By Jaeda G, Faith in Focus | Photo courtesy of Bishop Oliver McDowald In a compelling episode of the Faith in Focus podcast, Bishop Oliver McDowald of the East New York Church of God of Prophecy offered a powerful reflection on the evolving role of the church in today’s communities. With decades of pastoral experience […]
Karl Marx’s assertion that “Religion is the opium of the people” stands as one of the most incisive and debated critiques of religion in the annals of modern thought. Originating from his 1843 work, A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, this statement encapsulates a profound analysis of religion’s societal role, particularly […]
By Jose M. Vantroi Reyes T. | Editorial credit: Rokas Tenys / shutterstock.com For me, the election of a new Pope —both because of how quickly it happened and because of who was chosen— fills me with enthusiasm. Although I consider myself a Catholic with limited participation in Church rituals, I have embraced its values […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens | Photo by A.I The claim that Black people follow God’s rules more than White people is not merely a provocative statement but one that finds considerable support in historical data, sociological studies, and the lived religious experiences of Black Americans. While it is essential to approach such a conclusion with […]
By Anne Esther Gittens |Editorial credit: INFOWeather1, Own work, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=164960939 The election in May 2025 of Cardinal Robert Francis Provost as Pope Leo XIV marks a watershed moment in the two-millennia history of the Catholic Church, ushering in its first American pontiff. This development, long considered improbable due to the geopolitical […]
By Maureen K. Day, THE CONVERSATION |Editorial credit: Marco Iacobucci Epp / shutterstock.com More than 130 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025. With the announcement “Extra omnes” – “all out” – the doors have been closed and the cardinals sequestered to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. They will vote, […]
By Anne Webster The Seven Deadly Sins—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride—have long served as moral warnings. Rooted in early Christian doctrine, these traits are often framed as fatal flaws. But what if we viewed them not as absolute evils, but as deeply human impulses with the potential for growth and transformation? Instead […]
By:Charles J. Russo | Theconversation.com As demonstrators gathered outside, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 30, 2025, about whether Oklahoma can operate the nation’s first faith-based charter school. St. Isidore of Seville would be a virtual, K-12 school run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. Charters are typically public schools […]
By Sandy Connors | Photo courtesy of Dr. Victoria Rollins April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to confronting a painful reality that often remains hidden in plain sight. Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States, and while advocacy has grown, survivors’ voices often remain unheard, […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. In a world full of human imperfections and uncertainties, trust is a fragile commodity. Many believers often hear the saying, “God said, trust no man,” and wonder if it genuinely comes from the Bible. While the exact phrase does not appear in Scripture, the Bible indeed contains verses emphasizing caution when […]