey to Christianity: From Islam Critic To Freedom Advocate

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born Dutch-American activist, author and thinker, has become best known for her outspoken views on Islam, women's rights and the societal consequences of secularism. Her religious journey to becoming one of the most prominent critics of Islam into her recent conversion to Christianity has been shaped by personal experiences of suffering, political activism and intellectual transformation. by Clemente Lisi

‘The Unbreakable Boy’ Reveals Itself A Beautiful Film Weighed Down By Weak Genre Tropes

(REVIEW) The film’s best elements still chaff under faith-based genre tropes. The genre that Kingdom Story Company has conquered so successfully is built on an audience that highly prizes good messages and family friendliness. Both of these are good things. But that has often rewarded tropes that work against the genre being both truthful or beautiful. These have often become more noticeable as the quality of the movies have otherwise improved. by Joseph Holmes

Why Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Remains A Risky Narrative

(ANALYSIS) In international law, territorial integrity would mean a country’s right to “sovereignty” over its entire territory, prohibiting external interference or attempts to alter its borders. In Manipur, the term refers to preserving the territory of the state as it existed at the end of the British Raj in 1947. Protecting a state’s “territorial integrity” is largely a political concern with little constitutional basis. by Vishal Arora

On Religion: Why Those ‘He Gets Us’ Ads Keep Triggering Arguments

(ANALYSIS) Many of the ad's photographs are easy to interpret, such as a man removing “GO BACK” graffiti from a home, a woman helping a weeping man in a grocery store, a firefighter hard at work and a young football player comforting a defeated opponent. But the John 3:16 hat raised the theological stakes in the pride photograph. by Terry Mattingly

How NBA Great Dikembe Mutombo’s Legacy As A Christian And Humanitarian Lives On

Dikembe Mutombo’s towering presence on the basketball court made him a household name. With his signature finger wag and unmatched shot-blocking ability, he dominated the NBA for nearly two decades. But it’s his legacy off the court that set him apart as a true icon of compassion, humility and service. His parents, both Baptists, instilled in him values of kindness, humility and service to others. These principles would shape Mutombo’s identity, both as a man and as a player. by Clemente Lisi

Following Quran Burnings, Will Sweden Stumble Into Anti-Blasphemy Laws?

(ANALYSIS) Freedom of religion means that religious beliefs, or irreligious ones, can be criticized, even mocked, as happens frequently in Sweden to, for example, Christian sentiments. In an open society, people of different faiths — Christians, Muslims, Jews, agnostics and secular humanists — must be able to live side by side in freedom and security. But they may be critically scrutinized, even ridiculed. by Paul Marshall and Jacob Rudenstrand

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😷 COVID Miracle: At The Pandemic’s 5-Year Anniversary, It’s Time To Tell The Story 🔌

At the five-year anniversary of COVID-19, our columnist reflects on his brother-in-law’s near-death battle with the contagious virus. by Bobby Ross Jr.

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