News & Ideas

Thursday's News & Ideas - 9/26/2024

  • SBC likely headed to trial
  • Kamala Harris’s faith
  • Judge delays priest’s abuse case
  • US history & religious freedom
  • Inclusive children’s story Bible
  • A harmless volcanic eruption has its charms 

Settlement talks with Johnny Hunt fail. SBC and former president likely headed to trial.
Religion News Service: A defamation lawsuit filed by Hunt has cost the nation's largest Protestant denomination $3 million so far. A trial date is set for Nov. 12 in Nashville.

Kamala Harris is a woman of faith. She shouldn’t be afraid to show it.*
The New York Times: “In a close election year, with an opponent who does not appear to have sincere religious convictions of his own, I see an opportunity for Harris to reclaim faith for Democrats.”

Outcry as New Orleans judge further delays retired priest’s rape case
The Guardian: Calls rise for Benedict Willard to be punished after recusing himself from Lawrence Hecker case on morning of trial.

What America’s history can teach us about debates on religious freedom and its importance for democracy
The Conversation: America’s history of religious freedom is filled with stories that are instructive for our current moment.

The long-anticipated, inclusive, children’s story Bible
Sojourners: Questions, not answers, play a central role in the newly published “The Book of Belonging,” Mariko Clark said, because it was a question that began the entire project. In 2020, Clark’s pre-school-aged daughter Aidah asked, “Does God love boys more than girls?”

The Spark

A harmless volcanic eruption has its charms
A harmless eruption,* such as last week’s in Hawaii, is a chance to appreciate Earth’s pyrotechnics, says The Atlantic.

*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