By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

Unless you live in a cave with no television, social media feeds or electricity, you know about Oprah Winfrey’s “stirring, spiritual call to arms” at the Golden Globes.

Winfrey’s speech — tied to the #MeToo movement — “has fans dreaming” of a presidential run by the talk-show icon and Democrats from Hollywood to Iowa “captivated” by the possibility.

Here at GetReligion, editor Terry Mattingly suggested months ago: “Yes, the religious left exists: Can you think of a logical person (Oprah) to serve as its leader?”

Oh, her.

But speaking of religion, have the breathless news reports since Sunday night acknowledged — or mostly ignored — Oprah’s Gospel-meets-New Age religious maven role?

Take a wild guess.

However, a leading Godbeat pro has an extremely insightful story on the surprising theology shared by Oprah and, believe it or not, her potential 2020 adversary, President Donald Trump:

Read the full column.

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All of my GetReligion columns (January 2018):

Continue reading “The theology behind Oprah’s ‘stirring, spiritual call to arms’ at Golden Globes”

Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — over the past year. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I am blessed. As chief correspondent for The Christian Chronicle, I am privileged to tell the stories of Christians living out their faith — often under difficult or extraordinary circumstances. Over the last 13 years, my travels with the Chronicle have taken me to all 50 states and 11 countries. Among the … Continue reading In 2017, these Christians demonstrated faith, hope and love

By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion

Coverage of Sunday’s mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, sparked a must-read opinion piece by Dallas Morning News journalist Lauren McGaughy.

“Dear Sutherland Springs, you deserve an apology from the news media” is the headline atop McGaughy’s viral column.

I want to highlight McGaughy’s powerful words as we dive into GetReligion weekend think-piece territory a little early.

But first, a bit of personal background: My first experience with the national news media descending on a community struck by tragedy came more than two decades ago when the unfathomable happened in Oklahoma City.

On the morning of April 19, 1995, I had just stepped off The Oklahoman’s eighth-floor newsroom elevator when we heard a giant boom and saw billowing black smoke in the distance. I was one of the reporters dispatched to the scene.

In all, 168 people died in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building — the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil until 9/11 six years later.

When I arrived downtown, I parked with no problem. Hours later, I found my car surrounded by news vans and television satellite trucks. This was the biggest news story in the world — and would be for weeks.

Read the full column.

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All of my GetReligion columns (November 2017):

Continue reading “After media swamp grieving Texas town, one journalist suggests: ‘We can do better’”

‘He wasn’t out there ripping and running,’ minister says of the victim. ‘He was a good kid.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After Hurricane Katrina, Charles and Angela Marsalis found their calling in New Orleans’ high-crime Hollygrove neighborhood — where both grew up. The couple started Bible studies for boys and girls on the front porch of a relative’s flood-damaged home, serving snacks and soft drinks in … Continue reading New Orleans church member shot dead after Sunday assembly