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      Leo XIV: The (Great) Migrations Pope?
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      Remembering ‘MOVE’ as American religion on the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia bombing its own residents
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      White Smoke, Black Pope? Pope Leo XIV, first US pontiff, has African roots
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      HABEMUS PAPAM: New Pope Selection Signals Church’s Concerns about Spread of US, Global Authoritarianism
    • EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
      EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
    • What The Roman Catholic Church needs is a wholesale reset, not a new Pope
      What The Roman Catholic Church needs is a wholesale reset, not a new Pope
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    • Against American Exceptionalism? Pope Leo XIV v. US Christian Nationalism
      Against American Exceptionalism? Pope Leo XIV v. US Christian Nationalism
    • Catholic Right Support isn’t the Only Reason Trump Believes He Can Get Away with Mockery of Catholicism
      Catholic Right Support isn’t the Only Reason Trump Believes He Can Get Away with Mockery of Catholicism
    • EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
      EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
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    • Remembering ‘MOVE’ as American religion on the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia bombing its own residents
      Remembering ‘MOVE’ as American religion on the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia bombing its own residents
    • Catholic Right Support isn’t the Only Reason Trump Believes He Can Get Away with Mockery of Catholicism
      Catholic Right Support isn’t the Only Reason Trump Believes He Can Get Away with Mockery of Catholicism
    • EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
      EXPERTS AGREE: what Trump is doing is fascism
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Neil Ellingson

Neil Ellingson is a co-founder of Root and Branch Church in Chicago, one of whose too-many taglines is "Reclaiming Religion for Open Minds." A graduate of Harvard University (AB) and the University of Chicago Divinity School (MDiv), he is seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. Before getting into the religion game, he worked at Dissent magazine, and is currently editor of the Christian Century podcast "Preachers on Preaching."

(A)theologies, ArchiveAugust 15, 2016

The Meaning of Make Believe (Why Religion Doesn’t Have to Be “Real”)

By Neil Ellingson

When I was in fifth or sixth grade my father bought me a King James…

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