Brian Carwana
@religionsgeek.bsky.social
Educator on religious literacy and inclusion. ED of Encounter World Religions, a non-sectarian charity promoting literacy/inclusion. PhD from University of Toronto. Maltese-Canadian.
This is a great piece
May 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This is a great piece
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Three years ago, the Luddite Club was started by a group of Brooklyn teenagers to fight social media’s grip on young people. The members used flip phones and promoted human connection. Now that the founders are in college, people want to know: Did they stay on the Luddite path? nyti.ms/4jCRS5p
January 30, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Three years ago, the Luddite Club was started by a group of Brooklyn teenagers to fight social media’s grip on young people. The members used flip phones and promoted human connection. Now that the founders are in college, people want to know: Did they stay on the Luddite path? nyti.ms/4jCRS5p
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Update on Kerli, the Venezuelan with the little boy I've followed across 10 countries over 2 years (see below): She has to leave her NYC shelter today, and is apartment hunting in Brooklyn. Money isn't the problem, she has 2 jobs. But she's being shut out...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e33036f...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e33036f...
For a Venezuelan migrant family, the U.S. election is another crossroads in a perilous journey
Kerli Vazquez, son Greike and boyfriend Xavier made it to New York after a trek that tested their endurance and threatened their lives. The race between Harris and Trump could decide their future
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Update on Kerli, the Venezuelan with the little boy I've followed across 10 countries over 2 years (see below): She has to leave her NYC shelter today, and is apartment hunting in Brooklyn. Money isn't the problem, she has 2 jobs. But she's being shut out...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e33036f...
www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/e33036f...
Insightful piece on purity culture in evangelicalism and the harms it has caused to many faithful Christians
OPINION: When I ask people what prompted their faith deconstruction, the overwhelming majority say purity culture and patriarchy. For me, Harris’ book and the other false promises of purity culture promoted what I call the fairy-tale myth.
Josh Harris kisses purity culture goodbye (again)
(RNS) — Harris seems to recognize that his books gave women a wrong view about our sexuality and our relationships but fails to mention the damage his toxic teachings did to our faith.
religionnews.com
January 1, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Insightful piece on purity culture in evangelicalism and the harms it has caused to many faithful Christians
Yes, this is underemphasized in the US - namely how conservative Christianity speaks as an underdog but is actually possibly the most powerful religious community (relative to size) on earth
The most-watched cable news outlet isn’t CNN or MSNBC. It’s Fox, which regularly frames conservative Christianity in a positive light.
That’s why I’ve heard it argued that, in the practical sense, conservative Christianity isn’t the subversive form of the faith in the U.S.
Liberal Christianity is.
That’s why I’ve heard it argued that, in the practical sense, conservative Christianity isn’t the subversive form of the faith in the U.S.
Liberal Christianity is.
December 31, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Yes, this is underemphasized in the US - namely how conservative Christianity speaks as an underdog but is actually possibly the most powerful religious community (relative to size) on earth
Horrible injustices being perpetuated by universities
A significant number of the people who come to me for help with tech-enabled abuse are college students who have been raped by another student and very few of them believe their school will do a damned thing. www.jezebel.com/not-only-do-...
Not Only Do Campus Sexual Assailants Go Unpunished, They Often Get Special Treatment
Since 2007, Jezebel has been the Internet's most treasured source for everything celebrities, sex, and politics...with teeth.
www.jezebel.com
December 31, 2024 at 2:09 PM
Horrible injustices being perpetuated by universities
This is an excellent article worth your time to understand changes going on in arguably the most powerful religious community on earth (relative to size) - US evangelicals
RNS' Most-Read Stories of 2024:
OPINION: Charismatic Christian prophets have gained new influence since becoming identified with Trump. Here's how Trumpism has pushed a fringe charismatic theology into the mainstream.
OPINION: Charismatic Christian prophets have gained new influence since becoming identified with Trump. Here's how Trumpism has pushed a fringe charismatic theology into the mainstream.
How Trumpism has pushed a fringe charismatic theology into the mainstream
(RNS) — Charismatic Christian prophets have gained new influence since becoming identified with the former president.
religionnews.com
December 29, 2024 at 5:25 AM
This is an excellent article worth your time to understand changes going on in arguably the most powerful religious community on earth (relative to size) - US evangelicals
Reposted by Brian Carwana
photos I took in america’s orthodox belt
December 24, 2024 at 5:41 PM
photos I took in america’s orthodox belt
Reposted by Brian Carwana
For kids, "Chrismukkah" can mean the best week, full of sweet treats, all the lights, and maybe even lots of presents. But for parents trying to navigate two very different meaningful traditions, it can be fraught.
Interfaith families find meaning in 'Chrismukkah'
(NPR) — This year, the first night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas, which means many interfaith homes will be celebrating both holidays.
religionnews.com
December 25, 2024 at 12:00 AM
For kids, "Chrismukkah" can mean the best week, full of sweet treats, all the lights, and maybe even lots of presents. But for parents trying to navigate two very different meaningful traditions, it can be fraught.
This is horrific. The fear when it's your children's school...
#Developing: Toronto Jewish girls school struck by gunfire again in third overnight shooting this year
Toronto Jewish girls school struck by gunfire again in third overnight shooting this year
The overnight shooting is similar two other incidents at the school over the last seven months.
www.thestar.com
December 20, 2024 at 10:27 PM
This is horrific. The fear when it's your children's school...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
A new @pewresearch.org report finds the number of countries imposing "high" or "very high" government restrictions on religious freedom rose to 59.
It's up from a previous tally of 55 countries, and marks the highest number since Pew began the study in 2007.
julieroys.com/global-pew-s...
It's up from a previous tally of 55 countries, and marks the highest number since Pew began the study in 2007.
julieroys.com/global-pew-s...
New Global Pew Survey Shows Rising Religious Intolerance
The number of countries who impose heavy government restrictions on religious freedom rose to 59 in 2022, per a new Pew Research study.
julieroys.com
December 20, 2024 at 1:04 AM
A new @pewresearch.org report finds the number of countries imposing "high" or "very high" government restrictions on religious freedom rose to 59.
It's up from a previous tally of 55 countries, and marks the highest number since Pew began the study in 2007.
julieroys.com/global-pew-s...
It's up from a previous tally of 55 countries, and marks the highest number since Pew began the study in 2007.
julieroys.com/global-pew-s...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Fam is this a safe space to acknowledge that that Hunt family who owns the Chiefs are super bad?
I do not blame Taylor/Travis for being nice to/about them as it is a professional relationship.
But they are evil. I think you can cheer for the chiefs and also be honest about them.
I do not blame Taylor/Travis for being nice to/about them as it is a professional relationship.
But they are evil. I think you can cheer for the chiefs and also be honest about them.
them.is
December 19, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Fam is this a safe space to acknowledge that that Hunt family who owns the Chiefs are super bad?
I do not blame Taylor/Travis for being nice to/about them as it is a professional relationship.
But they are evil. I think you can cheer for the chiefs and also be honest about them.
I do not blame Taylor/Travis for being nice to/about them as it is a professional relationship.
But they are evil. I think you can cheer for the chiefs and also be honest about them.
This is a great conversation between atheist Jew Jon Rauch and evangelical @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social about American democracy & Christianity. I want to highlight what's so thoughful in their convo but also highlight some things I think it misses
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I had a great time talking to my friend, Jon Rauch, about the necessity of a healthy Christianity to American democracy. Does an atheist have insights about religion? Yes. Absolutely: www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/o...
Opinion | What if Our Democracy Can’t Survive Without Christianity?
An atheist helps David French understand how religion supports America’s political ideals.
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2024 at 10:04 PM
This is a great conversation between atheist Jew Jon Rauch and evangelical @davidfrenchjag.bsky.social about American democracy & Christianity. I want to highlight what's so thoughful in their convo but also highlight some things I think it misses
1/
1/
I did not know this
Support for same-sex marriage has plateaued or maybe even declined for some groups.
2018 - 2021 - 2022
Evangelicals: 45% - 35% - 36%
Mainline: 75% - 68% - 67%
Black Prot: 54% - 56% - 55%
Catholic: 73% - 66% - 68%
Other Faith: 70% - 65% - 75%
No Religion: 85% - 83% - 88%
2018 - 2021 - 2022
Evangelicals: 45% - 35% - 36%
Mainline: 75% - 68% - 67%
Black Prot: 54% - 56% - 55%
Catholic: 73% - 66% - 68%
Other Faith: 70% - 65% - 75%
No Religion: 85% - 83% - 88%
December 15, 2024 at 5:29 AM
I did not know this
This is really beautiful if you’re inclined.
My memoir of my daughter, gift link renewed. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Miranda’s Last Gift
When our daughter died suddenly, she left us with grief, memories—and Ringo.
www.theatlantic.com
December 14, 2024 at 5:33 AM
This is really beautiful if you’re inclined.
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Writing is thinking.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
This is what's so baffling about so many suggestions for AI in the humanities classroom: they mistake the product for the point. Writing outlines and essays is important not because you need to make outlines and essays but because that's how you learn to think with/through complex ideas.
I'm sure many have said this before but I'm reading a student-facing document about how students might use AI in the classroom (if allowed) and one of the recs is: use AI to make an outline of your reading! But ISN'T MAKING THE OUTLINE how one actually learns?
December 12, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Writing is thinking.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
It’s not a part of the process that can be skipped; it’s the entire point.
Reposted by Brian Carwana
The real "neoliberalism" was not deregulation of the private sector (wildly overstated) but a massive increase in the regulatory burden placed on the public sector.
www.slowboring.com/p/shackling-...
www.slowboring.com/p/shackling-...
December 11, 2024 at 3:21 AM
The real "neoliberalism" was not deregulation of the private sector (wildly overstated) but a massive increase in the regulatory burden placed on the public sector.
www.slowboring.com/p/shackling-...
www.slowboring.com/p/shackling-...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
New holiday episode is coming next week. In the meantime, we wanted to share one of our most popular episodes - one on a theme many can use this season: Finding Hope in Dark Times. I had the joy of speaking with @nickkristof.bsky.social & @joanhalifax.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
December 8, 2024 at 7:31 PM
New holiday episode is coming next week. In the meantime, we wanted to share one of our most popular episodes - one on a theme many can use this season: Finding Hope in Dark Times. I had the joy of speaking with @nickkristof.bsky.social & @joanhalifax.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
AI-generated course materials actually means "ChatGPT turned my lecture notes into bland boilerplate prose which my students are definitely going to be excited to read rather than learning it from someone who can contextualize and bring it to life." Embarrassing gimmick passed off as cutting edge.
UCLA is creating an entirely AI-generated course. Except apparently the grading won't be AI-generated. 🤔
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/comp...
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/comp...
Comparative lit class will be first in Humanities Division to use UCLA-developed AI system
The textbook for Zrinka Stahuljak’s winter 2025 course is generated by the Kudu platform.
newsroom.ucla.edu
December 9, 2024 at 1:10 PM
AI-generated course materials actually means "ChatGPT turned my lecture notes into bland boilerplate prose which my students are definitely going to be excited to read rather than learning it from someone who can contextualize and bring it to life." Embarrassing gimmick passed off as cutting edge.
Notre Dame Cathedral reopens after 5 years. This blog explores sacred spaces in traditions like Shinto, Islam, and Hinduism—how they inspire awe and reflect teachings through architecture, movement, and aesthetics. mailchi.mp/worldreligio...
December 6, 2024 at 12:13 AM
Notre Dame Cathedral reopens after 5 years. This blog explores sacred spaces in traditions like Shinto, Islam, and Hinduism—how they inspire awe and reflect teachings through architecture, movement, and aesthetics. mailchi.mp/worldreligio...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Russia’s propaganda machine is running roughshod in Canada.
Stan Kutcher, @popovaprof.bsky.social & @irgarner.bsky.social reveal how Moscow’s disinformation spreads—often unknowingly shared by Canadians. It's time for stronger action to counter it. Read more: ⬇️ policyoptions.irpp.org?p=114779
Stan Kutcher, @popovaprof.bsky.social & @irgarner.bsky.social reveal how Moscow’s disinformation spreads—often unknowingly shared by Canadians. It's time for stronger action to counter it. Read more: ⬇️ policyoptions.irpp.org?p=114779
Russia’s propaganda machine is running roughshod in Canada
Moscow’s disinformation is often shared unwittingly by Canadians who don’t know its origin or purpose. Canada needs to fight it with stronger actions.
policyoptions.irpp.org
December 5, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Russia’s propaganda machine is running roughshod in Canada.
Stan Kutcher, @popovaprof.bsky.social & @irgarner.bsky.social reveal how Moscow’s disinformation spreads—often unknowingly shared by Canadians. It's time for stronger action to counter it. Read more: ⬇️ policyoptions.irpp.org?p=114779
Stan Kutcher, @popovaprof.bsky.social & @irgarner.bsky.social reveal how Moscow’s disinformation spreads—often unknowingly shared by Canadians. It's time for stronger action to counter it. Read more: ⬇️ policyoptions.irpp.org?p=114779
File under "It's evangelicals, stupid!": Trump won the overall working-class vote only because 86% of non-college evangelicals supported him. NON-evangelicals without college went for Harris! www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
The 4 working-class votes
Trump added to growing Republican working-class gains in 2024, but can Democrat's reverse the current trends to stay competitive?
www.brookings.edu
December 5, 2024 at 4:47 AM
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Reposted by Brian Carwana
One of the best things you can do for yourself is recognize how easy it actually is for the typical resident of a rich country to do something meaningful to make the world a better place.
www.slowboring.com/p/you-can-he...
www.slowboring.com/p/you-can-he...
You can help the poorest people in the world
There's something in it for you, too
www.slowboring.com
December 3, 2024 at 11:17 AM
One of the best things you can do for yourself is recognize how easy it actually is for the typical resident of a rich country to do something meaningful to make the world a better place.
www.slowboring.com/p/you-can-he...
www.slowboring.com/p/you-can-he...
Reposted by Brian Carwana
Photo of all the workers who have spent the last five years restoring the Notre Dame Cathedral.
December 2, 2024 at 5:26 AM
Photo of all the workers who have spent the last five years restoring the Notre Dame Cathedral.