Martin E. Marty, a pre-eminent religious historian, prolific author, dependable exponent of mainstream Protestantism and staunch champion of pluralism, died on Tuesday in Minneapolis. He was 97. His death at a retirement home, where he had lived since 2022, was confirmed by his son Peter. (Roberts, The New York Times)
Read MoreDr. Francis Collins, the legendary former director of the National Institutes of Health, has retired, NPR has learned. Collins, who notified the NIH on Friday of his decision, did not specify the reasons for his departure. But his retirement comes as the world's largest public funder of biomedical research is in turmoil under the Trump administration, facing cutbacks and layoffs. (Stein, NPR)
Read MoreNormally more likely to voice support for President Donald Trump’s decisions, attendees and speakers at a gathering of conservative Christian broadcasters expressed ambivalence this week about the White House’s resolve to bar The Associated Press from presidential events. (Jenkins, Religion News Service)
Read MorePope Francis has created a Vatican task force to urge believers to give more money as the Catholic Church tackles a cashflow crisis. Announced this week but signed off by Francis on February 11 — three days before he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia — the initiative reveals the extent of financial problems at the Vatican. (Kington, The Times)
Read More"House of David" pumps up the greatest Bible battle of them all: David vs. Goliath. The Amazon Prime series (first three episodes now streaming, then weekly on Thursdays) tells the origin tale of King David, centered on the iconic underdog clash featuring the young shepherd David taking out the Philistine giant Goliath with a rock. (Alexander, USA Today)
Read MoreRegardless of who Patriarchy Hannah actually is, experts say the debacle serves as an important reminder to approach what you see online with skepticism, particularly when it comes from an influencer touting a lifestyle that's unrealistic or unattainable for many. (Trepany, USA Today)
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