Monday’s News & Ideas - 9/28/2026
- Campaigning with Christianity
- Young Catholic converts
- Using AI for spiritual reasons
- Describing ineffable
- DOJ & Johnson Amendment
- Gangs in houses
These Democrats are making Christianity a centerpiece of their midterm campaigns
NPR: James Talarico told the congregation at Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston that faith could provide a way of understanding the country’s political turmoil.
Rise in young Catholic converts points to spiritual longing in U.S. and Europe*
The Washington Post: As Pope Leo XIV visits France, the number of converts is growing in secular Western countries, and some in Gen Z are rediscovering the faith of their grandparents.
A surprising number of Americans use AI for spiritual reasons. Here’s what they told us
NPR: Artificial intelligence is becoming a tool not only for work and research but also for exploring questions of faith and spirituality, according to a new NPR/Ipsos poll.
How do you describe the ineffable?*
The New York Times: In his new novel, “The Radiance,” the novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar tries — with astonishing results.
DOJ asks appeals court to allow churches to endorse political candidates
Religion News Service: Trump administration lawyers have argued a key component of the Johnson Amendment, which bars nonprofits from taking part in political campaigns, should not apply to churches.
The Spark
A tale of two trap houses
Drug gangs have moved off Britain’s streets and into vulnerable people’s homes, The Guardian says.
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