“The fundamental cause of freedom of religion or belief and other human rights violations in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory is Russia’s invasion and occupation from 2014 onwards of Ukraine,” Forum 18 wrote. “Until Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory is ended, the freedom of religion or belief and other human rights violations seem set to continue.” (Candler, Baptist Press)
Read MoreIt was the first church service in Finland put together mostly by AI tools, which wrote the sermons and some of the songs, composed the music and created the visuals. The widely advertised experimental service drew over 120 people to the church in northeastern Helsinki, much more than on a typical weeknight. (Litvinova & Manenkov, AP News)
Read MoreSomething alarming is happening with reading in America. Leisure reading by some accounts has declined by about 50 percent this century. Literacy scores are declining for fourth and eighth graders at alarming rates. And even college students today are complaining to teachers that they can’t read entire books. (Thompson, The Ringer)
Read MorePastors who want to evangelize and disciple both men and women (as they ought), must understand the factors behind this trend and chart a course to navigate these new waters in ministry. If “religion” codes “right” (or “based” as the internet sloganeers say), then there are plausibility structures and obstacles that must be overcome. (Troutt, Christianity Today)
Read MoreCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom — an outspoken champion of LGBTQ+ rights since he was mayor of San Francisco — called transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports “deeply unfair” in his new podcast Thursday, splitting from his party on an issue that Republicans capitalized on in the presidential election. (Luna & Willon, Los Angeles Times)
Read MoreAn early scene in the coming season of HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones” showcases the newest product in a long and somewhat troubled line of consumer goods from the fictional first family of televangelism. (Peters, The New York Times)
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