• by Ray Schultz , 8 hours ago

The New York Times is launching a weekly newsletter about religion, in apparent response to popular demand.   

Appearing every Sunday, Believing will focus on how people live religion and spirituality today. Lauren Jackson, editor of The Morning, will serve as host of Believing. 

“Earlier this year, we published a series of articles about how people experience religion and spirituality now,” Jackson writes. “In response, thousands of you told us you wanted more: You wanted us to expand our reporting on how ancient ideas are appearing in our very modern lives.” 

Readers also desired a space for both believers and nonbelievers to share their stories. And Jackson adds, “You wanted, above all, for us to take the subject seriously.”

The Times is attempting to do that with Believing.   

“Each week, we’ll publish one original piece of reporting and highlight how religion is appearing in the headlines,” Jackson continues. “We’ll also answer your questions about faith, and share individual stories of sacred rituals, texts and pilgrimages.”

What are Jackson’s credentials for reporting on this subject?

“In reporting on belief, I’ve found that the fastest way to build trust is to share where I’m coming from,” Jackson acknowledges. “So here it is: I was raised a devout Mormon, or a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Arkansas. I know how luminous and enchanted life can be when you really believe in something. I also know what it feels like to leave a religion.”

The Times may have another winner on its hands.