During the “Religious Revival” in America in the 1950s, observers of “public religion” had little to observe. Many critics found that the only coverage of religion in metro papers appeared on a half page on Saturdays. Cynics charged that the only reason religion was allotted that much space was to legitimate and attract a few church advertisements. 

The revival ended in “the sixties,” but secular America is busier than ever with religion in public life. Here are some headlines from January 15—our Sightings deadline day—in two national papers: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal  (Note: to even qualify for sightings, references must name specific recognizably religious peoples, institutions, or events.)

Here goes:

• “Satellite Images Show Ruin Left by Boko Haram, Groups Say.”
   
• “Filipinos, Their Faith Strong but Shifting, Hail Pope.”
   
• “For Jews from France, a Sociable Landing Spot in Israel.”
   
• “Mormon Church Threatens Critic With Excommunication.”
   
• “Amid Threats, Duke Moves Muslim Call to Prayer.”
   
• [Letter:] “A ‘Satanic Verses’ Lesson.”
   
• “France’s Jews Have No Choice but Israel.”
   
• “Documentary Draws Ire From the Church of Scientology.”
   
• “A Vicar in a Fine Tradition: ‘Grantchester,’ a British Detective Series on PBS.”
   
• “A Misbehaving Monk Recounts His Sins.”
   
• “One Man’s Journey Through Hell.”
   
• “Duke University Cancels Muslim Prayer Call Plan.”
   
• “New Images Show Nigeria Devastation: Rights Group Says Photos Suggest Toll from Boko Haram Attacks Far Exceeds Government Estimates.”
   
• “Gathering the Faithful, No Church Required: New construction is down, but worshipers find other places to meet.”
   
• “Anti-Semitism Is Never Solely About the Jews: Radical Islamists attack Jews as the handiest target in a campaign to destroy the free societies that jihadists abhor.”
   
• “Israeli Arabs Try to Forge Political Unity.”
   
• “Soldier, Vicar, Lover, Sleuth.”

And we haven’t even mentioned the abundant internet references yet!

References:

Nossiter, Adam. “Satellite Images Show Ruin Left by Boko Haram, Groups Say.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, Africa. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/world/africa/boko-haram-rampage-in-nigeria-is-shown-in-satellite-images-groups-say.html.

Whaley, Floyd. “Filipinos, Their Faith Strong but Shifting, Hail Pope. New York Times, January 15, 2015, Asia Pacific. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/world/asia/pope-francis-arrives-in-philippines-to-rock-star-welcome.html.

Kershner, Isabel. “For Jews From France, a Sociable Landing Spot in Israel. New York Times, January 15, 2015, Middle East. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/world/middleeast/for-jews-from-france-a-sociable-landing-spot-in-israel.html.

Goodstein, Laurie. “Mormon Church Threatens Critic With Excommunication.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/us/john-dehlin-mormon-critic-facing-excommunication.html.

Katz, Jonathan. “Amid Threats, Duke Moves Muslim Call to Prayer.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/us/amid-threats-duke-moves-muslim-call-to-prayer.html.

Garbus, Martin. “A ‘Satanic Verses’ Lesson.” New York Times Letter, January 15, 2015, The Opinion Pages. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/a-satanic-verses-lesson.html.

Rosner, Shmuel. “France’s Jews Have No Choice but Israel.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, The Opinion Pages. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/shmuel-rosner-frances-jews-have-no-choice-but-israel.html.

Cieply, Michael. “Documentary Draws Ire From the Church of Scientology.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, Media. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/business/media/documentary-draws-ire-from-the-church-of-scientology.html.

Hale, Mike. Review of “A Vicar in a Fine Tradition: ‘Grantchester,’ a British Detective Series on PBS.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, Television. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/arts/television/grantchester-a-british-detective-series-on-pbs.html.

Fonseca-Wollheim, Corinna da. Review of “A Misbehaving Monk Recounts His Sins: ‘The Enchanted Wanderer,’ by the Mariinsky Theater, at BAM.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, Music. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/arts/music/the-enchanted-wanderer-by-the-mariinsky-theater-at-bam.html.

Genzlinger, Neil. Review of “One Man’s Journey Through Hell: In ‘The Touch of an Angel,’ a Personal Holocaust History.” New York Times, January 15, 2015, Movies. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/movies/in-the-touch-of-an-angel-a-personal-holocaust-history.html.

AP. “Duke University Cancels Muslim Prayer Call Plan: University Had Intended to Use Chapel Tower for Weekly, Amplified Call to Prayer for Muslims.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, U.S. News. http://www.wsj.com/articles/duke-university-cancels-muslim-prayer-call-plan-1421358004.

Hinshaw, Drew. “New Images Show Nigeria Devastation: Rights Group Says Photos Suggest Toll from Boko Haram Attacks Far Exceeds Government Estimates.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, Africa News. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB21865234976969243566704580401103072196266.

Moll, Rob. “Gathering the Faithful, No Church Required: New construction is down, but worshipers find other places to meet.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, Houses of Worship. http://www.wsj.com/articles/rob-moll-gathering-the-faithful-no-church-required-1421366528.

Wisse, Ruth. “Anti-Semitism Is Never Solely About the Jews: Radical Islamists attack Jews as the handiest target in a campaign to destroy the free societies that jihadists abhor.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, Opinion. http://www.wsj.com/articles/ruth-r-wisse-anti-semitism-is-never-solely-about-the-jews-1421366930.

Casey, Nicholas. “Israeli Arabs Try to Forget Political Unity.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, World News. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB22004256792565283529804580395621045856814.

Smith, Nancy Dewolf. Review of “Soldier, Vicar, Lover, Sleuth: In 1953 England, the hero of the glorious ‘Grantchester’ chases criminals, soothes souls and tries to heal his own heart.” Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2015, Television. http://www.wsj.com/articles/tv-review-the-soldier-vicar-lover-sleuth-of-grantchester-1421380788. 
 


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Author, Martin E. Marty, is the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School.