The Slingshot: Western Wall; Measuring goodness; Church on hold

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An aerial view of Jerusalem’s Old City and the Dome of the Rock. Israel’s transportation minister is pushing ahead with a plan to extend Jerusalem’s soon-to-open high speed rail line to the Western Wall. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons/Avraham Graicer


Need to know: Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Israel minister proposes a train station named for Trump at Western Wall

He would extend a rail line to Jerusalem’s sacred sites and name that stop for the U.S president, who recognized the city as Israel’s capital.

Are you a good person? How can you tell?

Social psychologists, ethicists, and religious leaders suggest ways to take a moral measure of yourself.

Construction halted at church destroyed in Sept. 11 attacks

The costs to build a new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church have ballooned and the source of funding is under investigation.

How ISIS changed the Yezidi religion

Targeted for genocide because of their faith, those who fled — and those who stayed — face modernization.

RNS Best of 2017: An unexpected president and the ‘hand of God’

Religion News Service is highlighting top stories including this Inauguration Day look at the belief that God intervenes in our politics.

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Humanity finds itself at a major crossroads: Do we choose the path of selfish separatism and inequality based on greed and competition, leading to the destruction of ourselves and planet Earth; or the path of cooperation and sharing leading to global peace and prosperity?

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Politics, religion interfere as Saudi Arabia hosts world chess games

(AP) Israeli players were denied visas and a leading cleric stands by his view that chess is forbidden in Islam.

India tightens Christmas security after Christians attacked

Christians are wary that extremist Hindu nationalists who have attacked Muslims will turn on them next.

RNS best of 2017: In the Capitol’s shadow, Museum of the Bible readies for opening

The 430,000-square-foot museum with a view of the U.S. Capitol is meant to fascinate, educate and — depending on your point of view — evangelize.

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More views from RNS

Hey, Mormons — leave dead Jews alone!

(RNS) — If the Mormons baptize my dead grandparents, I will go totally postal.

Forget ‘Happy Holidays.’ Let’s talk about Congress this Christmas.

Talking about public policy may not seem like a festive activity, but it is sorely needed.

Why Trump commuted Chabad

There was a lot in common.

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