A debate has been sparked among Black pastors who are trying to square a heroic view of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was gunned down in Utah this month, with the insulting statements about people of color that were key to his political activism. Conservatives and white Christians, particularly evangelicals, are emphasizing Kirk's faith and label him a martyr.  From the pulpits of Black churches, pastors used their sermons to denounce what they called hateful rhetoric from Kirk that runs counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Many Black clergy have  linked the veneration of Kirk to a history of weaponizing faith to justify colonialism, enslavement and bigotry.

With Vice President JD Vance calling Charlie Kirk “a martyr for Christianity,” some Kirk admirers suggest his assassination will galvanize throngs of people — notably young conservatives — to become more engaged in evangelical and Catholic churches. Evocations of Kirk-inspired religious fervor surfaced almost immediately after his death on Sept. 10, and continued to swell as much of Sunday’s VIP-studded memorial service for the conservative activist resembled a massive megachurch service. There have been widespread reports of attendance surging at some evangelical churches. But a religious demographics expert says any surge might be brief, given there are no recent examples of an enduring religious revival after a civic trauma.

The spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians has defended his 2019 decision to recognize an independent church in Ukraine. He also denounced the Russian Orthodox Church as giving a “ringing endorsement to the invasion of Ukraine.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople made the remarks before the Council on Foreign Relations during a stop on his 12-day visit to the United States, which has also included meetings with President Donald Trump and other political leaders. Bartholomew has long been critical of the Russian Orthodox Church and its support for the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He reiterated those criticisms in his remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations.

For the Boy Scouts of America — recently renamed Scouting America — the past 12 years have been challenging. Opening its programs to gay people and later to girls sparked dismay in some quarters. Its 2020 bankruptcy declaration led to prolonged wrangling over compensation for thousands of men claiming they were sexually abused as scouts. The 115-year-old organization is serving far fewer youths than at its peak decades ago. But it seems to be stabilizing, with a slight uptick in membership last year. A key factor is the abiding loyalty of major religious denominations that still view scouting’s mission as uniquely in tune with their own.

For the Boy Scouts of America — renamed Scouting America — recent years have been challenging. Opening its programs to gay people and later to girls angered some critics. Its 2020 bankruptcy declaration triggered disputes over compensation for thousands of men claiming they were sexually abused as scouts. The 115-year-old organization now serves far fewer youths than at its peak decades ago. But it seems to be stabilizing, with a slight uptick in membership last year. One key reason: the loyalty of major religious denominations that still view scouting’s mission as uniquely valuable and welcome its continued commitment to reverence and prayer.

Aid workers saved thousands of priceless archaeological artifacts in Gaza from destruction last week after Israel targeted the warehouse building in a strike. Israeli military said Hamas used the building for intelligence. It contained items from over 25 years of excavations, including from a 4th-century Byzantine monastery. International aid groups negotiated with the Israeli military for a delay to move the artifacts. Workers rushed to pack the items in trucks, but some were broken or left behind. The artifacts are now in a safer location but remain in danger, housed outside, as the Israeli offensive widens.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians, is making his first visit in four years to the United States. He met President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Bartholomew is also scheduled to make other appearances in the Washington and New York areas through Sept. 25. That includes receiving the prestigious Templeton Prize in honor of his environmental advocacy. Bartholomew is considered first among equals among Orthodox patriarchs. That role gives him prominence, but not the power of a pope, because the church has various self-governing jurisdictions. Bartholomew oversees the small Orthodox population in mostly Muslim Turkey. He also oversees the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

There are more than 1,000 whitewashed stone chapels on the Greek island of Tinos owned and cared for by private families as they have in some cases for centuries. These room-sized structures, mostly Orthodox and a couple of hundred Catholic, are up the rocky hillsides among the goat herds and down by the beach bars, recognizable mostly by their cross-topped miniature bell towers. Their owners range from octogenarians to Generation Z, sheep farmers to business owners, and devout to de facto atheists. But they share the unwavering dedication to keeping their little chapels going and open to anyone who wants to pray or just find a moment of quiet.