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. When it comes to religious groups, what’s in a name? In 2018, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began a push to get rid of the term “Mormon.” (A quick … Continue reading Will we soon live in a world without Mormons and Southern Baptists?

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. Was it just three weeks ago that we were talking about a “racy picture” of Liberty University’s then-president, Jerry Falwell Jr., sparking curiosity and controversy? Given the allegations that surfaced this week, … Continue reading Time for a pop quiz: 7 questions about the stunning exit of Jerry Falwell Jr.

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. Did the Democrats “get” religion or not? Certainly, lots of headlines coming out of this week’s virtual Democratic National Convention had strong faith elements. But a different storyline gained attention, too. The … Continue reading Democrats tout faith, while a few DNC caucuses omit ‘under God’ from pledge

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. Hang on for a wild ride. Try to avoid whiplash. Yes, it was another crazy week in the world of religion news — and we’re going to cover the highlights in a hurry. … Continue reading Kamala Harris’ interfaith background draws focus, but some call her anti-Catholic

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. “Wut is happening,” Houston Chronicle religion writer Robert Downen quipped on Twitter this week. Downen’s colloquial query about an, um, unexpected snapshot of Jerry Falwell Jr. quickly went viral. Falwell is, of … Continue reading ‘Racy picture’ of Liberty’s Jerry Falwell Jr. sparks curiosity and controversy

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Tim Tebow’s outward expressions of his evangelical Christian faith made him a polarizing figure during his college and professional football career. There’s no doubt about that. But did Tebow’s prayers on the field … Continue reading Fact check: Did Tim Tebow kneeling for God on the field upset NFL?

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. The Religion News Association named nearly 100 finalists in 22 categories last week for its 2020 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence. Among the familiar names on the list: Religion Unplugged’s own Meagan Clark, … Continue reading 90+ finalists were named for religion news awards. Why 1 stands out.