Philip Yancey’s new memoir critiques fundamentalist upbringing
Plus the future of American religion and plans to rebuild Crusader-era church in Palestine
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
You may have read one of Philip Yancey’s two dozen books exploring pain, doubt, grace and hope. His new memoir “Where the Light Fell,” released yesterday. In conversation with ReligionUnplugged contributor Steve Rabey, Yancey discusses how this memoir — and his other books — helped him work through a personal faith crisis of his own.
“Readers who have fractured families or unhealed wounds — they’re the ones I’m writing to,” he said. “I’m trying to be as compassionate as possible and as truthful as possible in the hope that my stories of dealing with my childhood wounds can help other people come to terms.”
Read the rest of that interview here.
Data analyst Ryan Burge takes a look this week at a birth rate study released recently, analyzing statistics of parents and children in many religions. He says that religion can be a motivator and source of security for parents having children, and that these children will play a clear role in defining that practice going forward. See what the data says and which faith groups appear to have brighter futures than others in the U.S.
Thanks for reading!
Philip Yancey’s New Memoir Critiques Fundamentalist Upbringing
The Future Of American Religion: Birth Rates Show Who's Having More Kids by Ryan Burge
(ANALYSIS) The data is in: Christianity is aging, younger generations are having fewer children, and without a great influx of new members, thousands of churches will close over the next few decades. But smaller religious groups in the U.S. — like Hindus and Muslims — have younger members who are having more kids.
Priest Hopes To Rebuild Crusader-Era Church Of John The Baptist In Palestine by Gil Zohar
(ANALYSIS) After completing the decades-long construction of the Jacob’s Well Greek Orthodox Church in the Palestinian city Nablus in 2018, Archimandrite Ioustinos, 81, has an equally lofty ambition to fulfill before he retires.
Social Media Helps Kashmiri Youth Share And Fund Music To Fight Depression, Isolation by Zaffar Iqbal
Young Kashmiris are creating and performing new music as therapy to counter the sense of hopelessness, isolation and depression that has gripped their majority-Muslim Himalayan region of North India, which has endured years of conflict, military presence, frequent lockdowns and unpredictable internet bans under a Hindu-first government.
Harding University Honors Botham Jean, Shot To Death In 2018, With Memorial Bench by Bobby Ross Jr.
The dedication ceremony paid tribute to Botham Shem Jean, a Christian who died in 2018 when an off-duty police officer entered his apartment in Dallas and shot him.
TrustBridge Helps Americans Donate Directly To Ministries Around The World by Steve Rabey
TrustBridge — an organization founded by atheist-turned-Christian Robert Collins — tries to make it easier for Americans to give directly to foreign ministries. Its approach cuts out the usual intermediary charities, which sometimes take a significant portion off the top for their expenses, while still allowing donors to get a tax deduction.
How Christianity Fueled Manny Pacquiao's Rise From Poverty To Presidential Candidate by Leocciano Callao
Pacquiao, 42, announced his retirement from boxing on Sept. 28, weeks after announcing he will run for president in the Philippines election scheduled for May 2022. He has often spoken of his born-again evangelical faith in a country that’s nearly 90% Catholic.
Opinion
Weekend Plug-In: SBC Executive Committee's Handling Of Sex Abuse Probe Draws Criticism, Outrage by Bobby Ross Jr.
Will The Government And Press Continue To Ignore Religious Aspect Of Afghanistan? by Terry Mattingly
Children In California Can Now Make Life-Altering Decisions Without Parents' Knowledge by Dr. Michael Brown
Beneath The Comedic Surface, Norm Macdonald Had A Strong Christian Faith by Terry Mattingly
Ultra-Orthodox Jews Proclaim ‘Trump 2024’ In The Midst Of A Religious Celebration by Dr. Michael Brown
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Netflix Horror Series ‘Midnight Mass’ Warns Christians To Be Careful Who They Worship by Jillian Cheney
(REVIEW) “Midnight Mass,” a Netflix horror miniseries from creator Mike Flanagan, brings viewers to a small island town visited by a mysterious and charismatic priest and his accompanying “angel.” The show explores the enchanting power of miracles and asks Christians to be careful where they direct their worship.
Brian Laundrie’s Social Media Shows Interest In Death, Violence And Demons by Sofia Kioko
The social media accounts of Brian Laundrie, the subject of a federal arrest warrant after the remains of his fiance Gabby Petito were found in Wyoming Sept. 19, reveal an interest in dark themes related to violence, demons and death. One image, for example, shows grim reapers surrounding sheep being led to slaughter.
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