Lead story
Editor's note:
From radio broadcasts to television simulcasts to YouTube livestreams, churches have been making their services public for as long as there’s been the tech to do so. However, the pandemic accelerated the practice from a luxury to a necessity — from the exclusive purview of the wealthy megachurch to a baseline requirement in every church. There were bloopers, mishaps and plenty of experimentation but most churches adapted and found a version of virtual church that worked for them. The surprise? Many expanded their reach. And the online offerings became a lifeline for many who had felt sidelined in the past — people with disabilities, the elderly, the chronically ill. But as churches shift back to in person, some wonder whether online church should also continue — and whether it’s really church at all. RNS national reporter, Bob Smietana, and correspondent Elizabeth E. Evans explore a growing tension as churches grapple with how best to utilize this now ubiquitous medium for worship.
Religion News
First Arabic Netflix film tackles taboos, sparks controversy
The scenes in the first Arabic Netflix movie have sparked a public drama as intense as the one that plays out onscreen. By Mariam Fam/The Associated Press
Historic city churches find new life as neighborhood centers
Across the U.S., historic urban churches built decades ago to accommodate hundreds or thousands of worshippers have struggled with shrinking flocks and rising preservation costs. Many are finding new ways to use their buildings. By Giovanna Dell’Orto/The Associated Press
A canon lawyer described Bishop Joseph Strickland's challenge to a fellow bishop as 'unprecedented.' By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
US Jewish movements ‘outraged’ by Israeli PM’s decision to quash Western Wall deal
The prime minister said members of his right-wing Yamina Party opposed the plan, which would expand the current mixed-gender section of the Western Wall and create a joint management committee with leaders of the Conservative and Reform movements. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service
Faith in the metaverse: A VR quest for community, fellowship
Many Americans — some traditionally religious, some religiously unaffiliated — are increasingly communing spiritually through virtual reality, one of the many evolving spaces in the metaverse that have grown in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. By Luis Andreas Henao/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
A scholar studying the relationship of Buddhism and medicine explains how the popular media has misrepresented mindfulness. By Pierce Salguero for The Conversation
The Lunar New Year celebrations that start on Feb. 1 will go on for a week. It is the year of the tiger, considered in Chinese culture, as the foremost among all beasts. By Mario Poceski for The Conversation
The determination that fueled his peace efforts may not square with the soft-spoken teacher many knew. By Vanessa Zuisei Goddard/Religion News Service
Pope Benedict XVI's many years of wrestling with the abuse crisis highlight the Catholic Church's broader challenges addressing it. By David Gibson for The Conversation
Police officers stand in line outside St. Patricks Cathedral to pay their respects during the wake of New York City Police Officer Jason Rivera, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in New York. Rivera was fatally shot Friday, Jan. 21, while answering a call about an argument between a woman and her adult son. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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- This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
- The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
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