You won't want to miss this new series!  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

	Open in app or online A Norwegian’s journey to understanding Christianity in the U.S. You won't want to miss this new series! Religion Unplugged Dec 1   Cross-post   Hi ReligionUnplugged readers, This week, we completed a new five-part series you’ll want to follow from start to finish. Norwegian journalist Tore Hjalmar Sævik spent time in the U.S. with the goal of understanding modern evangelical Christianity in the country and reporting on the shifting dynamics. Articles were translated from Norwegian into English by ReligionUnplugged intern Natalie Hognestad. Thanks for reading Religion Unplugged’s Week in Headlines! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe The fifth installment introduces author and activist Shane Claiborne, who’s working to help the poor in Trenton, the capitol of New Jersey. Claiborne says he believes Christian nationalism is a greater problem than secularization is — read to find out why. The first part of the series explores the reasons why Christians are moving from liberal to conservative states and the greater concentration of evangelical Christians in certain parts of the country. Check it and the other parts out on our website. See you next week! If you like what you read, share this with your family and friends. Share This is a quick reminder that we’re in the midst of our year-end NewsMatch campaign — and you can help! NewsMatch is a collaborative fundraising movement to support independent, public service journalism like ours. Through December 31, NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation 12 times or double your one-time gift, all up to $1,000. That means that through NewsMatch, we can raise up to $30,000.  For a nonprofit organization like us, this is a big deal and will help us deliver the kind of in-depth journalism you’ve come to expect, every day. It’s the kind of reporting that can make a real difference in our community. And it’s worthy of your support. Give today to double your gift! A Nordic’s Journey To Understand 2022 Christianity In America Author and activist Shane Claiborne believes Christians astray are a bigger problem than secularization in the United States. The latest stop: Trenton, the capital of the state of New Jersey. It might sound nice. But it doesn’t look very nice. by Tore Hjalmar Sӕvik Premiere Of ‘The Chosen’ Season Three Is A Triumphant Mixed Bag by Joseph Holmes (REVIEW) The premiere of “The Chosen” season three showcases both the good and bad of the smash-hit series with few signs that either will change as the show continues. Hong Kong Finds Cardinal Joseph Zen Guilty Over Pro-Democracy Protest Fund by Clemente Lisi Cardinal Joseph Zen, a humanitarian and the outspoken critic of China’s Communist Party, was found guilty on charges relating to his role in a relief fund used by members of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest movement. The 90-year-old and five others were found guilty for failing to register the now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund” used to pay protesters’ legal fees. A Nordic’s Journey To Understand 2022 Christianity In America by Tore Hjalmar Sӕvik This is the fourth in a five-part series about a Norwegian journalist’s perspective on the changing dynamics of Christianity in America. Home schooling in the U.S. has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Religious beliefs are one of the top reasons American families decide to home-school their children. A Nordic’s Journey To Understand 2022 Christianity In America by Tore Hjalmar Sӕvik This is the third in a five-part series about a Norwegian journalist’s perspective on the changing dynamics of Christianity in America. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir known worldwide for its gospel music recently lost one of its iconic soloists, longtime church member Cynthia Greene. A Nordic’s Journey To Understand 2022 Christianity In America by Tore Hjalmar Sӕvik This is the second in a five-part series about a Norwegian journalist’s perspective on the changing dynamics of Christianity in America. New York is known for its diversity, including religious diversity. But among religious groups in the city, evangelical Christians are relatively few. In recent years, these churches have cooperated across ethnic and cultural boundaries. A Nordic’s Journey To Understand 2022 Christianity In America by Tore Hjalmar Sӕvik This is the first in a five-part series about a Norwegian journalist’s perspective on the changing dynamics of Christianity in America. Alyson moved to protect her children against “dechristianization.” A pattern of flight from liberal to conservative states in the U.S. is building a greater concentration of evangelical Christians. Join us in Tennessee. Third Millennium Ministries Reaching Church Leaders With Free Bible Education by Kim Roberts Third Millennium Ministries has endeavored to do its part in growing the body of Christ by offering “biblical education for the world for free.” Its curriculum is currently being used in North and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. It has so far been translated into 22 languages. Hillsong Megachurch Revenue Fell Almost 20% In Last Two Years, Report Shows by Jessica Eturralde Hillsong’s latest annual report reveals the megachurch is bring­ing in $17 million less in revenue com­pared to two years ago — that’s a drop of almost 20%, due at least in part to a series of controversies. The decline comes as former leader and founder Brian Hou­s­ton faces charges of cov­er­ing up his late father’s alleged sex crimes. How Medieval Catholic Traditions Of Thanksgiving Prayers And Feasting Shaped The Protestant Celebration Of Plymouth’s Pilgrims by Joanne M. Pierce (ANALYSIS) Behind the history and legend of the first Thanksgiving lies a rich story that illuminates the medieval Christian roots of the holiday. Nashville Churches Break Record In Walk4Water Fundraiser For Wells In Africa by Ted Parks A recent fundraiser drew the most participants ever for a Walk4Water event benefiting the Nashville-based humanitarian aid organization, which is associated with Churches of Christ. Greater Together, a group of Nashville-area congregations that organized four rousing multi-congregational worship gatherings last summer, coordinated the Walk4Water. Things Get ‘Weird’ In New Al Yankovic Biopic by Jillian Cheney (REVIEW) “Weird Al” Yankovic, the polka superstar and master of parodies, is one of the most unique artists of our time. It’s only right that the biopic chronicling his life is just as unique as he is.  Church Of Christ Affiliated Universities Face Challenging Demographic Shift by Calvin Cockrell Church of Christ affiliated higher education institutions — along with other faith-based institutions — face declining student pools as more high school graduates identify as religious nones. But many of these institutions are adapting to changing demographics through programs focused on nontraditional and distance students. Why Magical Thinking Is So Widespread: Psychological Roots Of Common Superstitions by Dimitris Xygalatas (ANALYSIS) At the core of most superstitions are certain intuitive notions about how the world works. Early anthropologists described these intuitions in terms of principles such as “similarity” and “contagion.” ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Argues You Need Religion For Grief by Joseph Holmes (REVIEW) In “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the the latest Marvel superhero movie breaks from the studio’s typically secular worldview to argue that religion is a necessary part of a healthy grieving process. Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Passenger’ Asks One Important Question: Do You Believe In God? by Jillian Cheney (REVIEW) American novelist Cormac McCarthy often writes about people on the fringes of society who are isolated from true connection with others. His newest novel in a two-book set, “The Passenger,” is no different, but in it the protagonist still has plenty of conversations. In almost every conversation, one character asks, “Do you believe in God?” Inside A Kenyan Halfway House For Juveniles Leaving Prison, Inspired By The Prodigal Son by Tom Osanjo Lifesong is a halfway house that takes in young men who have left prison. It was founded by James Ouma in 2018. They are taught life skills and helped to reintegrate into society. It is the only one of its kind offering such services to that age group in Kenya. Centuries After Serving As Protestant Hub, Largest Swiss City Is Losing Its Faith by Erik Tryggestad Zurich, Switzerland, a hub of the Protestant Reformation — where minister Ulrich Zwingli condoned the eating of sausages during Lent in defiance of the Catholic Church — is losing its faith. Less than half of Switzerland’s 8.7 million souls identify as Catholic or Protestant, according to government figures. Opinion Latter-Day Saints Back Same-Sex Marriage Law, But Other Faith Groups Have Concerns In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the religious debate over the Respect for Marriage Act. 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 Unpacking Kanye And Kyrie: Condemn Antisemitic Acts, But Don’t Destroy Black Men by Robin Washington Whenever Donald Trump Era Ends, What Will America’s Religion Landscape Look Like? by Richard Ostling Gazing Into A Niche-Media Future: How Politicized Might Evangelical Radio Become? by Richard Ostling Despite Perceived Polarization, Not Much Really Separates Us by Paul Prather What Do World Religions Teach On Polygamy, Pro And Con? by Richard Ostling Teachings On Sin Changing? Priest In Ireland Disagrees by Terry Mattingly To End Trumpism, We Must Stick Together. Liz Cheney Has Shown Us How by Bruce Barron World Cup In Qatar Will Feature A Clash Of Soccer Styles And Islamic Beliefs by Clemente Lisi Don’t miss our latest podcast The Religion of Woke America Misses God and Forgiveness Georgetown University professor Joshua Mitchell talks with ReligionUnplugged.com about his new book, “American Awakening,” where he explores how identity politics in America bear a some resemblance to Christianity but miss vital concepts such as forgiveness. Mitchell speaks with Paul Glader and Paul Marshall about the book thesis and Mitchell’s observations and concerns about American life. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or listen directly on our website.  In case you missed it Editorial picks from our archives Who Are The Jews? Kanye West’s Rhetoric Echoes Black Hebrew Israelites’ Antisemitism by Princess Jones (ANALYSIS) According to the controversial singer Ye, formerly called Kanye West, Black people are Jews. This part of his rhetoric is the strongest hint of where exactly his recent outpouring of antisemitism flows from. Mike Pence’s Memoir Doesn’t Shy Away From His Faith And Trump’s Election Insanity by Clemente Lisi (REVIEW) Tell-all books have become a staple of our political conversation. They give readers a chance to see what took place in private during some of history’s most trying times. That’s the case of former Vice President Mike Pence’s new memoir about his life and time in the White House with former President Donald Trump. 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. Thanks for reading Religion Unplugged’s Week in Headlines! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe 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.    Cross-post     Like Comment Share   © 2022 Religion Unplugged 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe