Chris Eddy watched for years as her husband Bob became an integral part of an Aryan Nations church in North Idaho. Bound by her Catholic faith and her love for the man she had married, she stayed with him until his death. She refused to participate with his church or his meetings and always hoped she might win him back with love.
Eddy chose to tell her story in the hopes that it may help someone else and to offer a psychological insight into those who have been changed by extremism. Her book, “Torn: Married to a White Supremacist” was published in July. Contributor Tracy Simmons shares more about the book and Eddy’s life in today’s top story.
Former intern Alicia Lenea reports this week on the rise of faith-based fashion brands, which have been given more opportunity as physical storefronts diminish and online retailers flourish. The creators of these brands have a range of goals, many of them connected to self-expression and proclamation of faith. Their work also brings up questions about modesty, the idolatry of luxury and ethical consumption.
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Chris Eddy spent the last three years of her life fine-tuning the story she had kept secret most of her days. She had been married to, and raised a family with, a white supremacist. Her Catholic faith kept her fighting for her marriage and for her husband. by Tracy Simmons
(REVIEW) Valentina Pedicini’s documentary “Faith” spends time in a sect of Christianity called the Warriors of Light, composed of former martial arts champions who live ascetic lives and train daily to fight in a coming spiritual battle. The documentary focuses on why people have faith and what sustains it.
With the advent of small-batch clothing lines launched easily and cheaply through websites and social media feeds rather than brick-and-mortar retail stores, many fashion entrepreneurs like Floryn C. Ajuzie are creating new clothing brands, products and strategies driven by their personal faith and beliefs. Their success raises questions about branding strategy as well as ethics of retail.
When fans aren’t packing stadiums to watch soccer matches, another thing that will get a lot of attention will be Qatar’s Islamic art and culture. As is the case with any country that plays World Cup host, visitors will get a real chance to see things in person they may not otherwise ever see anywhere else. Among those things will be the Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque in the capitol city Doha.
In July, after five years of work, Father Francesco Patton inaugurated the multimedia exhibition “The Experience of Resurrection,” housed at the Franciscans’ Christian Information Center located inside the Old City of Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate. The 656-square-foot installation, spread over six rooms, takes 40 minutes to view.
Amid increased attacks against migrants, faith-based groups around South Africa are launching several projects to counter xenophobia. The interfaith community has developed a national Hate Crimes Working group that is speaking out against violent attacks and providing practical help to victims.
(ANALYSIS) As late as 1970, according to figures from the Cremation Association of America, only about 5% of American chose cremation over burial. But in 2020, more than 56% Americans opted for it. And by 2035, the he National Funeral Directors Association predicts nearly 80% of Americans will opt for cremation.
(REVIEW) A new book by historian Randall Balmer called “Passion Plays: How Religion Shaped Sports in North America” explores the relationship between sports and religion. Specifically, he writes that the book “examines how the history of religion across North America connects in fascinating ways to the emergence of modern team sports.”
(REVIEW) Leonard Cohen’s life and musical legacy are explored in a thoroughly engaging new documentary through the lens of his famous song “Hallelujah.” The documentary explores Cohen’s inner turmoil regarding his Jewish faith and his humanity and how that influenced his music. It also proves the massive influence of the song on music history by making “Hallelujah” accessible to everyone.
(ANALYSIS) About one-fifth of current French prisoners were convicted for drug offenses, according to the French Ministry of Justice — a rate comparable to that of the United States. Nearly all of them are men. There is no demographic breakdown of this population, because the French credo of “absolute equality” among citizens has made it illegal since 1978 to collect statistics based on race, ethnicity or religion.
(ANALYSIS) Crystals aren’t just eye-catching stones. Quartz is used in electronics because it possesses piezoelectric properties that cause it to release an electric charge when compressed. But, as skeptics are quick to point out, there is no evidence crystals can bring health, prosperity or any of the other properties that crystal enthusiasts may attribute to them.
From the beginning of their journey into the Orthodox faith, Meghan and Michael Jones were metaphysically connected to Alaska. But their sense of calling to spread the gospel, expand the church and launch socially redemptive initiatives eventually led the couple and their four children to Fiji.
There has been an increase in crimes committed against houses of worship across North America, predominantly aimed at Catholic churches, since last year. Many of these incidents have taken place in the weeks prior and after the Supreme Court decision to roll back federal abortion rights.
Like many others, 66-year-old Mayan Rosalina Tuyuc has been scarred by Guatemala’s decades-long civil conflict that officially ended in 1996, but from which the country has yet to recover. Raised Catholic, she has now learned to also look to her ancestors’ Indigenous spirituality for healing and answers.
Estimates vary, but many agree that at least 30% of the world’s population has no access to the gospel, often because of the hostile environment in which they live. The goal of 2414, a coalition of church planting movements including Beyond, is to reach those people groups with a model that will have a lasting impact.
In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. details the latest on the fatal shootings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
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A Visit To The Latter-Day Saints ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Temple In Washington DC
The six gold-tipped spires of the temple, originally dedicated in 1974, stoke intrigue like Emerald City in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. Part of the attraction is that the Latter-day Saints temple is off-limits to the public — except for an open house, which has not taken place in nearly 50 years, since 1974. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.
Several young Orthodox converts who live at the St. James House, a self-directed program for young Orthodox adults, kept asking me during my visit last November if I had met Joe, the beekeeper. From what I had gathered, this guy named Joseph “Joe” Dunham, 68, was a living legend of the Eagle River community. He sounded quirky. I had to meet him.
While less than 1% of Americans identify as Orthodox Christians, 5% of Alaskans identified as Orthodox in 2014, according to Pew Research. And while the number of regular attendees at Eastern Orthodox churches in the U.S. has declined 14% from 2010 to 2020, the number of parishes grew 3% over the same decade, according to the latest data in the 2020 Census of Orthodox Christian Churches.
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Any news tips for us? Is there a story you think we should be covering? We want to know! Email our managing editor Meagan at meagan@themediaproject.org.
