Other Issues
American Culture
Five Key Findings on Religion in the U.S.
Frank Newport, Gallup
Religion remains an integral part of most Americans' lives, but Gallup's ongoing research shows how this has changed over time. The following are five important findings about religion in the U.S.
Why Are Americans Less Charitable Than They Used to Be?
Alexia Fernandez Campbell, The Atlantic
The average American has grown more tight-fisted in recent years, donating a smaller portion of his or her income to charity than he or she did 10 years ago
Pro-lifers look forward to 2017
Evan Wilt, World
Social conservatives say Election Day results have ‘electrified’ the pro-life movement.
Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof won't try to avoid the death penalty
Jeva Lange, The Week
Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof told U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Wednesday that he won't call witnesses or present evidence to try to avoid the death penalty, The Associated Press reports.
Bioethics
Where Can Discarded Embryos Go?
Mark Mellinger, TGC
It is tragic that so many human embryos are discarded without being given the chance to live out a normal human lifespan.
Christianity and Culture
Biblical Archaeology’s Top 10 Discoveries of 2016
Gordon Govier, Christianity Today
A glimpse at the important excavation work revealed this year.
Unthinkable Today, Obvious Tomorrow: The Moral Case for the Abolition of Cruelty to Animals
Matthew Scully, National Review
On that issue, our evolving standards approach the ancient ones of Judeo-Christian morality.
Drugs and Alcohol
Vermont’s Radical Experiment to Break the Addiction Cycle
Jennifer Levitz and Scott Calvert, Wall Street Journal
Overwhelmed by the opioid epidemic, some prosecutors offer defendants a contract that forces them into recovery with no criminal record.
International Issues
Iraqi Christians celebrate a bittersweet Christmas amid destruction and liberation
Bonnie Kristian, The Week
Christians in Bartella, Iraq, are celebrating their first Christmas since 2013 following their town's liberation from Islamic State militants as part of the campaign to retake Mosul.
Religious Liberty
Top Ten Religious Liberty and Church-State Developments of 2016
Howard Friedman, Religion Clause
Each year in December, I attempt to pick the most important church-state and religious liberty developments of the past year. This was a busy year, and a number of the important developments amounted to themes that spanned many months.
A US law meant to safeguard religious minorities abroad now covers atheists, too
Neha Thirani Bagri, Quartz
By updating an 18-year-old religious freedom law, the US Congress has for the first time taken steps to explicitly protect people who identify as atheists.
The Religious-Liberty Showdowns Coming in 2017
Emma Green, The Atlantic
From mosque surveillance to new religious-exemption laws, a look at some of the issues likely to come up under Trump.
NYPD to allow Sikh officers to grow a beard, wear a turban instead of a police hat
Becca Stanek, The Week
The New York Police Department just made a "major change" to its uniform policy.
Sexuality Issues
Has Gang Rape Been Popularized by Porn?
Naomi Schaefer Riley, Acculturated
In a culture that is drowning in stories about sex, these tales of group sex and gang rape seem still to have the ability to stand out.