President Biden is a fan of Pope Francis, but is Francis a fan of Biden?

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Pope Francis is a big supporter of President Joe Biden. U.S. Catholic bishops are not. At least that’s a prominent narrative concerning America’s second Catholic president … Continue reading President Biden is a fan of Pope Francis, but is Francis a fan of Biden?

Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey’s company doxxes religion journalist

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Joe Biden’s inauguration as America’s 46th president produced a ton of religion news. We’ll get to all that in a moment. First, though, the most jaw-dropping … Continue reading Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey’s company doxxes religion journalist

Most Christians welcome the COVID-19 vaccines, but some are skeptical

A majority view the coronavirus shots as an answer to prayer, a survey finds. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Many of the 700 members of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ in Cumming, Ga., north of Atlanta, are excited about the rapid development of vaccines to fight COVID-19. “This is an answer to prayer, for certain,” said Paul Huyghebaert, the church’s lead minister. When his turn comes, … Continue reading Most Christians welcome the COVID-19 vaccines, but some are skeptical

Jesus emphasized peace to those who would follow him

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ — Matthew 5:9 By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Peace. That was Domingo Reyes’ prayer as the Wilmington, Del., minister taught his congregation’s Wednesday night Bible study Jan. 6, just hours after a deadly riot inside the U.S. Capitol. “The events that occurred were so disturbing that I had to change my … Continue reading Jesus emphasized peace to those who would follow him

Christians and the conspiracy theories that helped fuel the Capitol mob

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Nearly 20 years ago, I wrote a column for The Oklahoman headlined “Internet deception runs wild.” In that July 2001 piece, I highlighted the claim that … Continue reading Christians and the conspiracy theories that helped fuel the Capitol mob

Flags, faith and fury

Christian nationalism on display in U.S. Capitol riot. By Bobby Ross Jr. and Hamil R. Harris | The Christian Chronicle WASHINGTON — “Jesus Saves.”  “For the Glory of God.”  “God, Guns and Trump.” As thousands rallied to support President Donald Trump’s unproven claim of a stolen election — a protest that turned deadly as an insurrectionist mob stormed the U.S. Capitol — many waved signs linking the Republican political leader … Continue reading Flags, faith and fury

The role of religion in President Donald Trump’s tragic last stand

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. “Is it possible to be astonished and, at the same time, not surprised?” A colleague recalled that quote — by … Continue reading The role of religion in President Donald Trump’s tragic last stand

Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2020

By Bobby Ross Jr. A church shooting. Deadly twisters. Racial justice protests. And the biggest news in this tumultuous year: COVID-19. These were among the most memorable stories that I covered in 2020. Here is my personal year-end Top 10 list, mostly in chronological order: • Texas church shooting: A gunman opened fire at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, killing … Continue reading Year in review: My Top 10 most memorable stories of 2020

Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2020

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. What a year for religion news! From the pandemic to the election, the major headlines of 2020 had huge faith angles. For this special year-end edition of Weekend Plug-in, I asked some … Continue reading Weekend Plug-in year in review: The best religion journalism of 2020