Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 2d

He just keeps giving

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 2d

Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations. The Bonhams auction begins Nov. 11 in Los Angeles with three of the paintings.

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts

Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations. The Bonhams auction is to begin Nov. 11 in Los Angeles with three of the paintings.

bit.ly

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 2d

So far, it’s just murder

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2d

AP: “.. the administration has only pointed to unclassified video clips of the strikes posted on social media by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and has yet to produce ‘hard evidence’ that the vessels were carrying drugs.”

@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/trum...

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 2d

Wow!

CajunBlueAZ ⚜️🇺🇸 🇺🇦 @cajunblue.bsky.social · 2d

🚨🚨🚨Chicago - NOW!🚨🚨🚨
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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 6d

As someone who has read earlier works of Rick Joyner and other figures mentioned here, I would also share this author’s conclusions about this eager movement label, which is trying to cast suppressive takeover of neighbors as “revival.”
Also, calling people demons isn’t obeying commands to love

Religion Wire @religionwire.net · 6d

www.patheos.com/blogs/therel...

This Is A Third Great Awakening?

I've seen claims lately that a Third Great Awakening is happening now. I'm skeptical, but let's take a look. What is a Great Awakening? The Great

www.patheos.com

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 9d

I really wonder how universities are going to respond to this list of external demands that have nothing to do with each institutions’ own priorities

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 9d

Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations" www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 9d

I just bought two bargain bestsellers on bookshop and I am so happy about it. I think I’m going to want to check this category more often

Picture of “ebook deals for less than $4” from bookshop.org. Four visible book covers

Reposted by Susan EB

Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 21d

Trump posts on Truth Social that he’s ordered another strike on what he claims is a drug trafficking boat.

He’s presented no evidence that his victims in the three previous strikes were running drugs. Drug trafficking is also not a capital crime.

Trump is murdering people in international waters.

Trump: On my Orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking illicit narcotics, and was transiting along a known narcotrafficking passage enroute to poison Americans. The strike killed 3 male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel, which was in international waters. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA, AND COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM AGAINST AMERICANS!!!
UNCLASSIFIED

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Reposted by Susan EB

AltSpaceForce 🚀🇺🇲 @altspaceforce.altgov.info · 20d

Trans people aren't more skewed towards violence when compared to all shooter archetypes.
The FBI is targeting one of the smallest demos in our society because it's easy. Easy to gin up hate. Easy to "other" them & easy to conquer the least violent group.
This is a hate crime disguised as justice

FBI to Categorize Trans People As "Nihilistic Violent Extremist" Threat Group, Report Says

The choice is being championed by the Heritage Foundation, which is behind Project 2025.

www.them.us

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 23d

Bradley P. Moss @bradmossesq.bsky.social · 23d

Folks, I don’t know what end is up right now.

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 24d

I think we need to watch how this affects the presence of republicans in the sciences. Because in the future, when they are hugely underrepresented in those fields (I assume they already are somewhat) we can identify how it is self-inflicted

Conrad Hackett @conradhackett.bsky.social · Sep 7

In 2019, 70% of Republicans said science has had a mostly positive effect on society. A few years later, fewer than half of Republicans (47%) said so.
www.pewresearch.org/science/2023... 🧪🌐

‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsky.social‬
· 9mo
We often worry about the wrong things.

People killed annually by
Sharks 10
Elephants 100
Hippos 500
Snails 10,000
Dogs 25,000
Snakes 50,000
People 475,000
Mosquitoes 725,000
🧪
This graphic, created for Bill Gates' website, shows that diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are responsible for vastly more human deaths than other animals. While sharks inspire fear in many, they kill few people.
ALT

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‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsky.social‬
· 9mo
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction

Graphic from Edward Tufte
More graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d... 🧪
Graphic shows dramatic reduction in polio, rubella, mumps, measles, and hepatitis A cases after the introduction of vaccines for each disease.
ALT

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‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsky.social‬
· 1mo
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported.
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported
About four-in-ten immigrants (43%) say they worry a lot or some, up from 33% in March.
www.pewresearch.org

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‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsky.social‬
· 3d
Disease prevalence in US states before & after vaccine introduction 🧪

From Edward Tufte & graphics.wsj.com/infectious-d...

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‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsky.social‬
· 9mo
Americans killed annually by
All Islamic jihadist terrorists 9
Armed toddlers 21
Lightning 31
Lawnmowers 69
Busses 264
Falling out of bed 737
Being shot by another American 11,737

2017 estimates. The Royal Statistical Society gave this compilation its International Statistic of the Year award.
Chart compiling statistics on the number of Americans killed annually various causes. Includes source notes.
ALT

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‪Conrad Hackett‬
‪@conradhackett.bsk…

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 24d

US adult citizens need to pay attention to the fact that our government is treading far beyond “the consent of the governed” in its use of ICE

YouGov America @today.yougov.com · 24d

NEW Economist/YouGov Sep 12-15: Immigration
% who say federal agents should | shouldn't be allowed to stop people based solely on factors such as race or ethnicity, language, or field of work
U.S. adult citizens 19% | 66%
Democrats 5% | 92%
Republicans 40% | 37%
today.yougov.com/politics/art...

A chart of YouGov polling data with the headline: "Most Americans say immigration agents should not be allowed
to stop people based solely on race or ethnicity, language, or field of work."

The chart's sub-headline is: "Should federal immigration agents be allowed to stop people based solely on factors such as their race or ethnicity, language, or field of work? (%)."

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 24d

There are real numbers about where violence is coming from on the political spectrum.
And the Cato institute is… not left leaning

ian bremmer @ianbremmer.com · 24d

cato institute analysis of murders by political ideology since 1975, excluding 9/11

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 24d

This is a helpful essay, and reminded me how I need to be sure to get offline

Liberal Currents @liberalcurrents.com · 26d

"Dismissing all this as the playground of the few and the fringe—as 'not real life'—won’t cut it." www.liberalcurrents.com/yes-its-the-...

Yes, It’s the Guns. It’s Also the Phones.

Life online is corroding the virtues that make liberal democratic life tenable.

www.liberalcurrents.com

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 24d

A great use of (the privilege of) religious freedom to challenge free speech restrictions

Christianity Today @christianitytoday.com · 24d

New restrictions on campus speech in Texas have spurred a lawsuit from a coalition of student groups, including a Dallas ministry concerned about the impact on Bible studies, worship nights, and evangelism on campus.

Texas Student Ministry Sues over Law Cutting Off Free Speech at 10 p.m. - Christianity Today

In honor of Charlie Kirk, lawmakers will meet to reevaluate campus discourse, including new state regulations.

www.christianitytoday.com

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 25d

I can’t even read this right now, but for later.
Because of course all aid agencies are reeling.

RNS @rns.org · 25d

In an interview with RNS, World Vision CEO Edgar Sandoval discussed the consequences of USAID cuts and how World Vision is navigating the resulting financial uncertainty.
religionnews.com/2025/09/15/w...

World Vision CEO discusses humanitarian work in post-USAID world

NEW YORK (RNS) — 'Whatever the issue is, when people of goodwill and people of faith understand the needs around the world, they have always stepped up,' said Edgar Sandoval, CEO of World Vision, in…

religionnews.com

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 25d

This is bad
Sad
And very religiously significant language. Republican politicians aren’t just saying “bad people.” They are describing a supernatural energizing force opposed to God… about politics

Lindsey Cormack @dcinbox.bsky.social · 25d

Use of the word "evil" in official congressional e-newsletters, over time, by party

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 25d

“Cute and venomous is our new fall vibe” is 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 25d

We leave you this evening with the pygmy slow loris. These small nocturnal primates are both cute and venomous.

Cute and venomous is our new fall vibe.

12-20 Slow Loris - Duke Lemur Center

Slow Loris Deep in the jungles of Southeast Asia, a venomous creature stalks the night... very, very slowly. So slowly, in fact, that it has become part of their common name in English: the slow loris...

lemur.duke.edu

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · 25d

If you have t yet watched this show, it’s so worth it. One of my favorites this past year, in part because it does address how the grief and trauma of the pandemic are still with us.

National Catholic Reporter @ncronline.bsky.social · 25d

"The Pitt," which just won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, gives us the grace of acknowledging that our pandemic trauma isn't over, says Jose Solís.

Binge-watching 'The Pitt' with COVID was a deeply consoling experience

Jose Solís wasn't a big fan of medical dramas when he turned on HBO Max's 'The Pitt.' But not only did it hold his attention through 104° fever and extreme fatigue, he found himself deeply consoled by...

bit.ly

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 10

And here’s the data:

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 10

The unequal concern about these acts of violence. Meanwhile, there was another school shooting, and is there a question of taking drastic action to prevent those? Not from that set

David Corn @davidcorn.bsky.social · Sep 10

Before knowing all the facts, voices on the right are now exploiting the tragic death of Charlie Kirk & calling for all-out war on the left. This is sad, but not surprising, at a time when we should all be denouncing political violence. They were not so upset when Minn. Democrats were assassinated.

Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 7

This is unconscionable. They do not have consciences. They do not care about protecting children (for anyone who believed their prior claims.) They are actively seeking to harm, then lying to try to cover what they do

Valerie Gonzalez @valontheborder.bsky.social · Sep 7

A week after the U.S. attempted to remove about 80 Guatemalan children in the middle of the night, advocates began hearing they were preparing to do the same this weekend with Honduran children and preemptively sued to block it.

Story ✍️ Leah Willingham

apnews.com/article/immi...

Legal aid group sues to preemptively block US from deporting a dozen Honduran children

A legal aid group has sued to preemptively block any efforts by the U.S. government to deport a dozen Honduran children, saying it had “credible” information that such plans were quietly in the works.

apnews.com

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 7

Ugh. This is awful

Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · Sep 6

BREAKING: ICE is sending Russian dissidents back to Russia. When the dissidents arrived in Russia, the Russian authorities were given documents relating to their asylum applications in the US which under US law are confidential. This seems to be part of a secret agreement between Trump and Putin.

‘I escaped a Russian prison — only to end up in an American jail’

Dozens of Russian dissidents have been expelled from the US and forcibly returned to Russia with the co-operation of immigration authorities

www.thetimes.com

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 7

They want to gear it more toward the “entertainment” side of edu-tainment, because the Bible usually skews toward education, the executive says.
Like that’s the problem.
Biblical educator over here, and I am concerned.

NPR @npr.org · Sep 7

"The AI Bible is a way to really bring these stories to life in a way that people have never seen before. Think of if we were like, the Marvel Universe of faith," said one of the site's creators.

Fantasy or faith? One company's AI-generated Bible content stirs controversy

"The AI Bible is a way to really bring these stories to life in a way that people have never seen before. Think of if we were like, the Marvel Universe of faith," said one of the site's creators.

n.pr

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Susan EB @sebenton.bsky.social · Sep 5

I went to the meeting of the British New Testament Society for the first time this week, and then had a quick overnight in Dublin at the end. Visited the reading room at the Chester Beatty museum where there’s an amazing collection of biblical and other ancient papyri. Here’s a peek of a few

Me in front of the Chester Beatty museum

Chester Beatty papyrus 1 f.30 in a glass frame. Labeled Acts 18.9-17

Chester Beatty papyrus f.23 labeled Acts 12:13-22

Chester Beatty papyrus 1 f.25, labeled Acts 11:24-12:5

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Reposted by Susan EB

RNS @rns.org · Aug 31

On average, people attending church in person had a higher heart rate during the service and experienced more transcendence, according to a recent study.
religionnews.com/2025/08/20/s...

Study suggests online religious services may be less effective than in person

(RNS) — On average, people attending church in person had a higher heart rate during the service and experienced more transcendence, according to a recent study.

religionnews.com

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