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Need to know: Friday, July 1, 2016
Is Pope Francis a Lone Ranger on apologizing to gays?
The pontiff’s comments that the Catholic Church should ask forgiveness for bias against gay people were hailed in headlines. But not so much in the hierarchy. Why?
In memoirs, ex-Pope Benedict says Vatican ‘gay lobby’ wielded power
The book, called “The Last Conversations,” is the first time in history that a former pope judges his own pontificate after it is over. It is due to be published on Sept. 9.
Mississippi law protecting opponents of gay marriage is blocked
Federal judge rules that the law unconstitutionally “put its thumb on the scale to favor some religious beliefs over others.”
Coptic priest gunned down by ISIS in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula
Militants claim the 46-year-old cleric was guilty of "combating Islam," and in separate incident a bombing attack left a policeman dead.
Saudi Arabia introduces e-bracelets for safety at Hajj 2016
After last year's stampede that killed hundreds, Riyadh introduces new safety measures to monitor pilgrims' movements.
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Latest news from RNS
California bill would limit exemptions for religious colleges
Some hail it as an overdue protection for LGBT students and faculty while others say it is an affront to religious freedom.
‘Defusing Hate’: Holocaust museum publishes a handbook
A young American who countered incendiary speech in Kenya authors a how-to book to combat it.
6 life and death questions for ethicist Arthur Caplan
(RNS) Bioethicist Arthur Caplan looks at the moral quandaries posed by Zika and the Olympics, the right-to-die law in California and more headliner issues.
More views from RNS
Muslims not assimilating? Au contraire!
(RNS) Donald Trump says American Muslims have a hard time “assimilating” to America. He clearly doesn’t know about the unique American Muslim culture that has been developing since the country's inception.
What catalyst started the Presbyterian Church in America? Racism
If it wasn't for slavery, segregation, and white supremacy, there would be no Presbyterian Church in America.
Seven hard truths about America this July 4th weekend
We are bruised from failed foreign wars, and six other hard truths about America this July 4th.
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Bonus tracks
- They were about to break their Ramadan fast. But first, they fed others.
- Palestinian teen who murdered 13-year-old Jewish girl hoped to die a martyr
- Church attendance linked with reduced suicide risk among women, especially for Catholics, study says
- Should NASA have given $1.1 million to a theology institute?
- Atheist minister defends her views at United Church ‘inquisition’
