Millions flee Ukraine praying for war’s end
“May God make a miracle,” one woman prayed at a recent church service
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
In Bucha, Ukraine, a massacre has claimed the lives of at least 50 civilian men. One of these men was Vitaliy Vynogradov, the dean of Kyiv Slavic Evangelical Seminary, a journalist and a friend of The Media Project and ReligionUnplugged.
Photos and videos of this and other violence have circulated online, adding to a list of Russia’s potential war crimes.
In today’s top story, Michael Ray Smith reports on the refugees fleeing Ukraine, many of whom hope to escape a similar violent end.
In other Ukraine news, Dr. Mark R. Elliot of East West Church Report writes for ReligionUnplugged on the Ukraine-themed issue of the journal Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe. He highlights articles about how religion has been used as a weapon by Russia in this war.
Thanks for reading. If you want to support our work further, share this with your family and friends.
‘May God Make A Miracle’: Millions Flee Ukraine Praying For War's End
News Media Quiet As A Mouse Regarding Catholic Angles In Disney-DeSantis Dispute by Clemente Lisi
The so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law continues to get media coverage for two reasons: first, Disney’s involvement, and second, the larger notion that DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, is “engaging in a culture war.” This remains a political story, a business story and a pop culture story. Is it also a religion story?
Journal Issue Explores Religion As A Weapon In Russia’s War Against Ukraine by Mark R. Elliot
(ANALYSIS) A newly released journal issue of “Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe” explores the Russian state’s dependency on a morally compromised Russian Orthodox Church to legitimize its quasi-religious fascism. Meanwhile, pastors in Bucha, Ukraine, where hundreds of civilian bodies were recently found shot to death, reflect on the theology needed to survive so much pain and suffering.
Jewish Cancer Patient Spreads Awareness About National Blood Shortage by Dave Schechter
After battling leukemia, a Jewish woman experienced the severe shortage of blood in Atlanta firsthand and rallied a community to support the importance of donation. The result was surprising. Read here.
Christian University Lipscomb Inaugurates First Woman President Candice McQueen by Erik Tryggestad
The 18th president and first female CEO of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, aspires to be “a role model for all students.”
Two More Churches Split From Hillsong In Wake Of Scandals by Anne Stych
Two more leaders of Hillsong Church U.S. campuses have announced they’re taking their campuses in a different direction in the wake of founder Brian Houston being ousted by the church’s board for breaching its code of conduct.
Qatar 2022 World Cup Mascot Highlights Muslim Garb Known As ‘Keffiyeh’ And ‘Thawb’ by Clemente Lisi
Named La’eeb — which FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, said is “an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player” — the World Cup mascot triggered plenty of confusion and scorn on social media. But the mascot was primarily an homage to Arab garments known as the “keffiyeh” and “thawb.”
Christian Schools International Wants To Aid Ukrainian Students, Families And Teachers by Steve Rabey
Half of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children have been displaced in the month since Russia invaded, said the U.N. Children’s Fund on March 24. The Association of Christian Schools International is seeking donations to help some of these children, their families, and Christian schoolteachers and school personnel who have fled their homes.
After Ban, Friday Prayers Resume At Kashmir’s Grand Mosque In Time For Ramadan by Arif Nazir and Syed Shahriyar
The doors of the historic Grand Mosque in Indian-administered Kashmir reopened for Friday prayers this month, in time for Ramadan expected to begin April 2, after the Indian government had banned the weekly gathering there for 30 consecutive weeks.
Jews Encouraged To Abandon Zoom Seders This Passover As Pandemic Eases by Paige Taylor
Passover is a time for the Jewish community to reflect on the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, and hosting a Seder is one way families and communities come together to celebrate this biblical event. OneTable and Haggadot.com have joined forces this year to provide people with the tools needed to host their own unique Seder.
5 Passover Movies You Need To Watch In April by Paige Taylor
If you don’t know much about the Jewish holiday of Passover and are looking to learn more, you might want to consider watching a movie about it. There are many movies that air on television around Passover, but you can also find them on streaming services year-round.
Rural Tennessee Congregation Closes, Reflecting Trend Seen Nationwide by Cheryl Mann Bacon
In Manchester, Tennessee, the final assembly of the Ragsdale Church of Christ was an old-time singing — the kind they used to have every fourth Sunday. After nearly 70 years, the church could no longer sustain itself.
Pastor Claims He Was Ousted From Florida’s Celebration Church For Uncovering Fraud by Anne Stych
Stovall Weems, founding pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, says he was illegally removed from his position by the church’s governing board earlier this year, after his accusations that a trustee was improperly billing the church for “enormous sums of money” for services were turned back on him.
Eric Metaxas Says Vetting Guests Is Not His Job In Defamation Lawsuit Testimony by Steve Rabey
Metaxas and other conservative Christian media figures are being probed about their practices in a defamation lawsuit filed by Eric Coomer, an executive with Dominion Voting Systems. In a deposition for the case, Metaxas said he had done little to verify claims aired in the broadcast that Dominion had rigged elections in the U.S., Mongolia, and Venezuela.
Churches Helping Homeless Fight Restrictions With Religious Freedom Cases by Steve Rabey
When public officials have restricted churches from ministering to the poor and homeless, some have fought back, suing and arguing in court that efforts to restrict ministry to the needy violate First Amendment protections.
Study Investigates Why Donors Prefer Giving Time Over Money by Anne Stych
Research shows charitable donors prefer to give their time over money — even when it does less good for the cause — because they perceive it gives them more control over where their donation goes. But nonprofits, although they need both donors’ time and money to succeed, feel that financial gifts have the most impact.
Opinion
Just Say No: The Four-Letter Word Religion Writers Really Want To Avoid
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. reflects on debate over the use of the term “cult” in religion news stories. 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!
Lent: Living Water And The Purification Of Sins by Michael Metzger
Pope Francis’ Visit To Malta Highlights The Role Of St. George Preca, An Advocate For Teaching The Gospel by Joanne M. Pierce
Repentance And Preparation In Lent As The Bride Of Christ by Michael Metzger
This Is Still A Question That Scholars Debate: Why Did Early Christianity Rise So Rapidly? by Richard Ostling
Don’t miss our latest podcast
The Future Of Prison Reform Amid Crime Panic
Executive Editor Paul Glader interviews Prison Fellowship's Director of Government Affairs, Heather Rice to discuss the longevity of prison reform at a time when some conservatives and Christians are concerned about crime rising in some categories and cities. Rice suggests criminal justice reform isn’t a lost cause for conservatives, Christians or anyone. She outlines how steps towards major reform were accomplished under the past two U.S. presidential administrations, and how President Biden might potentially have bipartisan support for larger reforms during his term. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
The Russian Christians Boldly Issuing Anti-War Appeals by April L. French and Mark R. Elliot
(ANALYSIS) At around the same time a Russian Orthodox anti-war statement was distributed to collect nearly 300 signatures, several of Ukraine’s evangelical theological educators expressed to Russian evangelical leaders deep disappointment over their failure to speak out against Russia’s unprovoked attack. Some Russian evangelicals have issued their own anti-war statements.
In 'King Richard,' Venus And Serena Williams' Father Takes Too Much Credit by Jillian Cheney
(REVIEW) New biopic “King Richard” shares the origins of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams through the eyes of their father, Richard. It’s a heartwarming story of strength, athleticism and family but often gets too hung up on its protagonist to feature its proper stars.
Thanks again for reading!
ReligionUnplugged is a non-profit news organization that benefits greatly from your contributions. Your monetary donations allow us to continue our reporting and expand our coverage. You can always donate on our website by clicking the button below.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. For $5 a month, subscribe to our Weekend Plug-In Substack. Any news tips for us? Is there a story you think we should be covering? We want to know! Email our managing editor Meagan at meagan@themediaproject.org.