🤼 Wrestling with faith
These Bible reenactments pack a real punch
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
For two hours monthly, St. Peter’s Church in West Yorkshire looks more like a WWE match than it does a church. But make no mistake — there’s still Bible study going on. Kingdom Wrestling, the charity responsible for these monthly events, acts out Bible stories through wrestling matches.
In today’s top story, contributor Angela Youngman gets into the ring with the wrestlers from in Kingdom Wrestling and shares their growing appeal throughout the U.K.
As a bonus this week, check out our latest podcast with the author of the story! Youngman talks to Podcast Editor Matthew Peterson about how she finds her unique story ideas and offers more insight into her process as a journalist.
New Ways To Grapple With Faith: How Churches Are Wrestling With Bible Stories
Walk through the doors of St. Peter’s Church in the English town of Shipley, in West Yorkshire, and this Anglican house of worship can sometimes result in a very unexpected sight. Forget rows of pews leading down to a main altar. Instead, you’ll find a large ring featuring wrestling acting out Bible stories. by Angela Youngman
Living In The Age Of Crashing Hollywood Empires
(ANALYSIS) As a rule, I am not a fan of sequels — other than movies that complete a cycle of stories that exist in some existing form of literature (think “The Lord of the Rings”). I am also not a fan of live-action remakes of classic animated films. by Terry Mattingly
‘Just War’ And ‘Just Peace’: A Religious Examination Of Ukraine’s Plight
(ANALYSIS) In recent weeks, as peace discussions proceeded among victimized Ukraine, its imperialistic neighbor Russia, pro-Ukraine Europeans and America’s Donald Trump administration, there’s been some vigorous religious debate about this muddled situation. by Richard Ostling
How Easter Could Bring Greater Unity Between Eastern And Western Churches
For centuries, churches have used different methods to calculate the date of Easter. Rarely do they coincide. The search for a common date has also been one of the main issues of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, whose 1,700th anniversary is being celebrated this year. As a result, this could be a year that marks a turning point in the relationship between Eastern and Western churches. by Clemente Lisi
Flannery O’Connor At 100: Faith And Fiction In The American South
(ANALYSIS) If she were still alive, Tuesday would mark Flannery O’Connor’s 100th birthday. This milestone invites us to explore the many ways in which her Catholic faith shaped her literary genius. O’Connor was born in Savannah, Georgia, where Protestantism was the norm. Her decision to follow Catholicism wasn’t just a personal faith choice, but a key part of her identity and a driving force in her writing. by John Mac Ghlionn
Animated Easter Film ‘The King of Kings’ Makes Jesus Boring (Especially For Boys)
(REVIEW) There’s a kind of soothing boredom that settles in throughout the film. Everything about it is mild. The jokes are gentle. The characters’ anger restrained. The sadness subdued. The animation is beautiful, but unremarkable. The voice actors deliver their lines without much intensity. Because the emotional highs and lows are nonexistent, the experience is more like watching a screensaver. by Joseph Holmes
On Religion: When Clergy Offered Help With Smartphones (Part 1)
(ANALYSIS) The goal was to create local educational events about smartphones and digital technology that would let parents interact with representatives from Troomi and other major companies in the “minimalist” phone marketplace — such as Gabb, Bark, Pinwheel and The Light Phone. What happened next? by Terry Mattingly
Evangelical Clergy Largely Reject Human-Caused Climate Change
Nearly 80 percent of evangelical Protestant pastors reject the scientific consensus that the climate is changing and human actions are a major cause, according to a new report. Only about one-quarter of clergy from other Christian traditions, such as Catholic and mainline Protestants, share this same skepticism. by Clemente Lisi
How Violence Has Impacted Religious Gatherings In Nigeria
In recent years, Nigeria has seen a surge in kidnappings and violent attacks. Christians living in the country’s five southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have said violence has affected their religious lives. by Ekpali Saint
Soul Food For The Word-Weary: Embarking On A Christian Pilgrimage Through Art
(OPINION) “Poor wordy little Protestants” — as someone once said — have severed this connection between the church and its visual soul food. Bereft of beauty, Protestant churches have left us to the narcotizing effect of TV and social media, and a daily diet of pap, propaganda and rage. Could new generations and populations be inspired again to aspire to the heights to which those early artists aspired? If so, we'll surely need to get out more. by Dr. Jenny Taylor
5 Religiously Affiliated Schools That Could Bust Your March Madness Brackets
The best week in sports is upon us once again. The men’s NCAA basket tournament — a time known as “March Madness” — brings with it office pools and, very often, plenty of surprises. It’s a long road to the championship game and a lot will happen between now and April 7. Here are five religiously-affiliated schools that could turn into Cinderella teams and pull off some upsets. by Clemente Lisi
🔥 After Monster Storm, The Story Can’t Be Told Without Recognizing Faith 🔌
When covering a tragedy, faith almost always emerges as a part of the story. That was the case again this past weekend when a monster storm system struck the Deep South and the Plains. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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Thanks again for reading!
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