pop culture
Too pretty? Easter poster depicting a handsome, fresh-faced Jesus prompts criticism in Spain
By CiarÁn Giles — February 5, 2024
MADRID (AP) —In another interview published by El Mundo daily, Garcia responded to criticism from conservative groups that the depiction of Jesus was “effeminate” or “homoerotic.”
Demi Lovato’s fusing of the sacred and the profane is part evolution, part miracle
By Da'Shawn Mosley — August 23, 2022
(RNS) — Lovato knows how it feels to break the tenets of conventional society while all eyes are on you.
Netflix’s ‘Midnight Mass’ joins a long line of horror that plays with Catholic beliefs
By Regina Hansen — November 4, 2021
(The Conversation) — A scholar of religion in film explains the varied representation of Catholicism in horror. In some films, it is used in the fight against evil, while others show the Church itself as evil.
Taylor Swift’s ‘witchy’ new album fuels speculation about her interest in the craft
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 22, 2020
(RNS) — It’s unclear if Swift’s most recent references to witchcraft are simply part of the ‘cottagecore’ aesthetic of her 2020 twin albums or more personal commentary on her spirituality.
Beyonce, Chance the Rapper, A Tribe Called Quest bring religion to Grammys
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 13, 2017
(RNS) Perhaps the performance richest in religious imagery was Beyonce's, which evoked iconography of the divine mother from several faith traditions.
The metaphysical moment
By Martin E. Marty — January 12, 2017
Many moments ago—two millennia or so—all this was called “Gnosticism,” which never left our cultures, and returns in newly marketable forms.
Justin Bieber performs Christian worship song before thousands
By Jonathan Merritt — September 22, 2016
This public display of faith in conjunction with his other shenanigans raises questions about whether it's helpful for celebrities to broadcast their faith.
‘Black Jesus’ targeted as ‘blasphemous’ by conservative groups
By Heather Adams — August 6, 2014
(RNS) “Black Jesus” will air late at night, well after most kids are in bed, but One Million Moms' Monica Cole said "blasphemy is blasphemy, no matter what time of day it is."
Vatican’s pop culture guru Gianfranco Ravasi backpedals his tribute to rocker Lou Reed
By Eric J. Lyman — October 29, 2013
ROME (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who was considered a leading candidate to become pope in the March conclave that selected Pope Francis, is no stranger to pop music-related controversy.
Why is it so hard to do religion in prime time?
By Tracy Gordon — March 14, 2012
(RNS) ABC's saucy new drama, "GCB" has been panned by critics and called "anti-Christian" by Newt Gingrich. TLC cancelled its controversial reality show, "All-American Muslim," and anything short of "Touched By an Angel" seems to flop. Piet Levy explores why.
Page 1 of 1
