Remembering Sister Dianna Ortiz, survivor and advocate against torture
Plus Israel freezes a plan to expropriate church lands, churches aiding disaster relief and more headlines
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
In November 1989, a young Mexican-American Catholic nun was kidnapped, raped and tortured by the Guatemalan military. Sister Dianna Ortiz could have let this horrible event bound her for the rest of her life in hurt and anger, but instead she pushed on, fighting for human rights for others and seeking justice.
Ortiz once said, “The miracle of my life is that out of unspeakable horror came a new mission in life.”
She died of cancer in 2021; now, journalist Maria Martin — who knew Ortiz for years and produced two audio documentaries about her life — remembers her legacy and strength.
In Jerusalem, our correspondent Gil Zohar reports on the plan to enlarge the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The controversial plan would enclose 68 acres of the Mount of Olives and the Kidron and Ben Hinnom valleys, which contain many Christian holy sites. The plan was frozen on Feb. 21, in part because of the protest of several religious groups.
See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.
Remembering Sister Dianna Ortiz, Survivor And Advocate Against Torture
Israel Freezes Plan To Expropriate Church Lands At The Mount Of Olives To Expand National Park by Gil Zohar
Local church leaders had voiced their strong opposition to Israel’s plan to transfer land containing Christian holy sites from church ownership to the state for a national park expansion, denouncing it as a “premeditated attack on the Christians in the Holy Land,” according to a statement by leaders of the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic Churches.
When Omicron Stalled Disaster Relief Efforts, Individual Christians Stepped Up by Audrey Jackson
In towns devastated by tornado and fire in Kentucky and Colorado, Christian disaster relief organizations struggled to get enough volunteers because of omicron concerns. But members of local churches stepped in. For them, the coronavirus was a secondary concern.
A New Way To Translate The Bible — Using Non-Christian Translators by Warren Cole Smith
The Bible translation industry takes in about $500 million per year in donations. With all that money, it produces about 15 completed Bible translations each year. But Strategic Resource Group has embarked on an experiment to see if a secular company — a translation service provider — can translate the Bible faster and cheaper.
Christian College Cancels Speaker From Faith Week Over Sermon On LGBTQ Issues by Anne Stych
Students at Gordon College organized a rally “in solidarity with women and the LGBTQA+ community” after a speaker made what were characterized as misogynistic and transphobic remarks during a chapel service.
Church Leaders Wonder If Livestreaming Is More Of A Blessing — Or A Curse by Bobby Ross Jr.
Two years into the pandemic, church leaders reflect on the blessings — and drawbacks — of livestreaming. While some leaders worry about Christians forsaking physical gatherings, a majority of those surveyed said they see benefits to maintaining virtual options — especially for the immunocompromised, shut-ins and traveling members.
Christian Millionaires Say They're Motivated By Faith And Patriotism To Pay More Taxes by Steve Rabey
Once upon a time — way back in the 1950s and ‘60s — the wealthiest Americans paid a top tax rate of over 90%. Now, the top tax rate is 43%, but many of the richest Americans use a variety of techniques to pay much less. A group called Patriotic Millionaires says the rich should pay their fair share to help reduce rapidly expanding economic disparities.
78-Year-Old Stan Cottrell Strides Through Four Decades Of Record-Breaking Runs by Michael Ray Smith
Stan Cottrell is incredibly fast and on July 3, 1980, broke the mark recognized by Guinness World Records for running from New York City to San Francisco — 66 miles per day for 48 consecutive days. And he has been told he set another distance record this year by reaching 270,000 miles of running in his lifetime.
Tennis Star And Orthodox Believer Novak Djokovic Refuses To Get Vaccinated by Madi Marks
Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic says he’s willing to miss more major tournaments after he was forced to sit out the Australian Open because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19. An eccentric Orthodox Christian, Djokovic’s faith plays a role in his decision to skip vaccines even if it costs him titles and jeopardizes his ranking as the world’s top men’s tennis player.
Across U.S., $89 Million Of Taxpayer Money Goes To Christian Abortion Alternative Programs by Steve Rabey
Since evangelicals galvanized to declare abortion their No. 1 social and political issue, they have used two main strategies to reduce the number of abortions: legislation that restricts access to abortion and ministries — including pregnancy centers — that give women viable alternatives to abortion by providing the resources and support they need.
New Documentary ‘Jeen-Yuhs’ Shows Kanye On His Best Behavior by Jillian Cheney
(REVIEW) A new documentary shows 23 years of behind-the-scenes footage with Kanye West, including his faith journey, from his first days as a Chicago producer to where he is now.
Opinion
How Canada Truckers' Protest Parallels American-Style Christian Nationalism
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the parallels to American-style Christian nationalism in Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy protests against COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Plus, catch up, as always, on 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!
Here We Go Again: What Ails US Evangelicalism And Where Is This Movement Headed? by Richard Ostling
Baptism-Gate And The News Media's Use Of Wrong Experts On Big Catholic Stories by Clemente Lisi
Covering The Goyim Defense League: Does News About Antisemitism Inspire Copycats? by Ira Rifkin
After The Fall: Many Religious Believers In Afghanistan Are In Hiding, With Good Cause by Terry Mattingly
What Is Walking Meditation? by Brooke Schedneck
Comparisons To Nazis That Minimize Their Evil And Exaggerate Modern Issues Must Stop by Dr. Michael Brown
Canadian Government To Be Reviewed For Its Response To The Uyghur Genocide by Ewelina U. Ochab
Don’t miss our latest podcast
Oxygen for All
Indepreet Singh volunteers with the Hemkunt Foundation, a Sikh philanthropy which during the pandemic in India works to construct makeshift clinics and oxygen-supplying centers. Singh tells his story about what running these clinics in Delhi, India looks like on the ground. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
In case you missed it
Editorial picks from our archives
‘Shut In’ Is A Rare R-Rated Faith-Friendly Thriller That Works, Backed By The Daily Wire by Joseph Holmes
(REVIEW) In a push to create a conservative alternative to Hollywood, the conservative news outlet The Daily Wire produced its first film, premiering Feb. 10 on YouTube. “Shut In” is a solid home-invasion horror film that seamlessly integrates faith with thrills. ReligionUnplugged talked to producer Dallas Sonnier about how his parents’ murders influence his portrayals of violence and faith.
Former Plaintiffs In Bill Gothard Abuse Lawsuit Hit Back At Institute In Basic Life Principles’ Statement To NBC News by Shannon Cuthrell
A former plaintiff in a suit against Institute in Basic Life Principles told MinistryWatch that the IBLP’s media statement contains many “manipulations and distortions of the truth” and it made many “who knew the inside story sad and angry that the most they can offer is ‘no comment’ after decades worth of alleged abuse within their organization.”
Thanks again for reading!
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