Christians in the Middle East are coming under renewed aggression, according to reports, whether from secular, Muslim, or Jewish authorities. Commonweal magazine (July 28) provides a running account of recent violent incidents. The latest wave of mass violence began in late June, when an extremist Islamic suicide bomber opposed to the new Syrian leadership opened […]
Traditional Islamic waqf (endowment) principles are being adapted with modern technology to provide communal assistance for end-of-life expenses and other charitable purposes, reports Sharene Lee in Salaam Gateway (July 14). Historically, waqf institutions played a crucial role in Islamic societies, funding much of the educational, healthcare, and social infrastructure—including funeral arrangements. The article explores the […]
Saudi Arabia is transforming religious tourism into a significant economic driver through its Vision 2030 plan, aiming to diversify the economy, reports Muhammad Ali Bandial in Salaam Gateway (June 27). In 2024, over 18.5 million pilgrims visited the kingdom (16.9 million for Umrah and 1.61 million for Hajj), and the goal is to welcome 30 […]
Amidst India’s temple revival, cities are being redesigned to reflect Hindu heritage and nationalist ideas, writes Huzaifa Riyaz in Jacobin magazine (Summer). The city of Ayodhya, the centerpiece of the temple revival, is also a model of this attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “to reshape public space in line with Hindu nationalist […]
Despite its secular origins, AI deeply intertwines with religious narratives, practices, and meaning-making processes, according to an introductory article in a special thematic issue of the journal Religion (July) on this topic. In the introduction to the issue, which offers several case studies on the intersections between this new technology and religion, Boris Rähme (Fondazione […]
Supposedly “the healthiest human on the planet” and “the most biologically measured person in history,” Bryan Johnson now intends to sell his startup, Blueprint (launched in 2021), and to focus on founding a new Don’t Die religion. After selling his web payments company, Braintree, for $800 million in 2013, Johnson split both from his wife […]
Economic approaches to studying religious trends have been prominent for the past three decades, but Paul Seabright’s recent book, The Divine Economy: How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People (Princeton University Press, $35), is unique for its comprehensive treatment of the religious past and present as well as its novel use of the concept […]
The Vatican under the early papacy of Leo XIV is being viewed as a negotiating site for international politics and peace talks, if not a partner in such negotiations, writes Massimo Faggioli in Commonweal magazine (June 24). Already, there was talk that the Holy See under Leo could serve as a “facilitator” or “observer” for […]
Anti-Semitic sentiments are finding a place among American conservative Christians, often through far-right social media sites, such as the Manosphere, Red Pill, and 4chan, as well as Christian podcasts and websites, writes Will Spencer in his blog Christ Over All (June 2). Spencer focuses on Stone Choir, a weekly podcast hosted by Corey Mahler and […]
Instead of sharing beach houses, a growing number of Gen Z women are checking into Catholic convents and monasteries for their vacations, writes Ashley Fike in the magazine Vice (June 30). “In an unexpected pivot from rooftop parties and dating app exhaustion, young women are opting for peace and quiet. Literal quiet.” Called the “vow […]
