Can a high school coach pray at 50-yard line? 5 key takeaways from high court arguments

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. The case of Joseph Kennedy, a Bremerton, Washington, high school football coach who wants to kneel and pray at the 50-yard line, made it to the … Continue reading Can a high school coach pray at 50-yard line? 5 key takeaways from high court arguments

Disney deja vu: The religious roots of the fight over so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

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. I’ve never visited Walt Disney World, but I did make it to Disney church one Sunday. Mickey, Minnie and friends are, as you might have noticed, … Continue reading Disney deja vu: The religious roots of the fight over so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

Reflections on a reporting trip to Alaska, plus all the week’s top religion news

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. ANCHORAGE, Alaska — On my first reporting trip to Alaska several years ago, I saw a moose by the highway and stopped to take a picture. On … Continue reading Reflections on a reporting trip to Alaska, plus all the week’s top religion news

In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An elevated cross reaches toward the blue sky at a nondescript corner of Alaska’s largest city. Viewed from the right vantage point, the cross towers over the snow-capped mountains that adorn Anchorage’s horizon. Inside a nearby church building, a few dozen immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and other Slavic nations gather in a circle at a Thursday … Continue reading In Alaska, a Russian-speaking church becomes a hub for helping Ukrainians

5 faith facts about about Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court

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. Faith. It’s an important part of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s story. Here are five religion facts about the 51-year-old judge who on Thursday became the first Black … Continue reading 5 faith facts about about Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court

Just say no: The four-letter word religion writers really want to avoid

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. BETHESDA, Md. — “Don’t Call It a Cult.” That was the title of one of the more intriguing sessions at last week’s Religion News Association annual … Continue reading Just say no: The four-letter word religion writers really want to avoid

Why news of sexual harassment inside Christianity Today is doubly shocking

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. “Sexual harassment went unchecked at Christianity Today.” The headline shocked me. The source of the news stunned me as much as the content of it. “Women … Continue reading Why news of sexual harassment inside Christianity Today is doubly shocking

In rural Oklahoma, a Ukrainian priest prays for his mother — and his homeland

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged JONES, Okla. — At a little country church 20 miles east of Oklahoma City, Ukrainian and U.S. flags fly outside. Inside, the Rev. Stepan Bilogan preaches and prays in his native language as a choir member translates his Ukrainian words into English. Immigrants founded St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church — the only Ukrainian Orthodox congregation for hundreds of miles — more … Continue reading In rural Oklahoma, a Ukrainian priest prays for his mother — and his homeland

Russia attacks Ukraine: Why some experts insist Putin is motivated by religion

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. What’s religion got to do with Russia’s attack on Ukraine? A whole lot, according to some experts. Here at ReligionUnplugged.com, Richard Ostling stresses that journalists shouldn’t … Continue reading Russia attacks Ukraine: Why some experts insist Putin is motivated by religion