đż How the 2024 Oscars wrestle with a post-Christian West
Our movie critic analyzes the Best Picture nominees
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
This Sunday, the cinematic season of the past year comes to a close with the 2024 Academy Awards. In todayâs top story, movie critic Joseph Holmes analyzes the ways the ten Best Picture nominees deal with Christianity.
Some reject it, some ignore it and some restore it.
âWhatâs most fascinating is that these movies, whether they feature religion or not, tell a story of different attempts to answer the question of what kind of world we will have in a post-Christian West,â Holmes writes. âThe movies in this yearâs Best Picture category â even those that feature no religion at all â tell that story loudly through its absence.â
How The 2024 Oscars Wrestle With A Post-Christian West
(ANALYSIS) This yearâs Best Picture nominees at the 2024 Academy Awards showcase how our culture is wrestling with a post-Christian society, whether or not these films feature religion or not. While Hollywood has gained a reputation for being deeply secular â even anti-religious â after Oscar nominees over the past two years featured rather complex portrayals of religion. by Joseph Holmes
Religious Restrictions Increase In Many Parts Of The World, New Study Reveals
Restrictions on religion by government officials across the world reached a new peak in 2021, a new Pew Research Center report released on Tuesday revealed. The report looked at 198 countries and territories around the world. It is the 14th year that Pew released such a report on the global state of religion. by Clemente Lisi
Connecting With God And Others: How Chaplains Support Denverâs Unhoused
Chaplains have to be delicate on what questions and subjects they talk about if they want to establish a connection. âIt can be very difficult because many times, they may feel that they have been abandoned by families and friends and by God. So we will try to help them, hopefully, to understand that we personally do not feel that they are abandoned by God,â said Rene Palacios, director of chaplaincy and community care at the Denver Rescue Mission. by Magdalena Rojo
âCultâ Classics: Best Documentaries Now Streaming About New Religious Movements
Thereâs no denying the popularity of true crime media in the non-fiction genre. In addition to shows and novels, true crime makes up a massive portion of the podcast market and fuels content creation on social media. Though there are more than a few ethical concerns that come with recounting the most gruesome details of crimes for a rapt audience, demand for this type of content is high â and thereâs no shortage of it. by Jillian Cheney
From Super Bowl-Winning Chaplain To Unique Ministry As âLife Coachâ
For 14 seasons, Pastor Rod Hairston served as a chaplain for the Baltimore Ravens, where he helped the NFL franchise build a winning culture among the front office executives, coaches and players. After two Super Bowl rings and serving as a sports chaplain from Howard University to UCLA, Hairston, 57, is a âlife coachâ working with couples. by Hamil R. Harris
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(ANALYSIS) Think back to a time well before the internet when anyone could own a little bit of property in the suburbs. âGodâ had just been added to the pledge and father always knew best. Sound perfect? Great, even? This sepia-infused vision of mid-century America informs an entire political movement today. by Heather Greene
How Missionaries Created A âPerfect Environmentâ Without Drugs And Alcohol
The little settlement of Kijabe, about a two-hour drive northwest from Nairobi, stands out as the only drug- and alcohol-free town in Kenya thanks to the legacy of American missionaries that arrived here over a century ago. In fact, the spiritual footprints of Rev. Charles E. Hurlburt are still visible in this part of Africa. by Joseph Maina
Clerics Accuse Nigeriaâs Military Of Being Complicit In Christiansâ Murder
Violence by Islamic extremist groups such as Fulani militants, Boko Haram and Islamic State in West African Province increased during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, putting Nigeria at the epicenter of targeted violence against the church. The West African nation of 226 million is divided evenly between Christians and Muslims. by Tom Osanjo
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Artist and human rights activist Hannah Rose Thomas has recently published an art book, âTears of Gold,â which is filled with painted portraits of women who had escaped violence in their respective countries. The book also contains self-portraits of these women, along with their own words. by Rafa Oliveira
âThe Chosenâ Finale Brings An Uneven Ending To One Of Its Best Seasons
(REVIEW) While the Season 4 finale was weaker in its character payoffs than I would have liked, it still is the strongest season overall since the first. The stories are more focused, the drama more intense, the characters gelling more and the filmmaking seamlessly skillful. Itâs what keeps me and the audience coming back for more. by Joseph Holmes
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(ANALYSIS) Lent serves as a profound reminder of the spiritual freedom we have in Christ, mirrored in His death and resurrection. As we journey through this season of contemplation and preparation, we are invited to make space for God in our lives, just as Jesus did in the wilderness. This concept of making space extends beyond personal reflection to encompass broader religious and spiritual freedom. by Chelsea Langston Bombino
Outlaw Historians: Chinese Filmmakers And Journalists Defy Countryâs Communist Rule
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Indiaâs Latest Mosque Fight Further Fuels Tensions Between Hindus And Muslims
Days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple built over a mosque demolished by agitators in 1990, a new report by the Archaeological Survey of India found that another mosque had been built over a pre-existing Hindu temple. A court ruling that followed the survey granted Hindus permission to conduct prayers in one of the mosque's four cellars, igniting tensions with Muslims. by Zaffar Iqbal
đ§Ș Faith And Frozen Embryos: Alabama's In Vitro Fertilization Ruling Stirs Religious Debate đ
In this weekâs Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the religious debate stirred by the Alabama Supreme Courtâs ruling on in vitro fertilization. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Donât forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobbyâs column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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