Plus an update on protests from an Iranian in exile and more headlines  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

	Open in browser Meet the Buddhist monk tackling abuse with his blog Plus an update on protests from an Iranian in exile and more headlines Religion Unplugged Oct 19   ▷  Listen Save   Hi ReligionUnplugged readers, Tenzin Peljor, a 54-year-old German-Tibetan Buddhist monk, consistently calls out abuse from spiritual teachers on his blog “Difficult Issues — Controversies Within Tibetan Buddhism.” The blog founded in 2008 exposes abuses by prominent leaders in the community and offers caution about parts of Buddhist teaching like guru devotion that can exploit students. Peljor has faced pushback and ostracization from many in the Tibetan Buddhist community who have called him a “spy” after he published a petition to investigate alleged sexual abuses by a senior teacher. Reporter Tenzin Tsagong spoke to Peljor about the importance of his work and how he’s still finding his own spiritual path. Also this week, an Iranian in exile reports for ReligionUnplugged about the historical context behind the widespread protests rocking the country over the enforcement of Islamic law and the death of a young woman in morality police custody for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Read more here. See you next week. If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends. Share The Buddhist Monk Blogger Tackling Abuse By Gurus Tenzin Peljor runs a popular Buddhist blog that addresses controversies in Tibetan Buddhism, especially regarding abusive spiritual teachers. After choosing a guru, students take vows to see their teacher as an enlightened being — questioning or criticizing them can send one to a Tantric hell. Peljor, a monk himself, says he is exposing harmful practices while remaining faithful to the Buddhist tradition. by Tenzin Tsagong The Story Of Iran’s Struggle From An Iranian In Exile by Anonymous (ANALYSIS) The mounting anger and dissatisfaction in Iran have translated into recurring protests in the country, which the state has suppressed with brute force. But despite the brutality of state crackdowns, over the years, the frequency of these protests has surged. A Third Of Wealthy Donors Give Because Of Faith And Family Traditions, Study Finds by Anne Stych According to the 2022 Bank of America Private Bank Study of Wealthy Americans, most well-to-do people of all ages feel compelled to give to philanthropic causes. However, although 82% of parents believe their children share the same vision and goals when it comes to giving, members of younger generations feel the need to pave their own way in the world of philanthropy. Pre-Born! Ministry Grows, Finds Success In Mission To ‘Save Babies And Souls’ by Kim Roberts Until recently, Pre-Born! has flown under the radar and operated in the background of the pro-life movement by supporting pregnancy help centers as a grant writer and support system. But in the last couple years, it has seen exponential growth by engaging in partnerships with Christian and conservative radio programs. Agape Flows Provides Menstrual Products To Impoverished South African Girls by Audrey Jackson (Pinkie Makua founded her faith-based nonprofit, Agape Flows, out of her Southern Africa Bible College dorm room to provide impoverished girls with menstrual products so they won’t miss school due to limited access to necessary hygienic items — an unconventional ministry, but a “fulfillment of pure religion.” Headcovers Have Always Been Political In Iran – For Women On All Sides by Eliz Sanasarian (ANALYSIS) Since mid-September 2022, when a young woman named Mahsa Amini died in detention after being detained for not wearing her headscarf “properly,” protests against the morality police and the broader regime have erupted across the country and from sympathizers around the world. Eboo Patel Is Leading Interfaith America Into The New Era Of Religious Diversity by Kimberly Winston Eboo Patel founded Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on building religious understanding between students, in 2002. It now has 52 employees, an entire floor of lake-view offices at the Chicago Board of Trade, and an annual budget of $13 million. Now IFYC has rebranded as Interfaith America. The dropping of the word “youth” is another signal — that both the organization and its founder have wider goals than changing the world one kid at a time. Opinion Story Of The Year Finalists To Speak At Religion News Association Awards In Friday’s Weekend Plug-In column, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights five finalists for the Religion News Association’s Story of the Year honor. Plus as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith. 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! Subscribe to Weekend Plug-In How Loretta Lynn, Whom I Never Met, Changed My Life by Paul Prather Loretta Lynn: Gospel Truth Meets Rhinestone Feminism by Terry Mattingly Don’t miss our latest podcast Chris Broussard talks about faith, basketball and seeking Jesus In this podcast, Chris Broussard of Fox Sports works as an NBA analyst who is passionate about basketball. He’s also passionate about being a Christian, helping Black youth, combating racism and making the world a better place. He sounds like a preacher, someone who oozes passion. There aren’t too many people out there who could speak with ease about God, Jesus and St. Paul one minute, then pivot and wax on about Michael Jordan, Lebron James and who’s the best dunker in NBA history. But it’s Broussard’s love for Christ — and his commitment to Bible teachings — that makes him a great spokesman for Christians who work in secular environments. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.  In case you missed it Editorial picks from our archives Why Some Religious People Still Refuse To Celebrate Halloween by Kate Nicholl Halloween came to America in the early 19th Century, but gained popularity when the Irish immigrated to America during the Potato Famine. They brought along their Halloween traditions of dressing up and trick-or-treating. Today, the holiday has evolved quite a bit. Giorgia Meloni’s Politics And Faith: Meet The Woman Who Could Be Italy's Next Leader by Clemente Lisi Italians will vote in national elections on Sunday. If polls are correct, then history could be made once the votes are counted. Giorgia Meloni, who heads the Brothers of Italy party, could become the country’s first female prime minister since the nation became a republic in 1946. Here’s everything you need to know about her faith and politics. Thanks again for reading! ReligionUnplugged is a non-profit news organization that benefits greatly from your contributions. Your monetary donations allow us to continue our reporting and expand our coverage. You can always donate on our website by clicking the button below. Donate Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. For $5 a month, subscribe to our Weekend Plug-In Substack. 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. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. For $5 a month, subscribe to receive our Weekend Plug-In in your inbox.  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.    Like Comment Share   © 2022 Religion Unplugged 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe