But some praise Eric Adams’ remarks at an interfaith breakfast. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Big Apple, big controversy: “Don’t tell me about no separation of church and state. State is the body. Church is the heart. You take the heart out of the body, the body dies.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that at an interfaith breakfast this week — remarks called “unhinged and … Continue reading 🇺🇸 No separation of church and state? NYC mayor sparks a furor 🔌

Thousands seek God at Asbury University: something old and something new. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! It’s the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This week’s roundup explores former President Jimmy Carter’s faith and Saddleback Church’s removal from the Southern Baptist Convention. But we start with a story Plug-in already covered last week. I explain why in 3, 2, 1 … Read the full … Continue reading 📰 Surprise! Spiritual revival is big news, from New York Times to Christianity Today 🔌

Faith will be a major theme at the Big Game. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ‘He Gets Us’: Jesus is coming to the Super Bowl — to the commercials, that is. Two ads. Ninety seconds. A $20 million price tag. The Associated Press’ Holly Meyer, Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana and the Washington Times’ Mark Kellner delve into the pricey campaign and its backers. The bottom line, as AP explains: They … Continue reading 🏈 100 million Super Bowl viewers expected to see Jesus — and two Christian quarterbacks 🔌

Memphis police beating victim Tyre Nichols was ‘a beautiful soul.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Tyre Nichols: In Memphis, Tenn., loved ones celebrated the 29-year-old police beating victim’s life — and called for reforms — Wednesday at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. “We have come with heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God, full transparency, accountability and comprehensive legislative reform,” the Rev. J. … Continue reading 💔 ‘Heavy hearts that can only be healed by the grace of God’ 🔌

It’s important to hear the stories and fight the hate. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged It’s Jan. 27, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today’s commemoration marks the 78th anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The United Nations “urges every member state to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism.” Telling their stories: Toby Levy, now 89, was one … Continue reading 🌎 On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, listening to the survivors while we can 🔌

Seven months after Roe’s overturning, abortion fight moves to statehouses. Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! We open with Dolly Parton, who celebrated her 77th birthday Thursday and gave the world a gift: a new song. “I had a dream about God standing on a mountain, looking down on us, saying ‘Don’t make me have to come down there,’” she said of her inspiration. Give it … Continue reading 🍼 March For Life coincides with 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade 🔌

Think hostility or prejudice toward Jews is fading in America? Think again. “Classical fascist” antisemitic views are widespread in the U.S., according to a new survey by the Anti-Defamation League. Religion writer Michelle Boorstein details the findings for The Washington Post. At the same time, rising antisemitism in the U.S. is seeping into the workplace, Bloomberg’s Arianne Cohen reports. “It’s not just high-profile incidents,” Cohen’s story notes. … Continue reading 🕎 At the anniversary of Texas synagogue hostage crisis, a new report on antisemitism 🔌

The best roundup of religion news you’ll find anywhere. 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. I’m your Weekend Plug-in columnist, and I’m excited to launch the fourth year of this popular newsletter. Each Friday, Plug-in aims to highlight … Continue reading 🚀 Launching the new and improved Weekend Plug-in 🔌