California has more megachurches than any other state, so the nature of the congregation wouldn’t provide the tip-off. Rows of pickup trucks in the large parking lot might be a tell, but the percentage of Texans who drive trucks is actually around the national average. Even if the Californian began asking for political opinions, she’d still have trouble proving she was in Texas. (Herrera, Los Angeles Times)
Read MoreDuring the pandemic, churches experienced a sea change as their in-person ministries shifted online—in many cases for the first time. Now those same churches are back to meeting in person, incorporating what they learned during the lockdown, and discussing what a new hybrid physical-digital or “phygital” model of church might look like. (Sprowl, Outreach Magazin
Read MoreHe hails from the Alpine towns of central Europe, and wears a red cloak trimmed with white fur, like Santa Claus. But underneath those robes is the body of a hairy, horned goat-like monster, with spindly, sharp fingernails and a long, creepy, Gene Simmons-esque tongue. (Judkis, The Washington Post)
Read MoreAt least four people were killed and dozens of others injured on Sunday in an explosion at a Roman Catholic Mass inside a university gymnasium in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, officials said. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack in its Telegram channel. (GutierrezThe New York Times)
Read MoreThey believe that no blood should be spilled except as God authorized for the atonement of sins, as illustrated in the practice of animal sacrifice in ancient Judaism. They also point to numerous parts of the Bible that talk about not eating blood or about abstaining from blood, which they liken to transfusions. They also believe only the blood of Jesus Christ can redeem them or save their lives. (Villalpando, USA Today)
Read MoreThe Oxford word of the year, internet slang for romantic appeal or charm, is mostly used by young people. It was one of eight words on a shortlist, all chosen to reflect the mood, ethos or preoccupations of 2023. (Nanji, BBC)
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