Ron Ribiat
Ron Ribiat is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Ron Ribiat
New Journal Highlights the Unique Relationship Between Video Gaming, Religion and Culture
By Ron Ribiat — January 28, 2015
A new online journal seeks to broaden and energize scholarly and popular discussions on video gaming, religion and culture. Motivated by evidence that suggests video games play an important role in cultural and religious socialization, especially for the young people, “gamevironments. games, religion, and stuff” is a groundbreaking journal highlighting important approaches to studying gaming […]
National GRACE Center for the Protection of Children Announced
By Ron Ribiat — December 19, 2014
On the heels of the long awaited release of the final report on the two-year long independent investigation of Bob Jones University’s response to sexual abuse disclosures, GRACE, (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) is pleased to announce the development of the National GRACE Center for the Protection of Children. This center will […]
COMMENTARY: People of faith have legitimate questions about use of lethal drones
By Ron Ribiat — December 16, 2014
(RNS) Since June 18, 2004, the first day U.S. drones killed people in what has been called the U.S. “global war on terror,'' people of faith have questioned whether the use of lethal drones is justifiable. Since then, the CIA has conducted an estimated 400 or more drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. […]
Quote of the Day: Pope Francis
By Ron Ribiat — December 12, 2014
“When I was 4 years old in 1940, the idea was that all Protestants were going to hell. I was going down the street with my grandmother and there were two women from the Salvation Army on the other side of the street. I said, ‘Who are they? Monks, nuns?’ My grandmother said: ‘No, they […]
Black LGBT Religious Leaders United
By Ron Ribiat — December 11, 2014
LGBT Black Christians and faith leaders join tens of thousands of historically Black congregations/denominations and allies to wear black to church on Sunday, December 14 in response to police brutality: “Black LGBT bodies must matter, too!” Spokespersons – Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) – Rev. Elder Darlene Garner,Director […]
GRACE Releases Final Report of the Investigatory Review of Sexual Abuse Disclosures and Institutional Responses at Bob Jones University
By Ron Ribiat — December 11, 2014
Lynchburg, VA – This morning GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) published its final report of its two-year independent investigation of Bob Jones University’s responses to sexual abuse disclosures. This 300- page report is a culmination of an investigation that included the receipt and review of over 900 confidential surveys, 20 written statements, […]
New Book Explores Impact of Digital Media on Buddhism
By Ron Ribiat — November 24, 2014
Buddhism has been uniquely affected by the digital revolution and integration of new media into its spiritual practices. Buddhism, the Internet and Digital Media: The Pixel in the Lotus offers a collective interdisciplinary exploration of the existence and nature of Buddhism in the digital and highly networked era we live in. This is the first […]
Quote of the Day: Pope Francis
By Ron Ribiat — November 19, 2014
“Building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a torment!” — Pope Francis, in an appeal from “the bottom of my heart” to Israelis and Palestinians to “put an end to the spiral of hatred and violence.”
New book offers vital overview on media, religion, and culture studies, highlights importance of Digital Religion studies
By Ron Ribiat — October 29, 2014
While media, religion and culture studies has emerged as an important area of research, few publications exist that provide a thorough comprehensive overview in the key questions and approaches taken. Jeffery Mahan, Ralph E. and Norma E. Peck Chair in Religion and Public Communication at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, new book Media, Religion […]
Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East Issues a Plea for the Peace of Jerusalem
By Ron Ribiat — October 27, 2014
(New York, NY, October 27, 2014) Christians for Fair Witness on the Middle East (“Fair Witness”) is deeply concerned about the recent outbreaks of violence in Jerusalem. East Jerusalem Palestinians have been attacking Jews, Jewish homes, the light rail system and even kindergartens with rocks, slabs of concrete and molotov cocktails. Last week an infant […]
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Listings – October 24
By Ron Ribiat — October 23, 2014
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit pbs.org for additional information. Show #1808 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on October 24 (check local listings). Migrant Children and the Judicial Process – After the unprecedented surge of unaccompanied minors entering the U.S. from Central America earlier this year, […]
‘LITTLE HOPE WAS ARSON’ – New Trailer Released for Acclaimed Documentary
By Ron Ribiat — October 23, 2014
LittleHopeWasArson.com “This documentary is well worth watching.” – Ted Baehr, Movieguide “…begs the question, ‘Are we truly the hands and feet of Christ?’ And if so, ‘How well are we doing?'” – Melinda Ledman, Christian Cinema TYLER, Texas – Oct. 23, 2014 – LITTLE HOPE WAS ARSON—which drew standing-room-only crowds at film festivals—unveiled its trailer and key art […]
Meet the enemy of big government: J.R.R. Tolkien
By Ron Ribiat — October 22, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2014 – Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once famously said: “I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts.” J.R.R. […]
Pontiff and Prophet: Pope Paul VI predictions in On Human Life ring true throughout the world
By Ron Ribiat — October 21, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 21, 2014 – ON HUMAN LIFE, also known as Humanae Vitae, written by Pope Paul VI, who was beatified Sunday by Pope Francis, is perhaps the most controversial Church document ever written. It also might be the Church’s most prophetic document. Pope Paul VI explained in ON HUMAN LIFE why the Catholic […]
Quote of the Day: Actor Joshua Jackson
By Ron Ribiat — October 17, 2014
“I can tell you why we’re not married: We’re not religious. I don’t feel any more or less committed to Diane for not having stood in front of a priest and had a giant party.” — Actor Joshua Jackson explaining to Glamour magazine why he and actress Diane Kruger have not yet tied the knot.
