News & Ideas

Monday’s News & Ideas - 2/2/2026

  • No religious revival data
  • Buddhist monks’ peace walk
  • Trump’s false ‘de-escalation’
  • Maine clergy organize
  • Misdemeanor against abuse survivor
  • A.I. delusions

There is no religious revival
ARC: Trend stories about rising religiosity are not supported by evidence.

If I wasn’t Methodist, I might be Buddhist
Religion News Service: My Methodist heart was ‘strangely warmed’ in the dead of winter in North Carolina by a stalwart group of Buddhist monks walking for peace, Michael Christensen writes.

Make no mistake about Trump’s Minnesota ‘de-escalation’
Religion Dispatches: With ‘immigration czar’ Tom Homan taking the reins it’s likely to be pivot in style only.

If the U.S. had 100 people: Charting Americans’ religious beliefs and practices
Pew Research Center: Large numbers can be difficult to picture, but what if we scaled down the numbers by imagining a town of 100 people?

US woman resolves misdemeanor case opened after accusing priest of predatory behavior
The Guardian: Heather Jones said that she can’t help but surmise that a misdemeanor case may have been pursued to undermine her credibility after coming forward against Robert Sullivan.

The Spark

How bad are A.I. delusions? We asked people treating them.
Dozens of doctors and therapists said chatbots* had led their patients to psychosis, isolation and unhealthy habits.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers



Sign up to receive religion news every weekday in the free News & Ideas newsletter

Signup options

Most recent News & Ideas

Friday’s News & Ideas - 8/14/2026

  • Pastor detained at airport
  • Nuns provide migrant aid
  • LDS schools enroll other faiths
  • Eagle remains saved
  • New Bible in Welsh language
  • George Harrison's favorite book

Thursday’s News & Ideas - 8/13/2026

  • Chicago seminary leaving building
  • Paxton & Talarico’s Christianities
  • Episcopal story of renewal
  • Democracy activists
  • Israeli settlers & ‘culture of fear’
  • Russian literature award

Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 8/12/2026

  • Fighting ICE facility building
  • Hobby Lobby billionaires
  • UMC conference sues church
  • Pentagon’s count of religious groups
  • Hindu defining of swastika
  • Shopping is exhausting
FTE logo

Are you exploring the call to teach?

Apply now for the Forum for Theological Educators in Denver, Nov. 18-20. This gathering is an opportunity for underrepresented first and second-year doctoral students to network with emerging scholars, discover professional development opportunities, and explore vocation in a supportive environment. 

Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered. Apply by Sept. 30, 2026.

Learn More