Reporters delve into the religion of Mark Conditt, the dead man identified as Austin’s serial bomber
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
For residents of Austin, Texas, weeks of terror ended Wednesday when Mark Conditt — identified as the serial bomber responsible for killing two people and badly wounding four others — blew himself up.
As reporters began delving into the 23-year-old Conditt’s background, religious details — some more concrete than others — quickly emerged.
My thanks to GetReligion reader Deann Alford, a Texas-based journalist and author, who alerted us to crucial facts in an Austin American-Statesman story. The key: The religious questions linked to this story are valid hooks to investigate — right now. But authorities say they see no clues, so far, to motives in these acts.
The Austin newspaper interviewed Jeremiah Jensen, 24, who was homeschooled in the same community as Conditt:
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (March 2018):
Battle over religion in public schools waged in one of America’s fastest-growing cities
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service McKINNEY, Texas — Public school officials in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities are being accused of violating the separation of church and state. The controversy has been simmering in this once-tiny cotton-farming community, about 30 miles north of Dallas, since last summer when Rick McDaniel, superintendent of the McKinney Independent School District, prayed at a pulpit … Continue reading Battle over religion in public schools waged in one of America’s fastest-growing cities
Billy Graham never lived in Texas but belonged to a Dallas church for 54 years
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service DALLAS — In 1953, Robert Jeffress’ mother, Judy, got saved at a Billy Graham crusade at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl. After the crusade, Graham — the world-famous evangelist who died Wednesday at age 99 — gave a guest sermon at First Baptist Dallas. “The day he preached, he also joined the church,” said Robert Jeffress, who grew up in … Continue reading Billy Graham never lived in Texas but belonged to a Dallas church for 54 years
When God wants your kidney
An Oklahoma church member found himself in urgent need of a transplant. A minister’s wife answered the call — eventually. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. – “It’s you, Shannon.” Shannon Wilburn heard the voice in her head. What she didn’t know was whether the voice was her own or that of the Holy Spirit. Wilburn, whose husband, Mitch, preaches for … Continue reading When God wants your kidney
Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service PLANO, Texas — The city council of heavily Republican Plano has voted to censure one of its members for an anti-Islam Facebook post — a post for which he has apologized but over which he refuses to resign. The 7-1 vote Sunday was a decisive repudiation of the kind of exclusionary rhetoric that President Trump himself … Continue reading Texas city council members censure colleague over anti-Islam Facebook post
Blessings in the ashes
Sisters in Christ brought together by massive California wildfire. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle VENTURA, Calif. — For the last few years, DeLoyce “Dee” Hathway and Crystal Rabe worshiped together each Sunday. However, the Ventura Church of Christ members never really connected. In a weekly assembly filled with 150 souls, Hathway, 88, sat toward the back. Before Edward William Hathway, Dee’s husband … Continue reading Blessings in the ashes
Glitz and a surprise guest at prom for special-needs teens and adults
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — A red carpet. Friendly paparazzi. Limousine rides. All of the above greeted the special-needs teens and adults — most clad in tuxedos and fancy dresses, many using wheelchairs — who showed up at the Putnam City Baptist Church on the Friday night (Feb. 9) before Valentine’s Day. Inside the Southern Baptist church’s sanctuary, … Continue reading Glitz and a surprise guest at prom for special-needs teens and adults
After Kentucky school shooting, teen’s faith amazes
God works ‘even in the midst of such evil and pain,’ minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “Are you OK?” “Tell me you’re safe.” “Pamela, please text me back.” At 7:57 a.m. on a recent Tuesday, a gunman opened fire at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., a rural community 130 miles northwest of Nashville, Tenn. By the time the rampage ended, … Continue reading After Kentucky school shooting, teen’s faith amazes
Six questions to assess vehicle insurance
Managing the money of the church includes being up-to-date on insurance policies. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today After Hurricane Harvey struck southeast Texas last year, an Oklahoma church sent 150 people to help with disaster relief. Before they left, church leaders worked to bolster safety on the nearly 1,000-mile round trip: They rented 18 newer-model vans and required volunteer drivers to … Continue reading Six questions to assess vehicle insurance
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 