Michelle Boorstein
@mboorstein
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I cover religion (and other words for meaning-making) for The Washington Post. I like to share stuff on religion and journalism
Washington, D.C.
Joined March 2011
The Episcopal bishop of DC – who oversees the DC church Trump just stopped at – tells the @washingtonpost she is "outraged" and that neither she nor the rector was asked or told… “that they would be clearing with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop. " 1/3.
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If you don’t want to see big roly-poly pandas rolling down hills in a rare DC snowstorm then LOOK AWAY
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Mitt Romney, marching down Penn Ave towards the White House, with about 1000 mostly evangelical protesters. They’re chanting “black lives matter!” and singing “This little light of mine” @MittRomney
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"We so disassociate ourselves from the messages of this president. We hold the teachings of our sacred texts to be so so grounding to our lives and everything we do and it is about love of neighbor and sacrificial love and justice." @Mebudde Bishop Mariann Budde 3/3.
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. holding a bible, one that declares that God is love and when everything he has said and done is to enflame violence. I am beyond.We need moral leadership and he’s done everything to divide us and has just used one of the most sacred symbols of the Judeo-Christian tradition."2/3.
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The Washington Post obtained details about a $45 million plan run by Elon Musk's advisors to target Black, Jewish, Muslim voters and others with "misdirection" ads - often containing falsehoods about her positions
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DC Jews just appearing outside downtown mosque at midday prayer. Someone posted on Facebook and strangers just showing up
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Story with @spulliam on Trump's appearance at a DC Episcopal church and how it has enraged the Episcopal bishop
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Washington National Cathedral just found 5,000 respirator masks in their crypt (!) and are delivering them today to two DC hospitals
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Pope Francis today named a new archbishop for DC -- San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy. The pope is sending to the US capital, as Trump returns, an unusually outspoken, eloquent advocate for migrants, LGBTQ people and for engagement. Really interesting quotes in this thread: 1/x.
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Catholic priests protesting Floyd killing, Trump, outside blocked-off White House today
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SCOOP: Whistleblower alleges to IRS the Mormon Church has amassed $100 billion in a tax-free, charitable fund -- and not directly paid out any charity from it in 22 years
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NEW: Fire was in basement of St. Johns, and is out, my @washingtonpost colleague @phscoop reports from DC fire department. Firefighters got there w/ a police escort and quickly put out the blaze. Did NOT appear to cause any significant damage, and it is unclear how it started.
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If President Trump is in the White House this morning he’s being woken up by a Public Enemy dance party
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My life is better just knowing this dude is out there 🎅.
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The ‘Brian’ that Rapinoe referenced: Her brother, who’s been incarcerated much of their adult lives.
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"He got down on his knees and said the only three words he knew in English. 'God Bless America'" -- Sec of State-nominee Anthony Blinken on US GIs rescuing his stepfather during the Holocaust.
"My late stepfather, Samuel, he was 1 of 900 children in his school in Białystok, Poland, but the only one to survive the Holocaust after four years in concentration camps . that is what America represents to the world." -- Blinken
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NEW: US government's international religious freedom watchdog in new report slams India, praises Sudan, Uzbekistan
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NEW: The Rev. William Barber, fiery North Carolina preacher and civil rights leader, to deliver homily at Biden-Harris inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral @WNCathedral @RevDrBarber
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@iconic_swift13 Yes, some historical people are buried on that level, including Helen Keller and Matthew Shepard.
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Clergy supporters of the president see his St. John's visit a different way:
Bishop of DC church outraged by Trump visit: 'I just can't believe what my eyes have seen'. What kind of church I need PERMISSION to attend. Jesus welcomes All. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28.
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“Yes Lauren Boebert is very much a Christian. She is also a terrible person. And if we can’t get it through our heads that it is very possible to be both of those things at the same time, we will never effectively counter. Christian nationalism” @C_Stroop
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Catholic bishop of Lexington, Ky 👇🏽.
Those who vehemently fight legal abortion but are uninterested in providing basic healthcare for pregnant mothers or needy children, who are unconcerned about refugee children or those lacking quality education with no hope of escaping poverty cannot really claim to respect life.
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NEW: Florida clergy in five new lawsuits say state’s new abortion ban violates their religious liberty. The Christian, Buddhist, Jewish and Unitarian clergy are part of a new legal campaign highlighting the range of religious views about abortion. 1/x.
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This is how it's done, folks. The @washingtonpost as they encourage us to work from home: "We recognize that obtaining childcare may be more difficult. If you are. are unable to arrange for childcare, don’t worry about it. Please do the best that you can"💜.
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Oh, just the two-story-high wall I pass each day on the way to my desk
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I "hope to be a voice for the African-American community in the pope's ear" -- Wilton Gregory this morning becomes the first Black American cardinal in the Catholic Church
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I can’t recall a DC Catholic archbishop rebuking so directly any US president never mind a major fellow Catholic institution.
.@WashArchbishop Gregory has released a statement on the president's visit to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
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I'm crying laughing. My Dad had someone deliver roses to my class when I turned 10 and I didn't talk to him for a week but now I realize THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE.
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AMAZING NEWS: As part of its efforts to holistically deepen the diversity and inclusion of our journalism and newsroom, the @washingtonpost today just announced a DOZEN new positions, including (per newsroom memo) 1) a managing editor for diversity and inclusion (!): 1/x.
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Unofficial spokesman for Trump's evangelical advisory group, former Liberty youth pastor, current PR exec @JohnnieM
I will never forget seeing @POTUS @realDonaldTrump slowly & in-total-command walk from the @WhiteHouse across Lafayette Square to St. John's Church defying those who aim to derail our national healing by spreading fear, hate & anarchy. After just saying, "I will keep you safe.".
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Bryan Stevenson tells evangelical leaders' conference about a time he arrived at a Midwest courtroom early and sat down, in his suit, at the defense desk. Judge comes in, berates him. "Get out of here until your lawyer arrives!" He tells judge: "I am the lawyer your honor." 1/2.
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My email inbox is flooded with announcements of dozens of @washingtonpost staffers leaving this month after a buyout. The passionate, diverse and exquisite work of these people could fill many many volumes. What a legacy. What a shame.
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Dallas synagogue hostage on CNN shares deeply disturbing antisemitism from hostage-taker: "He came here, he came to us, he terrorized us, because he believed these tropes, these antisemitic tropes that Jews control everything. If I get to the Jews, they can pull the strings." 1/4.
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Coach Joe Kennedy said he wanted to coach football. But the Seattle-area school says he hasn’t appeared in two months. Instead he’s making appearances w Trump, Pence and Franklin Graham
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NEW: Amy Coney Barrett served as ‘handmaid’ in Christian group People of Praise. By @jonswaine @emmersbrown and me
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BREAKING: Opus Dei paid $977,000 to settle 2002 sexual misconduct claim against C. John McCloskey, prominent conservative Catholic priest -- more coming:
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Christian network executive Marcus Lamb died of covid Tuesday after making anti-vax theology a core focus on his network Daystar. “He 100 percent believed in everything we talk about here on Daystar" his widow says
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Trump praises Modi as "incredible" on religious freedom, as 13 people were killed in Hindu-Muslim clashes related to Modi's citizenship bill
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This here is what we call religion nerd humor and I’d like to report I LOL-ed at this. Hat tip to the artist
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This should be retweeted millions of times.
This is my Reuters colleague Kyaw Soe Oo, in handcuffs, saying goodbye to his 3-year-old daughter outside a Yangon court today. He and Wa Lone (right) are brave and decent men who face 14 years in jail simply for doing their jobs. Please read and share:
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Awesome photo of kid throwing full-on tantrum in front of Obama at White House Passover seder http://t.co/hzzbNYJAYd.
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Man, on a typical year this would be prime July 4 fireworks-watching real estate but the National Mall is near empty today
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Today is Trans Remembrance Day and I’m driving to cover a mass shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado. Sickening.
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BREAKING: No Trump stories on the "most-read" list on the @washingtonpost site. Leading the site: Sex, leggings and vaccines.
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This is the @washingtonpost. This is us. 24 hours. No work. Stand with the people busting their asses to hold power to account! We need you and you need us 💪🏽💪🏽
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Residents of Capitol Hill this weekend set up tables for the Sabbath with 200 empty chairs for hostages taken from Israel
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What a powerful message. Pittsburgh paper's front page runs the Hebrew words that begin the Jewish prayer of mourning.
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BREAKING: Jerry Falwell Jr. agrees to resign from Liberty University
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Many conservative leaders say even asking about Barrett's faith -- never mind challenging it -- is anti-religion. Yet the president, VP and other top GOP loyalists assail the faiths of their political opponents all the time. By @EJDionne
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Is there a way to remove this from the internet so my son doesn't see this.
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The graduation Dad who puts all other graduation parents to SHAME.
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NEW: Prominent evangelical church is the first to sue D.C. over covid-19 worship limits. Capitol Hill Baptist's suit says DC mayor violated the First Amendment by allowing mass protests but severely limiting worship services
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Heads of all the major Christian churches in Jerusalem issue statement saying Trump's decision will "cause irreparable harm".
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DC’s Episcopal bishop, Mariann Budde, said late Sunday of the St. John's fire: "I'm trying to stay focused on the deeper realities that this whole week is calling our attention to. And I am not condoning violence or destruction of property." 1/x.
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Not sure which is better, the mom's emotional praying or the brother (friend?)'s cute thumbs up ❤️.
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SBC survivor Jules Woodson embracing members of the Sex Abuse Task Force. “God was in the room,” she was saying @juleswoodson11 @R_Denhollander #SBC22
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Judge laughs. Prosecutor laughs. Stevenson feels he needs to make himself laugh so as to keep things cool for his client. "I still have to laugh at my own humiliation to advance justice?" 2/2 #2022Forum.
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BREAKING: Presbyterian Church USA votes to change definition of marriage to be "between two persons" after majority of church votes.
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The Apostles' Creed is one of the prayers most core to Christianity. It is the statement of faith in one God, and is said daily by Christians across the globe. Today, one very high-profile Christian didn’t say it.
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A few thousand mostly African American churchgoers marching today from the African American museum to BLM Plaza this morning - very deliberate social distancing
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The US Catholic bishops' longtime domestic lobbyist makes his first-ever public political endorsement, says there are "morally grave" reasons to vote for Biden
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My husband reports today that in my sleep I shouted: "Blessings be with you, and with your spirit." Which isn't perfect but shows Catholics that I think about you a lot 💚.
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In advocating for a civil union law, Pope Francis says LGBT people are "children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it.”
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JD Vance seems to have elaborated most on his thoughts about childless people at a conservative Catholic conference last year. He was asked about his view that childless people should have less power at the polls. A thread on his answer 1/13.
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Ravi Zacharias will be remembered as "one of those rare evangelical leaders from his generation who is actually known for being an evangelical who evangelized, rather than an evangelical who did politics.” The popular defender of Christianity died today
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I’m hearing from a ton of Catholics this week, all across the spectrum. Lotta sadness expressed.
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#1 on our @washingtonpost site: Rep. Ted Yoho removed from board of Christian charity over his comments about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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Dear people offering me feedback this morning on my reporting, no need to point out to me that I’m Jewish; I already know 🙏🏼.
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Presiding Bishop preaching remotely into a Washington National Cathedral, empty save for a dozen clergy, choir
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"The ones who inspire me most just place themselves there in the middle," Budde sighed. "It’s a building, no one’s life is gone, but we have work to do and we’ll do it: Cleaning up, rebuilding, and focusing on the rebuilding of our country, which is more important." END.
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In one of the largest surveys ever done of transgender adults, the @washingtonpost @KFF find trans people, despite being harassed, abused, attacked, are more satisfied w their lives, post-transition
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NEW: Eastern Orthodox priests in Russia denounce invasion of Ukraine at their own peril
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Thinking of all people who aren’t free and feeling grateful Jason is this year. Thank you for the perspective, friend 💙
In 2014 my mom was allowed to visit me for 20 minutes on #Christmas. It was our 1st meeting in Iran's Evin Prison. In 2015 she & @YeganehSalehi were allowed to bring me a home cooked meal & some clothes. Today the 3 of us will spend it together in freedom.
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The one you've been waiting for: A plumber was working on a toilet at Joel Osteen’s church. Five hundred envelopes of cash and checks fell out of the wall.
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Happy Sweet 16 to my religion-writing career! This month in 2006 I successfully convinced @washingtonpost editors to give me a crack at my dream beat. It could take a lifetime to understand human meaning-making in the early 21st Century. .
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I love this human.
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NOW: Ex-cardinal Ted McCarrick arrives in Massachusetts court for sex abuse arraignment. Survivors shouting: “How many lives? How many children? Shame on you. Prince of the church.”
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Alabama showed the dramatic difference between white and black evangelicals
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BREAKING: Despite past denials, D.C. Cardinal Donald Wuerl knew of sexual misconduct allegations against ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick and reported them to the Vatican. Much more coming
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The U.S. Catholic church represents just 5 percent of worldwide church. And Pope Francis has named more than 70 percent of the cardinals who will pick his successor. @GibsonWrites says US conservatives who oppose Francis are on the losing side of history
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Wilton Gregory, America’s only black Catholic archbishop, goes from diplomat to firestarter in the wake of George Floyd’s death
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One thing I’ll say about masks is it makes talking to yourself in public easy and convenient.
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Holy WOW the @washingtonpost is hiring 41 editors! In recent years editors across the biz were tossed in favor of "content" producers and this shows it's possible to spool back, learn from our mistakes and honor the fact that high-quality work demands editors (who are rested).
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My most deeply-held and fervent prayer: Please if I ever do anything super embarrassing don't let @RexChapman find out. Sincerely, Michelle 🙏🏽.
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I spent the past few months trying to answer the question: the Jan. 6 insurrection obviously had a ton of Christian stuff going on, but what kind of Christian stuff? And what kind of Christians? And how did we get here and where is here? 1/9
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Biden's DOJ just said it can defend religious exemptions that allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination in education. But the full political and legal strategies at play aren't yet clear
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DC Catholic priest who urged people not to “cower in fear” of the novel coronavirus has contracted covid-19. About 250 staff and parishioners to self-quarantine for two weeks.
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Welcome to 51. Glasses, some new spots and lines this year, and hopefully some new wisdom
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"So-called conservative Catholics" working to undermine Pope Francis are "patently wrong. and betraying their own principles" says president of conservative Catholic university @avemariauniv
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