Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields
OKLAHOMA CITY — Before I got my start in religion reporting 25 years ago, I covered education news for The Oklahoman, the daily newspaper in Oklahoma…
Weekend Plug-In
Why ‘The Waltons,’ the classic TV show that just turned 50, wasn’t afraid of religion
During the pandemic lockdown, I rediscovered “The Waltons” and watched all 221 episodes. Somewhere along the way, I learned that the classic TV show about…
Is Nashville the center of the religion news universe? For today, let’s say so
Twenty years ago, I moved to Nashville, Tenn., to work for The Associated Press. I spent less than a year in Music City before transferring…
Why faith matters to America: We talk to the author of an insightful new book
Religion reporter Bob Smietana’s “aha!” moment came a few years ago while covering a hurricane. When a tornado, flood or other disaster occurs, so-called faith-based…
God and guns
TULSA, Okla. — God and guns. After a string of mass shootings nationwide, conversations with people of faith inevitably turn to that subject. Ken Factor…
This political reporter says journalism has made him a better Christian — he’s not alone
Say what? Jon Ward, chief national correspondent for Yahoo! News, writes in an essay for Christianity Today that his profession has made him a better…
Abortion bombshell
News that the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority might overturn Roe v. Wade is not overly shocking. We’ve known that for months. But the timing…
Russia attacks Ukraine: Why some experts insist Putin is motivated by religion
What’s religion got to do with Russia’s attack on Ukraine? A whole lot, according to some experts. At ReligionUnplugged.com, Richard Ostling stresses that journalists shouldn’t…
Ransom demands and prayers: The kidnapping of a mission group in Haiti
As a journalist who covers religion, I’ve been blessed to report firsthand from countries such as Israel, Mexico, Nicaragua and South Africa. As a result,…
At 9/11 anniversary, faith remains a big part of the story
Like everybody alive then, I remember what I was doing the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, I was religion editor for The Oklahoman, the…
