Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 7/16/2025
- Anti-Trump Billy Graham ads removed
- TEC bans endorsements
- After a church closes
- Pilgrim path for St. Ignatius
- Gay minister inspired Gaga
- Can we buy your baby?
Evangelicals for America apologizes, takes down anti-Trump Billy Graham ads
Religion News Service: The ads, which contrasted the words of renowned evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham with those of President Donald Trump, racked up millions of views ahead of the 2024 election.
Episcopal leaders tell clergy to preach the gospel, not endorse candidates
Episcopal News Service: Bishops in at least six dioceses of The Episcopal Church have issued statements on how their clergy should act in light of a recent change in federal tax policy regarding endorsing candidates.
The church I led closed a year ago. I’m still not over it
Deseret News: After Ryan Burge’s small Baptist church in Illinois closed, people came forward with advice. Not all of it was good.
A tireless Jesuit keeps alive a pilgrim path for St. Ignatius
The Associated Press: The pilgrim path, which recreates the life-changing journey that transformed Íñigo the man-of-arms into Ignatius the man-of-God, is kept alive by a lone Jesuit.
The gay minister who inspired Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’*
Sojourners: Gaga’s hit was inspired by an upbeat tune featuring a largely unknown Black gospel singer who responds to critics with a refrain that was a head-turner for its time: “I’m happy. I’m carefree. And I’m gay. I was born this way.”
The Spark
Can we buy your baby?
When Pam Segall turned 28, she began getting inundated with social media ads* from couples looking to adopt her baby, even though she wasn’t pregnant. In this essay for Slate, Segall explores the world of adoption advertising.
*access is limited for nonsubscribers
