News & Ideas

Tuesday's News & Ideas - 8/3/2021

  • Delta variant restrictions
  • Muslim religious freedom
  • The Naming Project
  • COVID orphans
  • Bible & colonialism
  • Remembering Veasna So

Court declines to hear church’s attack on COVID restrictions
Associated Press: The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a lawsuit by a Maine church that sought to take a preemptive strike against future restrictions associated with a variant of the virus that’s spreading across the country.

Biden names first Muslim religious freedom ambassador
Christianity Today: The White House announced Friday a slate of nominations and appointments for top religious affairs roles, including the first Muslim American nominated to be the US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

The Naming Project is a Christian camp that celebrates LGBTQ teens as they are*
Christian Century: “We ask questions like, who am I? Who did God make me to be?” Ross Murray says.

CDC researcher Susan Hillis on how people of faith can support COVID orphans
Religion News Service: ‘Faith communities are really good at doing this, walking with people through adversity until they get out the other side,’ she said.

We’ve finally begun to confront white Christian nationalism; but what about its source text?
Religion Dispatches: Critics often stop short of addressing an underlying fundamental issue — the Bible’s unambiguous endorsement of colonial conquest.

The Spark

Infinite self
Anthony Veasna So died unexpectedly last winter, before his debut book was released. Everyone remembers* him differently, Vulture says. (trigger warning: drug overdose)

*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

Friday’s News & Ideas - 8/14/2026

  • Pastor detained at airport
  • Nuns provide migrant aid
  • LDS schools enroll other faiths
  • Eagle remains saved
  • New Bible in Welsh language
  • George Harrison's favorite book

Thursday’s News & Ideas - 8/13/2026

  • Chicago seminary leaving building
  • Paxton & Talarico’s Christianities
  • Episcopal story of renewal
  • Democracy activists
  • Israeli settlers & ‘culture of fear’
  • Russian literature award

Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 8/12/2026

  • Fighting ICE facility building
  • Hobby Lobby billionaires
  • UMC conference sues church
  • Pentagon’s count of religious groups
  • Hindu defining of swastika
  • Shopping is exhausting
FTE logo

Are you exploring the call to teach?

Apply now for the Forum for Theological Educators in Denver, Nov. 18-20. This gathering is an opportunity for underrepresented first and second-year doctoral students to network with emerging scholars, discover professional development opportunities, and explore vocation in a supportive environment. 

Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered. Apply by Sept. 30, 2026.

Learn More