ReligionLink

Welcome to ReligionLink's new "eMinder." This new weekly feature from RL will be in addition to our twice-monthly ReligionLink editions, providing story ideas to consider, or thoughts on a topic or article we think is worth exploring more deeply. Then, every other week, you'll still receive announcements of our longer, in-depth ReligionLink tips. This bonus feature will keep you up to date — or better, ahead of the curve — on happenings in the world of religion and ideas. In this week's inaugural issue:

ON YOUR E-MINDER

Story ideas for reporting on the Thanksgiving holiday

• Call it “the upside of a downturn.” At tables across the country, people may be rethinking life’s ultimate values and rededicating themselves to family and faith.
• In African-American churches, members are rejoicing over Barack Obama’s presidential win. This Thanksgiving, improved race relations may be one thing all Americans can feel grateful for. 
• As Americans get ready for the big feast, they’re also more mindful of the presence of hunger. What are local congregations or nonprofit groups doing about hunger in your city?

NEW RELIGIONLINK TIP

Islam’s 'next generation' forges its own identity

• The story of America is very much the story of immigration, and Muslims in the United States are following many of the same paths to assimilation as other immigrants. But Muslims also face particular challenges, among them the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the Islamic world, and their relatively small numbers in America, which limits their political and cultural influence.

ReligionLink is a free service of RELIGION | NEWSWRITERS, helping all journalists write about religion with balance, accuracy and insight. To learn about RELIGION|NEWSWRITERS training, other resources, contests and other services, visit www.RNA.org.

Webinars

Religion and the military: Source of comfort, point of controversy
The U.S. military has faced enormous challenges in the first decade of the 21st century. With forces stretched thin abroad and stresses on military families growing at home, religion is proving to be a source of both comfort and controversy – and presenting a rich vein of story possibilities. ReligionLink guides reporters to the background and sources for tackling the subject.

Peacebuilding: Acknowledging and harnessing the force of faith
Religion often plays a critical role in global conflicts, but comparatively little public attention has been paid to the role of religion in peacemaking. Find out about newly developed programs and research on peacebuilding and obtain resources for covering this underreported story with the latest edition of ReligionLink.

In the archives

Billy Graham: America's pastor
The Rev. Billy Graham turns 90 on Nov. 7, and a film about his early life has just been released—milestones that reaffirm his unique standing as “America’s pastor.” This updated ReligionLink edition provides resources, background and experts on the man who has led more than 400 evangelical missions worldwide and advised nine U.S. presidents.

SOURCE GUIDE
Animals and religion: a guide to issues, organizations and experts
Hoping to find strong allies, animal advocacy groups are reaching out to people of faith at a time when concern for the environment, and the creatures who inhabit it, is growing in religious communities. This month, for example, the Humane Society of the United States will release a film that it hopes will persuade believers to make more humane food choices. ReligionLink offers a source guide for covering this and the many other ways that the topics of animals and religion intersect.

Elections 2008

Morality and the marketplace: balancing God and Mammon in public policy
October 2008: The financial crisis roiling the country, in the midst of a presidential campaign fueled by faith-based rhetoric, is giving Americans a chance to reconsider economic policies in the light of religious beliefs. To what degree are ethical failings, such as greed, to blame for the current perils? What do theologians say about morality and the marketplace? And how are the economic platforms of John McCain and Barack Obama influenced by their respective moral worldviews? ReligionLink explores this pressing topic.

They’re off! God and politics in the presidential campaign
September 2008: With the party conventions over and the Democratic and Republican tickets set, the two-month sprint to Election Day on Nov. 4 begins – and in that race, religion is playing a major role. ReligionLink frames the issues and provides an easy-to-use database of resources for covering the campaign.

Young voters of faith
June 2008: Young voters have turned out in record numbers in this year’s presidential primaries and caucuses, and polls indicate that faith and values are playing a major role in their ballot choices. But young voters seem to define their faith and values in significantly different ways than previous generations. How will this affect the fall campaigns and the winner’s priorities in office? ReligionLink offers resources for exploring the questions.

Religion in the presidential campaign
February 2008: Questions of abortion and war, affordable housing and immigration, and much more all raise difficult issues for voters trying to reconcile their faith with the candidates’ agendas. This edition of ReligionLink provides extensive resources to help guide journalists over the course of the presidential campaign.

Religious leaders’ political endorsements
January 2008: Endorsements by religious leaders are adding interesting twists to an already fascinating election season – and in some cases drawing the attention of watchdog groups. Although 70 percent of registered voters say it’s inappropriate for clergy to speak publicly on behalf of or against a specific candidate, politicians continue to court such support, and in recent weeks, they’ve frequently gotten it.