Christianity and Buddhism in Thailand
New book details the country's exceptional story
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
The new book “Confronting Christianity” details a unique 19th century history in the country of Thailand. While many pervasive narratives suggest Christianity spread exclusively via forced conversion and colonialism, author and historian Sven Trakulhun tells a different story.
Trakulhun, an expert on the early modern history of religious ideas and East-West encounters, focuses on the combination of Christianity and Buddhism in the country — then called Siam — and details how the merge between the faiths modernized the country and the way religion was practiced.
In today’s top story, Vietnamese contributor Thien Bui reviews the book — which is “a great choice for anyone who wants to discover the gripping history of the Christianity-Buddhism relationship” — and shares its core message.
What Happens When Christianity and Buddhism Are Forced To Compete?
(REVIEW) Many of us might be acquainted with conventional narratives that combine 19th century colonialism and Christianity with cultural suppression and forced conversion in Asian territories where local inhabitants fought back intruders and crushed evangelical missions. Thailand, however, has a different history. by Thien Bui
Could These Schemes Save The American Newspaper Industry?
(ANALYSIS) A thumbsucker on the news business could review all those disheartening statistics about dying dailies and weeklies, declining ad and circulation income and shrinking newsroom staffs — all of which have escalated since the 21st century dawned. by Richard Ostling
Why Mountain People Live (And Worship) Near Rivers
(ANALYSIS) I thought the Google Maps website could provide me with crucial information for this post. Alas, that was not the case. I thought that I could call up a map of Burnsville, North Carolina, and then, after enlarging it, I would be able to count all the Baptist churches between I-26 near Mars Hill and Burnsville on U.S. Highway 19 — but very few of them showed up. by Terry Mattingly
‘God Versus Aliens’: Inside The Vatican’s High-Stakes UFO Hunt
(ANALYSIS) Earlier this year, “God Versus Aliens" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee, shines a light on the Vatican's secretive investigations into UFOs. It suggests, in no uncertain terms, that the Vatican has been quietly exploring extraterrestrial phenomena for years. by John Mac Ghlionn
In Fight Against Leprosy, A Catholic Center In Zimbabwe Offers Help
Zimbabwe’s Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre is home to 34 patients living with deadly diseases, such as AIDS, as well as mental and physical disabilities. The center is supported by the John Bradburne Memorial Society, founded in memory of the British-born missionary. Bradburne's legacy lives on in this embattled community to this day. by Calvin Manika
Crossroads Podcast: Yes, People Of Faith Make Real News After Disasters
Several decades ago, talented news-feature writers began using an interesting writing technique to offer readers doors into complex, often overwhelming stories. The theory went something like this: Don’t tell me a story about 100,000 people — tell me a story about one person who represents those 100,000 people. by Terry Mattingly
‘Rings Of Power’ Season 2 Review: Dramatic Finale Offers Up A Mixed Triumph
The second season of “Rings of Power” is far from perfect. But the finale pays off its themes in surprisingly satisfying ways, making it far more faithful to J.R.R Tolkien than its most ardent detractors will admit. To say that “Rings of Power” is controversial would be an understatement. Since its premiere, the series has fallen afoul of the culture wars online. by Joseph Holmes
Vatican’s Doctrinal Chief Says Now Not The Time For Female Deacons
The Vatican’s doctrinal summit opened this week with one issue deemed to be out of bounds: female deacons. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernandez, the Vatican’s prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, said that the church was not “rushing” on the issue. by Clemente Lisi
Samaritan’s Purse Deals With Hurricane Helene Recovery In Its Own Backyard
The Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, no stranger to reducing tremendous suffering and damage in communities all over the world, has had to find a way to help others as well as themselves. In fact, once Hurricane Helene robbed millions of Americans of their electricity and running water, the focus had to become more local. by Matthew Peterson
Not The End Of Faith: Why The New Atheists Have Failed
(ANALYSIS) The New Atheists failed because they underestimated the human need for meaning. Religion, for all its faults, provides a framework for understanding the world, a sense of community and a way to cope with life's challenges. By dismissing religion, the New Atheists offered nothing to fill the void. Rationality and science are, of course, crucial, but they don't address the existential questions that religion grapples with. by John Mac Ghlionn
On Religion: Sadly, Churches Divided By Doctrine Are Going To Split
(ANALYSIS) After decades of progressive dissent, the leaders of the Christian Reformed Church in America finally took a firm stand against the Sexual Revolution. Not only did the 2022 CRC Synod, voting 123-53, condemn “adultery, premarital sex, extra-marital sex, polyamory, pornography and homosexual sex,” it added the small, but influential, denomination's long-standing teachings on these moral issues to its declaration of faith. by Terry Mattingly
⛈️ With Chainsaws And Supply Runs, The ‘Faith-Based FEMA’ Responds To Hurricane Helene 🔌
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, faith-based disaster relief ministries are working alongside neighbors to feed survivors and clear damage. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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Thanks again for reading!
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