This week: 2026 Oscars đŹ
How the awards pit faith against religion
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
The Academy Awards, which celebrates film in the U.S. and around the world, will air on March 15. Nominees for Best Picture include titles like âSinnersâ â which is now the most-nominated movie of all time â âHamnetâ and âTrain Dreams.â
In todayâs top story, critic Joseph Holmes unpacks the nominees and analyzes the way they portray Christianity and spirituality. He writes: âin 2026, Hollywood is finally developing a synthesis: Faith is bad when it is an organized (particularly Christian) religion, but is positive when it is an expression of individual spirituality.â
As a companion piece, check out this weekâs podcast, which features Holmes, Culture Editor Jillian Cheney and theologian Paul Anleitner.
How The 2026 Academy Awards Was Able To Pit Faith Against Religion
(ANALYSIS) This yearâs nomineesâ bias toward personal faith over organized religion reflects the move our own society is making in that direction. It remains, however, to be seen whether that spirituality will evolve to meet the challenges of hyper-individualism, or if organized religion will simply outlast it. The Academy Awards will be handed out March 15 in Los Angeles. by Joseph Holmes
Most Americans Think Their Fellow Citizens Are âMorally Badâ
The Pew Research Center surveyed thousands of adults in 25 countries and found that 53 percent of Americans said their fellow countrymen had âsomewhat badâ or âvery badâ morals. Those findings broke with the international trend: In every other country surveyed, the majority said that others in their country have âsomewhat goodâ or âvery goodâ morals. by Cassidy Grom
In Order to Maintain Aging Monasteries, Spanish Nuns Are Becoming Entrepreneurs
Itâs a modern solution to an age-old issue. Many centuries-old monasteries are turning to Etsy-style e-commerce and renovating their convents to appeal to the growing Airbnb crowd. Like other religious establishments in Spain, Catholic nuns have had to think of new ways to generate income in the face of skyrocketing maintenance costs. by Romain Chauvet
South Koreaâs âPeace Islandâ Christians Stand With Palestinians
The residents of Jeju Island remember what it is like to resist imperialism and outside interests. Groups that were formed to protest the U.S. naval base construction have now shifted their focus to seek peace in Palestine following the year-long Israel-Gaza war. by Sonia Sarkar
Why Loki, Thor And Other Norse Gods Are Making A Comeback
Over 1,000 years ago, Norse gods like Odin, Loki, Thor and Freya were worshipped across Scandinavia. Now there are indications that Norse Paganism is becoming a significant force once again. The number of believers is steadily rising, with new temples and dedicated cemeteries appearing across northern Europe. by Angela Youngman
Religion Unplugged Podcast
What Do The 2026 Oscars Have to Say About Religion?
In our annual Oscars podcast, Religion Unpluggedâs Culture Editor Jillian Cheney and film critic Joseph Holmes sat down with public intellectual and theologian Paul Anleitner, author and the President and CEO of Goodmakers. Cheney, Holmes and Anleitner discussed the spiritual and religious themes of some of this yearâs most beloved Oscar nominees.
Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Podcastsï»ż | Episode Catalog â
đšđș Feeding Bodies And Souls: Faith Sustains Cuban Farmer During Time Of Crisis đ
Itâs a tough time for Christian farmer Jorge Sanchez. A U.S. blockade on oil shipments to this Caribbean island nation has spurred Cubaâs deepening humanitarian crisis. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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