Politics
Conservative Christians praise Trump’s anti-abortion record but say he’s stopped short of the goal
By Holly Meyer and Tiffany Stanley — April 9, 2024
(AP) — As Republican-led states have outlawed or further restricted abortion, Democrats believe the fight over abortion rights helps them at the polls.
The fight against Hindu nationalism in the United States is multifaith, says a newly formed coalition
By Richa Karmarkar — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — A declaration from the newly formed coalition Savera: United Against Supremacy expressed the group's 'acute concern' of Hindu nationalism, which they say now 'finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right.'
The peril radicalizing some evangelicals goes beyond Christian nationalism
By Matthew D. Taylor — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — Christian supremacists are plotting the end of America as we know it.
Indiana appeals court upholds injunction on abortion ban, citing religious liberty
By Jack Jenkins — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — The ruling was another win for those who say their religious beliefs direct them to have abortions prohibited by the ban.
Spiritual libertarianism swatted down in Wisconsin
By Mark Silk — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Conservative legal groups are trying to erase a distinction between religious employers and religious activity.
The strange world of Catholic ‘integralism’ — and Christian nationalism
By Jack Jenkins — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — ‘There’s the sense that the liberal order is so corrupt that elite Catholics have to find positions of influence and use them in a kind of noble and appropriate way,’ said Kevin Vallier.
Indian American lawmakers urge DOJ to address ‘alarming’ rise of Hindu temple vandalism
By Richa Karmarkar — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Hindu advocates say the trend of temple vandalism points to a lack of an adequate response from law enforcement, which they blame on anti-Hindu bias.
Jim Wallis: What that Bible Trump is selling says about truth
By Jim Wallis — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — Take a look inside that ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible and you’ll find that in the truth lies real freedom.
In crime-stricken Haiti, Catholic priests and nuns are targeted as kidnap victims
By Eduardo Campos Lima — April 1, 2024
SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Kidnappings by criminal gangs have continued to terrorize the country's residents, not least Catholic priests and other missionaries. In 2024 alone, at least 14 priests and religious brothers and sisters were abducted.
Israel’s high court says the government must stop funding seminaries. Could that topple Netanyahu?
By Julia Frankel — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions while studying full time in religious seminaries, or yeshivas.
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
By Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, and And Samy Magdy — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack.
The Trump camp and the White House clash over Biden’s recognition of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
By Josh Boak — March 31, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — In 2024, the March 31 designation overlaps with Easter, Christianity's holiest day. Trump's campaign accused Biden, a Roman Catholic, of being insensitive to religion, and fellow Republicans piled on.
High court ruling on Haredi draft exemption may set Israel on course for new elections
By David I. Klein — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — The draft exemptions, long a flashpoint issue in Israeli politics, have become even more fraught since the start of the war in Gaza, as Israel has called up over 300,000 reservists to active service while still exempting Haredis studying Torah.
Palestinian Christians make an Easter call for relief from war’s tightening grasp
By Mitri Raheb — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — An appeal to the world's Christians to pressure political leaders to find a way to peace.
Ministers aid seafarers caught in Baltimore bridge crisis
By Adelle M. Banks — March 28, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Everyone’s still kind of rattled and trying to figure things out,’ said the Rev. Joshua Messick, who has Bibles ‘in every conceivable language’ to distribute upon request.
