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Bob Smietana

@bmietana.bsky.social
3.9K followers 782 following 598 posts

National writer Religion News Service. New grandad. Author of Reorganized Religion. Enthusiastic Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Sci-Fi fan. Ridiculously Gregarious

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
More details about the arrest of Seth and Heather Thompson Day. Shock from followers--and a teacher who reported abuse religionnews.com/2026/09/30/d...
religionnews.com
Daughter of Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day reported alleged abuse, leading to arrest
(RNS) — The Days, popular Christian authors, were arrested after a teacher reported concerns about abuse. The couple had been reported to Child Protective Services in the past. Police in Keene, Texas,...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
In the US, evangelicals are both a voting bloc and a religious movement -- and the two aren't the same. That's caused a group of evangelical journalist to consider dropping the word evangelical from their name religionnews.com/2026/09/30/e...
religionnews.com
Evangelical Press Association to vote on dropping the 'e-word'
(RNS) — The group of journalists wants to change its name to the Christian Communicators Network, saying the word 'evangelical' has too many political overtones and a bad public image.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Evangelicals journalists might drop the 'e-word' as too political and controversial religionnews.com/2026/09/30/e...
religionnews.com
Evangelical Press Association to vote on dropping the 'e-word'
(RNS) — The group of journalists wants to change its name to the Christian Communicators Network, saying the word 'evangelical' has too many political overtones and a bad public image.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
David Sills sued the SBC after being labeled an abuser in the Guidepost Report. A judge dismissed most of the claims, ordered settlement talks on the issue of defamation religionnews.com/2026/09/30/j...
religionnews.com
Judge dismisses most of David Sills' claims against SBC leaders, orders settlement conference
(RNS) — A federal judge ruled a defamation claim filed by former professor David Sills, who lost his job to sexual misconduct allegations, could go forward against the SBC's Executive Committee, Guide...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A popular Christian author and her professor author were arrested for alleged abuse religionnews.com/2026/09/29/h...
religionnews.com
Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day, Christian authors, arrested for alleged abuse
(RNS) — The Days are co-authors of a best-selling Christian book on relationships.
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Christa Brown @christabrown.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
And here's the thing... while our instinct may be to dismiss these "Jim Crow Theobros" as fringe, the reality is that, while their in-person congregations are small, their online audiences number in the hundreds of thousands. This is such an important piece from @bmietana.bsky.social.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
First Tim Tebow said he'd drop out of speaking at LifeSurge's wealth and faith events. Now Craig Groeschel, pastor of one of the nation's biggest churches has dropped out religionnews.com/2026/09/28/c...
religionnews.com
Megachurch pastor Craig Groeschel follows Tim Tebow in suspending ties to Life Surge
(RNS) — An investigation by podcaster Pablo Torre and Mother Jones magazine alleged that Life Surge, which runs Christian leadership and wealth events featuring sports stars and Christian celebrities,...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A group of pastors has merged the hyper-masculinity of the manosphere with old-school segregationist ideas and outrage commerce. Meet the Jim Crow Theobros religionnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
religionnews.com
The rise of the Jim Crow theobros
(RNS) — A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere and the savvy of the attention economy to preach and sell ...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Been working on this for a while about pastors who see the racism and antisemitism of America's past as a feature, not a bug. Meet the Jim Crow Theobros religionnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
religionnews.com
The rise of the Jim Crow theobros
(RNS) — A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere and the savvy of the attention economy to preach and sell ...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Why are folks mad about Meryl Streep and Aslan? Hint-- theology and the love of CS Lewis religionnews.com/2026/09/23/m...
religionnews.com
Meryl Streep as Narnia's Aslan: Why some evangelicals call it blasphemy
(RNS) — News that Streep will play Aslan in "Narnia: The Magician's Nephew" has sparked casting debates similar to those over "The Odyssey." But for evangelicals, the concerns go deeper than culture w...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
21 years ago, I got a call from a CT editor, who had a headline for a story he wanted me to write. The headline was "CS Lewis Superstar," and the charge was to look into the logistics of how Lewis became an evangelical icon. Was so much fun www.christianitytoday.com/2005/11/c-s-...
christianitytoday.com
C. S. Lewis Superstar - Christianity Today
How a reserved British intellectual with a checkered pedigree became a rock star for evangelicals.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Was writing today about why folks are upset with Meryl Streep being cast as Aslan -- a mix of culture war, theology and fan angst -- and remembering back to one of my favorite stories to work on www.christianitytoday.com/2005/11/c-s-...
christianitytoday.com
C. S. Lewis Superstar - Christianity Today
How a reserved British intellectual with a checkered pedigree became a rock star for evangelicals.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Got a story about how a clash with members of Congress led a Muslim charity to change its name. Was able to add some history-- like time Chuck Grassley investigated Paula White for alleged financial mismanagement at her former church religionnews.com/2026/09/22/m...
religionnews.com
Under congressional pressure, a major Muslim charity cuts ties and changes its name
(RNS) — Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian organization with a $150 million annual budget, rebranded itself as the Islamic Development and Empowerment in America after members of Congress threatened t...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A reminder that immigration, mostly by Hispanic Catholics, has offset some of the decline of Christianity in the U.S., which is driven mostly by White Americans losing their faith-- not the arrival of non-Christian immigrants. religionnews.com/2025/11/18/w...
religionnews.com
Why Trump's immigration crackdown may make America less Christian
(RNS) — America has become less religious because white Americans are less religious. Most recent immigrants are religious, and many are Christians.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Some background about why Baptists in the U.S. are touchy about state churches and blasphemy religionnews.com/2024/10/30/w...
religionnews.com
We tried Christian nationalism in America. It went badly.
(RNS) — Nostalgia for a ‘Christian America’ overlooks the realities of religion in the founding era — which included taxes, jail time, exile and even public hangings for anyone who defied state-run ch...
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Now Al Mohler, SBC seminary president, says blasphemy laws are a bad idea - after online pushback religionnews.com/2026/09/14/a...
religionnews.com
Al Mohler reverses course, rejects blasphemy laws after controversy
(RNS) — The longtime president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said he erred in saying the government should be able to punish those who don’t believe God was part of America’s founding.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 02/09/2026
Anything is a legal case if you can convince a lawyer to represent you and file a suit. Eventually a suit like that is (hopefully) likely to be dismissed, but in the meantime it's time and money for the defendant and who knows if they will get their legal fees reimbursed.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Received a story pitch today citing a survey that said 69% of Red Sox fans believe they'd make a good GM, while 63% think they'd do a better job than Craig Breslow. I immediately deleted it. 69 percent and 63 percent? That's crazy. Obviously it's 99 percent and 93 percent.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
How about Jake Bennett there? Runner on second, and he carves up Bellinger on three pitches to end the inning. Still 1-0 Sox after 4 in the Bronx.
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Phil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
RFK Jr seen speeding to Rhode Island with a fork and a bib
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Spent some time with scholars who study new worship music religionnews.com/2026/08/18/s...
religionnews.com
If Jesus showed up today, would he play guitar?
Nashville (RNS) — During a gathering in Nashville, scholars looked at the theology, money and music reshaping how Americans worship and experience God.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
He hit a 449-foot homer on the first pitch he saw. What an amazing thing.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Joshua Báez became the first player to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in the major leagues. The 23-year-old Cardinals left fielder from Boston drove in five runs in all at Wrigley Field. 1,199 feet worth of homers. What a day.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A former SBC president claimed that his misconduct was a private matter and sued his denomination for disclosing it. Now the suit is over religionnews.com/2026/08/12/j...
religionnews.com
Johnny Hunt's last defamation claims rejected by federal judge
(RNS) — Hunt's lawyers had argued he was a private figure and his misconduct was nobody's business. He also claimed a tweet criticizing him was defamatory.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Spent the whole day at Rate Field yesterday covering the game and Pope hat giveaway. Came away impressed by the pros who are on the beat. And also, was reminded there is magic in baseball. religionnews.com/2026/08/12/p...
religionnews.com
Pope Leo hat giveaway turns White Sox game into the church of baseball
CHICAGO (RNS) — After three terrible years, the White Sox are in the midst of a revival — with good young players and perhaps a little divine intervention. The team's best-known fan is Pope Leo XIV.
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Meredith Nudo 🤌🏻 @meredithnudo.myatproto.social · 12/08/2026
I NEED ONEA DESE HERE POPE HATS
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JoeA64 @joea64.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
It's a hella tight race but the White Sox, a while after I last checked, continue to keep a firm grip on 1st place in the AL Central. (But be it noted that the Cubs are also running hot, even though they're currently at 2nd in the NL Central.)
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Always wanted to be a baseball writer. Thanks Pope Leo religionnews.com/2026/08/12/p...
religionnews.com
Pope Leo hat giveaway turns White Sox game into the church of baseball
CHICAGO (RNS) — After three terrible years, the White Sox are in the midst of a revival — with good young players and perhaps a little divine intervention. The team's best-known fan is Pope Leo XIV.
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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
World Vision and a consortium of local faith-based groups are to receive a State Department award of “up to $850 million” to provide global healthcare services. My, @yonat.bsky.social, @bmietana.bsky.social @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2026/08/11/a...
religionnews.com
After cuts, Trump administration gives $2B to Christian groups for global aid
(RNS) — The largest portion of the funding — $1.4 billion — is expected to support some 2,500 faith-based hospitals and clinics and train and pay tens of thousands of community health workers to provi...
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 10/08/2026
And more on Vischer, via @bmietana.bsky.social: religionnews.com/2021/02/24/p...
religionnews.com
VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer calls evangelicalism a 'hot mess.' He hasn't given up hope.
(RNS) — For nearly three decades, the VeggieTales creator has been making people laugh while telling them about Jesus. Now, spurred by his faith, he has been attending to the recent struggles of Ameri...
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 10/08/2026
I AM NOT NEARLY FAMOUS I AM MARGINALLY FAMOUS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE NOT MUCH OF ONE REALLY BUT EVEN SO
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 10/08/2026
Occasionally I meet people and they ask what I do and I tell them I write novels and they ask if I've written something they would know and I say to them, my new friend, you have already answered your own question
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Kara N. Slade @karanslade.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I think a lot of folks in the US Episcopal context want to turn Anglicanism into an aesthetic when it isn’t one. You can be 100 percent Anglican with a praise band and screens in church.
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Kara N. Slade @karanslade.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
This morning I received the Eucharist and I got to sing Cornerstone by Hillsong. That makes it a very, very good church morning.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 09/08/2026
1. I mean, Krissy *is* hot 2. Lots of celebrities are attractive and also an increasing number are my daughter's age or younger which psychologically really puts a cap on my theoretical interest 3. Sometimes a burrito is just a burrito
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
And here's the thing. The '13 team had Ortiz, Pedroia, Lester, Ellsbury, in their primes. Lackey, Victorino, Napoli, Buchholz, etc. Established, successful players. All-Stars. This team has lots of talent, but not many veteran dudes with rings and career success. But it has somehow worked.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The 2013 Red Sox have long been my standard of unexpectedly wild and interesting seasons to cover. But this team, what can you say? They appeared dead and buried at 32-46. It was the worst record in the AL. Just a mess. Only 5 losses over 36 games and 43 days since. Nobody saw that coming.
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Thor Benson @thorbenson.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Me: Why don't you just buy a bigger desk NPR: It's... that's not the point Me: It's only tiny because you bought a tiny one
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 04/08/2026
Short stories can be amazing and life-transforming and for some writers (raises hand) it's easier to write an 80,000 word novel than an 8,000 word short story. With the novel you have so much more time and space and margin to get things right. With a short story you have to nail it all, fast.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 04/08/2026
I saw something about this over on Threads and, uh, yeah, I'm not sure where that nonsense came from, you can't get us authors to shut up about what's going on with us and our industry, that gate's right off the hinges if you ask me
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
A mayor's anti-mosque email helped lead to a lawsuit religionnews.com/2026/08/03/b...
religionnews.com
Broken Arrow mosque leaders sue over alleged discrimination
(RNS) — 'They did not want Muslims here, so they made up a reason, and in doing so, they violated the law,' said Meghan Murphy, an attorney with CAIR's Legal Defense Fund.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
“None of us wanted to be here announcing a lawsuit,” said Aslam Syed, a leader with the mosque. “We wanted to build a place of worship for community members who already lived and contributed to the fabric of Broken Arrow.” Story w/ @bmietana.bsky.social religionnews.com/2026/08/03/b...
religionnews.com
Broken Arrow mosque leaders sue over alleged discrimination
(RNS) — 'They did not want Muslims here, so they made up a reason, and in doing so, they violated the law,' said Meghan Murphy, an attorney with CAIR's Legal Defense Fund.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 03/08/2026
It's a beautiful day and I'm voluntarily sitting outside of my own accord instead of being in my darkened office, who even am I and what have I become
View of my backyard from my new garage deck. It's very green and blue.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Hoping the Red Sox can bring back Nathan Eovaldi.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I’m generally in the “make big moves” camp for a contending team at the deadline. But with this particular Red Sox team I wonder if some improvements around the edges would suffice. They obviously have something special happening and might not want to change the tram chemistry too much.
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Rafaela tags Yamamoto to left field again. 2-2
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Fun watching Ceddanne Rafaela and Andy Pages in center field last night. Along with PCA, the best at that spot. Rafaela leads the Sox with 4.7 bWAR. He's going to get down-ballot MVP votes the way he's going.
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Leah Payne @drleahpayne.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
“Brian Doerksen gave evangelicalism its soundtrack but not its current theology” - Yours Truly on how the “Jesus is my boyfriend” sounds of Doerksen & the Vineyard gave way to the rock ‘em sock ‘em militarism of top-selling worship music today: religionnews.com/2026/07/30/b...
religionnews.com
Brian Doerksen gave evangelicalism its soundtrack but not its current theology
(RNS) — Today's evangelical worship culture often reflects a very different vision of God than the one Doerksen’s songs proclaimed.
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Thomas Reese @thomasreesesj.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
religionnews.com/2026/07/17/h... @bmietana.bsky.social
religionnews.com
Hindu group sues Chicago suburb to build temple, citing 1967 legal barrier
(RNS) — Umiya Mataji Sanstha, a Hindu community in Chicago's western suburbs, hopes to build a temple and homes for community members. But a 1960s-era consent decree stands in their way. Will a religi...
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Peter Abraham @peteabeglobe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Nationals people talk about Mead's baseball IQ with a lot of reverence, noting that he is a consistent voice in hitters' meetings and very attuned to what is going on in the game.
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