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In an edition of Sightings from last week, a federal judge from Illinois dissects a legal brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court from a diverse group of religious organizations arguing a moral case for why the should stop the sentencing of juveniles convicted of non-homicide offenses to life without the possibility of parole.

The groups make a claim "rarely heard in contemporary culture, that the duty of a judge, and of a society imposing judgment, is to make adequate provision for ... values" of mercy, forgiveness and passion, writes U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall.

A recent Sightings column by religion scholar Martin Marty about what kind of religion news coverage is still out there amid the decline of beat coverage by print media. Read the column at the jump.

Religion scholar Martin Marty's latest Sightings column looks at a recent report on charitable giving, which found the first decline in giving since 1987. Read more at the jump.

In his latest Sightings column, religion scholar Martin Marty writes about the "lose-lose battles over the blessing of gay marriages and ordination of homosexuals" in Protestantism. Read more at the jump.

In the most recent Sightings column, Joseph Laycock discusses the theology behind a Kentucky church's recent Open Carry Celebration. Read more at the jump.

Religious studies professor Kathryn Lofton reflects on Michael Jackson's divine parallels, brand identification and the ritual function of his music.

An excerpt:

Before the casket closes, take a moment, and download "The Way You Make Me Feel." Listen. See what you do. See what your five-year-old does. And think, briefly, about what sort of sublime work a pop song does.

In his latest Sightings column, religion scholar Martin Marty looks back at an eventful week and how the news coincided with religion and ethics.