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European Union
All Christian leaders urge congregants to combat climate change
More religious leaders are calling on their congregations to act against the climate crisis. Earlier this month, Pope Francis pleaded with religious leaders that living a “respectful and sustainable lifestyle” is possible against a rapidly warming climate. His call to action came in the form of a YouTube video that…
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European Union
Europe's Jews on edge as anti-Semitic violence rises to record levels
As the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage, many Jewish communities in Europe are seeing sharp rises in hate-based crimes. “This feels like being in Poland in 1941.” Several Jews now feel that they can no longer wear the star of David in public. Some have taken down their Jewish mezuzahs…
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European Union
How Europe prepares for the arrival of Advent
With Advent coming soon, many European communities have begun to celebrate the season before Christmas. The season of Advent consists of four Sundays that precede Christmas Day, which is December 25th. Each country has their own unique traditions in preparing for what is to come- the birth of Christ. Hungary…
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Christian Life
If science is true, Ayaan Hirsi Ali becomes happier after becoming a Christian
When the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) published the results of their November study on faith and mental health, it revealed a promising result. Religious people are 20 per cent happier than those identify as atheist or less involved. In addition to elevated happiness scores, the…
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Eastern Europe
Ukrainian initiative unites Christians from Baltic and beyond
A group of Ukrainians have started a collective to call Christians to protect their spiritual values. The initiative is called “Platform of Christian Unity in the Baltic and Black Sea Region,” and it aims to organise meetups for Christians around Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. Its vision has the long-term…
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Eastern Europe
Regions in Russia started to ban abortion. Is a national ban realistic?
Some regions in Russia have started legislating for restrictions on abortion. The Russian Orthodox Church is happy with that and even wants to see a nationwide ban on abortion. The population decline makes this necessary, the clergy thinks. According to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and other leaders from the Russian…
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Northern Europe
Conservative gender website leads to controversy among Church of Norway
When a team of Norwegian ministries launched a new website on sexuality, it did not take long before it stirred debate among its national church. “It hurts more than it builds up.” The website identitetogseksualitet.no features six videos that confront sexuality and gender identity to Christian leaders and teens. Other…
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Northern Europe
Critical report on conversion therapy spurs debate in Norway
Yes or no for conversion therapy? The Norwegian government asked for a report. The content is clear. But the opponents say this is more a pamphlet than a research report. At six years old, Elisabeth Meling (at the time Edvard Meling) could already feel he was in the wrong body.…
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Eastern Europe
Russian Christians remain sceptical of Family Party
After the punk-rock band Pussy Riot desecrated a Russian Orthodox church in 2012, Andrei Kormukhin believed that something had to be done. “Westernised” punk bands were considered threats against his Orthodox faith. Years later, Kormukhin still saw a need to revive Russia’s religious foundation. That was when the father of…
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Northern Europe
Ban on cousin marriages under debate in Norway
Marriage between cousins and extended family members may soon be banned in Norway. The Norwegian Health Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has proposed a ban on marriages between extended family members, according to a Vårt Land report. They warned that if cousins, aunts, or uncles marry and have children between…
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