Scholars and observers from such secular bastions as the UK and Australia are detecting a rising spiritual interest, if not religious revival, while also acknowledging the advances of secularism. The growth of religious affiliation and participation in British cities, a search for authority and meaning among younger generations that has resulted in a self-spirituality and […]
Movies with themes of death have mushroomed in just the last year, but unlike those of earlier decades, these films are in sharper conflict with Christian narratives and more likely to replace them with a “vague spirituality, nihilism and even existential humanism,” according to Joseph Holmes in Religion Unplugged (July 7). He adds that whereas […]
In recent decades, the Catholic Church has undergone “a profound recovery of the theology of deification, also known as divinization,” that is having ecumenical repercussions, reports the National Catholic Register (July 16). Jonathan Liedl writes that this “ancient approach to the Christian life emphasizes that salvation isn’t merely about being freed from sin, but is […]
The success and growth of Republican fundraising and activism among American Jews suggest a significant crack in the traditional Jewish-Democratic alliance, writes David Drucker in the conservative online magazine, The Dispatch (July 23). In a lengthy article on the growing fortunes and influence of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), Drucker writes that the second administration […]
While the growing number of Christian yoga practitioners see mystical experiences as part of their practice, they don’t necessarily see the Hindu-based bhakti yoga tradition to be relevant, a new survey finds. Bhakti yoga based on the Bhagavad Gita has been the most prevalent form of yoga in the West, with practitioners of different faiths […]
Deaconesses are active, growing, and playing key roles in Orthodox parishes, yet they aren’t very visible or publicly acknowledged, writes Andreas Westergren in the Belgian journal Exchange (online in July). With some fanfare, a deaconess was ordained in an Orthodox church in Africa last year, with observers noting its rare occurrence [see Vol. 39, No. […]
The Old Catholic movement is experiencing new divisions over its continued liberalization, writes William Tighe in the magazine Touchstone (Summer). Old Catholics broke away from the Roman Catholic Church over such doctrines as papal infallibility in the late 19th century and saw themselves as a bridge to Anglicans and Eastern Orthodoxy. When these churches were […]
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 […]
