Tag: terrorist attacks

Religion Unplugged

At 20th anniversary of 9/11, faith remains a big part of the story

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. Like everybody alive then, I remember what I was doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, I was religion editor for The Oklahoman, the metro … Continue reading At 20th anniversary of 9/11, faith remains a big part of the story

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Bible camp’s bluegrass festival commemorates victims, heroes of 9/11

At 20th anniversary of terrorist attacks, Christians in North Carolina, New York and across U.S. take time to reflect on the lives lost. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOCKSVILLE, N.C. — Carolina Bible Camp’s all-day bluegrass festival Saturday was a time for pickin’, fellowship and remembrance. Hundreds of bluegrass fans converged on the rustic camp, about 60 miles north of Charlotte, to hear artists such as Scythian, Joe … Continue reading Bible camp’s bluegrass festival commemorates victims, heroes of 9/11

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Christian faith drives two leading advocates of Tulsa Race Massacre justice

Rep. Regina Goodwin and Sen. Kevin Matthews both attend the same predominantly Black congregation, near where the 1921 mob violence occurred. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — Two weeks after her 107th birthday, Viola Fletcher traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to tell a congressional subcommittee what happened to her as a little girl. Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa … Continue reading Christian faith drives two leading advocates of Tulsa Race Massacre justice

Bobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

Tulsa Race Massacre prayer room highlights churches’ 1921 sins, seeks healing

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged TULSA, Okla. — The words on the wall are jarring. They are filled with racist language and victim blaming. Worst of all, they are taken from the mouths of professed men of God — from sermons preached on the Sunday after the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. “I got emotional about some of the things that I did not know,” … Continue reading Tulsa Race Massacre prayer room highlights churches’ 1921 sins, seeks healing

Bobby Ross Jr.
Associated Press

25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — Search-and-rescue workers came straight from the blast site, hard hats atop their heads and mud and grime on their boots. Relatives of the missing joined loved ones of those already confirmed dead in holding teddy bears and wiping tears as this grieving heartland city — indeed, the entire shaken nation — came together to … Continue reading 25 years ago, a prayer service gave hope to a shaken America

Bobby Ross Jr.
Oklahoman

Her 15-month-old daughter died in the OKC bombing, but she lived on

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For The Oklahoman MOORE, Okla. — I only met Deniece Bell once. Yet over the years, I often wondered what happened to her. At the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, I decided to find out. In April 1995, I was a young reporter for The Oklahoman, working overtime with my newsroom colleagues to tell the biggest story of … Continue reading Her 15-month-old daughter died in the OKC bombing, but she lived on

Bobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

Global coronavirus pandemic is BIG, but exactly how big?

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. In my 30-year journalism career, I’ve covered more major news than I can recall. In most cases, I’ve experienced an adrenaline rush as I set about to do my job, which I consider … Continue reading Global coronavirus pandemic is BIG, but exactly how big?

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

One year later, Orlando victim’s mom urges: Show your children ‘all the love you have’

Bernadette Cruz’s 22-year-old son, Peter “Ommy” Gonzalez-Cruz, died in the June 12, 2016, mass shooting that targeted a gay nightclub. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — She thinks of him every day — her beloved son Peter “Ommy” Gonzalez-Cruz. Yet even as she grieves, Bernadette Cruz pushes forward, relying on her friends, her family and her faith. Cruz’s cheerful, affectionate … Continue reading One year later, Orlando victim’s mom urges: Show your children ‘all the love you have’

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear

After gay nightclub massacre, showing love to LGBT community a focus at Christian conference. Second Place, In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Sally Gary couldn’t come to Orlando and fail to visit the site of the gay nightclub massacre where 49 people died. The founder of CenterPeace, a Dallas-based ministry that provides support and resources … Continue reading In Orlando, a call for more openness, less fear

Bobby Ross Jr.