Religion Unplugged

Religion Unplugged We are an award-winning, non-profit magazine on the topic of religion in public life.

Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes knows a good movie when he sees one — but he hardly ever sees one. At least that’s...
12/08/2025

Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes knows a good movie when he sees one — but he hardly ever sees one. At least that’s the running joke among Religion Unplugged staff.

In an era of influencers who get comp tickets to give glowing reviews, overwhelming review websites like Rotten Tomatoes and an eye-boggling number of direct-to-streaming films available from the comfort of your own home, Holmes’ reviews fill a unique niche.

He helps viewers interested in faith-based films know what to watch. Or more often, what not to watch, by detailing plot holes, lazy editing or poor acting. Holmes cheers on the faith-based films while simultaneously holding them to high standards.

Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes knows a good film when he sees one — but he hardly ever sees one, or at least that’s the running joke among Religion Unplugged staff.

In 1492, Italian artist Carlo Crivelli painted an idealized portrait of the Immaculate Conception for the church of San ...
12/08/2025

In 1492, Italian artist Carlo Crivelli painted an idealized portrait of the Immaculate Conception for the church of San Francis in Pergola, a small town in central Italy. Observed every Dec. 8, the feast day commemorates the conception of the Virgin Mary, born free from original sin.

Like most religious paintings of the era, Crivelli’s portrait of Mary is rife with symbolism. Her loose, flowing hair indicates her maidenly virginity, while ripe pears and apples dangling at her side suggest her ultimate fruitfulness as the mother of Jesus.

Floating above her head, a pair of angels unfurl a banner bearing a Latin inscription, drawn from Biblical sources, which translates, “As from the beginning I was conceived in the mind of God, so have I in like manner been conceived in the flesh.”

The Arabic text along the Virgin Mary’s dress “runs so counter to our clash-of-civilizations mindset about Christianity and Islam now that it really short-circuits people’s idea about how medieval Christians viewed the Islamic world,” one expert said.

Films tend to reflect our anxieties. It's probably not a coincidence that we’re getting so many Holocaust-themed movies ...
12/05/2025

Films tend to reflect our anxieties. It's probably not a coincidence that we’re getting so many Holocaust-themed movies at the same time as rising antisemitism has been in the news.

(ANALYSIS) Films tend to reflect our anxieties. So it’s not a coincidence that we’re getting so many Holocaust-themed movies at the same time as rising antisemitism has been in the news.

It is not just worshippers who are attracted to the United Kingdom’s network of traditional stone churches. Increasingly...
12/04/2025

It is not just worshippers who are attracted to the United Kingdom’s network of traditional stone churches. Increasingly, they are also playing host to hundreds of bats.

Research carried out by the Bat Conservation Trust has revealed that over 8,000 churches provide bats with a home. The reasons for this popularity are easy to find: Churches offer lots of safe, hidden places to roost within the nooks and crannies of church roof spaces. The surrounding areas offer plenty of insects to eat.

Research carried out by the Bat Conservation Trust has revealed that over 8,000 churches provide bats with a home. They are messy houseguests, and churchgoers must coexist with them; UK law prohibits removing or disturbing bats.

Amid this brutal cycle of war, trauma and sacrifice, more than 25% of Israelis are now considering leaving Israel behind...
12/03/2025

Amid this brutal cycle of war, trauma and sacrifice, more than 25% of Israelis are now considering leaving Israel behind.

(ANALYSIS) Unfortunately, the current Israeli government seems uninterested in repairing what they have broken. The Jewish state will not crumble overnight if they remain indifferent to these needs. The country’s morale will weaken. And everything that has kept it strong and surviving — its

American evangelicalism has been a major influence over the culture and politics of the U.S. Where did it all begin? In ...
12/03/2025

American evangelicalism has been a major influence over the culture and politics of the U.S. Where did it all begin? In his recent book, “Jesus Springs,” William Schultz argues that the center of evangelicalism is in Colorado Springs. Matthew Peterson interviews Schultz about how the Western city helped build the evangelical movement into what it is today.

American Evangelicalism has major influence over the culture and politics of the U.S. But, where did it all begin? In his recent book, “Jesus Springs,” Willi...

Humans have always relied on storytelling to help make sense of their lives and the world around them. For Cyril Zenda, ...
12/01/2025

Humans have always relied on storytelling to help make sense of their lives and the world around them. For Cyril Zenda, a Religion Unplugged contributor based in Zimbabwe, the goal is to delve into underreported news stories.

Here at Religion Unplugged, we know that religion is a powerful force in people’s lives and public life. Faith is often more than a personal conviction: It shapes policies, laws and communities. Religion has been, and will always be, a through line of the human experience — a major theme in our collective story.

“Religion Unplugged does not promote one religion — or faith or sect — over another, so it is a valuable source of high-quality news and investigative stories that are accurate, balanced and authoritative,” Zenda said. “I’m based in Africa, where a lot of stories are underreported, so my articles help readers make sense of the world from an African point of view.”

“I’m based in Africa, where a lot of stories are underreported, so my articles help readers make sense of the world from an African point of view.”

Bhutan hosts the first-ever Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025 in Thimphu, held in continuation of the celebrations marki...
12/01/2025

Bhutan hosts the first-ever Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025 in Thimphu, held in continuation of the celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck — the visionary behind Gross National Happiness.

The two-week festival brings together spiritual leaders, monks and practitioners from around the world to offer prayers for peace, compassion, and global harmony.

The event features powerful rituals such as the Jabzhi Dhoechog, Bazaguru mantra recitation, and the Kalachakra Empowerment led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo. It also marks historic milestones — including the ordination of over 250 Buddhist nuns, symbolizing inclusivity and empowerment.

Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama — the Buddha — is a spiritual tradition centered on compassion, mindfulness, and the path to liberation from suffering. Over time, it evolved into three major sects. Theravada, practiced mainly in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, preserves the earliest teachi...

Every December, the same chorus returns — pastors, pundits and pious influencers lamenting that Christmas has been “comm...
11/28/2025

Every December, the same chorus returns — pastors, pundits and pious influencers lamenting that Christmas has been “commercialized.” That somewhere between the shepherds and the self-checkout lane, we traded our souls for stuff.

But that story’s too simple. Christianity, at its core, has never been allergic to the material — it was founded on it. God didn’t descend as an idea. He came wrapped in flesh, born not in abstraction but in a feeding trough. The Incarnation sanctified substance — stone and soil, blood and bone. Matter mattered because the Almighty took its shape.

Every December, the same chorus returns — pastors, pundits, and pious influencers lamenting that Christmas has been “commercialized.” But gift-giving isn’t a betrayal of Christmas. In truth, it’s a reenactment of it.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus asked his followers and critics alike many probing questions. Some 307 to be precise, acc...
11/26/2025

Throughout His ministry, Jesus asked his followers and critics alike many probing questions. Some 307 to be precise, according to Biblical scholars. Perhaps the most pivotal was “Who do you say that I am?” — a query that remains central to the study and understanding of the Christian faith.

In this new analysis of Jesus’ life, renowned religious historian Elaine Pagels takes up the challenge of unpacking Christ’s identity through a compelling combination of historical background, Biblical criticism and theological reflection.

(REVIEW) In “Miracles and Wonder,” historian Elaine Pagels examines the life of Jesus through historical, textual and theological lenses. Balancing faith and skepticism, she revisits questions of the virgin birth, miracles, crucifixion and the resurrection — ultimately portraying Christianity....

Whether you are new to the Religion Unplugged community or you’ve been with us for years, you know the value of reliable...
11/25/2025

Whether you are new to the Religion Unplugged community or you’ve been with us for years, you know the value of reliable, fact-based journalism.

Our network of contributors across the world work hard to bring you award-winning journalism that takes religion — and its impact on policy, politics, culture and society — seriously. In addition to our news and feature articles, our columnists and guest opinion writers help you expand your understanding of issues relevant to your life and faith.

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Many writers have been credited with the authorship of the Bible. Some Biblical books list their writers explicitly, oth...
11/25/2025

Many writers have been credited with the authorship of the Bible. Some Biblical books list their writers explicitly, others are more ambiguous. But is writing the same as narrating?

Many writers have been credited with the authorship of the Bible. Some Biblical books list their writers explicitly, others are more ambiguous. But is writin...

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