Thursday’s News & Ideas - 9/11/2025
- Charlie Kirk’s death
- Education Department funding
- National Baptists’ meeting
- Oldest pipe organ
- Short stories on dying
- Hypercommercial Roblox
From provocateur to martyr: What Charlie Kirk’s life and death says about politics
Religion Unplugged: To many, Kirk was not just another partisan commentator. He was one of the most visible leaders of the young conservative movement.
Education Department moves to end funding for minority-serving institutions*
Inside Higher Ed: Trump administration officials call the programs unconstitutional. But advocates argue they improve the quality of education for all students who enroll.
National Baptists feature first woman preacher at evening service in annual meeting
Religion News Service: The Rev. Tracey L. Brown of New Jersey became the first woman ever to preach at a worship service during the annual meeting, NBCUSA leaders said.
The oldest pipe organ in the Christian world sounds after 800 years of silence
The Associated Press: After 800 years of silence, a pipe organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world roared back to life Tuesday, its ancient sound echoing through a monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City.
The apocalypse of dying*
The Christian Century: In a collection of short stories and theopoetic interludes, two pastors throw readers into the visceral body horror of end-of-life care.
The Spark
It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where on Roblox your children are?
The world’s most beloved video-game app is also a brain-rotting, hypercommercial dystopia,* Intelligencer says.
*access is limited for nonsubscribers
