Wednesday's News & Ideas - 3/27/2024

In video ad, Donald Trump endorses ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible for every American home
Religion News Service: “Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country,“ said Trump in the promotional video.

People say they’re leaving religion due to anti-LGBTQ teachings and sexual abuse
NPR: People in the U.S. are leaving and switching faith traditions in large numbers. The idea of “religious churning” is very common in America, according to a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI).

Here’s some good news on the health of America’s clergy
Baptist News Global: The mental and physical health of America’s clergy may be better than previously reported, according to new data from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

A Chinese pastor is released after 7 years in prison, only to find himself unable to get an ID
Associated Press: Unable to buy a train ticket, or even see a doctor at a hospital, a Chinese pastor found that even after his release from prison, he is not quite free.

The church doesn’t talk much about greed. Malcolm Foley says that’s weird
Sojourners: Malcolm Foley is a scholar and pastor who has also spent a great deal of time thinking about the gospel and money. In his forthcoming book, “The Anti-Greed Gospel,” Foley addresses money from a micro and macro perspective.

The Spark

What would have happened to friends and family if Gaza was home? 
The numbers coming out of Gaza can be hard to comprehend. The Washington Post brought it down to a smaller scale* — a single person’s social network.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers