Religion Watch Archives

Monitoring Trends in Religion - From February 1990 to January 2016

On/File: September/October 2013

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01: Gospel brunches are attracting a growing clientele to their blending of church and entertainment functions. These brunches are booming in Washington, DC, where the gatherings are hosted by nightclubs and theatres, because they offer both the musical offerings of area choirs and soul food. The brunches are clearly viewed by these venues as a […]

Findings & Footnotes: September/October 2012

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01: The article “Growing Acceptance of Black Jews by the Jewish Mainstream” on page 2 in the July-August RW was mistakenly cut short. The final sentence of the article should read: “Today, black Jews see themselves as reaching out to and educating other African groups who identify as Jews.” 02: The current issue of the Bulletin […]

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood faces a dilemma in its relations with Shiite Islam

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While historically seeking to downplay religious differences between Sunnism and Shiism and rather to emphasize Islamic unity, the Muslim Brotherhood has been showing concerns about the spread of Shiism in Egypt, writes Jacques Neriah in Jerusalem Viewpoints (No. 591, Sept.-Oct. 2012). According to estimates, there might be one million Shiites in Egypt (one percent of […]

‘Sacrificial Lutheranism’ bolstering Germany’s economic resilience?

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Lutheranism may be institutionally weak in Germany, but its ethos of moral responsibility and sacrifice may be a significant factor behind the nation’s economic resilience and stability, writes Harvard University historian Steven Ozment in the New York Times (August 12). Although religiously diverse and politically secular, the current German emphasis on frugality and responsibility in […]

Swiss religious developments show both rapid changes and the continuing impact of historical churches

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Both diversification of religious life and a growth of unaffiliated people have been the main changes in the religious life of the Canton of Fribourg (Switzerland), according to a report by Religioscope Institute that was publicly released on September 24. Being headquartered in Fribourg, Religioscope Institute was commissioned last year by the cantonal government to […]

Current Research: September/October 2013

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01: Lay leaders and other non-clergy are more influential than pastors in encouraging political involvement among congregations, according to a study by Lydia Bean and Brandon Martinez of Baylor University presented at the ASR meeting in Denver. Using the Baylor Religion Survey, the researchers find that lay leaders, such as Sunday school teachers, in evangelical, […]

Canadian evangelicals show stability andthe emergence of fundamentalism

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In reviewing the state of evangelicalism in Canada in the last two decades, theologian John Stackhouse finds patterns of both stability and change, especially the emergence of fundamentalism. Writing in the Evangelical Studies Bulletin (Summer), Stackhouse notes that evangelicals still represent about 10 percent of the Canadian population since two decades ago, while the percentage […]

Charismatics using prayer as a weapon for social and political change?

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Judging by the October issue of Charisma magazine, prayer and politics are being increasingly joined for many charismatic Christians as they enter the election season. The issue is devoted to the topic of praying for America, but it is noteworthy how prayer is linked with political concerns relating to the 2012 elections. While publisher Stephen […]

On/File: July/August 2013

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Soul Children choirs are an international phenomenon spreading gospel choir music to places where it is basically unknown. The movement started in Chicago as an outlet for at-risk youth, but has spread to Norway and other parts of Europe and Asia, including Japan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The participants often see their singing as a means […]