News & Ideas

Tuesday’s News & Ideas - 3/17/2026

  • War on Iran shaped by religion
  • Interfaith healing is complicated
  • Young Latinos & future Catholicism
  • “Progressive” Christianity
  • Gay Muslim influencer
  • Building Brasília

The US-Israel war on Iran is shaped by religion as much as strategy
Al Jazeera: The conflict has mutated into a zero-sum collision of competing messianic frameworks.

Religious leaders condemn Michigan synagogue attack — but moving forward together tricky
The Guardian: Jewish and Arab American leaders decry violence at Temple Israel, but US-Israel war on Iran complicates healing.

Young Latinos — and their commitment to social justice — are shaping the future of the Catholic Church
The Conversation: Young Latinos’ faith-based advocacy has put a spotlight on this group that will shape the future of the church.

Why I don’t like the label “progressive Christianity”*
The Christian Century: I’ve come to approach it with suspicion — for pastoral, political, and theological reasons, Stephanie Perdew writes.

Gay Muslim influencer hosts inclusive Ramadan meal and calls for acceptance across faiths
The Associated Press: The 33-year-old German with Palestinian and Lebanese roots has a quickly growing following on Instagram, where he draws attention to the difficulties of living as a young, queer Muslim and calls for more tolerance and inclusiveness.

Building Brasília
A twentieth-century experiment in urban planning promised progress — but carried immense financial and human costs, JSTOR says.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers



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Friday’s News & Ideas - 3/20/2026

  • Bethlehem tourism struggles
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Thursday’s News & Ideas - 3/19/2026

  • UN reports ‘ethnic cleansing’
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  • Jürgen Habermas dies
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Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 3/18/2026

  • Letters to future husband
  • Vatican court mistrial
  • TX voucher deadline extended
  • Just war theory
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Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants

Through the Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants Program, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship seeks to foster, strengthen and sustain well-grounded public worship throughout the United States and Canada. The program has two grant streams: Grants for Teacher-Scholars and Grants for Worshiping Communities. 

Register for a free informational webinar on March 26, 2026 to learn more about eligibility and the application process.

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