Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 11/19/2025

Orthodox church pews are overflowing with converts* 
The New York Times: “In the whole history of the Orthodox Church in America, this has never been seen,” a priest said about the surge of young men drawn to the demanding practice of Christianity.

Why Trump’s immigration crackdown may make America less Christian  
Religion News Service: America has become less religious because white Americans are less religious. Most recent immigrants are religious, and many are Christians. 

A woman tested faith centers’ willingness to donate formula. What she found says a lot about charity in the U.S. 
HuffPost: The viral TikTok series prompted questions about how religious institutions help the needy in their communities: through direct aid, connections to partners or shockingly little.

Church attendance drops among single moms* 
Christianity Today: Women raising kids alone say worship can be a lifeline or a logistical burden.

Most colleges score low on helping students of all faiths — or none — develop a sense of belonging. Faculty can help change that. 
The Conversation: Respectful engagement across difference, not mere tolerance of difference, is necessary to foster real belonging, writes a researcher.

The Spark

Paper towns
Mapmakers used to make up fake towns in order to catch plagiarists. These “paper towns” are like background extras in movies — if you notice they’re there, they’re not doing their job properly, says Literary Hub.

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