Considering the chaotic first 14 years before founding Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., was assassinated, it is incredible that today his Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed “Mormon” until 2018) is America’s fourth largest religious body.
As Trump signals willingness to join Iran fight, tensions roil MAGA movement
If, as Irving Kristol wrote, a neoconservative is a liberal who’s been mugged by reality, then what do you call an “American First” president who is cheering Israel’s attacks on Iran, increasingly claiming credit for them and seemingly leaving the…
Geniuses Have Divine Gifts. Even When They’re Insufferable.
I have never had much patience for geniuses. Very smart! Very productive! Also: very annoying. Think of the rude eccentric who talks out of turn, sharing his unsolicited opinions on subjects about which he knows very little. Or the bigwig…
‘The Chosen’ swaps Texas for Italy to film the crucifixion for the hit drama about Jesus Christ
Matera, in the south of Italy, is known as the “City of Stones” for its architecture. For the next season of “The Chosen,” it’ll be known by another name: Jerusalem.
Was Seinfeld ‘Too Jewish’?
As America is becoming more politically polarized, American Jews are becoming more theologically polarized. According to Pew surveys, four in ten Jewish adults under 30 describe their religion as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” rather than Jewish. But 17 percent…
Foreign governments seek emergency exits for nationals stranded in Iran and Israel
The Iran-Israel conflict has shuttered airspace across the Middle East as the two bitter enemies launch attacks and reprisals at one another.
Trump Made $1.3 Million on Bible Endorsement
President Donald Trump earned $1.3 million off the sale of Bibles in 2024.
What US adults think about Pope Leo XIV, according to a new AP-NORC poll
Just over a month after Pope Leo XIV became the first U.S.-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church, a new poll shows that American Catholics are feeling excited about their new religious leader.
10 years after the deadly church shooting, a new history of ‘Mother Emanuel’
June 17 marks 10 years since a deadly mass shooting at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shocked the nation. A white supremacist, intent on starting a race war, opened fire during Wednesday night Bible study, killing nine Black worshippers…
‘No Kings’: The Rise Of Religious Authoritarianism In America
As fascism threatens to rise in America, a “soft theocracy” is already here — a system where particular religious values and beliefs shape public policy without being the official state religion.
Bay Area synagogue mobilizes for 2 Palestinian visitors detained at airport
Two Palestinians who flew to the United States on valid tourist visas to raise awareness about their village’s plight were denied entry and detained by federal border agents at San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday, according to a leader at…
A Christian Mind out of Practice
Ispent the last year working on a book about Christians, American politics, and the challenges of faithful and nuanced Christian engagement that are unique to this moment. But as I wrote, I came to think those challenges are rooted in…