This is a great piece

Three years ago, the Luddite Club was started by a group of Brooklyn teenagers to fight social media’s grip on young people. The members used flip phones and promoted human connection. Now that the founders are in college, people want to know: Did they stay on the Luddite path? nyti.ms/4jCRS5p

Update on Kerli, the Venezuelan with the little boy I've followed across 10 countries over 2 years (see below): She has to leave her NYC shelter today, and is apartment hunting in Brooklyn. Money isn't the problem, she has 2 jobs. But she's being shut out... www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e33036f...

Insightful piece on purity culture in evangelicalism and the harms it has caused to many faithful Christians

Yes, this is underemphasized in the US - namely how conservative Christianity speaks as an underdog but is actually possibly the most powerful religious community (relative to size) on earth

Horrible injustices being perpetuated by universities

This is an excellent article worth your time to understand changes going on in arguably the most powerful religious community on earth (relative to size) - US evangelicals

photos I took in america’s orthodox belt

For kids, "Chrismukkah" can mean the best week, full of sweet treats, all the lights, and maybe even lots of presents. But for parents trying to navigate two very different meaningful traditions, it can be fraught.

This is horrific. The fear when it's your children's school...

A new @pewresearch.org report finds the number of countries imposing "high" or "very high" government restrictions on religious freedom rose to 59. It's up from a previous tally of 55 countries, and marks the highest number since Pew began the study in 2007. julieroys.com/global-pew-s...

Fam is this a safe space to acknowledge that that Hunt family who owns the Chiefs are super bad? I do not blame Taylor/Travis for being nice to/about them as it is a professional relationship. But they are evil. I think you can cheer for the chiefs and also be honest about them.

This is a great conversation between atheist Jew Jon Rauch and evangelical @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social about American democracy & Christianity. I want to highlight what's so thoughful in their convo but also highlight some things I think it misses 1/

I did not know this

This is really beautiful if you’re inclined.

Writing is thinking. It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.

The real "neoliberalism" was not deregulation of the private sector (wildly overstated) but a massive increase in the regulatory burden placed on the public sector. www.slowboring.com/p/shackling-...

New holiday episode is coming next week. In the meantime, we wanted to share one of our most popular episodes - one on a theme many can use this season: Finding Hope in Dark Times. I had the joy of speaking with @nickkristof.bsky.social & @joanhalifax.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

AI-generated course materials actually means "ChatGPT turned my lecture notes into bland boilerplate prose which my students are definitely going to be excited to read rather than learning it from someone who can contextualize and bring it to life." Embarrassing gimmick passed off as cutting edge.

Notre Dame Cathedral reopens after 5 years. This blog explores sacred spaces in traditions like Shinto, Islam, and Hinduism—how they inspire awe and reflect teachings through architecture, movement, and aesthetics. mailchi.mp/worldreligio...

Russia’s propaganda machine is running roughshod in Canada. Stan Kutcher, @popovaprof.bsky.social & @irgarner.bsky.social reveal how Moscow’s disinformation spreads—often unknowingly shared by Canadians. It's time for stronger action to counter it. Read more: ⬇️ policyoptions.irpp.org?p=114779

Fascinating data I’ve not seen elsewhere @ryanburge.bsky.social @mattyglesias.bsky.social

Area Billionaire Will Be Fine Regardless www.theverge.com/2024/12/4/24...

One of the best things you can do for yourself is recognize how easy it actually is for the typical resident of a rich country to do something meaningful to make the world a better place. www.slowboring.com/p/you-can-he...

Photo of all the workers who have spent the last five years restoring the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Reminds me of a very good article by @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social in @nytimes.com that while MAGA uses elements of fear and threat, outsiders miss how it cultivates joy & belonging as well Cc @feelingtheory.bsky.social

For the longest time, the USA was the exception to religious decline in the West. But in many ways, that is changing.

This is quite cool and quite smart.

I'm still really bad about updating this other than adding some @rns.org folks, who I've been *trying* to get on Bluesky… :: nudges coworkers :: …But, anyway, here are some religion writers (and, mostly, religion reporters). go.bsky.app/AAp97a1

Good piece on Lindsey who spread apocalyptic thought widely amongst Christians. Creating a culture of fear does a lot to motivate folks politically. It’s been going on for decades.

Brilliant review of Jordan Peterson book (with great ties in to culture more broadly). Thanks to @marthagill.bsky.social for this insightful review. #religion

Really surprising data point here re young US evangelicals

Take a bow

Guys, it’s Conclave.

Happy International Men’s Day! 🥳 Icymi: what’s hurting the least educated men? And how might that change? open.substack.com/pub/dralicee...

"Republicans have relied on pure fatigue on the part of reporters for a long time. You’ve got hundreds of right-wing outlets screaming bloody murder every minute of the day about bias, about deception, about prejudice. It’s all playing the ref. It’s all a game to them."

I’m a big fan of Yair but I disagree here. It’s best to debate. Exposing some falsehoods still causes a few to wonder about him. Plus it shows good faith and reaches out to those who follow RFK (May lower animosity even if you don’t persuade). Ignoring a problem won’t make it better IMO

Taylor Swift’s Karma song is a bit cringey. She trivializes the idea of karma at times (it’s the breeze in my hair, it’s my cat) or that it’s revenge against her enemies. She’s a talented singer but karma orients the lives of hundreds of millions. We may need some literacy to be a bit thoughtful.

Just here to see how long it takes people to say the Jews control the place.