Two recent school shootings are highlighting what extremism researchers see as a growing — and poorly understood — trend among young people who embrace mass violence. The attacks, at high schools in Madison, Wis., and Nashville, Tenn., defy categories that law enforcement and researchers have long used to understand radicalization pathways, such as radical Islamist terrorism and white nationalist terrorism. (Yousef, NPR)
Read MoreThe racial and ethnic makeup of the Catholic population varies by region. For example, in the Midwest, 78% of Catholics are White and 15% are Hispanic. In the Northeast, 72% of Catholics are White and 20% are Hispanic. In the South, 44% are White and 45% are Hispanic. And in the West, there are more Hispanic Catholics than White Catholics (58% vs. 27%). (Nortey, Tevington & Smith, Pew Research Center)
Read More“The fundamental cause of freedom of religion or belief and other human rights violations in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory is Russia’s invasion and occupation from 2014 onwards of Ukraine,” Forum 18 wrote. “Until Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory is ended, the freedom of religion or belief and other human rights violations seem set to continue.” (Candler, Baptist Press)
Read MoreIt was the first church service in Finland put together mostly by AI tools, which wrote the sermons and some of the songs, composed the music and created the visuals. The widely advertised experimental service drew over 120 people to the church in northeastern Helsinki, much more than on a typical weeknight. (Litvinova & Manenkov, AP News)
Read MoreSomething alarming is happening with reading in America. Leisure reading by some accounts has declined by about 50 percent this century. Literacy scores are declining for fourth and eighth graders at alarming rates. And even college students today are complaining to teachers that they can’t read entire books. (Thompson, The Ringer)
Read MorePastors who want to evangelize and disciple both men and women (as they ought), must understand the factors behind this trend and chart a course to navigate these new waters in ministry. If “religion” codes “right” (or “based” as the internet sloganeers say), then there are plausibility structures and obstacles that must be overcome. (Troutt, Christianity Today)
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