News & Ideas

Tuesday's News & Ideas - 8/2/2022

  • Allegations of abuse in Austin church
  • Older generations & rites
  • Gulf migrants turning to Christianity
  • Ron Sider dies
  • Decade after shooting at Sikh temple
  • Myth of American independence

Conflict at diverse Austin church leads to claims of spiritual abuse
Religion News Service: Aaron and Michelle Reyes hoped to lead a multicultural church that operated like a loving family. But conflict has led to allegations of spiritual abuse.

Older generations are reclaiming rites of passage*
The New York Times: Rituals like graduations and weddings are few and far between for older adults. Some are finding ways to honor their momentous occasions.

Spiritual union: Why Gulf migrants are turning to evangelical Christianity
The Guardian: Pentecostalism is quietly thriving, with pastors saying churches are helping low-paid workers in crisis

Ron Sider, evangelical activist, dies at 82*
Christian Century: Sider, a longtime professor at Palmer Theological Seminary, is best known for his 1977 book, “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving From Affluence to Generosity,” and for founding Christians for Social Action.

Wisconsin’s Sikh community a decade after fatal temple shooting
NPR: In 2012, seven members of a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, were killed by an avowed white supremacist. As the community prepares for the anniversary, members describe how they've moved forward.

The Spark

The myth of independent American families
In Nordic countries, people rely on the state. In the U.S., they rely* on their communities, The Atlantic 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