Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
Since last week, contributor and The Media Project board member Vishal Arora has been reporting on escalating tensions between India and Pakistan since an April 22 attack on civilians in the Kashmir region.
Early on May 7, India retaliated with an attack on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Officials say the attack targeted sites used by terror groups responsible.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a “blatant act of war,” promising that it “will not go unpunished.”
In today’s top story, Arora writes on the quick escalation of the tension — despite advice from world governments to avoid war at all costs.
Today is the first day of the conclave. Keep up to date with the latest news and access a livestream from our site.
(ANALYSIS) India launched a major military strike deep into Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on May 7, saying it targeted sites used by terror groups responsible for the April 22 attacks on civilians in the Kashmir region. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a “blatant act of war,” promising that it “will not go unpunished” and claiming that a “resolute response is already underway.” by Vishal Arora
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(ANALYSIS) The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, has pushed India and Pakistan into one of their most dangerous standoffs in recent years. Daily gunfire is being reported across the Line of Control and diplomatic ties have been cut off and military activity is intensifying between the majority Hindu nation and their Muslim neighbors. by Vishal Arora
Founded in 2013, Radio Sharda has grown into a powerful cultural project — broadcasting Kashmiri-language content to a global diaspora and anchoring displaced people to their roots. Named after the goddess of learning and the ancient Sharada Peeth temple, Radio Sharda is more than a radio station. It is a living archive of a vanishing language, a meeting point for artists and a shared refuge for memory. by Zaffar Iqbal
(ANALYSIS) The big U.S. Supreme Court decisions due in the coming two months include three cases on the religion clauses in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. At issue: Can a state deny a tax benefit to religious charities it thinks are not “religious” enough, can parents withdraw public elementary children from classes on gender identity and whether the state can fund a religious charter school. by Richard Ostling
(REVIEW) “Fallen,” the love story of a girl loved by a fallen angel, has been adapted to the screen twice since the original book was released in 2009. Its most recent adaptation to television, an eight-episode season now streaming on AMC+, suggests a more negative view of religion that’s developed over the past decade — and it’s worse off narratively for not embracing the original story’s theology. by Jillian Cheney
(ANALYSIS) Be honest: How many of you have watched or rewatched the movie “Conclave” during the past month or two — roughly starting with the health crisis that eventually ended the Pope Francis papacy? by Terry Mattingly
(ANALYSIS) Ashraf, a Muslim and daily wage labourer from Wayanad, Kerala, had arrived in this coastal Karnataka city just weeks earlier. On the evening of April 27, he was found dead near a temple in Kudupu — barely six miles (10 kilometers) from Mangaluru city’s centre. Reportedly killed on the sidelines of a cricket match, his death was a brutal act that felt grimly familiar. by Vishal Arora
In the wake of his daughter’s death “I learned to live with unknowingness.” Those were the words of Ken Druck, a clinical psychiatrist who has his doctorate in that discipline. Druck said he’s had as much training in grief and loss as the average graduate school student. by Elizabeth Eisenstadt Evans
The president posted an AI-generated image of himself as pope — igniting accusations from many Catholics worldwide of poor taste. The post comes just days before a conclave to elect a new pontiff will be held at the Vatican. by Clemente Lisi
This conclave is significant not only for its size, but also for the opportunity it presents to shape the future of Catholicism. The outcome will have implications for the church's stance on a variety of issues and determine whether the church wants to continue with the direction set forth by Pope Francis. In four days, 133 cardinals will make their way inside the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pontiff. by Clemente Lisi
Curated by street children, the Delhi-based Balaknama brings powerful stories about underprivileged children and their surroundings in several cities across India. These children have lived the hardships they write about, giving their journalism rare authenticity and depth. Through Balaknama, they now have a platform to voice their issues and challenges. by Harshita Rathore
President Trump, whose administration has cut USAID and slapped tariffs on other nations in recent weeks, imposed sanctions on South Africa, stating white farmers are being killed and their farms forcefully seized without compensation. He signed an executive order in February saying he was addressing what he described as serious human rights violations occurring in South Africa. by Vicky Abraham
Pizzaballa’s name has been included in almost every list == in secular and Catholic media — of “papabile,” or “pope able” candidates to fill the Chair of Saint Peter. Thus, journalists and church insiders have dissected sermons and addresses by Pizzaballa and other popular “papabile,” searching for clues about their stands on doctrine, worship and pastoral issues in the wake of the tumultuous Francis papacy. by Terry Mattingly
(REVIEW) The strength of her book is that, for the most part, she does not feature dissidents who consciously oppose the government. Instead, she focuses on ordinary, law-abiding people who consider themselves to be loyal Chinese citizens but who unwittingly cross the CCP’s constantly changing redlines. The people Feng features find ways to live with dignity and integrity in the crucible of China’s dictatorship. by Dr. Robert Carle
(ANALYSIS) Parents and caregivers — especially those from urban areas or with less economic stability — felt that the church could do more to support early childhood development and address their community's needs. This is where Black and Latino community churches and faith leaders need to step in to support families. by Sonia Sarkar
As the U.S. church continues to navigate a changing cultural and technological landscape, Pushpay’s new report makes it clear: Digital tools are no longer optional — they’re essential. Whether through AI, streaming, mobile apps, or giving platforms, technology is reshaping how ministry happens, making it more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of congregations. by Clemente Lisi
(ANALYSIS) Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion and Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program, along with Gallup and the Center for Open Science, released on Wednesday the first findings of their ongoing worldwide survey examining what makes for human flourishing. by Paul Marshall
(REVIEW) If words like “radio silent,” “compound” and “too good to be true” didn’t give it away. In the cult setting, “Opus” explores celebrity worship, creativity, culture as a mouthpiece of movements and the public fascination with true crime. It explains all the reasons why we love consuming cult content — it’s just ultimately an unfulfilling watch on its own. by Jillian Cheney
In a presentation at the Associated Church Press annual convention in Chicago, our Weekend Plug-in columnist reflects on his experience covering natural disasters. by Bobby Ross Jr.
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