Religion News Becoming Obsolete
He was an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times before turning to the religion beat there, then moved to Orlando. He's also the author of three books inspired by his religion reporting, including the hugely popular
"The Gospel According to the Simpsons"
(Westminster/John Knox Press).

A Jew among the Evangelicals
If one ever feels blue about journalism on religion, especially on evangelical Christians, meet Mark Pinsky, religion writer for the Orlando Sentinel. When I was researching the history of Campus Crusade for Christ, I relied on his articles to explain Crusade's relocation from California to Orlando.

The Faith of Flanders
By Mark I. Pinsky
No one would mistake Ned Flanders, the goofy next-door neighbor in "The Simpsons," for a polished televangelist like Joel Osteen. But over the past two decades the zealous cartoon character has become one of the best-known evangelicals on America's small screen. With Americans spending exponentially more time on their sofas watching television than in pews listening to sermons, this is no insignificant matter.
[read more]

Lifeline for mainliners
By Mark I. Pinsky
These once-dominant liberal Protestant denominations have been drained by demographic realities and eclipsed by conservative religious voices.
[read more]


The Golden Rolodex
By Mark I. Pinsky
Imagine a time before the Internet and the explosion of cable television news and opinion shows. In those days, journalists looking for academic authorities for their stories relied on something called the “Golden Rolodex.” This was an informal list of easily reachable and articulate professors, experts and authors whom we could call. Only death or disgrace could dislodge those on it to make room for others.
[read more]

Polygamy sect raids
As part of a child abuse investigation, authorities in Texas have taken away a large number of young girls from a ranch near San Antonio belonging to the Mormon sect of Warren Jeffs. Jeffs himself is in prison, convicted of being an accomplice to rape.

[click here to listen]

TeflonTelevangelists
by Mark I. Pinsky
Faith and forbearance can sometimes be insurmountable barriers for religion journalists. When it comes to some true believers, I have learned, nothing you write that questions their idols seems to make any difference.

The gospel of money
by Mark I. Pinsky
Megachurch pastors and broadcast ministries are drawing renewed scrutiny for living lavishly off the faithful’s funds. Fortunately, a divide is emerging in the world of evangelicals:
the ‘haves’ and the ‘will have none of it.’