Weekly religion news roundup (March 14-20, 2025)
Photograph by Brotin Biswas via Pexels
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela
Why did Netanyahu end the Gaza ceasefire? The wave of Israeli strikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday was the culmination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to get out of the ceasefire with Hamas that he agreed to in January. (Associated Press)
Protestant denominations try new ideas as they face declines in members and money. Several Protestant denominations are losing members, particularly the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and other historic mainline groups that have not only been aging and shrinking but have suffered schisms as they moved in more progressive directions. (RNS)
Post-pandemic, benevolence declines worldwide. Benevolence may be slipping around the world after reaching a high point from 2021 to 2023, according to a new Gallup survey. (Baptist News Global)
Wikipedia co-founder finds Christian faith anew. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, announced Feb. 5 that he’s no longer an atheist but a Christian. In an exclusive interview with Baptist News Global, Sanger explained his five-year journey to discover whether God is real. (Baptist News Global)
Pope Francis is recovering. It hasn’t stopped talk of a succession. Discussions of succession scenarios have been accelerated by the pontiff’s bout with double pneumonia and warnings that he could be significantly diminished. (Washington Post; paywalled)
Each Friday in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Rising egg prices threaten Easter and Passover traditions. Egg prices in the U.S. have surged in recent months due to several factors — and it can very well impact Christians and Jews across the United States this spring. (Religion Unplugged)
In Texas, Christian right grows confident and assertive. Testifying this month against bills that would put more Christianity in Texas public schools, the Rev. Jody Harrison invoked the violent persecution of her Baptist forefathers by fellow Christians in colonial America. (Associated Press)
Satanic group to hold Black Mass outside Kansas statehouse. Christian groups are condemning a Kansas-based satanic group’s plans to hold a Black Mass at the statehouse. (News Nation)
Law Society warns Cook Islands' religious rules 'against human rights.' Churches on the island are pushing to introduce a constitutional amendment that would "recognise the Cook Islands as a Christian Nation, with the protection and promotion of the Christian faith as the basis for the laws and governance of the country". (RNZ)
Rev. Dr. Anna Piela is senior writer at American Baptist Home Mission Societies and assistant editor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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