Death toll rises in Israel-Palestine conflict
A personal look from inside Jerusalem and how the conflict escalated this far
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Hamas — a Palestinian group that currently rules the Gaza Strip — launched an attack on Israel over the weekend. Over 1,500 have died as a result of the ongoing conflict, and even more have been taken as hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has predicted a “long and difficult war ahead.”
This week, our top coverage is on this conflict, featuring a piece from Executive Editor Clemente Lisi that explains how this conflict escalated into a war and a personal look inside Jerusalem from contributor Gil Zohar.
As Death Toll Climbs, The War Becomes Personal For Every Israeli
We heard the multiple boom of Israel’s air defense system — known as Iron Dome — intercepting a rocket barrage fired from Gaza. The strike lit up the sky. The threat was over, at least until the next alert. Nearly 1,000 Israeli civilians had been killed, including 260 massacred at the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Re’im, after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel three days ago. by Gil Zohar
How the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Escalated Into A Full-Blown War
(EXPLAINER) Two days after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack against Israel, fighting across the country and in Gaza continued. Some 900 Israelis have been killed since Saturday and more than 2,600 others have been wounded. How Israelis and Palestinians got here has been years in the making. by Clemente Lisi
Gaza’s 12th Century Greek Orthodox Church Left Undamaged By Israeli Air Raids
While tensions over Jewish and Muslim holy sites remain a contentious part of the war, Christians who live and work throughout the the Holy Land are also under attack. Amid all the destruction has been some positive news. Contrary to reports, Gaza City’s Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, built in the 12th century, was not destroyed in the bombings. by Gil Zohar
Nigeria’s Interfaith Couples Face Marital Hurdles
It is customary for married couples from different religious background to convert to a single faith after tying the knot. However, some Muslim and Christian couples, mostly in Nigeria and some parts of the United States, have defied this custom, instead opting to marry without converting to their spouse’s faith. by Vicky Abraham
The Rescue Of Danish Jews During the Holocaust Continues To Inspire
The Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York will open a new exhibit later this month that explores the rescue in “Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark.” Intended particularly for children and adolescents, the interactive exhibit not only commemorates the event, but asks visitors to confront the question: How would you respond if you heard a cry for help today? by Ken Chitwood
Devil’s In The Details: How ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ Went So Wrong
(REVIEW) The power of the original “The Exorcist” film was that it helped restore people to faith in an authentic way that existed before them and would exist long after they’re gone. Instead, “The Exorcist: Believer” tries to rewrite faith to fit modern sensibilities. In the end, it only makes itself a hollow thing that will be forgotten sooner rather than later. by Joseph Holmes
Torah Scroll On Display At Riyadh International Book Fair
A 16th-century Torah scroll went on display at the Riyadh International Book Fair. The exhibit, which included 25 other rare historic manuscripts, was seen by tens of thousands in the Saudi capital. It was another sign of a newly-evolving willingness in the region to embrace ecumenicalism as a bridge between erstwhile enemies. by Gil Zohar
Reaching Out to Africa’s Deaf: What Churches Are Doing to Better Communicate
After many decades of exclusion by the church, the deaf in Zimbabwe and other African countries are finally being remembered and embraced. by Cyril Zenda
What Different Faith Traditions Believe About Climate Change
What people believe when it comes to the causes of climate change largely depends on your religious affiliation. The Public Religion Research Institute’s new climate change survey found that 76% of Hispanic Catholics — more than any other religious group — believe that changes to the environment are caused by humans. by Clemente Lisi
Pope Francis Urges Church To ‘Welcome’ Dialogue And Set Aside Politics
Pope Francis opened a meeting of bishops at the Vatican by warning that the Catholic church needs to put aside “political calculations or ideological battles” and welcome “everyone” to dialogue about the faith. During Mass at St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff said the church is a place of welcome for “everyone, everyone, everyone” ahead of a three-week series of meetings that has sparked hope among progressives and alarm from conservatives. by Clemente Lisi
🌏 The Pope, The Nones And An Embattled Pastor: Top Religion Reads Around The World 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. covers the latest on the Catholic Church’s big synod. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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