Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Proposition 47 in California, a voter referendum passed in 2014, reduced penalties for nonviolent crimes. Critics say that it’s in part responsible for recent rising crime rates and say it even damages attempts to help addicts, prostitutes and the homeless.
Some Christians played an important role in the passage of Proposition 47 — primarily B. Wayne Hughes Jr., the billionaire descendant of the Public Storage company fortune. Hughes has been involved in prison reform ministry for years, partnering with politicians and celebrities and ministering in the prisons he was supporting.
Eight years after it was passed, what are the unintended consequences of Proposition 47? How are Christians positioned on the subject of prison reform? Executive editor Paul Glader reports.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
Christian Support For Prison, Police & Policy Reform Under Pressure Amid Crime Surge
Hindu Pilgrimage In Kashmir Resumes After Two Years, Days After Targeted Killings by Zaffar Iqbal
When crisis hits around the world, as it has in Ukraine, Christians are often first in line to help. Here are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Ukrainian relief efforts and assessments of some ministries that are raising funds for Ukrainian relief.
Meet A Baha’i Activist Pushing For LGBTQ Tolerance In His Faith by Iain Carlos
As in many religions, gay relationships, sexual intimacy and marriage are frowned upon in mainstream interpretations of Baha'i law. Those found violating the law can face sanctions from the Baha'i administration, including being cut off from community gatherings and participating in Baha'i elections. Seán Rayshel aims to make his religion, the Baha'i faith, more tolerant of its LGBTQ adherents.
Opinion
Roe V. Wade Overturned, Plus The Supreme Court's 4 Other Biggest Religion Cases Of 2022
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the U.S. Supreme Court’s five biggest religion cases of 2022 — including the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 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 early on Fridays for only $5 a month. Click the button below to subscribe!
As Law, Roe Was A Bad Ruling That Always Had To Go by Dr. Michael Brown
What Is The Most Conscientious Christian Attitude Toward Gay Pride Month by Michael Metzger
What's News? Attacks On Christians In Nigeria Provide An Important Case Study by Richard Ostling
Don’t miss our latest podcast
Running on Faith: Pentecostal Pastors John and Philip
Religion Unplugged Contributor Dr. Robert Carle is in Eldoret, Kenya for this episode, interviewing Pastor John Miaka and Pastor Philip Kipkurgat Yiego. They are accomplished runners who have competed internationally for Kenya, winning marathons in Madrid, Valencia, the European Indoor Games, the 10k road race. They have since retired from running to focus on their faith and being pastors of Pentecostal churches in Eldoret. Dr. Carle speaks to the pastors on how their running careers have intersected with their faith. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
What 6 American Religious Subgroups Think About Abortion by Myrian Garcia
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey on Friday, ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion. ReligionUnplugged looks at what six religious subgroups in America believe about abortion.
Satanic Panic Drives A Small Town To Unjust Violence In ‘Stranger Things 4’ by Jillian Cheney
The fourth season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” once again teleports audiences back to the 1980s — and this time, that includes the historical background of the satanic panic. When the small town of Hawkins succumbs to the blind hysteria common in that period, it brings the show’s heroes additional difficulty. It also offers the audience a “God’s eye view” of the actual satanic panic and proves it did nothing but create irrational fear.
Thanks again for reading!
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