Here’s my October 8 newsletter. To receive my latest articles, favorite religions reads and more updates in your inbox every Saturday, sign-up here. 

I’m hoping to do more articles tied to the Salt Lake City community in the coming months, so this week I attended a lecture held at the public library. Stephen Prothero, known for his work on religious literacy, spoke about culture wars and I frantically live-tweeted his many quotable moments.

One of his main arguments was that culture wars over issues like same-sex marriage are not really between people of faith and the secular community. Instead, they’re between more conservative believers and more liberal believers. That may be a head-scratcher, but it’s backed up by religion research on how different denominations feel about Muslims, abortion and other hot-button topics.

Going to events like Prothero’s speech inspires me to be more thorough in my writing. In my own little way, I can translate high-level conclusions like his and apply them to the situations that affect all of us, every day. I look forward to sharing my Q&A with Prothero and more articles next week.

FRESH OFF THE PRESS FROM ME

Taking a look at this month’s two major Jewish holidays

TOP RELIGION READS

‘Still the best candidate’: Some evangelical leaders still back Trump despite lewd video, The Washington Post

When religious freedom leaves children dead, The Atlantic

How do you say ’email’ in Yiddish, The New York Times

Major ministry will fire employees who don’t believe that sex is only for married straight couples, The Washington Post

The Czech Republic’s Ghost Church, Atlas Obscura

Thou shalt work out, Outside

JUST FOR FUN

Report: 50% of heaven’s population just assholes who begged for forgiveness at the last second, The Onion