TERRY IN D.C. ASKS: What are the 5 mistakes that mainstream reporters make most often when covering religion? Let’s assume these reporters are NOT religion-beat specialists. THE GUY ANSWERS: Good one, especially when a secular milieu in many newsrooms (and classrooms) can foster slant and error. Some Journalism 101 pointers: Mistake 1 is to suspect religious believers in general tend to be stupid or at least ill-informed (particularly a problem if the reporter has no close friends who are devout). Mistake 2... Read more

JERRY (no locale listed) SENDS THIS: We’ve been seeing a seismic shift in religion worldwide. It manifests differently for different religions and different countries. This includes a struggle for the soul of Islam, the secularization of Europe, struggles in Protestant groups, etc…. I’d love to see you try to make some sense of where we’re headed at the “forest” level rather than looking at the “trees.” THE GUY ANSWERS: This fitting New Year’s theme requires longer-than-usual response. Compare Jerry’s first... Read more

Judy in Pennsylvania asks: The various Christian denominations seemingly have particular strengths in the theology, practice, outreach, and church polity of their forms of Christian faith. How would you see these strengths being shared among individual churches and Christians across the USA and around the globe in an effort to strengthen the Christian faith? The Guy answers: It’s that year-end season when journalists concoct lists. The Guy has no idea how and whether churches might share their strengths but —... Read more

Thomas (no location posted) asks: Is it true that Christmas trees are more derived from paganism than from any specifically Christian traditions? And if so, does that mean Christians were befuddled and absorbing pagan traditions unawares, or that they were seeking to redeem elements in the culture around them? The Guy replies: No doubt the use of decorative evergreens had longstanding pagan roots and was adopted by Christians — perhaps unawares but more likely as a cleverly cheerful wintertime reminder... Read more

Craig in Colorado asks: What do you think is the future of denominations? Do you see any trends in history that may be indicators? And what do you think is the purpose (if any) of denominational affiliation? The Guy responds: The oddities surrounding religious denominations bring to mind that incomparably sinister American clergyman Jim Jones, who in 1978 lured 909 Peoples Temple followers at his Guyana compound into an orgy of murder and suicide, a third of whom were children.... Read more

Harold in New Jersey asks: Why did the Republicans vote for a Mormon?  U.S. Republicans are pretty dedicated to a traditional interpretation of King James Bible-style Christianity. On social issues I’d call it their second Constitution. I have in front of me the Book of Mormon. The front cover says “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Mitt Romney’s Mormonism was never in hiding. Several themes combined. Understandably, Mitt Romney didn’t emphasize his devotion to a minority religion that perplexed some voters.... Read more

Forrest in North Carolina asks:   Why do so many Christians believe that human life begins at conception? Did the writers of the Bible even have an understanding of human fertilization? What is the origin of this precept? A question that befits the Nativity season becomes the inaugural item on Religion Q and A. Though the U.S. Supreme Court gives the mother the right  to decide about abortion, that obviously hasn’t ended debate. And new aspects keep emerging, such as the contraception... Read more

        As patheos.com launches this, its latest blog:           Who?  Over to the right there’s brief info about the Ridgewood Religion Guy who writes these posts. Click there if you’d like further bio. Full disclosure: The Guy lists his religious affiliation. However, this blog does not promote a particular faith perspective or denomination, unlike so many religion offerings across the Net. This will be old-fashioned -- and getting to be increasingly out-of-fashion -- journalism.  Postings might be somewhat interpretive and... Read more