Tech takes on religious traditions
The quest for immortality
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Does scientific research into immortality condradict with the pursuit of spirituality?
This is one of many questions sparked by the research of scientists interested in the pursuit of immortality — or, at the very least, an extended lifespan — on Earth.
In today’s top story, contributor John Mac Ghlionn explores the work of pioneers Bryan Johnson and David Sinclair, who each have their own takes on the extension of life.
While the fields may seem entirely dissimilar, Ghlionn writes that both religion and this realm of research “grapple with fundamental questions about the nature of life, death and the human quest for transcendence.”
Tech Takes On Religious Traditions: The Quest For Immortality
(ANALYSIS) Religion and biohacking, at first glance, may seem worlds apart — one rooted in ancient traditions and spiritual beliefs; the other in cutting-edge science and technology. Look again and you'll recognize the fact that both grapple with fundamental questions about the nature of life, death and the human quest for transcendence. by John Mac Ghlionn
New Polls Offer Conflicting Clues On Key Catholic Voters
(ANALYSIS) How Catholic voters view the candidates and issues could nudge margins enough to swing the election, and so could many other factors in such a nail-biter. Though political coverage emphasizes evangelicals, shifts by the two different Catholic segments are usually much more important in general elections. by Richard Ostling
The Focus On ‘Religious Freedom For All’ And The Main Sources Of Persecution
(REVIEW) Most people working in recent decades in America’s growing movement for international religious freedom are little-known except by those personally involved activists and academics. One whose name and work has generally not been recognized outside these circles is Knox Thames. This is principally because he has worked close to the heart of things, usually in government circles. by Paul Marshall
‘Takedown’ Chronicles the Fight — Aided By Faith — To Shut Down Pornhub
(REVIEW) Over the past four years, PornHub — one of the most-visited sites on the internet — has faced a reckoning of epic proportions. Efforts spearheaded by sex-trafficking activist Laila Mickelwait are the reason behind this reckoning, recounted in Mickelwait’s new book “Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down PornHub for Child Abuse, Rape and Sex Trafficking.” by Jillian Cheney
‘Kaos’ Turns Out To Be An Unusually Insightful ‘Rage Against the Gods’ Comedy
Most religious mythologies reflect how various peoples experience the world. Mesopotamia had really bad weather and tribal warfare, so its people tended to portray the gods as deeply chaotic and unreliable. Meanwhile, their Egyptian neighbors had stable weather and an equally stable government. As a result, their gods were largely stable and benevolent as well. by Joseph Holmes
Judo Champion Nemanja Majdov Banned After Making Sign Of The Cross At Paris Olympics
Serbian judo star Nemanja Majdov was slapped with a five-month ban for making the sign of the cross before he competed at the recent Paris Olympics. He was accused by the International Judo Federation of violating its code of conduct for “having shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play” and barred from participating in tournaments and other events. by Clemente Lisi
Despite Debates Over Kirk Franklin, Fans Across Kenya Come Out To See Gospel Singer
(ANALYSIS) American gospel musician Kirk Franklin and his Maverick City shook off negative perceptions from Kenyan skeptics to stage a show. As fans gathered at the Ulinzi Stadium in Nairobi to dance to Franklin, critics chose to stay away. Those who believe they are defenders of the Christian faith warned that Franklin was no longer representative of Jesus. by Tom Osanjo
‘Crossroads Podcast’: Elite Journalists Move To America’s Heartland
Here’s the big idea in the podcast: Elite newsrooms allowing reporters to live in the heartland offer opportunities for reporters to interact with voices and points of view that they would not have encountered otherwise. In the end, however, a newsroom is only as diverse as the worldviews and source lists found in the work of its editors and superstars. by Terry Mattingly
Vatican Allows Devotion To Medjugorje, Fails To Call Apparitions ‘Authentic’
The Vatican gave Catholics the green light to continue visiting the Bosnian village of Medjugorje, where children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary some four decades ago. The Vatican's doctrinal office released a statement that fell short of declaring the apparitions “authentic” — but instead recognized the “positive fruits” for pilgrims stemming from the spiritual experience. by Clemente Lisi
On Religion: Progressive Evangelicals Decry Political Theology
(ANALYSIS) In the bitterly divided evangelical world, any discussion of these issues — such as a confession signed by A-list evangelical Trump critics, as well as some doctrinal progressives — will automatically be framed by the rhetoric of the former president and his boldest supporters. Decades of rapier thrusts by late-night comedians, newsroom warriors and oppo researchers fade into the past. by Terry Mattingly
Majority Of US Indian Muslims Suffer Bigotry From Hindu Nationalists
A new report finds that a majority of Indian American Muslims living in the United States said they have experienced discrimination due to the rise of Hindu nationalism, an ideology that has fostered “an environment of intolerance” in and outside of India. The survey revealed the trend, tying it to the ideology of Hindu nationalism among Indian immigrants. by Clemente Lisi
Exorcists Are Making Another Cinema Comeback
(ANALYSIS) The man who wrote “The Exorcist” knew what he was doing. The late William Peter Blatty was a witty Hollywood veteran (he wrote the Pink Panther classic “A Shot in the Dark”), as well as an articulate pro-Catechism Catholic. by Terry Mattingly
Faith Communities Vital For Ethiopia’s National Peace Dialogue
(OPINION) Ethiopia — with its rich historical heritage and 84 ethnolinguistic groups — faces ongoing challenges despite its democratic aspirations. The nation has struggled with cycles of political violence and persistent poverty, shaped by the 1974 Marxist military revolution and the 1991 rise of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. Peace remains elusive amid continuing conflicts and economic difficulties. by Girma Bekele
🏀 Small-College Coach Garth Pleasant Never Made Excuses — And He Became A Legend 🔌
When a legend invites you to the Big House, you go. The story of how our columnist ended up at a Michigan Wolverines game with basketball coach Garth Pleasant, who won 720 games and four small-college national championships. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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