News & Ideas

Monday's News & Ideas - 6/3/2024

  • Expansion of school vouchers
  • Doug Wilson & nationalism
  • ChatGPT sermon-writing
  • Gaza protests & universities
  • David Archuleta on leaving church
  • How to talk about doom

Billions in taxpayer dollars now go to religious schools via vouchers*
The Washington Post: The rapid expansion of state voucher programs follows court decisions that have eroded the separation between church and state.

The second coming of Doug Wilson
Religion News Service: Conservatives are elevating long-controversial Idaho pastor Doug Wilson, framing him as a champion of a relatively moderate form of Christian nationalism — but critics say his ideas remain extreme.

A pulpit without a context*
Christian Century: Melissa Florer-Bixler asked ChatGPT for a sermon. What it wrote seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.

The Gaza protests were a mask-off moment for American universities*
The Nation: The brutal crackdown on the divestment encampments exposed a stark truth — the modern university cannot function without the support of the military-industrial complex.

David Archuleta on leaving the Mormon church, coming out and ‘living a meaningful life’
NBC News: After coming out as queer in 2021, the former “American Idol” star is reinventing himself with new music, an upcoming memoir and a more authentic life — with his Latina mom’s support.

The Spark

Are we doomed? Here’s how to think about it
Climate change, artificial intelligence, nuclear annihilation, biological warfare — the field of existential* risk is a way to reason through the dizzying, terrifying headlines, The New Yorker says.

*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

Thursday’s News & Ideas - 7/3/2025

  • Religion in higher ed
  • Fast for Gaza crisis
  • Divided opinion on evolution
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews
  • Dalai Lama succession plan
  • Black Pheonix

Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 7/2/2025

  • Clergy struggle to visit detainees
  • Jimmy Swaggart dies
  • Ethics of brain-dead pregnancy
  • Gun laws after Charleston
  • Ultra-Orthodox Jews & politics
  • What makes someone cool?

News & Ideas - 7/1/2025

  • Religious attacks surge
  • Officials address religious conference
  • SCOTUS decision hurts pluralism
  • Dalai Lama turns 90
  • Church roof tells story
  • Woman frees mom from prison
Reading the lectionary

New lectionary search tool 

Easily find scripture passages and resources for any lectionary week with Zeteo’s new search feature. You can even filter by your preferred lectionary version: Revised Common, Catholic or Narrative.

Learn More