Observers are saying that the honeymoon is over for Pope Francis, and now serious questions are being raised about his papacy that may point to further divisions in the church—especially among conservative Catholics. From the start of his papacy, conservatives have raised issues about the manner in which he has sought conciliation with Catholic liberals […]
Sometimes the Jihadists come back—but not usually radicalized
The small number of Western Muslims who have gone to Iraq and Syria to fight for the Islamic State (IS) has raised concerns that these jihadists may likely continue and even intensify their extremist views and activity upon returning home. But there is scant evidence that these returnees will be as militant or fervent in […]
Guides to secular living follow new atheist polemics
Whether or not atheists and secularists feel that they have made gains against religion in their recent polemics, recently published books are taking a more practical approach and in effect asking “So, you don’t believe in God, now what?” according to Publishers Weekly (Oct. 21). Rather than arguing about God’s existence as found in the […]
Diverse chaplaincies seen as military asset
The military is optimizing religious diversity for military priorities and are making chaplaincies an integral part of its efforts to maintain “full-spectrum dominance,” writes Ed Waggoner (Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, TX) in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion (September). While military chaplaincies have a long history and are seen as being of […]
Outside financial oversight gaining ground in megachurches
Megachurches are increasingly debating and adopting the practice of external oversight when it comes to financial matters, reports Christianity Today magazine (October). The recent resignation, and more recently dissolving, of the Seattle-based megachurch Mars Hill and other leadership scandals involving finances has put the issue of financial accountability front and center for many megachurches. Scott […]
Current Research: November 2014
01: A new study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate confirms the dramatic decline in the number of nuns, including those orders that are traditional, over the past 30 years. The study, drawing on data from the Official Catholic Directory, finds a 72.5 percent decline from a peak total in 1965. While some […]
Defining Christian martyrdom down?
There has been a significant shift in the pattern of Christian martyrdom in recent years that highlights the motivations of the killed rather than the killers and the inclusion of Christians who have died as a result of mass killings and genocides, writes Todd M. Johnson and Gina Zurlo in the social science journal Society […]
Christians play influential role in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong
The burgeoning pro-democracy protest movement that filled the streets of Hong Kong last month showed a significant degree of Christian inspiration and leadership, according to a report on National Public Radio (Oct. 9). Hong Kong’s Occupy Central group first announced that it was planning pro-democracy demonstrations last year in a church in the city’s Kowloon […]
Findings & Footnotes: November 2014
■ A combined issue of the journal Religion, State and Society (Vol. 42, Nos. 2-3) is devoted to the role of religion in the European Parliament (EP). The articles are based on a project Religion at the European Parliament (RelEP), using surveys and other methods to understand the place of religion in European politics. Of […]
On/File: November 2014
01: While it may be a temporary solution to the decline of urban parishes, the phenomenon of Mass mobs is at least calling attention to the plight of “Rust Belt Catholicism” and other cases of parish decline and closure. Mass mobs are modeled after “smart mobs,” where spontaneous gatherings started by social media to make […]
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