More than half of all U.S. states have legalized cannabis, be it for medical purposes, recreational use, or both. The shelves of cannabis dispensaries offer an ever-widening array of gummies, drinks and joints. Meanwhile, the federal government still considers most types of cannabis illegal. (Huang, NPR)
Read MoreBlack churches across the country are struggling to get younger congregants through their doors. Church membership has plunged among Black adults by almost 20 percentage points in the last two decades, according to Gallup. (McGrady, The New York Times)
Read MoreThere were lots of tears at the Global Methodist Church’s first General Conference, held this week in San José, Costa Rica, to officially found the new denomination. They were tears of joy, relief, and gratitude for the holy love of God. (Silliman, Christianity Today)
Read MoreSixty-one percent of evangelicals gave to their local church in the 12 months prior to the study. Unfortunately, that percentage is down from 2021, when 74% of evangelicals gave to the local church. The percentage of evangelicals who gave to a nonprofit or ministry outside of church also fell from 58% in 2021 to 50% in 2024. (Outreach Magazine)
Read MorePope Francis took the unusual decision Wednesday to expel 10 people — a bishop, priests and laypeople — from a troubled Catholic movement in Peru after a Vatican investigation uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority and spirituality. (Winfield, Los Angeles Times)
Read MoreAlmost half of all marriages now end in divorce, yet some people experience ‘divorce regret’ and choose to remarry. Here, happily reunited couples tell their stories about how it all went unexpectedly right. (Abraham, The Guardian)
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