đ˛đ˝ Mexico's first female, Jewish president
Get to know Claudia Sheinbaum
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Claudia Sheinbaum, recently elected president of Mexico, is a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City. Sheâs Mexicoâs first female president and is Jewish â in a country thatâs 78% Catholic.
In todayâs top story, Executive Editor Clemente Lisi reports on the significance of this victory and the way Judaism plays a role.
Claudia Sheinbaum Elected Mexicoâs First Female Jewish President
Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, won a landslide victory on Sunday to become Mexico's first female president. Sheinbaum, won the presidency with nearly 60 percent of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez. She is also Jewish in a country that is majority Catholic. by Clemente Lisi
South African Scholar Receives Templeton Prize For Her Work On Forgiveness
The John Templeton Foundation announced on Tuesday that Dr. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela was named this yearâs recipient of the Templeton Prize in recognition for her work around trauma and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. Gobodo-Madikizela, 69, an author and professor, has created a model for social healing in the aftermath of conflict â one that she calls âthe reparative quest.â by Clemente Lisi
Keeping The Faith: Is The Rise Of Religious âNonesâ Stalling?
(ANALYSIS) In religion, what goes down can always come up again. American religions continue to face persistent skepticism from elite culture, education and entertainment along with long-term internal damage from sexual abuse scandals and disputes over sexual morality and Trumpism that are not disappearing. Also, stated identity in polls does not make up for sagging in-person attendance and donations that erode organized religion. by Richard Ostling
Olaskyâs Books For June: A Weird Religion In An Age Of Weirder Ones
Andrew Rootâs âThe Church in an Age of Secular Mysticismsâ (Baker Academic, 2023) includes some ponderous writing but a central concept well worth pondering. Root asks us not to think of politics and culture not as a battle of socialistic secularists versus MAGA right-wingers but as a pyramid. Two secular philosophies are on the bottom: âExclusive Humanistsâ on the left and âCounter-Enlightenmentâ on the right. by Marvin Olasky
Israelis Split Along Religious Lines Regarding The War In Gaza
Israelis are split along religious lines when it comes to the ongoing war in Gaza, according to a new study. In fact, the Pew Research Center survey found that Israelis âperceive the war in vastly different waysâ â and much of it depends on their religious backgrounds. One of the âstarkest divides,â according to Pew, is between Jewish and Arab Israelis as well as observant and secular Jews. by Clemente Lisi
Faith-Based Initiative Helping Nigerians Beat Unemployment
Nigeriaâs population is well over 200 million. The African countryâs median age is 18, but 13.8% of its young men and women are without formal education, employment or any form of job training. This has made unemployment a compelling and dire issue requiring concerted efforts from both state and charities. by Chinonso Kenneth
Prominent Pastor Accuses South African President Of Vote-Buying Scheme
A prominent South African pastor said God will judge the ruling African National Congress for ârobbing the poorâ and attempting to corrupt the church in a vote-buying scheme that mixed religion with politics. The stern rebuke came after it was reported that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC had pledged to build 1,000 houses for members of the Shembe Baptist Church. by Vicky Abraham
How Christians Play A Crucial Role In Indiaâs National Elections
As India gears up for the largest national elections ever conducted on the planet, the Christian community, although a minority, faces unique challenges that underscore the significance of its political representation. The issues range from persecution to the enforcement of anti-conversion laws, with the recent unrest in Manipur spotlighting the urgent need for their voices to be heard. by Rishabh Jain
đ Slain Missionaries Mourned: Praying âGod Will Make A Wayâ In Haiti đ
Jason and Jennifer Carroll pray for Haiti as the poor, developing nation deals with unrelenting gang violence. Two American missionaries and a Haitian national were killed in an ambush last week. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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