Why Gen Z feels disconnect from religion

Also: pastors question ending digital services, Samaritan people celebrate traditional Jewish holiday & more headlines

Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,

A new study by Springtide Research Institute finds that Gen Z Americans increasingly distanced themselves from religious institutions like churches, mosques or synagogues in 2020, finding spirituality instead in practices like tarot card readings and sharing fears and musings in online spaces like Tik Tok. Half of those surveyed said they did not think religious institutions care about the social justice issues they feel passionate about.

ReligionUnplugged contributor Anna Carlson interviewed Springtide’s executive director Josh Packard. Read the story here and listen to their full conversation on the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or directly on our website.

Also don’t miss reporting by Paul Glader and John Semakula, who spoke to a dozen pastors internationally about the future of online church. A version of their piece also appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

See you next week! And if you like what you read, share this with your family and friends.

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The State of Religion and Young People 2021

The Springtide Research Institute's new annual study is released today. Religion Unplugged Contributor, Anna Carlson interviews the executive director of the Institute, Dr. Josh Packard to discuss the insights of the new report and the trends of the religious habits of young people in America.

Pastors Question Whether To Unplug From Online Services When The Pandemic Ends by Paul Glader and John Semakula

Many pastors around the U.S. and the world are wondering how and when church life can transition back into real-life gatherings, with church members weaned off the safety and convenience of online church. ReligionUnplugged.com spoke to a dozen pastors from Africa to America to hear about the challenges of digital church post pandemic.

Samaritans Number Less Than 1,000. Here's How Their Tradition Survives In Israel by Gil Zohar

(ANALYSIS) This week, Samaritans are celebrating Sukkot — one month after Jews. The ranks of the once mighty Samaritan people reached 3 million in biblical times but were reduced by persecution and apostasy to 146 by 1918. Today they number 814: Half live on a mountaintop in the West Bank, and half live along coastal plains in Israel.

Catholicism Grows In Africa And Asia, Plummets In Europe, Report Says by Clemente Lisi

The number of Roman Catholics across Africa and Asia continues to grow, according to a new report, while it has dropped in Europe. The Vatican report serves as a statistical snapshot of the church’s global population and institutions, comparing 2019 — the last year for which data is available — with the previous year.

Restored 1896 Footage May Reveal New Details Of Pope Leo XIII, Earliest-Born Person On Film by Timothy Nerozzi

A restoration project on YouTube has rendered a short piece of film depicting Pope Leo XIII into never-before seen quality. David Martin, who restored the footage from 1896 into color, spoke to ReligionUnplugged.com about the scenes of Pope Leo XIII captured and the identities of the men surrounding him, long forgotten.

Migrant Workers Flee Kashmir After Deadly Militant Attacks by Zaffar Iqbal

Several recent deadly attacks on Hindu migrant workers in Kashmir — as militants fight to separate the region from India — are prompting many to flee the Muslim-majority Himalayan valley, particularly the migrant workers who have participated in Kashmir's economy for decades as construction workers and street vendors.

Pelosi's Papal Audience: More Proof Of A New Era Of Partisan Press? by Clemente Lisi

(ANALYSIS) Despite it being almost two weeks since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, the fallout and reaction from that private audience continues to reverberate across the American political landscape. Naturally, some are concerned about how the news media we consume have covered it all.

Opinion

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Ransom Demands And Prayers: The Kidnapping Of A Mission Group In Haiti

In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. shares reports from Haiti, where a group of missionaries were kidnapped and held for ransom. Other top stories include questions about online church (from ReligionUnplugged’s Paul Glader and John Semakula), Christian schools, a Bible shortage and more.

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!

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It's An Important Political Question: Are You A Believer Or A Self-Identified Believer? by Terry Mattingly

Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory Praises Press, Encourages Civility by Terry Mattingly

Parents Have Become Pitted Against The Government In A Fight For Children's Future by Dr. Michael Brown

Crucial Question In All Those Newsworthy Abortion Debates: When Does Life Begin? by Richard Ostling

Don’t miss our latest podcast

The State of Religion and Young People 2021

The Springtide Research Institute's new annual study is released today. Religion Unplugged Contributor, Anna Carlson interviews the executive director of the Institute, Dr. Josh Packard to discuss the insights of the new report and the trends of the religious habits of young people in America. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website. 

In case you missed it

Editorial picks from our archives

Exorcist Details His Ongoing Battle Against Demons In New Book About Possession by Clemente Lisi

(REVIEW) Stephen Rossetti, a licensed psychologist, tries to use his latest book to educate people on the subject of exorcisms and debunk myths that have been pushed into pop culture by Hollywood. He also pushes back on the idea that exorcisms are “not an integral part of the ministry of Jesus and thus are not an integral part of today’s church.”

Philip Yancey’s New Memoir Critiques Fundamentalist Upbringing by Steve Rabey

In an interview with Religion Unplugged, bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey discusses his new memoir, “Where the Light Fell,” about a painful upbringing in poverty and fundamentalism with his brother and single mother that birthed a passionate curiosity and a writing career of many celebrated Christian books over the last 40 years.

Thanks again for reading!

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