đ Legendary Sleepy Hollow church celebrates Halloween
How the tourist site remains faithful through the season
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Tomorrowâs Halloween â but throughout the fall, a little village in upstate New York has been packed to the brim with tourists celebrating the spooky season.
âThe Legend of Sleepy Hollowâ is Americaâs first short story, and the visitors Sleepy Hollow gets each year is a testament to that storyâs legacy. The church immortalized in that story, the Old Dutch Church, is often seen as a âspectacleâ â but church leadership is more concerned with faith than it is Halloween entertainment.
In todayâs top story, intern Matthew Peterson writes on the churchâs mission, the history of Sleepy Hollow and faithfulness during the season.
How A Legendary Church In Sleepy Hollow Stays Faithful In A Halloween Mecca
Along the Hudson River, about an hour north of New York, is a church perched atop a hill in a village called Sleepy Hollow. When Washington Irving immortalized the Old Dutch Church with its Headless Horseman in âThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow,â it became a literary mainstay. For 300 years, the ghost who haunts the churchyard has frightened people. These days, a new force distresses the locals. by Matthew Peterson
Welcome To Florida: Land Of Sun, Sea, Sand ... And God?
(ANALYSIS) Behind the sensational headlines, the Sunshine State has another, far more solemn side. Not only is Florida a religious state, but according to recent rankings, it is one of the most religious states in the nation â a fact that might surprise some. Floridaâs zest for the transcendent extends beyond the Bible Belt. The Cuban-American community has had an impact on the state's religious landscape. by John Mac Ghlionn
Guide To The US Presidential Candidates: What They Say About Faith
Nearly all U.S. adults say it is important to have a president who lives a moral and ethical life, and almost half say itâs important for the president to have strong religious beliefs. Hereâs a guide to this yearâs presidential candidates, their religious affiliations and notable statements theyâve made about faith. by Clemente Lisi
âHellboy: The Crooked Manâ Espouses Christian Values In The Fight Against Evil
(REVIEW) Hellboy is an odd character with a bumpy cinematic history. Based on a comic book series, Hellboy is the son of a demon and a witch who was brought from hell into the world by Nazis. He was rescued and raised by Professor Broom of the BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) who became his surrogate father and trained to help save the world from monsters. by Joseph Holmes
Crossroads Podcast: Harrisâ Hot Words In Response To âJesus Is Lordâ
Once upon a time, a MAGA-hat adorned teen at the annual March for Life â Nicholas Sandmann, by name â offered an enigmatic smile while a Native American activist pounded a drum in his face. Mainstream journalists were certain that this Donald Trump-era incident was a big news story and used oceans of digital ink while covering it. by Terry Mattingly
Inside The Vatican: How Are Catholic Bishops Chosen?
(ANALYSIS) Before the final session of a Synod of Bishops that concludes at the Vatican October 27, much printerâs ink was spilled because Pope Francis removed the issue of allowing women deacons from the agenda. by Richard Ostling
On Religion: When A Doritos Meme Turns Into A Clash About Holy Communion
(ANALYSIS) In her campaign against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump â whose 2016 victory angered her â the Harris team has used Doritos as a symbol of the feisty, combative side of the vice presidentâs personality. by Terry Mattingly
Salesian Sisters Lead the Fight Against Drug Addiction in War-Torn Manipur
Amid the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, a group of Salesian nurses are helping women combat drug addiction. Manipur â an Indian state nestled in the mountains along the border with Myanmar â has been gripped by ethnic violence since last year. Approximately 250 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced. by Rishabh Jain
Mothers Who Keep Their Fatal Pregnancies Turn To Faith: âWho am I to kill this baby?â
No publicity has gone to women who have chosen a different path. The Catholic Church, for example, opposes aborting the handicapped unborn on the grounds that all life â no matter how disabled â has âinherent dignity.â This debate has been reignited as Vice President Kamala Harris, who favors expanding abortion rights, runs for president. by Julia Duin
đ In The Race For President, Why Are We Talking About McDonaldâs? đ
In some ways, McDonald's is like a church. Nearly every town has one. And people of all kinds are welcome. by Bobby Ross Jr.
Donât forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobbyâs column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
At Religion Unplugged, we cover the role of religion in public life and in peoples' lives. If you appreciate our journalism, become a sustaining monthly donor by clicking the button below.