Bob Smietana
@bmietana.bsky.social
National writer Religion News Service. New grandad. Author of Reorganized Religion. Enthusiastic Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Sci-Fi fan. Ridiculously Gregarious
"Religion, at its very best, can tamp down feelings of distrust, disenchantment, and disconnection when you are sharing worship, a potluck, a service project, or the softball team with people who look different and think differently than you do."
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
A Political Scientist’s ‘Altar Call’: PW Talks with Ryan Burge
In The Vanishing Church (Brazos), the Washington University professor, who examines American religion through data, frets over Christians’ deep polarization, urging believers to find a church where di...
www.publishersweekly.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
"Religion, at its very best, can tamp down feelings of distrust, disenchantment, and disconnection when you are sharing worship, a potluck, a service project, or the softball team with people who look different and think differently than you do."
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
Paul McCartney has the opportunity to do the most awesome thing ever
www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/12...
www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/12...
Höfner Files for Bankruptcy in Germany, Putting Iconic Violin Bass Maker in Limbo
Höfner, the iconic maker of the Violin Bass popularized by Paul McCartney, has filed for insolvency in Germany as court-appointed administrators seek solutions.
www.notreble.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Paul McCartney has the opportunity to do the most awesome thing ever
www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/12...
www.notreble.com/buzz/2025/12...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
Old Man's War options paid for Athena's college education and, uhhhhh, the church
Christopher Moore has joked about how many of his books have been optioned while never getting developed. Something about how you might make more money from renewed options than you'd end up making from a film.
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Old Man's War options paid for Athena's college education and, uhhhhh, the church
Reposted by Bob Smietana
I mean, my version of "Sinners" would have been an semi-autobiographical tale of confused middle-aged white men making atrocious burritos, so perhaps it's for the best Mr. Coogler got there first
Are you sure you don't want to cry that Ryan Coogler stole Your Spot?
December 17, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I mean, my version of "Sinners" would have been an semi-autobiographical tale of confused middle-aged white men making atrocious burritos, so perhaps it's for the best Mr. Coogler got there first
Have been listening to a Christmas record by Tom Prasada-Rao and wondered if he might be playing in Chicago at some point. Did not realize he died in 2024 of cancer.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Tom Prasada-Rao, musician who captured anguish over George Floyd, dies at 66
The Maryland-based folk singer’s viral hit “$20 Bill” came amid the protests and rage in 2020 after Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minnesota.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Have been listening to a Christmas record by Tom Prasada-Rao and wondered if he might be playing in Chicago at some point. Did not realize he died in 2024 of cancer.
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
That makes a lot of sense.. early experiences really shape how we view and engage with faith. Positive childhood experiences can create lasting comfort and connection, while negative ones might push people away.
December 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
That makes a lot of sense.. early experiences really shape how we view and engage with faith. Positive childhood experiences can create lasting comfort and connection, while negative ones might push people away.
If you had a positive experience of religion as a kid-- you are more likely to keep the same faith as an adult, according to a new Pew study
religionnews.com/2025/12/15/w...
religionnews.com/2025/12/15/w...
Why do some people stay in their religion and others leave? A new Pew report has some clues.
(RNS) — Americans who had a good experience as children were likely to keep their faith. Those with bad experiences left, according to a new study from Pew Research Center.
religionnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:41 PM
If you had a positive experience of religion as a kid-- you are more likely to keep the same faith as an adult, according to a new Pew study
religionnews.com/2025/12/15/w...
religionnews.com/2025/12/15/w...
A friend pointed out that the Lobster Nativity really needs the Sandy Claws (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
religionnews.com/2025/12/10/l...
religionnews.com/2025/12/10/l...
Lobster Jesus: Sacrilege or the most New England Nativity ever?
(RNS) — Inspired by Cape Cod cuisine and a beloved holiday movie, the Lobster Nativity portrays the characters of the Christmas story as crustaceans.
religionnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A friend pointed out that the Lobster Nativity really needs the Sandy Claws (from Nightmare Before Christmas)
religionnews.com/2025/12/10/l...
religionnews.com/2025/12/10/l...
Wrote in 2023 about some of the Christian nationalists who refuse to sing Christmas songs written by Jews. Seemed like a precursor of some of the anti-Semitism in conservative circles.
religionnews.com/2023/12/07/r...
religionnews.com/2023/12/07/r...
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer's plot to ruin Christmas, and America
(RNS) — Jews have long played a role in shaping how Americans celebrate Christmas. For Christian nationalism leader Andrew Torba, their contributions are a sign of a plot to remove Jesus from the Chri...
religionnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Wrote in 2023 about some of the Christian nationalists who refuse to sing Christmas songs written by Jews. Seemed like a precursor of some of the anti-Semitism in conservative circles.
religionnews.com/2023/12/07/r...
religionnews.com/2023/12/07/r...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
As always, if anyone would like to buy me the Lobster Nativity (or any similarly ridiculous Nativity), my DMs are open
December 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
As always, if anyone would like to buy me the Lobster Nativity (or any similarly ridiculous Nativity), my DMs are open
Looking to talk to some pastors/worship leaders about their plans for Christmas Eve services
December 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Looking to talk to some pastors/worship leaders about their plans for Christmas Eve services
The decline of religious affiliation in the US has stalled -- for now - remaining steady at 70% since 2020
religionnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
religionnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
Decline of religion remains stalled, says new Pew report. But there's no revival yet.
(RNS) — For the past five years, the decline of religion in America has stalled, after years of decline.
religionnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The decline of religious affiliation in the US has stalled -- for now - remaining steady at 70% since 2020
religionnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
religionnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
A quick question -what's the most fun nativity set you have seen or have?
December 5, 2025 at 11:27 PM
A quick question -what's the most fun nativity set you have seen or have?
Today is a great day to support RNS
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bsky.app/profile/rns....
Readers have already brought us halfway to unlocking a $5,000 Giving Tuesday challenge match. With the day moving quickly, your gift could be what carries us the rest of the way. Will you support our nonprofit newsroom today?
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December 2, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Today is a great day to support RNS
bsky.app/profile/rns....
bsky.app/profile/rns....
Some background on Smith (who built a giant cross in Arkansas) and started an antisemitic Passion Play--here
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
Old-school Christian nationalism's avatar of racism, antisemitism and conspiracies
(RNS) —The early version of Christian nationalism turned the fear of communism into an excuse to embrace prejudice and forfeit American democracy.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Some background on Smith (who built a giant cross in Arkansas) and started an antisemitic Passion Play--here
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
religionnews.com/2023/03/07/f...
FWIW, academics did not invent the term Christian It was used by folks like Gerald LK Smith, an ally of Father Coughlin-- who knew it meant that America was only for White Christians
thecrossandflag.com/articles/chr...
thecrossandflag.com/articles/chr...
Christian Nationalism - The Cross and Flag
The Cross and Flag is dedicated to the memory of Gerald L. K. Smith a great patroit and the founder of the Christian National Crusade, The Cross and the Flag publication, The Sacred Projects, The Chri...
thecrossandflag.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
FWIW, academics did not invent the term Christian It was used by folks like Gerald LK Smith, an ally of Father Coughlin-- who knew it meant that America was only for White Christians
thecrossandflag.com/articles/chr...
thecrossandflag.com/articles/chr...
One point of note. SBC President Clint Pressley says he has not talked to the DHS about church raids. When we asked him what he would say if asked, he said he opposed them
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
One point of note. SBC President Clint Pressley says he has not talked to the DHS about church raids. When we asked him what he would say if asked, he said he opposed them
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
We don't know if the viral ICE is planning to raid churches story is accurate-- ICE denies it-- but a real person wrote it
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We don't know if the viral ICE is planning to raid churches story is accurate-- ICE denies it-- but a real person wrote it
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Warnings that ICE will raid churches over the holidays are going viral. We looked into one story that's got pastors worried -- and it wasn't what we thought it might be
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Warnings that ICE will raid churches over the holidays are going viral. We looked into one story that's got pastors worried -- and it wasn't what we thought it might be
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
An important and grace-filled post about grieving a partner.
Friday blog in which survival is not a competition.
sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/frid...
#writingcommunity
sharonleewriter.com/2025/11/frid...
#writingcommunity
Friday – Sharon Lee, Writer
sharonleewriter.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
An important and grace-filled post about grieving a partner.
Reposted by Bob Smietana
Update on DHS threats reported from #Worcester: I spoke with @bmietana.bsky.social at @rns.org about what we were hearing on the ground. Bottom line? DHS claims no ICE raids on churches during holidays but won’t rule it out. This is why we at council of churches sue religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Update on DHS threats reported from #Worcester: I spoke with @bmietana.bsky.social at @rns.org about what we were hearing on the ground. Bottom line? DHS claims no ICE raids on churches during holidays but won’t rule it out. This is why we at council of churches sue religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
Notably, *that* viral church raid story continues to be shared, including by some very large accounts!
NEW from @bmietana.bsky.social, @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and me: Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried.
And yes, we did some digging about *that* viral church raids story that has been floating around. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
And yes, we did some digging about *that* viral church raids story that has been floating around. religionnews.com/2025/11/20/v...
Viral warnings of planned ICE raids on churches have pastors worried
(RNS) — Rumors and viral reports about potential ICE raids have immigrant church leaders worried about their congregations. DHS says it doesn’t have plans to raid churches — but won’t rule it out.
religionnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Notably, *that* viral church raid story continues to be shared, including by some very large accounts!
The NY Episcopal Diocese just passed a new plan to save its finances. But the biggest church in the diocese says the plan won't work.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
A new funding plan puts NYC Bishop and Trinity Church at odds
(RNS) — A new funding plan would cut costs for most New York churches but calls on Trinity Church to double its donations to the diocese. Trinity leaders say they want to help but the bishop’s plan wo...
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The NY Episcopal Diocese just passed a new plan to save its finances. But the biggest church in the diocese says the plan won't work.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
Reposted by Bob Smietana
In Denver accepting the Religious Communication Association Book of the Year award!
November 20, 2025 at 12:14 PM
In Denver accepting the Religious Communication Association Book of the Year award!