In Israel, a group of 34 peer support specialists shared their thoughts on how spirituality plays a part in helping people recover from mental health issues. These specialists, who have personal experience with mental health challenges, use their own stories to help others. They believe that connecting with something bigger than themselves can be a powerful tool in t...
In recent years, the number of babies being born in the U. S. has been dropping. This is partly because fewer people are involved in religious activities. A study from Pew in 2024 found that about 29% of Americans do not identify with any religion. This is a big jump from 13% in 2007. Experts say that when people are not part of a religious community, they might fin...
Dr. Greg Brannon, a well-known figure in North Carolina's political and medical circles, passed away on July 27 at his home. He was 64 years old. Brannon, who was a strong supporter of conservative values, ran for the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives in the 2010s but was not successful. His funeral was held on Saturday at Cross Assembly Church in Raleigh. B...
Six Asante shrine figures, known as abosom and asuman, have quite the story to tell. These figures didn't just sit in one place; they traveled far and wide, changing hands and meanings along the way. They started in what was then the Gold Coast, now Ghana, and passed through the hands of many different people. Spiritual entrepreneurs, colonial police, art dealers, mi...
Katie Ledecky is a swimming superstar. She has won 14 Olympic medals and 21 gold medals at the World Championships. She is known for her dominance in the 200m and 1500m freestyle events. But who is she beyond the pool? Ledecky's heritage is a mix of Czech, Irish, and Jewish roots. Her father's side comes from Czechoslovakia, while her mother's side is Irish. Her pat...
In the Netherlands, a new way to mix faith and therapy is being tested. It's called the faith relationship interview, or FRI for short. Here, teens and their therapists chat about beliefs, feelings about God, and how their faith shapes their relationships. Eight teens and four therapists took part in this study. They all had good things to say about the FRI. The tee...
Marcus Morris Sr. has been a familiar face in the NBA for over a decade, known for his grit and shooting skills. In the 2023-24 season, he played for three different teams: the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, showing his versatility and adaptability. Despite being traded to the Spurs, he never played a game for them. His journey took another...
In Colorado, mental health experts have different views on how to include a person's faith in their treatment. A recent study looked at how psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers feel about this. The study found that these professionals have varying opinions on the role of religion and spirituality in therapy. Some bel...
Doctors in training often miss out on learning about religion and spirituality. This is a big deal because many patients find comfort and meaning in their faith. But how can medical schools fix this? One cool idea is to take students to museums. Museums have tons of artifacts from different religions and cultures. By looking at these objects, students can learn abou...
In 1925, a small town in Tennessee became the center of a big debate. A teacher, John Scopes, was put on trial for teaching evolution. This was a big deal because Tennessee had a law against it. The trial was like a showdown between science and religion. Two famous figures, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, went head-to-head. Darrow was a defense attorney w...