Taste. As the saying goes, there’s no accounting for it—but Christians are certainly inclined to try. We’re told to turn our thoughts to “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Phil. 4:8). So which paintings and novels and TV shows qualify? (Lucky, Christianity Today)
Read MoreThe move appeared to be an indication of goodwill from Beijing on an issue that has been a U.S. priority in seeking to improve bilateral relations, but it falls short of the broad release of Americans that President Biden has urged Beijing to undertake. (Areddy, The Wall Street Journal)
Read MoreMore than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since the advent of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. But Samborskyi’s funeral became something of a media spectacle in Ukraine, with dozens of journalists in attendance, in part because Azman has become somewhat of a folk hero in Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. (Klein, Religion News Service)
Read MoreOlder Millennials, younger Gen Xers and those living in the American West are driving the surge of Americans who identify as "religiously unaffiliated," according to the latest census of religious diversity in the U.S. (Contreras, Axios)
Read MoreGeneration Z, the first to grow up with smartphones and tablets, is the most fearful and anxious of any age, the American Bible Society (ABS) said in its latest release from the 2024 State of the Bible. But regular Bible engagement, a practice that attracts only 11 percent of Gen Z, reduces anxiety by half and can improve other markers of emotional health, study authors said in releasing chapter six of the study Sept. 12. (Chandler, Baptist Press)
Read MoreFrancis’ papacy has from the start been one of symbols: the small modest cars he’s used, kissing the feet of criminals, the Casio watch he wears. His destinations are as much a part of his teachings as his homilies, and this trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore was seen as part of how he has defined his papacy. (Bubola, The New York Times)
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