Hey folks, it’s been one of those weeks.
Between severe weather warnings here in Oklahoma (aka Tornado Alley) and working on press week deadline at my regular job (The Christian Chronicle), I’ve missed as much religion news as I’ve caught. But I do have a holiday weekend reading list that I’ll share with you.
Speaking of tornadoes, a truck driver caught in the big tornado in Jefferson City, Mo., credited God with saving him, according to CNN. (There might be a holy ghost or two there.)
Anyway, let’s dive into the preoccupied edition of Friday Five:
If an evangelical crisis is truly on horizon, journalists should spring into action right now https://t.co/K5f7mc06ee
— GetReligion (@GetReligion) May 23, 2019
1. Religion story of the week: See earlier caveat, but no single major religion headline really stood out to me this week.
That said, my colleagues here at GetReligion covered a whole lot of interesting territory, as always. That includes — just to cite a few examples:
• Richard Ostling exploring the idea of an evangelical crisis.
• Julia Duin pointing out another case of the Los Angeles Times suffering from a lack of religion reporting expertise.
• And Clemente Lisi highlighting the collision between nationalism and Catholicism in the run-up to European elections.
Tim Conway was a kind soul, with a gentle sense of humor. Maybe his faith played a role in that? https://t.co/mM9kq7RmlS
— GetReligion (@GetReligion) May 21, 2019
2. Most popular GetReligion post: I failed to mention Terry Mattingly in the above list because I knew he’d be included here.
His insightful post on the holy ghosts in coverage of Tim Conway’s death ranks No. 1 this week.
Check out his viral piece, headlined “Tim Conway was a kind soul, with a gentle sense of humor. Maybe his faith played a role in that?” (Hint: Yes, it did. But be sure to click to learn more and enjoy a few funny videos, too.)
Today, The Atlantic published a piece I have been working on for a long time, about one of the most powerful stories of our time: The decimation of Christianity in the Middle East. This is tragic, on its face. But it’s also devastating for democracy. 1/xhttps://t.co/Hw3oF8Bctw
— Emma Green (@emmaogreen) May 23, 2019
3. Guilt folder fodder (and more): Here’s that weekend reading list, featuring stories I want to take time to read this weekend (and Monday, since I’m off for Memorial Day).
Among them:
• Emma Green’s cover story in The Atlantic on “The Impossible Future of Christians in the Middle East.”
After years of abuse, a Mennonite couple reconnects with each other and their family: Coverings (via @PittsburghPG): https://t.co/IOLDSzGh8W
— Peter Smith (@PG_PeterSmith) May 22, 2019
• The six-part series in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Peter Smith & Co. on sexual abuse in Mennonite and Amish communities.
Really great story on @MorningEdition today – well worth your time to dig in and better understand how we got here. https://t.co/vcBSrn4nlT
— Eric Marrapodi (@EricMarrapodi) May 22, 2019
• NPR religion correspondent Tom Gjelten’s report on the growing debate over what religious freedom means.
Congrats @jenberryhawes on the @nytimes review of your fine forthcoming book about the Mother Emanuel tragedy and aftermath. Available 6-4-19! ‘Grace Will Lead Us Home,’ an Intimate Look at Forgiveness, Anger and Trauma After the Charleston Massacre https://t.co/ugubHjqCpf
— Kevin Sack (@ksacknyt) May 21, 2019
• The New York Times review of “Grace Will Lead Us Home” by Jennifer Berry Hawes, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.
She was there right after, the community has accepted her as one of their own and her heart is behind every word she writes. @SilviaElenaFF @ExpressNews #supportlocal https://t.co/B2nU655z1W
— Lisa G (@gillesl2) May 20, 2019
• Silver Foster-Frau’s San Antonio Express-News coverage of the opening of the new sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.
“I feel a wicked act was inflicted upon him right in his own home. That, for me, is the most hurtful part of it.” https://t.co/QEVvJ4F5ru via @cofcnews
— Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) May 23, 2019
4. Shameless plug: For Bertrum and Allison Jean, the nightmare never goes away.
Nearly nine months after an off-duty Dallas cop killed their son Botham Jean in his own apartment, I talked to them about their emotional journey and fight for justice.
Read my front-page Christian Chronicle story.
STOP posting game of thrones spoilers i’m still on episode 0 with no intention to watch
— jaboukie (@jaboukie) May 13, 2019
5. Final thought: Yeah. What jaboukie said.
Happy Friday, everybody! Enjoy the weekend!
ybvdadminuser
