Evangelical social activism of a more liberal bent appears to be gaining ground, even if its impact seems uncertain, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Jan. 22). The new evangelical activism remains committed to pro-life and traditional family causes, but these “activists believe that serving God also means acting on a `biblically balanced agenda’ that would, among other things, […]

While the influence of the Catholic Church is declining in the U.S., the impact of Catholic ideas seems to be on the rise. That is the contention of Joseph Bottum, writing in the Weekly Standard (Jan. 23). Bottum cites the priest sex abuse scandal and the general low public profile now taken by most American bishops (partly […]

Partly supported by humanitarian funding, evangelical agencies are making attempts to create a presence in Sudan’s Muslim Darfur area, which has been the site of widespread ethnic warfare, writes French researcher Philip Poupin in a recent article in the French geopolitical journal Hérodote (No. 119, 4th quarter 2005). The issue is devoted to evangelical activities around the […]

Financial stewardship is increasingly a popular theme preached in churches year-round, reports Advance (Dec. 13), an e-newsletter of the Leadership Network. From interviews with 45 prominent churches from August through November, 2005, Leadership Network found that there is a move away from an annual stewarship season (usually in the fall) to a “more even and consistent treatment […]

The study of paganism is moving from an offbeat specialty involving new religious movements to a full-fledged academic field in itself, reportsReligion Bookline (Dec. 21). The change is most evident in the upcoming publication of “Introduction to Pagan Studies,” the first textbook in the field. The volume, edited by Barbara Davy and Wendy Griffin and published […]

A recently issued manual of Mormon doctrine for teaching and missionary purposes suggest new church efforts to reassert Mormon identity while taking a more flexible approach in applying the faith to different cultures, reports the independent Mormon magazine Sunstone (September). The missionary guide, “Preach My Gospel,” was claimed to be a “major change in direction” in LDS […]

Disputes between religious groups and state public school and university educational boards on the legitimacy of their teachings may be opening a new front of the “culture wars.” The most heated battle is between the University of California and the Association of Christian Schools, the largest organization of Christian schools in the U.S. The association […]

Activists and organizations that have long pressed for greater Christian presence in the entertainment industry are starting to see some tangible results to their efforts, reports Charisma magazine (December). Most of the impact has not come from conservative Christian protest against entertainment deemed immoral or blasphemous as much as through the influence of organizations seeking positive involvement […]

01: If Pope John Paul II’s death and funeral demonstrated the impact and respect the papal chair can still elicit, the election of Benedict XVI showed the Catholic Church’s concern to preserve and consolidate the conservative gains made by the former pontiff. But in the months since his election, Benedict has frustrated some conservative activists […]

Hindu nationalism, or “Hindutva,” has become a global force, but recent developments in India and the diaspora communities make this already- diffuse movement increasingly difficult to define. That was one of the conclusions made at a session on “post-Hindutva” at the late November meeting of the American Academy of Religion in Philadelphia attended by RW. […]