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Author: Barbara Falconer Newhall

I Love Pope Francis — Or Do I?

A score of Catholic clergy were present at the annual conference of the Religion Newswriters Association in Philadelphia, August, 2015. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My honeymoon with Catholicism’s newest pope is over. I’m done with getting all goosebumpy over Pope Francis and the tone he’s setting for his church. Read more.

Tori Isner, Poet: ‘You Are a Vehicle for Spirit’

Tori Isner appreciates rocks. Here monzogranite rock formation at Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by Barbara Newahll

Tori Isner is an adopted Lakota Sioux and — in my opinion — a poet. We’re honored, she says, “just to live, just to be.” Read more.

Weight Lifting Can Kill You — Shall I Email the News to My Weight-Lifting Son?

Peter Newhall, a young man in his 30s, bench presses at a gym. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Weight lifting can kill you. Death by dead lift and dumbbell can sneak up on you long after you’ve put the weights back in the squat rack. Read more.

Crime Novelist David Corbett: Acting Taught Him How to Write Scenes

Cover of David Corbett's book "The Art of Character."

What’s the best way to master the art of scene writing? By acting out scenes by the playwriting biggies. That’s the advice of writer David Corbett. Read more.

Author Don Lattin: Americans Are More Thoughtful About Religion Than We Think

As part of the THIRST temporary art installation, hundreds of prayer flags hang from the circular path from the pedestrian bridge down to Lady Bird Lake in Austin. Photo by BF Newhall

Religion writer Don Lattin says there’s more to religion in America than atheists vs. fundamentalists. The real story is less alarming and much more interesting. Read more.

Journalist Kay Campbell: ‘WWG Bows to the Enduring Mystery of the Universe’

Barbara Falconer Newhall's book Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith on sale at Book Passage bookstore, Corte Madera, California. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My Religion Newswriters Association colleague Kay Campbell says this about Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith. Read more.

Does Islam Scare You? If So, Here’s Why

Intricate blue, red and white tiles decorate the wall of a mosque in Istanbul. Does Islam scare you?  Photo by Barbara Newhall

It’s the puritanical Wahhabi Muslims and their global proselytizing efforts that are giving Islam a bad name. Here’s how. Read more.

Dying Jesus . . . Dying Churches?

The flogging of Jesus Christ, and crucifixion, a painting at the Melk Abbey, Austria. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I saw a lot of Jesus in the old European churches I visited last month. Sad to say, in church after church, Jesus was almost always dead or dying. Read more.

Goodreads Giveaway Results: Wow. A Lot of People Want a Copy of “Wrestling with God”

Barbara Falconer Newhall, author of "Wrestling with God," is shown with a copy of her book. 2015. Newhall is offering free copies of her book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Wow. Success. A total of 685 people clicked “Enter” to win a copy of “Wrestling with God” during this week’s Goodreads Giveaway. Read more.

Atticus Finch — Meet Mother Emanuel

My copy of "Go Set a Watchman" on the counter of my local bookstore. Atticus Finch story. Photo by Barbara Newhall

“Go Set a Watchman” didn’t have a craft problem. It had a theme problem – in the character of a bigoted Atticus Finch. Read more.

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