Tag: politics

Religion Unplugged

Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields

To understand the wrangling over religion in public schools, consider these three questions. Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — Before I got my start in religion reporting 25 years ago, I … Continue reading Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields

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Christian Chronicle

Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?

Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction ignites a national furor with a mandate requiring a Bible in every classroom. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Ryan Walters wasn’t always known as Oklahoma’s culture-warrior-in-chief. Neither was the 39-year-old Republican always a high-profile MAGA champion, denouncing liberal indoctrination; illegal immigration; LGBTQ-themed school library books; diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and the “Woke Olympics.” Decades before winning election as Oklahoma’s top education official in 2022 — and before igniting … Continue reading Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Christians pray for Trump — and the divided nation — after assassination attempt

Church leaders seek peace and healing in an ‘eye for an eye world.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The morning after a gunman perched atop a roof narrowly missed killing former President Donald Trump, Christians across the U.S. came together Sunday — as always — to worship God and pray. About 270 miles southeast of the Pennsylvania farm show grounds where shots rang out at Trump’s … Continue reading Christians pray for Trump — and the divided nation — after assassination attempt

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

✏️ Teaching the gospel during public school hours? It’s totally constitutional 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Subscribe now to get this column delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jeffery L. Williams found Jesus through his public middle school. Now the pastor of Golden View Baptist Church in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, Williams grew up in … Continue reading ✏️ Teaching the gospel during public school hours? It’s totally constitutional 🔌

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

Author recounts growing up in Churches of Christ — and her sexual assault by a preacher. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The biggest villain — and rightly so — in Nancy French’s memoir “Ghosted: An American Story” is a preacher who gives the seventh-grader a ride home from Vacation Bible School. “In his early twenties, he was too young to be a preacher,” French writes. “But … Continue reading Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

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Religion Unplugged

‘Overhyped’ Christian nationalism label draws political backlash

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged O. Alan Noble, a Christian writer and social media influencer, has called former President Donald Trump “manifestly unfit for any office.” In a recent post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Noble voiced concern about Christian nationalism — a label frequently attached to Trump and his biggest supporters. But Noble’s specific criticism focused less on the melding … Continue reading ‘Overhyped’ Christian nationalism label draws political backlash

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Christianity Today, Religion Unplugged

Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DALLAS — Less than a year before the U.S. presidential election, pastors took to their pulpits to decry a culture of hate, extremism and vile politics. “Much of the hate and discord that has been poisoning our nation has been preached in the name of Christ and the church,” the Rev. Charles V. Denman declared. In a different sanctuary, … Continue reading Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination

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Christian Chronicle

For Cuba, a time of stress — and salvation

Amid an economic crisis, ministry and music propel a native son devoted to sharing the bread of life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MATANZAS, Cuba — Church members in this port city overlooking the Bay of Matanzas sang “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” on a recent Sunday as they celebrated the baptisms of five new Christians. Afterward, about 250 spiritual brothers and sisters ate fellowship meals piled … Continue reading For Cuba, a time of stress — and salvation

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Christian Chronicle

Sharing love — and Christ — with refugees

Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago, an Oklahoma church has worked to serve its new neighbors. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — The chaos at the end of a long war. The frenzy to leave a troubled homeland. The challenge of a new and different culture. Hong Kluver identifies closely with the Afghan refugees she has worked so hard to … Continue reading Sharing love — and Christ — with refugees

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