In Israel, COVID and politics compete to be the Grinch that stole Christmas
Churches aiding in Kentucky tornado recovery, data on religious Americans and abortion and more headlines
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
As Christmas approaches, Israel faces a lack of international tourism for the second year in a row. Palestinian protests in the West Bank continue, and COVID-19 restrictions are back amid the rise of the Omicron and Delta variants. Biblical sites such as Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem normally welcome many visitors for holiday celebrations, but are hoping this year that locals will come to participate in the festivities. Our Jerusalem correspondent Gil Zohar reports.
Erik Tryggestad of The Christian Chronicle reports on churches that weathered last Friday’s storm and the tornado that tore through a Kentucky town. Churches provided shelter despite suffering damage, and churches in the area are working with response teams to help communities rebuild and survivors with necessities.
Many state legislatures and the U.S. Supreme Court seem to be ready to reverse Roe v. Wade and ban or severely limit abortion. But data journalist Ryan Burge shows that very few religious Americans want a total ban on abortion. Read more of the analysis here.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
COVID And Politics Compete To Be The Grinch That Stole Christmas In Israel
Survivors Of Deadly Tornado Deal With Aftermath — With Help From Churches by Erik Tryggestad
Taga Jones’ home is one of hundreds destroyed by a rare December tornado that tore through four states — Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky — in four hours. It was part of a Dec. 10-11 outbreak in which more than 30 tornadoes were reported across six states.
Very Few Religious Americans Favor A Total Abortion Ban by Ryan Burge
(ANALYSIS) While many state legislatures and the U.S. Supreme Court seem to be ready to reverse Roe v. Wade and ban or severely limit abortion, the majority of Americans want abortion to be available as a choice, and the share who would support a total ban on the practice is incredibly small.
Why Pakistan Has Such Strict Blasphemy Laws: It's More About Politics Than Religion by Ahmet T. Kuru
(ANALYSIS) Of 71 countries that criminalize blasphemy, 32 are majority Muslim. Punishment and enforcement of these laws vary. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania and Saudi Arabia. Among non-Muslim-majority cases, the harshest laws are in Italy, with penalties up to three years in prison.
Deadly Tornado Tears Through Kentucky Town, Destroying Churches And Businesses by Erik Tryggestad
At least 50 people are feared dead, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said, after a devastating night of storms that stretched from Arkansas to Illinois.
Christian 'Health Share' Ministry Left Members With Millions In Unpaid Medical Claims by Steve Rabey
On Nov. 29, the U.S. District Court in Kentucky entered judgments of nearly $4.7 million against Aliera, which marketed “sham policies” and “realized exorbitant profits” by declining to pay claims and instead retaining 84% of customer donations, in violation of federal requirements.
Extrajudicial Killing Of Muslim Cleric After Kampala Bombings Sparks Fury In Uganda by John Semakula
A growing list of Muslims arrested and killed without trials in Ugandan anti-terrorism security operations, recently including a respected sheikh, has stirred anger and calls for fair prosecution of suspects rather than shootings on site.
Christian Children's Home With Faith-Based Restrictions Sues To Keep Federal Funding by Anne Stych
A Christian children’s home in Tennessee that receives federal funds for some of its programs has sued the Biden administration, challenging its reversal of Trump-era exemptions that gave some Christian child welfare agencies the option to deny the placement of children with foster or adoptive parents who do not agree with their faith and beliefs.
Warhol Unmasked: Sex, Drugs And Catholicism by Bethany Johnson
(REVIEW) The Brooklyn Museum takes the road less traveled in its exhibit “Andy Warhol: Revelation” by spotlighting beyond Warhol’s commonly known artistic themes of sex, drugs and modern American life to uniquely unmask the artist’s Roman Catholicism.
How Today’s Conspiracy Theories Echo The Satanic Panic by Heather Greene
(ANALYSIS) Forty years after a nationwide “satanic panic” that stoked fears of ritual child abuse, conspiracy theories are latching onto fears of the devil — from the false belief that tracking devices are in COVID-19 vaccines to theories that the Astroworld tragedy was a satanic sacrifice.
Christian Ohio Valley University Decides To Close After Not Meeting Payroll by Cheryl Mann Bacon
Trustees of Ohio Valley University in Vienna, West Virginia, have voted to close the 63-year-old Christian university after not meeting payroll for months and facing mounting debts.
Opinion
Americans Favor Religious Exemptions For COVID-19 Vaccines — To A Point
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-in, columnist Bobby Ross Jr. looks at public opinion on religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccinations. 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!
How The Press Continues To Perpetuate The Santa Myth by Clemente Lisi
Is The Commercialization Of Hanukkah A Good Thing For Judaism? by Terry Mattingly
Update To New Revised Standard Bible Makes Substantive — And Controversial — Changes by Richard Ostling
How Poetry Helps Our Faith by Michael Metzger
Don’t miss our latest podcast
Franklin's Statue For Black Soldiers Sparks Discussion in Churches
The city of Franklin, Tennessee has newly erected a statue to honor the United States Colored Troops (USCT), the segregated soldier regiments of primarily Black and formerly enslaved people who fought for the Union during the Civil War. Though there are several of these statues in the U.S., none have previously been installed directly outside a town hall like this statue in Franklin. Rev. Chris Williamson spoke with Religion Unplugged intern Bethany Johnson about the lead up to the statue's construction, its historical roots and how churches can better aid in creating unity in their communities. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
America’s Dream For Ethiopia Is Actually A Nightmare by Desta Heliso
(ANALYSIS) It’s now clear that the Biden administration wants to oust Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This is extraordinary and would exacerbate many of the region’s challenges, including religious extremism. While Ahmed has made mistakes, they are incomparable to the persecution, repression and suffering caused by past regimes.
Carlo Acutis Book Makes A Great Christmas Present For Catholic Children by Clemente Lisi
(REVIEW) “Carlo Acutis: God’s Computer Genius” makes for a perfect present for your child or preteen this Christmas. Catholic children are no strangers to books featuring saints, but Acutis is special because he speaks to the current generation. That is why his life is worth re-examination and why this is a book worth stuffing into a Christmas stocking.
Thanks again for reading!
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