Wednesday's News & Ideas - 8/2/2023

Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University, alleging trademark infringement
Religion News Service: In a statement, a Liberty University spokesperson insisted the school “is confident it will ultimately prevail in this case.”

Pope arrives in Portugal amid clergy sexual abuse scandal
Al Jazeera: Pope Francis has landed in Lisbon for a global gathering of young Catholics taking place in the shadow of Portugal’s huge clergy sexual abuse scandal and criticism of soaring costs for the event.

‘The Chosen,’ the Christian megahit about Jesus, explained
Vox: The show’s Christian nepo baby roots — and other ways the hit drama might surprise you.

The U.S. is not widely seen as highly religious
Pew Research Center: In many surveyed countries, the most common response is that the U.S. is about as religious as other wealthy nations.

Vivek Ramaswamy and the Christian language of Hinduism*
The Washington Post: Republican candidate for president Vivek Ramaswamy, a Hindu, has talked about his faith. But some evangelicals view non-Christian religions with skepticism.

The Spark

Held together
From The Atavist Magazine: A filmmaker was producing a documentary series on the Iran hostage crisis. Then her father went missing* overseas.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers