Religion Unplugged

From El Paso, a heart-wrenching religion story that might be the best all year

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

Los Angeles Times national correspondent David Montero’s front-page feature on the parents of an El Paso, Texas, shooting victim is not perfect.

But it’s pretty darn close.

It just might be — in terms of the mixture of storytelling prowess and attention to faith details — the best religion story you’ll read all year.

However, be sure to grab a tissue before clicking the link and becoming engrossed in the narrative. Trust me on that.

Read the full column.

• • •

All of my GetReligion columns (August 2019):

This is no joke: Religion News Service reports on feud between Babylon Bee and Snopes. Published Aug. 1.

Friday Five: War in Babylon, Jews and abortion, Crystal Cathedral, slavery series, Fox News theft. Published Aug. 2.

400th anniversary special report: Don’t miss Adelle Banks’ must-read RNS series on slavery and religion. Published Aug. 5.

Thoughts, prayers and Christian nationalists: News coverage after mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. Published Aug. 7.

This El Paso report is emotional, heart-wrenching and maybe the best religion story you’ll read all year. Published Aug. 8.

Friday Five: El Paso and Dayton, RNS on scene, Liberty’s J-school, whopper correction. Published Aug. 9.

Potty-mouthed president, the sequel: Politico discovers that Trump likes to use dirty words. Published Aug. 12.

This feature about fired ESPN staffer who became Catholic priest gets religion — half of it anyway. Published Aug. 13.

Amid furor over Trump tweets, NPR visits two very different Friendship Baptist Churches in Virginia. Published Aug. 15.

Friday Five: Racist Trump, Mayor Pete, clumsy Oregonian, sex and consent, Sarah’s new boss. Published Aug. 16.

Josh Hamilton returns to Texas Rangers for induction into team’s Hall of Fame, and faith is key. Published Aug. 20.

Bob the Journalist has the scoop: ‘VeggieTales’ is coming back (for those wondering, it did leave). Published Aug. 21.

This Kentucky printer won’t make gay pride T-shirts. Is sexual discrimination or religious freedom key? Published Aug. 22.

Friday Five: RNS staff hirings, LA Times death, Messiah Trump, Pete Buttigieg’s faith, Chick-fil-A. Published Aug. 23.

Tourism to Israel is up, and it’s obviously because of President Trump, right? Well, let’s talk about that … Published Aug. 26.

Is there a holy ghost in Andrew Luck’s shocking decision to retire? His comments made us wonder. Published Aug. 27.

Bull Schuck to the rescue! Reader helps us analyze Texas newspaper story on alleged apparitions. Published Aug. 28.

Friday Five: Alex Trebek, flipping churches, clumsy Oregonian, Babylon Bee, Twitter personalities. Published Aug. 29.

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