Tuesday’s News & Ideas - 9/16/2025

After Charlie Kirk’s killing, conservative evangelical leaders hail him as a martyr
CNN: At Sunday morning church services around the country, conservative religious leaders found the same word to describe Charlie Kirk, the podcaster and political activist killed on Wednesday: martyr.

‘The Revival Generation’ wants to redefine the Gen Z religious narrative
Religion News Service: The documentary covers the UniteUS revivals taking place across US colleges, arguing that they’re part of a larger trend.

Israel ramps up strikes on Gaza City and hospital says at least 32 are dead
The Associated Press: Israel in recent day has intensified strikes across Gaza City, destroying multiple high-rise buildings and accusing Hamas of putting surveillance equipment in them.

Will my dog be in heaven? Why grieving pet owners turn to religious groups.*
The Washington Post: Americans are reexamining the relationship between humans and the natural world. It’s changing their religious and spiritual beliefs and practices.

Rev William Barber condemns Kirk’s killing and warns against using religion to ‘sanctify wrong’
The Guardian: The pastor and social activist said the nation must be challenged to get rid of “using religion as a cover for injustice.”

The Spark

Inside the very expensive, extremely overwhelming, engineered fun of theme parks
Roller coasters* are bumping against the limits of physics and the human body to keep their riders entertained, The Atlantic says.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers