Southern Baptist leaders working to address abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination say they will focus on helping churches access other databases of abusers and training churches to do better background checks. However, the so-called Ministry Check database, which was a centerpiece of reforms approved by Southern Baptist messengers — or local church representatives — is now on the back burner. (Smietana, Religion News Service)
Read MoreExperts and people who know them say the group is led by LaSota, who in online postings discussed the nature of consciousness and rational decision making. Many of the group members are vegan, and either have degrees in computer science or have studied related fields. Some members of the group are transgender, or have rejected binary sexuality. (Hughes, USA Today)
Read MorePolitical science suggests that pandemics are more likely to reduce rather than build trust in scientific authorities. One cross-country analysis published by the Systemic Risk Center at the London School of Economics found that people who experience epidemics between the ages of 18 and 25 have less confidence in their scientific and political leadership. This loss of trust persists for years, even decades, in part because political ideology tends to solidify in a person’s 20s. (Thompson, The Atlantic)
Read MoreDespite Wheaton College’s attempts to quiet a backlash from alumni over its pro forma congratulatory message recognizing alumnus and newly confirmed White House official Russell Vought, the actions of the “deliberately non-partisan” evangelical Christian school have only brought more controversy. (Post, Religion News Service)
Read MoreIncreasing obesity means that some Europeans can no longer expect to live longer than their parents did, a study has found, and England is lagging behind the rest of the continent for improvements in life expectancy. (Hayward, The Times)
Read MoreArtificial intelligence may be poised to change the world, but viewers of this year’s Super Bowl were unimpressed with its big-game advertising. The most popular commercial in USA Today’s annual, panel-based Super Bowl Ad Meter was Budweiser’s tale of an ambitious Clydesdale foal, while AI-themed ads for ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Meta Platforms’ Ray-Ban smart glasses ranked near the bottom. (Coffee, The Wall Street Journal)
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