American Catholic publishing houses are in the process of consolidation to make up for declines, but it appears that conservative publishers are faring better, reports the online newsletter, Religion Bookline (Oct. 21). Consolidation in the Catholic market seems to be the order of the day, with Ave Maria acquiring the Thomas More, Christian Classics and Forest of […]

There are new ties between the American Muslim community and the FBI even in the midst of continuing fears and tensions among Muslims after Sept. 11. An outreach campaign launched by the FBI is intended  to show the Muslim community a “less threatening visage” than investigations and `voluntary interviews’with more than 8,000 Middle Eastern men following […]

The growth of immigrant religions in the U.S. has often been associated with increasing civic involvement as congregations create “social capital” (skills and resources) for their members to participate in their wider communities. But recent studies suggest that other dynamics and demands made upon congregations may not always generate expected civic commitments. At the late […]

A more populist and militant form of Islam is increasingly finding a place in Syria, although the government is actively discouraging political forms of the faith. The Christian Science Monitor  (Oct. 3) reports that “Young Syrians are filling mosques, many women have taken to wearing the head scarf known as the hijab, and underground women’s religious discussion […]

The movement of African-American Muslims that broke away from  the Nation of Islam nearly 30 years ago is undergoing a period of turmoil and identity crisis after its leader recently stepped down. The resignation of W.D. Mohammed as leader of the American Society of Mosques revealed divisions and problems in a movement that has largely been […]

A largely unnoticed Catholic young adult ministry has proven to be an effective way of drawing 20- and 30-something generations to reconnect with the church. America magazine (Sept. 22) reports that since 1981, a program known as Theology On Tap has spread across the U.S. due to its informal style of discussion and socializing, often held in […]

Baby boomers who converted during the Jesus movement and the charismatic renewal in the 1970s are largely driving the trend of parents insisting on Christian college education as an alternative to today’s secular culture. That was one of the findings of a Washington Times (Sept. 8) report on the new growth of Christian colleges. The newspaper visited […]