Society & Culture

Pope Francis grew up in socialist Argentina, an experience that left a deep impression on his thinking.

“Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt was marked Friday, April 28, by a significant step forward in ecumenical relations between the Roman Catholic and Coptic Orthodox Churches. … the two churches agreed that they would not hold baptisms for members of one church wishing to join the other.”

“Bill Nye has some detestable ideas about humanity. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Many environmental doomsdayers share his totalitarian impulses (he has toyed with the idea of criminalizing speech he dislikes) and soft spot for eugenics.

The Religious Feud in England Over Asparagus

“The United States Department of Defense, in its quest for diversity in military chaplaincy, has announced an increase in the recognized religions list…. it has officially recognized Humanism.” WRN

“The justices — at least some who seemed skeptical of the state’s position — proposed the examples as they considered whether the state’s exclusion of a church-operated daycare center from a playground resurfacing program constitutes religious discrimination.”

“Throughout the 1970s, several hundred men left the priesthood each year, many of them for marriage. As straight priests left the church for domestic bliss, the proportion of remaining priests who were gay grew.”

Political Endorsements Unnecessarily Divide Congregations and Tacitly Approve Every Action of a Politician

“[T]he real number of American atheists may be as high as 26 percent, according to psychologists Will Gervais and Maxine Najle.” RNS