News & Ideas

Wednesday's News & Ideas - 3/8/2023

  • John Paul II abuse investigation
  • Fascist in LCMS
  • Superman’s Judeo-Christian roots
  • Nationalism’s inspiration
  • Christian book endorsements
  • Saving baby puffins

John Paul II allegedly knew about priestly sexual abuse while archbishop in Poland
Associated Press: A report by Polish channel TVN24 said the now-sainted former Pope sought to conceal reports of three priests who reportedly abused minors.

He believes Hitler went to heaven — and wants to take over the Lutheran Church*
RollingStone: A nearly 2 million-member synod is fighting an attempt to turn its pews into a bastion for young fascists.

How Superman became a Christ-like figure in American culture
LitHub: Roy Schwartz writes about the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of America’s favorite superhero.

Old-school Christian nationalism’s avatar of racism, antisemitism and conspiracies
Religion News Service: The early version of Christian nationalism turned the fear of communism into an excuse to embrace prejudice and forfeit American democracy.

The problem with Christian book endorsements*
Christianity Today: Publishers and authors have played along by pushing celebrity blurbs — but it’s time to rewrite the rules of promotion.

The Spark

An Icelandic town goes all out to save baby puffins
Kids and senior citizens alike rally to rescue beloved young seabirds that have lost their bearings, Smithsonian Magazine says.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers



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Lilly logo

Lilly Endowment Inc. announces Exploring Christian Practices Initiative

The Exploring Christian Practices Initiative aims to multiply opportunities and increase access to settings that help individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds explore and engage in Christian practices to address their spiritual interests and questions, find and build community with others, nourish their religious lives and grow in faith. 

In this open and competitive initiative, the Endowment invites charitable organizations to submit proposals for grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies for advancing the aim of the initiative and provide compelling and thoughtful responses to its guiding questions. The Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 60 grants and announcing grant awards in December 2026.

The Endowment will host four virtual information sessions (February 17, 19, 24, and 25) to discuss the Exploring Christian Practices guidelines for submitting a proposal. An Interest Form and Letter of Interest are due March 25, 2026. Complete proposals are due May 18, 2026.

Learn More and register for information sessions