Is Hindu nationalism growing in the UK?
Questions arise after recent election
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Since India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014, Hindus of the Indian diaspora in the U.S., Australia and the U.K. have grown and become more vocally supportive of Hindus in positions of power.
Religion Unplugged’s recent coverage of India and its national election offers insight into the way many view the BJP — Modi’s party — and the Hindutva ideology.
The results of U.K. national elections on July 4 made notable shifts in Parliament and raises questions about the future of the country. In today’s top story, Sonia Sarkar writes on the support for Hindutva ideology in the country and what it means going forward.
Are Hindu Nationalists Solidifying Their Presence In The UK?
(ANALYSIS) With politicians from both Labour and Conservative parties visiting Hindu temples and endorsing Hindu manifesto prepared by divisive Hindutva forces, the question is, has the Hindutva identity now intensified in the U.K.? And the bigger question is, will these elected members of Parliament who endorsed the document now allow sectarianism to flourish? by Sonia Sarkar
From ‘Never Trumper’ To Ally: How JD Vance’s Catholic Faith Influenced His Politics
In accepting the invitation to be Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance could become the nation’s second Catholic vice president, after Joe Biden, should the GOP win the White House this November. Vance is also only the second Catholic GOP veep nominee after Barry Goldwater chose William Miller in 1964. Here’s a deeper look into Vance’s faith and how it has influenced his evolving political philosophy. by Clemente Lisi
Educational Disputes With Religious Angles Central To GOP’s Agenda
(ANALYSIS) The lavish over-use of capital letters in the 2024 Republican Party platform, set for approval at this week’s Milwaukee convention, demonstrates that this is wholly a Donald Trump production. So does the Trumpublicans’ softened stance on abortion, which has dominated the news coverage. by Richard Ostling
Artistic Flair In ‘Longlegs’ Hides A Lazy Narrative That Ultimately Glorifies Evil
The movie follows FBI agent Harper Lee who uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to catch a serial killer, played by Nicholas Cage). On her way, she discovers her own connection to the serial killer which forces her to confront her own past to hopefully take him down. The film, directed by Oz Perkins and released by Neon, offers up intrigue — but ultimately goes out of its way to glorify evil. by Joseph Holmes
On The Ground In Iran: The Islamic Revolution And Faithful Resistance
(ANALYSIS) I am in Iran. The president has died. And they think I did it. Or at least that is what it felt like on the evening of May 20, when news came that Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter was forced to make a “hard landing” in the rugged mountains near Tabriz. by Dr. Charles Ramsey
Delhi’s Jain Birds Hospital: A Century of Caring Amid Climate Challenges
One of the more unusual places in Delhi is the Charity Birds Hospital on the grounds of the Digambar Jain Temple. The three-story building has been helping sick birds for decades, but has become even more relevant over the last few years given climate change and India’s recent heatwave. by Rishabh Jain
Why Slava Matters In Orthodox Serbian Culture
(EXPLAINER) The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates on Friday the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (known as Petrovdan in Serbian) in honor of their martyrdom in Rome. The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is an important religious holiday for Orthodox Serbs. It marks the end of the Apostles’ Fast, which begins a week after Pentecost. by Jovan Tripkovic
How Faith-Based Projects Are Helping To Stem Africa’s Growing Eco-Anxiety
As the effects of climate change become more apparent in Africa and in other parts of the world, eco-anxiety is becoming prevalent. This is true especially in Africa, a continent that is home to a disproportionate share of climate change-related disasters but also has limited resources to deal with them. by Cyril Zenda
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Calls For Global ‘Interfaith Collaboration’
Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi officially opened on Wednesday the two-day International Conference on Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy aimed at encouraging dialogue between different faith traditions. The conference hopes to strengthen the country’s respect for religious pluralism, while also addressing a variety of topics for reaching out to other faiths through education programs and human rights legislation. by Clemente Lisi
‘Dignity Of Marginalized Groups’: Dr. Nina Balmaceda’s Faith-Based Peace Solutions
Dr. Nina Balmaceda recently finished a project focused on uncovering the story of Peace and Hope International over its first 25 years, emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of social and political renewal in Latin America. Her research has focused on the organization's spiritual understanding of love — deeply rooted in its Christian tradition — through political and social responsibility. by Chelsea Langston Bombino
✏️ Teaching The Gospel During Public School Hours? It's Totally Constitutional 🔌
While religion in public schools keeps making national headlines, “released time” Bible classes are less well known. But they, too, have gained legislative attention in several states recently. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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