đ Religious freedom summit covers mental health, antisemitism, persecution đ
Topics tackled at fourth annual event in Washington, D.C.
By Bobby Ross Jr.
Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers!
Thank you for all the kind comments about my piece last week on how I got my start on the Godbeat: covering Pope John Paul IIâs 1999 visit to St. Louis.
I was particularly pleased to hear from Patricia Rice Hellmuth, who was then the religion editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Steve Mamanella, who served as communications director of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Read their reflections.
This is our weekly roundup of the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith. We start with coverage of the International Religious Freedom Summit.
What to know: The big story
Religion and mental health: âDecades of data gathered in a single study released last fall shows that a relationship with God improves mental health and well-being, the studyâs creators said Wednesday during the fourth annual International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C.â
Thatâs the lede from the Deseret Newsâ Tad Walch.
More from Walchâs story
Gallup and the Radiant Foundation sifted through decades of Gallup surveys of tens of thousands of people in 140 countries as well as more than 400 validated research studies. They found measurable proof that religion and spirituality provide positive benefits.
âOur relationship with God heals,â Radiant Foundation executive director Angela Redding said. âEvery study that weâve seen suggests that with a relationship with God, suicide rates go down, depression goes down, anxiety goes down.â
The IRF Summitâs organizers say the event is designed to grow a human rights movement in support of international religious freedom. Redding and other speakers told the summit that data shows there is a worldwide connection between spirituality and well-being.
Also at the summit, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Louisiana, both raised concerns about rising antisemitism at home and abroad, according to Walch and RealClearPoliticsâ Susan Crabtree.
Persecuted women: âTens of millions of women worldwide are persecuted for their religious beliefs or nonbeliefs, advocates at the International Religious Freedom Summit 2024 say, but their stories often go untold because of their gender.â
The Washington Timesâ Mark A. Kellner reports that news.
Check out all of Kellnerâs stories from the summit, including how lunch with a concentration camp survivor made Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, a human rights champion.
More on persecution: A Nicaraguan priest described at the summit how he was âarrested, insulted, beaten (and) imprisonedâ by the regime of President Daniel Ortega, according to Catholic News Agencyâs Tyler Arnold.
Power up: The weekâs best reads
1. From Mennonite farmer to drug lord: âAs an ex-Mennonite who investigates drug trafficking in Mexico for a living, I've never felt more qualified to do a story than this one: Franz Kauenhofen, deeply in debt, and excommunicated for owning a smartphone, becomes a ruthless drug trafficker.â
So tweets Steve Fisher about his in-depth Los Angeles Times piece from Las Flores, Mexico.
2. âThe Chosenâ hits theaters: Season 4 of the popular Jesus show, which arrived in theaters Thursday, âtakes a turn for the serious,â according to Peter T. Chattaway, writing for Christianity Today.
In a ReligionUnplugged.com review, Joseph Holmes declares the Season 4 premiere âa gutsy winnerâ and âeasily the strongest ⊠the show has had since its first.â
3. Five Love Languages: A new study looks at the real reason Gary Chapmanâ's bestselling book on love and relationships is a success.
Religion News Serviceâs Bob Smietana reports on the findings.
More top reads
A Southern Baptist retirement agency's investing reveals tension over conservative values, according to The Tennesseanâs Liam Adams. ⊠What happens when America's largest Episcopal church loses its minister? The Houston Chronicleâs Eric Killelea explains. ⊠Who was St. Brigid, and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death? The Associated Pressâ Peter Smith provides the answers. ⊠A womanâs historic sermon at a joint Black Baptist meeting drew cheers and controversy, Religion News Serviceâs Adelle M. Banks reports. ⊠ââHow Great Thou Artâ gets a new verse in a Matt Redman collaboration, as Christianity Todayâs Kelsey Kramer McGinnis details. ⊠Focusing on the case of Paul Pressler, the New York Timesâ David French offers his opinion on what happens âwhen the right ignores its sex scandals.â
Inside the Godbeat
In the last two months, Frank E. Lockwood, religion editor for the Religion News Service, has filed 22 stories on a sex abuse case involving a Baptist church in Little Rock.
Lockwoodâs reporting prowess and tenacity have helped bring important facts to light.
Kudos to my friend and fellow religion writer!
Charging station: ICYMI
Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.
âThe Feb. 11 Super Bowl showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers may be contested at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas â known as Sin City â but it will feature two very pious quarterbacks.â
Read the faith profile of the Chiefsâ Patrick Mahomes and the 49ersâ Brock Purdy by Clemente Lisi.
The final plug
I spent time in West Texas this week reporting on the debate at Abilene Christian University over traditional vs. affirming views on same-sex relationshps
My Christian Chronicle story features interviews with ACUâs president as well as students and alumni.
Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.
Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.