Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
The University of Connecticut basketball team — last year’s champions — has reached the Final Four, which begins this Saturday. The team features three practicing Muslims who are also in the middle of Ramadan, which means they fast all day.
Players describe waking up at 4 a.m. and not eating or drinking until sundown, even during the game.
How do these team members handle the challenge?
“They're guys that give effort no matter what,” another teammate said after a victory. “They haven’t eaten since this morning. With five minutes left in the game, that was the first time they ate. So they played the whole game not even eating, high on energy, getting us going. We really feed off of them a lot.”
In today’s top story, Executive Editor Clemente Lisi writes about the team and the strong Muslim faith of three of its key players.
College Basketball Players Navigate Ramadan Fasting On Road To The Final Four
The University of Connecticut’s basketball team won the NCAA title last year . A year later, the Huskies are again hungry for a championship. The team reached the Final Four with three practicing Muslims who have had to deal with more than just scoring points over the last few weeks. The trio join a growing group of practicing Muslims who are balancing basketball and fasting this spring. by Clemente Lisi
South Korean Horror Film Explores Religious And National Identity
(REVIEW) For the past five weekends, the horror movie “Exhuma” has topped box offices in South Korea, its country of origin. This movie, which recently opened in America, is a harrowing must-see. It brings to mind “The Wailing,” a South Korean horror movie from 2016. Both movies wrestle with identity and religion in a variety of ways that also includes a dislike of Japan, a former colonizer, and what it means to be pro-Korean. by Jillian Cheney
‘Solo Planet’ Spotlights Christian Singleness Across Various Cultures
(REVIEW) It’s a shame that “Solo Planet” has such a ho-hum subtitle: “How Singles Help the Church Recover Our Calling.” It should be: “An Intrepid Reporter Surveys Christian Singles on Six Continents during a Whirlwind 17-month Tour.” Which is what Anna Broadway did. Having already written one book on singles, this 40-something single evangelical woman noticed that most literature on the topic came from an English-speaking, American perspective. by Julia Duin
Book Excerpt: ‘Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism?’ By Dr. Mark David Hall
(EXCERPT) Mark David Hall’s new book, “Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism: Why Christian Nationalism is Not an Existential Threat to America or the Church,” shows that Christian nationalism does not, as its critics claim, pose “an existential threat to American democracy and the Christian church in the United States.” As well, it critiques the handful of Americans who advocate for Christian nationalism. by Mark David Hall
Olasky’s Books For April: Christian Nationalism Fuels Revenues
(REVIEW) How big a threat is “Christian nationalism?” Fear of Donald Trump increased the revenues of big media companies in 2016, and fear of “Christian nationalism” in 2024 is helping the sale of books screaming about it. by Marvin Olasky
5 Facts About The Origins Of Modern-Day Easter Traditions
Easter is a holiday rich in religious significance, history and symbolism. At its root, Easter — also known as Resurrection Sunday — is a Christian festival commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus as described in the New Testament. Then where did eggs and bunnies come from? by Clemente Lisi
Planned Monument To Muslim British Soldiers Ignites Wider Political Debate
A new monument will recognize the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who fought for Britain under the Commonwealth banner. The British government announced that $1.2 million would be allocated to erecting the monument. Of course, the plan has come under fire politically from both the left and the right. by Joseph Hammond
Famed Director Martin Scorsese To Produce 8-Part Docuseries On The Life Of Saints
Famed movie director Martin Scorsese — known for mob movies such as “Goodfellas” and the “The Departed” — signed a deal with FOX Nation to produce and host an eight-part docudrama series on saints. The series, according to FOX, will explore the “remarkable stories of eight men and women who risked everything to embody humanity’s most noble and complex trait — faith.” by Clemente Lisi
Book Excerpt: ‘Motorhome Prophecies’ By Columnist And Broadcaster Carrie Sheffield
(EXCERPT) My purpose in writing “Motorhome Prophecies” is to help bring others out of isolation. To let them know that "death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). My father prophesied my death if I left his cult. I internalized those curses, and as a result, suffered many close scrapes with the demons of mental illness. But to quote author Linda Schubert, “While my failures were ‘legendary,’ the love of God was even more legendary.” by Carrie Sheffield
Good Friday Passion Plays Help Churches And Communities ‘Come Together’
Easter pageants have become an increasingly frequent sight on Good Friday around the world. The idea dates back to the Middle Ages when town guilds performed individual scenes telling the story to mainly illiterate audiences. Although these public events are still performed on an irregular basis, it was over a decade ago that the first contemporary Passion Plays began to be staged in the U.K. by Angela Youngman
Bible Trumper: Former President Selling ‘God Bless the USA’ Holy Books
Trying to recover from under an avalanche of legal bills, former President Donald Trump said that he’s selling Bibles as he embarks on another White House run. “Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,” he said in a video posted to Truth Social. by Clemente Lisi
Alban Buns An Easter Tradition That Dates Back Centuries
Hot Cross Buns have become synonymous with Easter in the United Kingdom and in many English-speaking countries around the world. Millions of these deliciously sweet spiced, slightly sticky buns are available everywhere with many supermarkets now offering variations ranging from chocolate to apple and cinnamon. by Angela Youngman
🎊 Happy New Year: What Will Be The Big Religion Stories In 2024? 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. looks ahead to the year’s expected big news. 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 directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
At Religion Unplugged, 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.