Best of GetReligion: November 2016
Links to Bobby Ross Jr.’s top columns
In a town called Faith, voters offers clues on who exactly supports Donald Trump. Published Nov. 1.
MVP! Cubs’ Ben Zobrist – ‘a missionary in the big leagues’ – wins World Series again. Published Nov. 3.
#WarOnChristmas: RNS, other media jump on (nonexistent) controversy over Starbucks cups. Published Nov. 7.
Spiritual visions: Behind the scenes of Donald Trump’s ‘inner circle of evangelical advisors.’ Published Nov. 10.
Hey Dallas Morning News: Bible contains two books of Timothy, and Peter didn’t write them. Published Nov. 14.
Based on Trump’s win, it looks like religious liberty really is a thing — with no scare quotes. Published Nov. 15.
Heartland authenticity: Praise for one paper’s nuanced coverage of post-Trump Muslims. Published Nov. 16.
Weird case of godless former sex slave: Hey Reuters, are you really that afraid of religion!? Published Nov. 30.
Click below for additional November 2016 columns.
Giving from the heart — with a click or tap
E-tithing on the rise as more Christians contribute to the church online. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When the collection plate is passed at the Figueroa Church of Christ in Los Angeles, it’s not unusual for minister James A. Maxwell to see members tapping on their smartphones. Don’t worry: These tech-savvy brothers and sisters aren’t distracted. Rather, they’re contributing what they’ve purposed in … Continue reading Giving from the heart — with a click or tap
AFP: U.S. state of Oklahoma to vote on death penalty
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Agence France-Presse
Oklahoma City (AFP) – This November, voters in the state of Oklahoma will not only help choose the next U.S. president, but also decide a ballot measure with big implications for the future of the death penalty.
Capital punishment is on hold in the southwestern state after a series of botched executions. With lethal injection drugs becoming harder to acquire, there are doubts whether Oklahoma can resume executions unless a new method is approved.
The ballot measure, known as State Question 776, aims to head off any attempts to end capital punishment by asking voters to enshrine it in the state constitution and empower legislators to decide the best method of execution.
“We’re allowing the people, who overwhelmingly favor the death penalty in Oklahoma, to show certain entities that they want this,” said state representative Mike Ritze, an Oklahoma Republican who was one of the proposal’s authors.
The measure is expected to pass on November 8, enjoying over 70 percent support according to a June poll.
But there have been a lot of questions raised in the last several years over the state’s death penalty.
Read the story on Yahoo! News.
Continue reading “AFP: U.S. state of Oklahoma to vote on death penalty”
‘There, but for the grace of God, go I’
Kansas church realizes its dream of opening a resource center for former inmates and drug addicts. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Roswell Church of Christ wouldn’t give up. For years, the inner-city congregation struggled to realize its dream of transforming a one-time dry cleaners into “a one-stop shop for ex-offenders and substance abusers.” But on a recent … Continue reading ‘There, but for the grace of God, go I’
Why ‘pounding’ the new minister is a good thing
‘Hospitality is so important and often more important than many longtime members who have never moved realize.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WACO, Texas — My youth minister son, Brady, and his wife, Mary, got a “pounding” when they moved to Texas. Ordinarily, that might worry me. But in the Christian context, it’s a positive thing — not a sign of an … Continue reading Why ‘pounding’ the new minister is a good thing
There’s a reason Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully kept mentioning God during his farewell tour
There's a reason #Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully kept mentioning God during his farewell tour https://t.co/M2kADkXcdd #MLB #Postseason pic.twitter.com/aXiX9spWM4 — GetReligion (@GetReligion) October 5, 2016 Also: Follow-up: Why sports columnist thought story of Vin Scully’s faith was so important to tell. This analysis of media coverage by Bobby Ross Jr. appears online at GetReligion.org. Continue reading There’s a reason Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully kept mentioning God during his farewell tour
Reporting news that informs and inspires — in all 50 states
The Christian Chronicle’s Bobby Ross Jr. celebrates faith-filled milestone. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FAITH, S.D. — After chasing stories all over the United States, I found Faith — a town in South Dakota with a population of 421. With my recent trip to the Dakotas, I reached a personal goal: reporting for The Christian Chronicle from all 50 states and the … Continue reading Reporting news that informs and inspires — in all 50 states
Best of Get Religion: October 2016
Links to Bobby Ross Jr.’s top columns
Religion figures heavily — and rightly so — in AP story on Muslim’s ‘honor’ killing of sister. Published Oct. 3.
There’s a reason Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully kept mentioning God during his farewell tour. Published Oct. 5.
Let’s be clear: It’s rape, not a relationship, when a youth pastor impregnates a teen. Published Oct. 14.
Yes, journalism is a noble profession — so let’s not bash everyone in the news media. Published Oct. 18.
My response to the election, the news media and my alleged ‘blanket defense of journalists.’ Published Oct. 20.
Click below for additional October 2016 columns.
Learning NOT to love chicken-fried steak
Texas minister and wife focus on eating better and exercising more. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WACO, Texas — When Jordan and Debbie Hubbard married nearly 13 years ago, they shared a love for tasty, high-calorie foods. Think Texas-sized chicken-fried steaks. “We were both fat and happy,” said Jordan Hubbard, 42, who at one time weighed close to 320 pounds. “We ate … Continue reading Learning NOT to love chicken-fried steak
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 