🪦 The new Gospel of death
Hollywood's take on the afterlife
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Are you feeling a little morbid? Hollywood certainly is. This year has been huge for movies about death with hits like “Sinners” and “28 Years Later.”
In today’s top story, Joseph Holmes unpacks what these movies and more have to say about Hollywood’s current take on death and the afterlife. While many have kept away from traditional Christian narratives on the subject, they offer insight into the state of religious belief and practice today.
The New Gospel Of Death: What Hollywood’s Take On The Afterlife Looks Like
(ANALYSIS) With the increasing secularization of America, there’s far more freedom for Hollywood writers to tell stories about the afterlife that are in conflict with Christian narratives. There’s less cultural pressure to conform to Christian norms, so filmmakers are now freer explore alternative or ambiguous views of the afterlife. by Joseph Holmes
Book Excerpt: ‘Saving Journalism: The Rise, Demise And Survival Of The News’
(EXCERPT) Could the flourishing history of journalism provide clues for enabling it to flourish in future? Why is society’s watchdog, the press, with its long and often honorable pedigree, going feral? Failing to bark at misrepresentation and fraud, while snarling at truth? Why does journalism have the privileged position it does? by Dr. Jenny Taylor
The Saint Of The Damned: Reading Hunter S. Thompson As Scripture
(ANALYSIS) Throughout his career, you see the outlines of a man burdened by the myth he helped build. A man who stared down America’s worst tendencies and tried to warn us, only to watch them metastasize. And in that exhaustion, there’s something quietly Christlike — not in purity, but in genuine suffering. by John Mac Ghlionn
On Religion: More Than Politics When it Comes To Syria’s Christians
It was during a June 22 service, a jihadi — Syria blamed the Islamic State group — entered with a rifle and began firing. As worshippers tackled him, he detonated an explosive vest. In seconds the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch had more names to add to its two millennia of saints and martyrs. by Terry Mattingly
The Dalai Lama Turns 90: Why China Still Fears Him
(ANALYSIS) Despite being a stateless monk with no official power, the Dalai Lama remains one of China’s most persistent challenges. As he nears 90, Beijing’s anxiety over his influence grows, especially over who will succeed him. For decades, China has tried to erase Tibetan identity and control its spiritual leadership, but the Dalai Lama’s global stature defy state power. by Vishal Arora
America’s Founders And The Quran: A Forgotten Legacy Of Religious Freedom
At a time when the Trump administration has renewed a travel ban on various Muslim majority countries in Africa and across the Middle East, the Quran owned by John Adams is but one indication that our nation’s founders regarded Islam — as well as other, non-Western, non-Christian faiths — as worthy of respect and protection under the law. by Tom Verde
Family, Faith And Freedom: What Do Americans Value Most?
More than eight in 10 Americans agree that respect, family, trustworthiness and freedom are important values to them. At least three-quarters say the same when it comes to kindness, health, integrity, happiness and knowledge. by Clemente Lisi
The Road Back To New Jersey: How The Holy Spirit Led Me Home
(OPINION) We know that the Holy Spirit convicts the world (unbelievers) of sin (John 16:8). But he also convicts believers of our sins. I have never again felt the weight of conviction as I did that time in 1979. But I am thankful how God cleared my conscience through the work of his Holy Spirit. by Matthew Sieger
Where Sunlight Meets An Ancient Tradition: The Power Of Stonehenge
Over 6,000 years old and still a site for worship, Stonehenge remains a unique place. As the first rays of the sun shine into the Stone Circle at the recent summer solstice, thousands of worshippers gathered to celebrate, just as people have done throughout history. Druids, Wiccans and other pagan groups gathered to watch the sun’s arrival following a long winter. by Angela Youngman
💙 Hoops and Healing: Why The Thunder’s First NBA Title Means So Much To OKC 🔌
Why did the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA title mean so much to our Weekend Plug-in columnist — just a casual fan? It’s simple: This is about much more than basketball, y’all. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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For some poor souls, the greatest gift life offers is that someday, preferably sooner rather than later, they get to die and not have to repeat the suffering. But when suicide is simply not an option, it basically means there’s little hope of receiving an early reprieve from their literal life sentence. And, of course, reincarnation is therefore the ultimate and unthinkable Hell.
Thus, the following lines extracted from a much larger poem/prose:
____
I awoke from another very bad dream, a reincarnation nightmare / where having thankfully died I’m still bullied towards rebirth back into human form / despite my pleas I be allowed to rest in permanent peace. // …
… // Each second that passes I should not have to repeat and suffer again. / I cry out ‘give me a real purpose and it’s not enough simply to live / nor that it’s a beautiful sunny day with colorful fragrant flowers!’ //
I’m tormented hourly by my desire for both contentedness and emotional, material and creative gain / that are unattainable yet ultimately matter naught. My own mind brutalizes me like it has / a sadistic mind of its own. I must have a progressive reason for this harsh endurance! //
Could there be people who immensely suffer yet convince themselves they sincerely want to live when in fact / they don’t want to die, so greatly they fear Death’s unknown? //
No one should ever have to repeat and suffer again a single second of sorrow that passes. / Nay, I will engage and embrace the dying of my blight!