christianity

What a Series of Cosmic Evangelical Thrillers Tells Us About Money in America

Chris Lehmann · 05/31/16 01:58PM

The sixteen-novel Left Behind series of evangelical thrillers is at least as influential a text in the annals of latter-day prophecy belief as the Book of Revelation. Which, of course, happens to furnish source material for the series’ intensively literalist accounting of the rapture, the tribulation, and the final judgment. The series, by Baptist preacher-turned-culture-warrior Tim LaHaye and evangelical sports and comics writer Jerry Jenkins, debuted in 1995 and concluded in 2007, and not counting the raft of prequels, children’s adaptations, study guides, and audiobooks that have come in its wake, it has sold more than 65 million copies.

Hamilton Nolan · 09/16/15 01:10PM

“Dear Sir, I am sorry to have to inform you that I do not believe in the Bible as a divine revelation & therefore not in Jesus Christ as the son of God. Yours faithfully. Ch. Darwin

Quiverfull of Shit: a Guide to the Duggars' Scary Brand of Christianity

Jennifer C. Martin · 05/25/15 08:00AM

Before this week, when reality star and conservative political activist Joshua Duggar admitted to molesting several underage girls, including his own sisters, what most people knew about the Duggar family could be counted on two fingers: They have 19—19!—kids, and they’re extremely religious Christians.

Cool Pope Just Making Stuff Up About Heaven Now

Hamilton Nolan · 12/12/14 09:55AM

It is becoming increasingly clear that Cool Pope "Francis" (a nickname)—though he is certainly cool and wacky and generally chill—is just making stuff up as he goes along. Do dogs go to heaven? Sure, why not?

Fired Editor Sues for His Religious Freedom to Write About "Gaystapo"

Adam Weinstein · 07/24/14 09:58AM

Back in May, the Newton Daily News of Iowa fired its editor-in-chief for comments he'd made on his personal blog. This week, the editor filed a discrimination lawsuit claiming he was fired for his sincere religious beliefs, which compel him to fight "the LGBTQXYZ crowd and the Gaystapo" to the last.

Adam Weinstein · 07/23/14 12:32PM

"We've come to Washington to ask our government to stop demanding for Israel to show restraint," the Christians United for Israel founding pastor told his audience. Later, an IDF veteran told the cheering, flag-waving Christians: "The soldiers of Israel must smash their skulls and break their spines."